A friend of mine sent me this photo taken of part of an antique electronics experimenter kit he owns. This must have been one of the earliest integrated circuits!
Fred Krauss
Thanks Fred! I forget what these circuits were called. Sort of like the construction method used to make the Parallax BASIC Stamp IC.
Bryan Bergeron
I really enjoyed Bryan Bergeron’s intro about storage components. I have been extensively reworking my shop and radio room, and acquiring and better using storage has been a big part of my effort.
Quickly finding the right component or test lead makes things go a lot smoother! Thanks again for a great magazine.
Trent Fleming
Just a few years ago, I was given the station of a friend’s father, and it included a Viking Ranger I — all in relatively pristine condition. Unfortunately, since we live in an RV where space is somewhat limited, this combination wouldn’t fit and I’ve had to settle for more compact equipment. Having said that, since I’m 80 years old now and my wife is hinting at purchasing real property again. I’ll probably be taking all my “toys” out of storage; these pieces being part of my stash. I also have a homebrew amplifier with a pair of 4-1000A’s which will probably be driven by my Ranger.
The thrust of this note is to thank you for sharing your restoration experience with your 2B. I know there are much better receivers on the market today, but there’s just something about putting an older piece of equipment back on the air and using it.
I remember back in November 1956 when I was licensed. My first receiver was a Heathkit AR-2 (which I built), and my first transmitter was a crystal controlled, homebrew, two-tube affair built using an old wooden picking box as a chassis. My first contact was on 80 meters CW and was 30 miles away. I still have the QSL card from that contact, though the ink to confirm that contact has long faded away. All that’s left is the indentation that the ball point pen made while confirming the QSO. You have to hold that card up to the light just right to be able to see the confirmation documentation. A priceless possession.
Again, thank you for your restoration project, and its publication. I found it quite interesting, and will be following your instruction on the 2B of my own.
All the very best of 73,
Ernie W5NH
