older ham eqiupment

[DieselFF918]

Hey all, I was wondering if any one could give an idea about what I Might look for as far as older ham radios go?

I am getting some ideas for a classic project, looking at doing a Scout II, and I would like to find some older period correct, or as close to period correct, ham radios to put in the Scout.

The oldest radio I have is an Icom IC-22A, which would be perfect for what I want to do, except for finding crystals.

Is there anything else from the late 70's to 80's that may work, that doesn't need crystals?

How about older commercial radios?

 

[zz0468]

Motorola Syntor or MCX100?

IC-22S, IC-230...

What's wrong with crystals... is it just the price? They ARE still available.

 

[DieselFF918]

nothing is wrong with crystals, just hard to find the right frequency crystals sometimes. I would love to be able to use my IC-22A, as it is the first mobile I bought.

 

[gewecke]

Maybe try the used ham gear and swap sites? Some of these guys keep their old "boat anchors" just for such items.
n9zas

 

[kb2crk]

Try KDK

KDK used to make synthesized 2 meter radios in the 70's. i used to have an fm144 which i believe was made in about 77. i did have to add a tone board for PL's but a good working vintage piece.

 

[zz0468]

nothing is wrong with crystals, just hard to find the right frequency crystals sometimes. I would love to be able to use my IC-22A, as it is the first mobile I bought.

Crystals are actually quite easy to get. Call International Crystal. Tell them what you have and what you want. Give them your visa card number. Wait about two weeks and check your mailbox.

Note that I never mentioned that they were cheap... just easy.

 

[W2NJS]

An Icom 3200 dualbander would be a good choice; it's synthesized.

 

[Token]

The Scout II was made up until 1980, are you looking to do it with rigs made from 1980 or before?

For 2M, 6M, and HF there are several choices, for 70cm it would be more limited. OK, I am going to list ones I remember, all either synthesized or VFO'ed, no crystals required. I am sure there are many more and a little search should reveal them. All of these should be 1980 or before.

70cm. Icom IC-30, IC-390. Kenwood TR9500 all mode.

2M. The Yaesu CPU2500R is a fully synthesized 2M rig that was made in 1980. The Yaesu FT-227R Memorizer was introduced in 1979 and was also a 2M synthesized rig. FT-480R 1980. Icom IC-211E all mode 1976 synthesized (the 211 was my first 2M store bought radio), Icom IC-245A FM 1977. Kenwood TR-7400A, TR-7500, TS-700 all mode.

6M. Icom IC-560 all mode 1980, Kenwood TS-600 all mode.

HF. The Yaesu FT-7 or the FT-707. Icom IC-701 and IC-720.

T!
Mohave Desert, California, USA

 

[n5ims]

The Azden PCS 2000 (PCS 3000 also, which is a bit newer) may fit the bill. The 2000 was introduced around 1980 with the 3000 a few years later.

Here's a current eBay auction for one of the PCS-3000s (know nothing about it, just found it with a search). AZden PCS-3000 2 Meter Mobile Radio + RCM-369 Mic - eBay (item 350400177323 end time Oct-10-10 16:30:20 PDT)

 

[DieselFF918]

The Scout II was made up until 1980, are you looking to do it with rigs made from 1980 or before?

For 2M, 6M, and HF there are several choices, for 70cm it would be more limited. OK, I am going to list ones I remember, all either synthesized or VFO'ed, no crystals required. I am sure there are many more and a little search should reveal them. All of these should be 1980 or before.

70cm. Icom IC-30, IC-390. Kenwood TR9500 all mode.

2M. The Yaesu CPU2500R is a fully synthesized 2M rig that was made in 1980. The Yaesu FT-227R Memorizer was introduced in 1979 and was also a 2M synthesized rig. FT-480R 1980. Icom IC-211E all mode 1976 synthesized (the 211 was my first 2M store bought radio), Icom IC-245A FM 1977. Kenwood TR-7400A, TR-7500, TS-700 all mode.

6M. Icom IC-560 all mode 1980, Kenwood TS-600 all mode.

HF. The Yaesu FT-7 or the FT-707. Icom IC-701 and IC-720.

T!
Mohave Desert, California, USA

I would go for any rig made before 1990.