Crossing The Pond On 80m With A Vintage Collins Rig

Up early today to chase a bit of DX on 80m with my old Collins KWM-2. Special mention to Tim, M0TYH get well soon!!

[@msf60khz]

Beautiful equipment and audio superior to solid state rigs.

[@gerardosullivan1642]

Good audio

[@bill-2018]

Very nice radio. They all started to look like this, KW, Yaesu etc. I had a KW202 rx., wouldn't mind having one again. Much simpler than modern radios. And repairable too, no copper tracks lifting when trying to replace a component. G4GHB.

[@m0dad]

Great contact on 80m Justin. The 4 square doing a good job. Best wishes for the New Year 2022 from Northumberland. 73...M0DAD

[@chrisgosling5408]

lots of good comments on here, Collins are great radios! the older radios could be repaired but finding spares can be tricky as 50 years ago components were available anywhere and everywhere. These days its a battle of obsolescence and poor quality after market parts which does upset me! Plenty of good gear on the scrap heap. I will watch a few more of the gas turbine videos as Justin is a man after my own heart as I am both a radio person and love big engines especially turbines, which I got into while working in steam and gas powered machines as well as BS 2869 Class D rather than the jet A1. In India they wre running gas turbines on bunker oil or Class H which when cold is like road tar.

[@cazhill4198]

Thanks from Tim Hill's family for your message! 😊

[@timhill4762]

Possibly the most frightening indignity that can befall a radio amateur is the loss of his voice. A bladder cancer coupled with a femur break and a stroke sealed my fate. I began by uttering gibberish and despite having help, this is very difficult. I have loved the quirkiness of the WTF over the years and am desperate to continue. I'll be back. And many thanks, keep up the good works. M0TYH

[@victoriahill1349]

Thanks for sending the message to my dad, M0TYH. I'm sure he'll thank you himself soon too, when he's escaped from the hospital!

[@thewtf]

Your welcome Vicky

[@boxingday11]

Very nice Justin.

[@PARTner91]

I’d love to see a video from you that shows the shortcuts to tuning up the KWM-2. I’ve recently bought one and haven’t tried tuning it up yet.

[@thewtf]

I still have to use the manual to tune it up!!

[@MM0IMC]

The old rigs sound better than modern ones! Is that some missing valves inside?

[@thewtf]

They are actually output power connections for ext. vfo!

[@oilydigits]

Justin Happy new year. Are there any across the pond amplitude modulation contacts these days? 73 Steve M0KOV

[@thewtf]

Thanks Steve, as far as 80m AM nets go most of the US nets are on 75m which is outside our band plan. 40m might be an option though

[@MrGuzzi1100]

Possibly the most frightening indignity that can befall a radio amateur is the loss of his voice. A bladder cancer coupled with a femur break and a stroke sealed my fate. It began by uttering gibberish and despite having help, this is difficult. I have loved the quirkiness of the WTF over the years and am desperate to continue. I'll be back. M0TYH

[@thewtf]

Thanks Tim! Hope you’re soon back on your feet again

[@colourist.]

Love the inside of that rig :). 73 de M0VFX