From the Newsletter history archives... Vintage Equipment From the June '87 Newsletter (entitled "Ham Radio News & Views"), it was noted that the LARC participated in a S.E.T. (Simulated Emergency Test) and was a first such semi-local test involving county & state agencies to determine emergency preparedness. The question "why have a test in the first place?" was posed back then and it remains a good question even today! It was stated that, on the one hand, it seemed ludicrous to conduct an "emergency" test when no such emergency existed...plus the fact that doing so is like practicing for a toothache...it just isn't the same till the real thing comes along! Also, it was observed that since the LARC group knew of the test beforehand and were already set up and in place, it seems as if we "cheated" by being semi-prepared. (A test like the one described can point out obvious discrepancies and availability of equipment, personnel, and many other factors. SET's are a means of honing one's skills & resources in the absence of a "real emergency. This is just as true today in 2007 as it was back in 1987!! -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 Harvey-Wells Bandmaster Sr. ). Looking for all the world like a big floor model transmitter of a commercial radio station, the H-W Bandmaster Sr. was a relatively tiny outfit which pushed out about 50 watts of crystal-controlled AM modulation! Its size (about 16"H by 12" W by 10" D) made a very small footprint, indeed, on the already crowded ham station desktops of most operators. The black "krinkle" finish, white-faced meter, and the well-balanced layout of the other controls presented a pleasant appearance...even today! If I remember correctly, the 1955-era Harvey-Wells (a company long-since defunct) had a fairly hefty price tag at about $149.95. To accessorize this unit, one could add a sloping panel base-mounted VFO for about $59.95 more. Unfortunately, these units never reached a "popular" status and that attributed to an overall small production. You can run across one at a hamfest occasionally...but 50+ years hasn't altered their price much! -Ed Pg 3 Harvey-Wells Bandmaster Sr. Home Previous Next Now, try your hand at this month's offering: Man! If you can guess this one, you are up on your classic autos! Actually, this car was the forerunner of the WW II Jeep!! Using the same chassis, only the body, engine, & tires were changed to give the Americas the best all-around fighting vehicle for our troops in all theatres of War. Although this manufacturer was the designer of that famous vehicle, the contract to produce massive quantities of Jeeps went to Ford, Dodge, & Willys (due to this manufacturer's limited production facilities). (Email me if you know! -Ed) ??? ??? ??? ??? Auto Trivia - [Last Month] Many automakers had FWD (Forward Drive) lightweight trucks in their lineup (Willys, Dodge, VW, etc.), during this pickup's era. Not many are on the road today...owing to the fact that they were so lightweight, they didn't stand up to very harsh road conditions, heavy loads, or rough handling. Did you guess this as a 1965 Ford Econoline Pickup ? (Wheelcovers are custom).

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