QSO Today Interview with Ray Heffer, G4NSJ

G4NSJ

7/6/2019

Episode 257 - Ray Heffer - G4NSJ

Ray Heffer, G4NSJ, commandeered the family shortwave radio, as a kid, to further his interest in shortwave listening and ultimately amateur radio. Ray made his career as a television, radio, and audio visual equipment repairman, and now specializes in the repair and restoration of 1940’s vintage AM radio sets. I found this endeavor to be fascinating and Ray has created some clever and novel solutions to keep these radios entertaining their owners in the QSO Today.

Show Notes

Fund Transcript

Listen to Podcast

Ray’s channels:
Radio Workshop Web Site
Radio Workshop YouTube Channel
First transmitter - 10 watt 6.6 mhz pirate

First License: Age 17, Class B License,

First rig: Heathkit HW-30 twoer AM

First HF rig:
Yaesu FT-101B HF Transceiver
British Wireless 19 Set - former tank radio
British Wireless 18 set

Current Rig:
Kenwood TS 570D HF transceiver
Iambic keyer
Capco antenna tuner
Doublet antenna

Favorite bands: 160 and 80 meters

BBC Home Service

BBC Radio 3

BBC Light Program

Shortwave Radio

Dipole for 80 meters

Trawler Radio Band - Ship in the English Channel

Pirates” on 6.6 Mhz

RAE - Radio Amateur Examination

UK Amateur Class B License

Anorak

Practical Wireless Magazine

Roller inductor

Johnson Matchbox

SWR - standing wave ratio

Bush AM Radio

HMV radio manufacturer, UK

Medium Wave = AM band

Long Wave = 200 Khz

AM transmitter - low power to transmit to old radios.

Bowden cable - like a bicycle shift cable

Capacitor reforming - revive old filter capacitors

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

332 Khz Beacon

Magnetic loop receive antenna

Greatest challenge to amateur radio: electronic noise generated in neighborhoods from consumer products.

Excited most by: Getting back into CW

Advice to new or returning hams: Try to use Morse code if you can. Go to 10 meters, its a big band.

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