"geojunkie" wrote in message
om...
I posted several weeks back about the idea of a HAM newcomer setting
up a vintage station. I came away feeling that it was going to be a
challenge, but is certainly doable.

I am working on sourcing some code training software, and have been
doing a lot of listening with my SX-71. AMing appeals to me on the
surface... it seem more gear oriented, and mostly (only?) vintage. No
matter how well I dial in SSB, it just lacks fidelity compared with
the AM, at least on my receiver. But, I have a long way to go with my
listening.

AM is a fine mode, especially for vintage gear. SSB has more punch, and will
get through a pileup better, but nothing beats a good armchair qso with AM.

I saw what seemed to be a reasonable deal (except for shipping) on a
working and mint looking Viking Invader 2000 ssb/cw/am, and bought it.
I have been into tubes from an audio standpoint for most of my life
and happened across a pair of NOS 4-1000a tubes a while back. I had
envisioned someday doing something homebrew with them. Well the
Invader uses a pair of 4-400s, so I will get a taste of what that
might entail. It is running 2200 plate volts, and I have read they
glow orange. Anyway, probably a dumb reason to pick a particular
transmitter, but the 4-400s, the condition, the power capabilities,
the looks all sucked me in. So tell me, am I in way over my head or
can I handle this beast?

That depends on how understanding your wife is ;-J. I've been in over my
head for years, and she's almost, but not quite, used to it.

If you can read a schematic, you're fine.

Dumber questions.... what else am I going to need to set up my
station? I already have the SX-101a, the Invader 2000, and lots of
test equipment... scope, signal and sweep generators, VTVM w/ HV
probe, etc. I konw I need a key and a mic and to set up a proper
antenna and that is all I know. What else should I be trying to
accumulate while I work on my license? If this is the wrong place to
be asking these questions, somebody set me straight. Thanks for your
help.

Well, I don't know as there's a "better" place, so I'll answer them here.

You'll need a dummy load, which is a 50 ohm non-reactive resister used to
tune the transmitter without radiating a signal. Heath "Cantennas" are
excellent, and E.F. Johnson made good units too.

You'll need a _good_ microphone: "communications" quality mikes don't cut it
on AM, so get one that's made for recording and/or broadcast.

You'll need a _big_ antenna. If it survives the winter, it wasn't big
enough! Since most AM operation is on 80 and 40 meters, I recommend a
vertical with a minimum of 64 1/4 wave ground radials. If you can't do that,
just suffer with a dipole like the rest of us: what the hell, you've got an
Invader ...

You'll need a _separate_ area of the house to use for your ham "shack".
Trust me: it _must_ be separate. Pick the place that has the best access to
the antenna farm, the best ventilation, the best view, and the best AC
feed - and make it into your wife's sewing room while you set up a
dehumidifier in the cellar.

Don't ask me how I know.

73, and good luck,

Bill