From the Newsletter history archives... Vintage Equipment From  the May '87 Newsletter (entitled "Ham Radio News & Views"), it was noted that the April '87 meeting was held at the Morganton QTH of Arvin Fowler, K4RP, (now a SK).   Arvin treated us to a demonstration of Slow Scan TV...an often neglected mode of operation...at least in Caldwell County.  Much interest, evidenced by the many tendered questions, was shown in this mode of operation during the demo and just goes to point out that we shouldn't neglect any mode. We were implored to EXPLORE!  As the editor stated "Who knows, the next mode of operation you try may be just the ticket to get out of the hum-drum routine operation of just low-band, just 2-meter repeaters, or just whatever.".

Noted elsewhere in the same issue was the fact that Sybil Hedspeth, N4BCV, just had a stay in the hospital.  But, as all dedicated hams are prone to do, she remained in touch and sallied forth from the hospital room with her handheld.  (I know she recuperated satisfactorily from her surgery, as I had the occasion to bump into her and her hubby Jerry Hedspeth, N4BDI, at the recent Catawba Valley Hamfest in Morganton.   They both appeared to be fine.  Hi.    -Ed

(Each month, a brief spotlight will appear here on equipment you may have seen at hamfest swap tables.  This month the spotlight is on the National NC-240D Receiver ).   Coming out about the time I did (late 30's), I did not have the sublime pleasure of owning one of these Nationals.  I did get my hands on one to "twirl the knobs" of a 240D in the nostalgic hamshack of my Novice mentor, W5NH, now a SK.  Sitting alongside the receiver, on the floor, was his homebrew 2KW AM 6-foot rack-mounted transmitter.  Further on back in his electronic repair shop, his "other" rig was a Collins 75A4 receiver & a 32V3 transmitter setup.  But the homebrew transmitter & the 240D never lost its attraction to me.  If you watch some early WW II war movies depicting the inside of battleships, destroyers, or carriers..you may spot one sitting on the radioman's operating table.  Since these receivers pretty much pre-dated my amateur radio career (in fact...even me!), I know little about the electrical charateristics of the receiver.  So I can only say that the receiver has lots of esthetic eye-appeal.  I do remember its very large square-framed half-circle tuning dial and its smooth vernier tuning knob located just below it.  These receivers are a rarity and you don't see them often at smaller hamfests...but if you do, expect a hefty asking price (upwards of $300.00).   -Ed Pg 3 National NC-240D Home    Previous    Next Now, try your hand at this month's offering .   
(Email me if you know! -Ed)   Coming out of the doldrums in the auto industry in the years following WW II, many automakers began dropping antiquated styling for a fresh look...including function, style, and performance. Gone were the bulbous fenders, sharply defined hoods, "pod" headlights, & smelly horsehair upholstery. "In" was flattened hoods & fully-incorporated fenders and headlights.  Today, these cars (if you find one!) are a favorite of customizers and hot rodders. ??? ??? ??? ??? Auto Trivia -  [Last Month] Ralph Nader, a self-appointed consumer-advocate, tried to get this 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Deluxe , along with other Corvair products, past, present, & future, removed from the street...as he felt they were "unsafe at any speed".  Dyke Holder, KC4HIX, & Clayton Crump, KE4VJH, share the limelight in accurately naming this featured auto.
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