QSO with VA3AAA using Rockwell Collins 718U-5M avionics HF transceiver

[@624radicalham]

Oh yeah man, it's great seeing you operating live on your truly rare and exciting radios. Please do more recordings of your QSOs! And finding a Dutch speaking station from your QTH in Florida was an even rarer treat! Well done

[@robertrockwell7581]

nice radio. love this older stuff.

[@mattottie6410]

Ok Luke, very nice Collins 718 rig, you have some very neat radios, always wanted a collins aircraft radio to play with. As i remember they output 400W on. Ssb and 200 am. They work even better at FL 300. Thx. Matt

[@n1ydy]

I've played with variants of these in both DC-9 and MD-80 aircraft while in cruise. As I recall, the newer versions were blocked near 27 and 28Mhz... these aircraft used aluminum that was laminated into the tailcone as the HF antenna and had a radiation pattern that created a null in the direction of flight.

[@LifeIsTooShortForQRP]

I have had multiple of these, and none of them were blocked in the 27MHz band. I also have other professional Collins stuff (618T, 628T, PRC-515, VC-120) and it all covers the full range of 2 to 30 MHz without lock-outs. Hope this helps

[@BGTech1]

Could you make a video showing what’s inside your 618-3a? I’ve been looking into buying one to see how it’s constructed but they are too expensive

[@LifeIsTooShortForQRP]

I am assuming you mean the 618M-3A that I mentioned in my earlier reply? Can do that, but they are not very expensive. I bought mine for $100 some years ago, but you probably can get them cheaper now because the VHF air band has been changed from 25 kHz channel separation to 8.333 kHz. Which rendered the 618M-3(a) radio obsolete.

[@BGTech1]

@@LifeIsTooShortForQRP Yes, I meant 618m-3a. It would be really great if you could. I will continue too keep my eyes out for a good deal on any of the Collins 618m series units.

[@LifeIsTooShortForQRP]

@@BGTech1 I see here a 618M-5 for sale: www.ebay.com/itm/323918804324 That one is actually 8.333 kHz capable

[@gianpietrogozzi1983]

please please please. I'm looking for the connections between RX/EXITER and PA of this rig. can someone help me? Thank you

[@PE1JAS]

Loek wat is je Call? Mis hem,sry hoop mijn 618T binnen enkele maanden weer te gaan gebruiken want mn antenne draad was doorgefikt PE1JAS

[@LifeIsTooShortForQRP]

AC5XP. De 618T-3 doet het goed nu hier, eigenlijk is het mijn favoriete avionics HF radio, maar de 718U-5M die je hier ziet is natuurlijk ook een prima radio. Ik had ooit eerder een 618T-3 maar die heb ik destijds verkocht aan een Japanse zendamateur die ook Collins verzamelt. Nu heb ik er dus weer eentje werkend. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH-ZqKioobN4laM Misschien dat we tzt een verbinding kunnen maken, 618T naar 618T over de oceaan. Cheers!

[@BGTech1]

Do you have a 618m-2

[@LifeIsTooShortForQRP]

I have a 618M-3a, I don't think I have the 618M-2. But I do not have it working.