On 7/4/11 09:39 , Gisle Vanem wrote:
Please folks, tell us about what radio got you into DX-ing. I.e.
which radio was the first "fix". The one that made you pursue DX-ing?

Here is a picture of my first, named "Radionette Combi Star":
http://www.nnrm.net/Teknisk%20info/R...0CombiStar.htm

Some technical data (translated from the above):

Year of build: 1960 (by Radionette A/S, Oslo, Norway)
Transistors: 2x OC71, 2x OC604 (germanium with long legs).
Frequency bands: LW, MW, 1.6 - 3.3 MHz ("fishery-band" on our lingo
since
fishermen used it to "phone" home) and SW 49m - 19m bands
(continuously).
Price in 1960: NOK 590,- (approx. 90 US$ then).
Power alternatives: 110V, 130V, 150V, 210V, 230V or 7.5V battery pack.
# produced: unknown.

Variants in the750001-751600 series had Garrard record-player. While
the 755001 had a
Star record-player (45 RPM). The first model which came in 1958 had
a mix of germanium transistors and tubes.

I remember it had an internal loop antenna hidden around the inside rim
of the wooden chassis. So the MW reception and null-effect
(figure-of-8) was
rather good. It had exactly the same colour as in the picture above
(but available
several others). It was sturdy built and had a good speaker. Since
it also had a battery
pack, I could even take it to the beach and play my 45 RPM records.

I remember my first good DX on this radio; Radio Australia (ABC) on
the 25m band. As a 12 year old, I couldn't really believe my ears.
Got it from my step-mother after she got tired
of it. And since FM was long common then (1970), she had no use for
it. So, that was some
tales of my first radio-love.

--gv



My first was a Hallicrafters S-53A

Built in 1951

8 tubes

5 bands, 54 - 1605khz, 2.5 - 6.3Mhz, 6.3 - 16.5Mhz, 13.8 - 33Mhz,
46 - 55Mhz.

$90.99 when purchased.

120V AC

Variants include S-53 and S-53U with largers IF cans. S-53U
international power transformer.

Requires an external antenna -- single wire unbalanced, or
balanced ladder line -- and a good ground.

I learned how to tune SSB using the CW tone and offset tuning. Not
particularly selective on crowded bands, although it was adequate.
And it had a good sound. Full, rich audio. Had a phono input so I
could use it as a power amplifier for some of my audio experiments.
Pin sockets output so a pair of Brush Clevites could be used for
private listening.

I heard more Blues hockey games on that radio than any since, and
it was always good listening.

Began listening to BBCWS on that radio. That's where I first heard
"Just a Minute," and untold radio dramas.

I gave it away to a colleague in the late 70's. Immediately found
and purchased another one, which I still use.