W9VC

Episode 118 - Bill Murray - W9VC

Bill Murray, W9VC, likes to spend his ham radio time building tube type transmitters of his own design from old equipment purchased at ham fests. In addition, Bill likes to rebuild old gear and and operate QRP in the field.  W9VC shares his ham radio story with Eric, 4Z1UG, in this episode of QSO Today.

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Show Notes

Listen to Podcast

Boy Scouts Radio Merit Badge

First Elmer: Uncle Frank “Stewart” Aymer , WA8YAY, “Toot

Codes sound language

First Callsign:  age 12,1967, WN8YTL

Other Elmer: Whittier E Clark, W8IHN

First Contact:  John Nicholson, WN7IHO

First Rig: 

• Hallicrafters HT40 Transmitter
• Hallicrafters SX96

Current Rigs:
Operating Position 1: 

• Drake 2NT CW Transmitter
• Drake 2C Receiver
• Drake 2B Receiver
• Knight T50

Operating Position 2

• Kenwood TS830
• Drake R4A

Favorite operating mode: CW

W9VC CW warmup:  “Bens Best Bent Wire”  

Bill Crane, W9ZN

Lowell Hamfest

Best way to get on CW:

1. Get on the air
2. The slower CW higher up in the band 7.100 ad 7.125
3. Use a Keyer, W9VC prefers Bencher paddle

First Class Radio Telephone

Education: University of Michigan, BSIE  Industrial Engineering

Worked in Materials Mangement.  -

• General Electric , 12 years
• Belden Wire and Cable, 10 years

Favorite Hamfest: Hudsonville Hamfest, Michigan

6V6 6L6 transmitter

807 final amplifier

6AG7 with pair of 807 finals

Transistor transmitter rigs

Best source of parts for tube projects: obsolete test equipment

Refurbished Rigs: 

• Heathkit DX-20 refurbish, replaced electrolytic capacitors, 3 wire power cord
• Knight T-50, 6AG7 and 807.
• High voltage capacitors for tube radios

Some home-brewer tools: ​
1)  Drill , punch, drill bits,  Round Metal file,( optional-Greenlee punches, nibbler)
Greenlee punches

• 1 1/8" for octal,
• 7/8" for 9 pin miniature ,
• 5/8" for 7 pin miniature and SO-239

2) needle nose pliers, screwdrivers, small  wire cutters
3) Soldering iron, rosin core solder
4) VOM or VTVM , rf probe is helpful
5) Watt meter
6) Wave meter
7) Capacitor/Inductance Meter
 
Recommended first tube project: 6L6 Transmitter

How to get a tube tester:

• You will pay too much on Ebay.
• Buy it from your friend who does not need it anymore

Emissions versus mutual conductance tube tester

W9VC tube type stereo amplifier.  What is the advantage of a tube stereo amplifier?  

Best audio sources for tube amplifiers: used CDs

Eastern Indiana QRP Club  

Donny, WA9TGT, Drake 2B, “cult receiver”

Richard WB9LPU, builds bugs and keys


What kind of impact does amateur radio have on your family life?

Dave Benson transceiver SWL40

Elecraft K1

Hartwick Pines State Park

Porcupine Mountain State Park

Advice to new or returning hams:

• Don’t be concerned about the cost of ham radio. A simple radio is available.
• Find an Elmer with gear not being used.

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Hallicrafters HT-40 Novice Transmitter

Hallicrafters SX-96 Receiver

Drake 2NT Transmitter

Drake 2B Receiver

W9VC Heathkit AT1 Clone

W9VC Homebrew Novice Transmitter