This is a list of 6M gear capable of 6M AM.
These were the "NEW" prices of these radio's...
I pulled this off of the [SMIRK] reflector, and was submited
by Michael Hopkins AB5L. Thanks Michael!!!!!
Few AM transceivers were around in Six Meter's Golden Age of
1957-58. Only the upright Gonsets, Communicators I, II, and III
were available when the sunspots, Civil Defense and the last burst
of homebrewing combined to make 6M more active than 2M is today.
But as activity tapered off, commercial offerings proliferated. By
1970, when 2M FM was clearly winning, there had been at least 28
offerings in the category here defined as a box containing both
transmit and receive functions and designed for use exclusively on
and around 50MC, usually mobile.
That definition leaves out the dual band rigs like Polycomm's
6N2 as well as the many separate TX/RX combos that fueled the
mobile revolution. It also intentionally overlooks the mobile
receive converter, except for two oddities at the end. But you
will find many old friends and you are invited to send any
reminiscences, or corrections, or both to the author who is
planning an annotated listing.
Spotter's Guide to 6M AM Transceivers
(Where two prices are listed, the second is the power supply)
CLEGG
The 66er (1967) $249.95
The 99er (1962) $159.95
Thor (1963) $349.95/$100
DEWALD
TR-850 (1961?) $99.95/$12.95 (Same as Lincoln 6?)
GONSET
Communicator I (1953) $209.50
Communicator II (1954) $229.95
Communicator III (1957) $$269.50
Communicator IV (1960) $369.50
G-50 (1959) $319.50
HALLICRAFTERS
SR-46A (1964) $199.95 VFO $59.95
HEATH
HW-10 Shawnee (19??) $199.95
HW-29 (1960) Used 10MC xtals, a collector find.
HW-29a Sixer (1961) $44.95/
KNIGHT
TR-106 (1968) $119.95 kit
LAFAYETTE
HE-35A (19??) $57.50
HE-45a (19??) $114.95
HE-45b (19??) $119.95
HA-460 (19??) $114.95
HA-650 (19??) $114.95 (Solid State)
HA-650 (19??) $119.95 " "
LINCOLN
Lincoln 6 (1962) $57.50/$12 (Same as Dewald TR-850?)
POLYCOMM
Polycomm 6CD (1963) $329.50
SOLAR
Solar System VI (19??) $189.50
SONAR
Sonar CD-6 (19??) ($?) Only known sample at N5DWV
UTICA
Utica 650 (1964) Black with white lettering face $199.95
Utica 650A (1965) Silver with black lettering face $199.95
WRL (World Radio Labs, later Globe, Galaxy)
Tech Ceiver 6 (1961) $39.95/$5.95
Tech Ceiver TC-6A (1963) $39.95/$5.95 "Tom Cat Sixes"
THE MAYBE RIGS -- Transmitters with receive converters to
car radio or ham receiver.
BABB, J. Walter & Co .
Babb TRA-6 (19??) ($74.50) Converter was an International
FCV-2 with output to BCB or 40M.
Only known sample at WA5VJB
TRANSCON
Transcon 6 (19??) $99.50
EPILOG--
By the end these rigs had improved. The Utica of '64 had a
12MC VFO to help stop TVI and a BFO built in so one did not have to
use a "spot" function to hear CW/SSB. It and the price leader
LaFayette HA-460 had dual conversion receivers, too, but everyone
seemed to stick to a 2E26 final. It did not matter. Back in '57
the Collins KWM-1 started it all and by '61 the Swan monobanders
were out. In '65 the Swan 250 was drifting into 6M and the era was
closing.
So use this list to relive our history. Take it with you when
you look at ham sale tables--or under them.
de ab5l, michael hopkins, Box 226841, Dallas, 75222,
MNHopkins@AOL.com, who holds the world's largest collection of 1958
International Crystal STP-50 transmitters (three).
This site is owned by Dave Booth KC6WFS.