{"id":9668,"date":"2014-05-29T08:07:39","date_gmt":"2014-05-29T12:07:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=9668"},"modified":"2014-05-29T08:08:03","modified_gmt":"2014-05-29T12:08:03","slug":"tallying-up-hamvention-purchases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/tallying-up-hamvention-purchases\/","title":{"rendered":"Tallying up Dayton Hamvention purchases"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"It<\/a>

I’m a sucker for\u00a0old military gear, like this Signal Corps BC-221-AL signal generator. (Click to enlarge)<\/p><\/div>\n

This year, at the Dayton Hamvention<\/em>, I spent more money than I ever have. \u00a0Though the Hamvention<\/em> is a showcase of innovations and flea market treasures, I typically walk away with a few connectors, cables, or maybe some handy accessories; I rarely spend more than $100, though I budget much more.<\/p>\n

But this year was an exception. I walked away with a few bigger-ticket\u00a0items\u00a0I found irresistible. \u00a0Buyer’s remorse? Nope.<\/p>\n

SWLing Post<\/em> reader, Mike, asked what I purchased, so instead of sending him an email with the tally, I thought I’d post my finds here.<\/p>\n

Hallicrafters SX-24<\/h2>\n

\"Hamvention-1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Hamvention-01\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I already have an SX-24, but this one is cosmetically superb<\/em> for its age.\u00a0The seller told me that she\u00a0“lights up” but has no audio; it was an estate sale item. \u00a0I assume that it has a bad capacitor or two (or more). No doubt, it can be fixed and will fill my radio room with warm audio in due time. At least, that’s the theory!<\/p>\n

I purchased this Hallicrafters SX-24 for $60.00<\/p>\n

Signal Corps BC-221-AL Signal Generator<\/h2>\n

\"Hamvention-08\"<\/a>\"Hamvention-06\"<\/a>\"Hamvention-07\"<\/a>\"Hamvention-03\"<\/a>\"Hamvention-04\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This is a working BC-221-AL signal generator that will more than pay for itself each time I align my BC-348-Q<\/a> (or any of my boat anchors, for that matter). It, too, was in excellent shape and I couldn’t pass it up at $30.00 (great price as the seller was ready to part with it on the final day of the Hamvention). I love the fact that its reference book and log, with schematic, are fully in tact. Bonus: it has that great vintage military electronics smell.<\/p>\n

Surmen DC Digital Voltmeter<\/h2>\n

\"Voltage<\/a><\/p>\n

I picked up this simple in-line volt meter at\u00a0Universal Radio\u00a0for $20<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The photo above is enlarged: the actual unit is very small (2.75 x 1.5 x 1 inches). Since my whole DC system is based on Anderson Powerpole connectors, this simple meter will help keep tabs on voltage. I think Universal sold out of these at the Hamvention, but since they build them in house, you can order online.<\/p>\n

Side KX panels and cover<\/h2>\n

\"Hamvention-10\"<\/a>\"Hamvention-11\"<\/a>\"Hamvention-12\"<\/a>I like traveling with my Elecraft KX3, but I worry about the faceplate being damaged in transit. In the past, I’ve used dense\u00a0foam to protect the front of the radio, but it’s an imperfect solution.<\/p>\n

This year, Gems Products<\/a><\/em> was selling their Side KX<\/em> panels at Elecraft<\/em>‘s booth in the North Hall. The Side KX handles protrude a good 1\/8″ beyond the height of the KX3’s knobs, thus protecting the rig even if turned upside down. I also purchased the clear Lexan cover which fits perfectly on the radio. Now when I travel, I can throw the KX3 in my backpack and not worry about the face being damaged.<\/p>\n

At a Hamvention<\/em> discounted price of $60 with tax, it was no minor purchase, but the investment to protect a $1,200 portable radio was well worth it. I must say, the fit is excellent\u00a0and installation took perhaps 5 minutes.<\/p>\n

Sony TFM-1600W portable radio<\/h2>\n

\"Hamvention-02\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This Sony was a late Saturday flea market purchase. The vendor–who attends annually and is well known for his gorgeous display of antique tube radios–had this solid-state Sony sitting at the back corner of the booth. It quickly attracted my attention and that of my buddy (and radio enabler) Mike (K8RAT).<\/p>\n

Originally priced at $65.00, the vendor was kind enough to let me talk him down (“beg” is more like it, right Mike?) to the $40.00 cash I had left in my pocket.<\/p>\n

Once we got it back to our lodging we confirmed what we had suspected: this Sony has incredible audio fidelity and great sensitivity. \u00a0No big surprise here: in the 1970’s, Sony was a brand well-known for superb audio fidelity.<\/p>\n

This Sony will need a little work–the pots and band switch need a thorough cleaning. Also, the tuning needle somehow came dis-lodged from the fly-wheel mechanism. All of these things can be fixed, though, and I’ll have a superb receiver that should last a few more decades. For a radio built in Japan in 1971, I’m very happy with its condition.<\/p>\n

Palstar SP30B Speaker<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"PalstarSP30B\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I’m a sucker for hand-crafted gear. While perusing the flea market, I looked for an affordable vintage speaker for my BC-348-Q<\/a>, but I couldn’t find one. Inside, however, I spotted this beautiful speaker at Palstar’s booth in the East Hall. I’ve owned a Palstar R30C shortwave receiver before and know how much they care about audio fidelity and overall quality. The SP30B was originally designed for the R30 series receiver.<\/p>\n

The wood\u00a0speaker cabinet on the SP30B is built by a wood worker exclusively for Palstar; the finish is amazing.<\/p>\n

The SP30B retails for $99.95 at Palstar.com<\/a>. I was able to snag this one\u00a0for only $75 as it was a display and Palstar’s last one with cherry finish.<\/p>\n

Miscellaneous<\/b><\/span>\u00a0items<\/strong><\/p>\n

I purchased a\u00a0few additional accessories and supplies:<\/p>\n