I was first licensed in 1953 at the age of 13. My first rig was a home brew pair of 6L6s in PP mode. Built on 2 steel chassis made up od heat duct material by a local heating company. The local radio supplier was out of 8 X 12 X 3 inch chassis and I couldn't wait. As stated, there were 2 chassis, one mounted atop the other, separates by Erector Set angle brackets. If anyone has any parts of that set which is easily identifiable by the chassis, I'd pay well to get them back. They were sold at a Shelby Hamfest in the early 1960s. I currently have the parts to reproduce that rig, including the NOD power tranny and choke. All I need is the time. I only had 2 rocks, 3700 and 3535. The 3700 must have had a positive temperature coefficient or I was just lucky because I never got cited for off frequency operation. Across the street lived Retired Army Colonel Stanley, Saulnier, W4VG, who I was sure had a red phone connection directly to the FCC. Needless to sat, evert time I touched the key, it got logged. He was not friendly to young hams, that is, until I enlisted in the Air Force. His attitute suddenly turned very positive. I used an S-77 receiver and a Windom antenna. Later upgraded to a Viking II and VFO which I built from the kit. The receiver was upgraded to an S-76 purloined from my OM who was using it for SWLing. The Viking II kit was a neat story, The local radio supply store owner opened the store on a Sunday just to sell me the kit. I had borrowed the money from my Grandmother who also helped me learn code. Those sure were the good old days! My main Elmer was Cash Gregg, W4DPF with Rudy Gibbs, W4HX and Charlie Sumner, W4EJ as backups... 73, John, W4AWM
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