Last nite I buttoned up the HQ-160 and decided to apply power to a dusty HX-50
SSB exciter. Seems OK so far. The previous owner has wired in SS diodes to
replace the 5R4 or 5V4 tube, and someone left a GT-style 100 KC cal xtal in
that socket -- yes, I found it before powering up.

So far I've read a little cathode current on the meter, which goes down when I
adjust the rear apron bias control. And I can hear the VFO on a nearby rx --
calibration seems good. Both sets of cords are OK -- man, that bandswitch cord
system is scary, more so than the Viking II's loading control.

Now that I've already done the stupid thing of powering up without reforming
the caps (assuming I really do have B+ in the beast and not just bias and LV
supplies?), does anyone have any hints or comments about this rig? Quality,
value, things to look out for, gotchas?

Such as, which mode position is best for initial tune-up into a dummy load?
CW? Nice to have a Drive control so I can start small on power levels.

Might take me a while to find a mic connector (I think every TX maker wanted
to sell his own line of mikes -- no two connectors alike).

73, Mike K. AA1UK

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