From the Newsletter history archives... Vintage Equipment From the March '87 Newsletter (entitled "Ham Radio News & Views"), it was noted that (continued from last month) Novices could use up to 5 watts in the 1270 thru 1295 Mhz band, with all authorized emisssions; No amateur station at which the control operator or station licensee holds a NOVICE class operator license shall be a repeater, auxiliary, or beacon operation; Voice mode was authorized for Novices in the 28.3 to 28.5 Mhz - 10-meter band; Two examiners will be required to administer future NOVICE exams, which shall consist of 30 questions; Present NOVICE & TECHNICIAN licensees are GRANDFATHERED into the new priveledges. (end). (Note: The Editor of the Newsletter back then (still me!), had mixed feelings about the new rules granting certain priveledges (particularly PHONE priveledges) to Novice class holders, as it was felt that that the main focal point for establishing a Novice class in the first place was to allow aspirants to ham radio a method to get on the air, using their new skills in Morse code & basic theory, to become more proficient by actual on-the-air experience on their patth to a higher class license. Since the Novice class license no longer exists, the subject as pertaining to Novices is rendered mute. HOWEVER, we are seeing the same type changes being suggested for ALL class licenses with the proposed abolition of the Morse code requirement altogether!      -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 Globe Champion 300 Transmitter ). While we are on the World Radio Laboratories (Council Bluffs, Iowa) "Globe" line, consider the Globe Champion 300 and its many alpha suffixes (C, D, etc.). The basic 300 was a giant step from the Globe Scout 65-A (featured last month).   The Champion, while not as powerful as the Globe King (to be featured next month ), the Champion belted out 150 watts on AM and a very impressive 300 watts on CW! The unit was introduced at about $295.00, which was keeping in line with WRL's pricing policy of "a buck per watt" back in the early 50's (try that policy on today's offerings! Anyone game for an Icom 706MkII for a hundred bucks? Hi). Most of the 300's seen on hamfest tables today are in deplorable condition. Yet...they fetch a pretty fair price owing to the current trend toward "collecting" and groups that continue to extol the merits of AM operation. If you find one that is not too far gone, and a rig that you want to spend several of your evenings restoring this venerable transmitter, and you are willing to fork out a pretty handsome sum to acquire the rig, you still might want to have a pretty-good knowledge of winding coils, replacing electrolytic capacitors, and the like...go for it! Good luck!!

Pg 3 What a waste! On Saturday, Dec 2nd, the Gastonia ARC attempted to have a "Swapfest" (their 4th they said). Starting with directions printed on their website that had you turning left when you needed to turn right from I-85; a tone access on their talk-in frequency; poorly marked visual signs directing to the hamfest once you got on the street (no arrows, etc.); ONE dealer actually set up to sell and he was folding up at 11 AM ; the Grand prize (which a staff member states was put on by ARES and not the Swapfest) awarded at 11 AM (which is the end of a hamfest as far as most people are concerned). At 12 noon, all were gone & doors padlocked ! Globe Champion 300 Home    Previous    Next Soapbox - Gastonia Swapfest

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