This little setup is meant to be a place to operate gear that I have just built, modified, or fixed. Or alternatively, to play with radios that I'm studying. However, it has turned into more of an overflow shelf. The only two units that are actually here for fiddling around with are the Heathkit SW-717 and the Allied Radio Span-Master. The other stuff is just resting here until I decide what to do with it.
* The unit on the left on the lower shelf is a KWM2-A with the Waters Q multiplier mod. It's here because it needs a good washing. This is a RE unit and is pretty nice, if you like the Waters unit. I'm not sure I do.
* The unit to the right on the lower shelf is another KWM2-A. This one is stock and is here because I can't think of where else to put it.
* To the far right on the lower shelf is an ICOM IC-SP3 speaker - just barely visible in this dark photo. I don't care for this speaker much. I greatly prefer the Collins 312B-3. So this doesn't get used too much anymore. Above it is a Vectronics SWR meter, which I like pretty well
* On the second shelf, on the left: is a 75S-3 receiver. It is not a -3A, or -3B, or -3C. Just a straight 75S-3 These are somewhat rare. I haven't used it enough to know how I feel about it. I got it so I could study and compare the differences between it and the later units.
* On the second shelf, on the right: is a 32S-3 transmitter. This is a good unit; it's here to get washed and aligned.
* On the third shelf (counting from the bottom), on the left: is a Heathkit SW-717. This was a partially completed kit which I got because I wanted to understand how the simple rigs of that era were designed. I have to finish it first, and there are missing parts. But I'll make it work anyway.
* To the right of the Heathkit are two 312B-4 Station Controllers. This unit contains a wattmeter, phone patch, and speaker. I like these, I just don't have room for them along side the S-line gear at the operating position. So they are resting here. I'd like to find a way to juggle things around so I could get these back in service.
* On the top shelf, on the right: is an Allied Radio Span-Master receiver. This was the first radio I ever had (not this specimen though). It is a super-regenerative which I got out of nostalgia and because I want to try to soup it up. It is not very stable and not very impressive. But I plan to fiddle with it and see what I can get it to do.
* To the right of the Span Master is an MFJ artificial ground. Which didn't do a thing for my rig. The only reason it's here is because I plan to try some more things with it before giving up on it.
* To the right of the MFJ unit is a Boonton RF Millivoltmeter. It actually belongs on the test bench, not here. These are still pretty dear - they go for just under $1000 from the used test equipment dealers.
* The stuff to the far right of the picture is test equipment on the test bench, which is described on another page.