{"id":19265,"date":"2016-06-01T07:00:14","date_gmt":"2016-06-01T11:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=19265"},"modified":"2016-05-30T22:12:55","modified_gmt":"2016-05-31T02:12:55","slug":"guest-post-communications-service-monitors-a-radio-hobbyists-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/guest-post-communications-service-monitors-a-radio-hobbyists-perspective\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Post: Communications Service Monitors \u2013 A Radio Hobbyist\u2019s Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SX-99-Dial-Nar\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN)<\/a> for the following guest post:<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Communications Service Monitors \u2013 A Radio Hobbyist\u2019s Perspective<\/h1>\n

Mario Filippi, N2HUN<\/strong><\/p>\n

(All photos courtesy of author)<\/p>\n

Over the past few decades I lusted after a communications service monitor for my radio hobby but prices were always prohibitive; several thousands of dollars for a new model and tens of thousands for high-end ones. Not being a working professional in the communications field made it difficult to justify purchasing a piece of equipment whose price tag rivaled a down payment on a house. So, fast forward a few decades later and now life and times have fortunately changed for the better; the house is paid for, the job is secure, the income is finally steady, life is good financially, and to boot many of these older service monitors manufactured by Ramsey, Motorola, Wavetek, IFR\/Aerotek, Cushman etc., are currently being sold on the pre-owned market at a fraction of their original decades-ago hefty prices. These service monitors are finally in financial reach of electronics hobbyists who will find many uses for these former electronic workhorses that toiled many years in the industry and now, in their golden years are being retired and becoming available for a second life via reuse\/reincarnation\/repurposing\/reinvention.<\/p>\n

\"Work<\/a>

Work of Art: Author\u2019s Ramsey COM3 Service Monitor<\/p><\/div>\n

So what exactly is a communications service monitor, or \u201cservice monitor\u201d as the folks in the trade refer to? Well it is an instrument for servicing AM and FM radio equipment, although some units also have the ability to service SSB equipment. The service monitor is basically a highly accurate and precise receiver and low-power signal generator all in one allowing a technician (or electronics hobbyist) to perform service, repair, or alignment of radio equipment. Most of us have had the experience of owning a malfunctioning radio whether it is an AM or FM broadcast radio, two-way radio such as a CB (Citizen\u2019s Band) radio, pager, or a ham radio transceiver, and that is where a service monitor proves its value and utility because now you, the hobbyist, can perform the work yourself.<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>

My Friend\u2019s Ramsey COM3010 Service Monitor, Big Brother of the COM3<\/p><\/div>\n

As a radio enthusiast (shortwave, ham radio, satellite communications) for over half a century, I\u2019ve definitely owned more radios than shoes; everything from AM, FM, shortwave receivers to CB radios to ham transceivers, all in different stages of health and vintage. For years I relied on standalone RF signal generators, audio generators, frequency counters, and CTCSS decoders to aid in rehabbing, troubleshooting, and aligning each of the many units that paraded past my radio shack. Then one day a friend showed me his service monitor, the Ramsey COM3010, another venerable workhorse still in production, and it was a defining moment; the time had come to invest in one.<\/p>\n

\"Aligning<\/a>

Aligning a Uniden President Washington CB Radio Prior to Owning a Service Monitor<\/p><\/div>\n

My Ramsey COM3, purchased second-hand from an Internet auction site for $400.00 is a no frills, basic unit without the features found in more sophisticated service monitors having built-in oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, frequency sweeping ability, and frequency scanning ability. The COM3 was in production from the late 1980\u2019s to around 2003 at a price of around $2500 (ca. 1989) and was considered a workhorse in its time, weighed 13 pounds with the internal battery, and was easily luggable from site to site. It covers from 100 KHz to 999.999 MHz and has become an invaluable tool in my radio shack for measuring a transmitter\u2019s operating frequency and deviation, measuring receiver sensitivity, S meter calibration, and checking CTCSS tones on my two way VHF\/UHF radios. My unit evidently had an easy former life as the only needs were to replace the internal battery, perform an external cleaning, check transmitter and receiver accuracy and check accuracy of the internal audio generator. Interestingly, Ramsey Electronics (www.ramseytest.com<\/a>) still services and calibrates COM3s.<\/p>\n

\"Vintage<\/a>

Vintage Tempo One Transceiver Restoration Was Made Easier with the COM3 on the Bench<\/p><\/div>\n

So, if you\u2019ve been dreaming of owning your own communications service monitor either as a hobbyist or small repair radio shop proprietor then start looking as there are plenty of used units out there; you\u2019ll pay top dollar when buying from a commercial vendor but at least you\u2019ll get some form of warranty. If instead you travel the same road I did, via an Internet auction site, there\u2019s lots more risk involved, but the plus is you\u2019ll save big if you do your homework by checking past auctions, seller feedback scores, and determining what price the market is bearing by looking at the winning bids. In closing, the COM3 owner\u2019s manual is available on line by doing a simple search, and a review of the Ramsey COM3 by Larry Antonuk which appeared in the August 1989 issue of 73 Amateur Radio Magazine<\/em> is also available as a free download.<\/p>\n

\n

Mario, thank you for another brilliant guest post! I always learn something new from your articles<\/a>. By the way: I have that same Nye Viking straight key–it\u00a0obviously\u00a0pairs beautifully with the Tempo One!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN) for the following guest post: Communications Service Monitors \u2013 A Radio Hobbyist\u2019s Perspective Mario Filippi, N2HUN (All photos courtesy of author) Over the past few decades I lusted after a communications service monitor for my radio hobby but prices were always prohibitive; several thousands of dollars […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4199,8,1271,3194,545,627,3,139,43],"tags":[5124,4342,4311,5123],"class_list":["post-19265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-accessories","category-articles","category-boat-anchors-2","category-guest-posts","category-ham-radio","category-how-to","category-news","category-radio-modifications","category-shortwave-radio","tag-communications-service-monitors","tag-guest-posts","tag-mario-filippi-n2hun","tag-test-equipment"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-50J","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15755,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/guest-post-trip-down-shortwave-memory-lane-via-vintage-radioshack-catalogs\/","url_meta":{"origin":19265,"position":0},"title":"Guest post: Trip Down Shortwave Memory Lane via Vintage RadioShack Catalogs","author":"Thomas","date":"November 23, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario\u00a0Filippi (N2HUN), for the\u00a0following guest post: Trip Down Shortwave Memory Lane via Vintage RS Catalogs -Mario Filippi (N2HUN) Attached is a wonderful website containing archived Radio Shack catalogs and sales flyers going back to 1939, surely of interest to SWLs, hams, and other electronics\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RadioShack-Catalog","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/RadioShack-Catalog.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/RadioShack-Catalog.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/RadioShack-Catalog.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22793,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/guest-post-remembering-our-elmers\/","url_meta":{"origin":19265,"position":1},"title":"Guest Post: Remembering our Elmers","author":"Thomas","date":"December 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), for the following guest post: \u2018Tis the Season to be Jolly and to Remember Our Elmers by\u00a0Mario Filippi (N2HUN) At this time of year when we gather with friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances to share the bonhomie and joys of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Guest Posts"","block_context":{"text":"Guest Posts","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/guest-posts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/elmerarticlepic-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/elmerarticlepic-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/elmerarticlepic-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/elmerarticlepic-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30826,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/mario-spots-a-rare-j-i-l-communications-receiver-sx-400-on-ebay\/","url_meta":{"origin":19265,"position":2},"title":"Mario spots a rare J.I.L. Communications Receiver SX-400 on eBay","author":"Thomas","date":"February 11, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi, who writes: Hope you are doing well. Spotted this J.I.L. receiver on eBay, never heard of this unit before. Click here to view on eBay. Thanks for the tip, Mario! This is a new one for me as well--what an interesting stack-able\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/JIL-Communications-Receiver-SX-400-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/JIL-Communications-Receiver-SX-400-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/JIL-Communications-Receiver-SX-400-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/JIL-Communications-Receiver-SX-400-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":50576,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/10\/schulman-auctions-posts-new-batch-of-radio-gear\/","url_meta":{"origin":19265,"position":3},"title":"Schulman Auctions posts new batch of radio gear","author":"Thomas","date":"October 18, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor, Mario Filippi, who writes: Schulman auctions is now live with the latest batch of ham and other radio equipment. Lots of interesting radios available. https:\/\/schulmanauction.hibid.com\/ Thank you for the tip, Mario! Some amazing variety in this latest auction!","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-18-at-07.48.57-e1634557800824.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-18-at-07.48.57-e1634557800824.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-18-at-07.48.57-e1634557800824.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-18-at-07.48.57-e1634557800824.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":51464,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/01\/schulman-auctions-posts-new-lots-of-radio-gear-for-january-2022\/","url_meta":{"origin":19265,"position":4},"title":"Schulman Auctions posts new lots of radio gear for January 2022","author":"Thomas","date":"January 8, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor, Mario Filippi, who writes: There is a lot of gear for auction from Schulman Auctions. There are several shortwave radios and other vintage gear, even crystal radios. Eye candy for radio buffs. 73's, Mario, N2HUN Thank you for the tip, Mario! Click here to check out\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Schulman-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Schulman-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Schulman-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Schulman-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Schulman-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24029,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/ebay-find-the-ifr-aeoroflex-t-1200sra\/","url_meta":{"origin":19265,"position":5},"title":"eBay find: The IFR Aeoroflex T-1200SRA","author":"Thomas","date":"February 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes: Every once in a while an IFR (Instrument Flight Research, a.k.a. Aeroflex) T-1200SRA comes up for auction, it is a sophisticated receiver covering LF-HF-VHF-UHF with built-in spectrum analyzer. Click here to view on eBay. Some claim these were used\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IFR-Instrument-T-1200SRA-1024x707.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IFR-Instrument-T-1200SRA-1024x707.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IFR-Instrument-T-1200SRA-1024x707.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19265\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}