World Radio Labs

W4RNL LB Cebik Silent Key

L.B. Cebik, well known Amateur antenna expert and author of many texts and books on antennas has passed away. W4RNL's published writings helped hams at all levels of understanding and it seems not a day goes by that I do not get referred back to something he has written regarding virtually any antenna I research or build.

Cebik gave much to the Amateur community and in the true spirit of ham radio, asked nothing in return other than the favor of passing on what you've learned to another ham. So the next time you read or refer to one of his articles, you should ask yourself: "What have I done lately to help the new guys learn this stuff"? Through his actions and writings, Cebik was (and always will be) a great Elmer (someone who helps new hams get started). Are you a good Elmer?

73 OM - hope to see you down the log.

Did you know? In 1964 Leo's WRL Team were spot-on with the Galaxy III and V

I ran across a sales brochure add-on from WRL's Galaxy line. Leo and his guys sure had their act together back then. They sold tons of the Galaxy V, not so many of the three band unit though, as the prices were too close. Here’s a scan of the list, originally published in 1964-

Did you know? Galaxy III and V transceivers:

1. Have the most RF power output of any transceiver this size.
2. Are the smallest in size of any 5 or 3 band transceiver.
3. Are the most easily adapted to mobile operation (less than one cubic foot of space needed).
4. Has the finest six crystal lattice filter available in any transceiver. With a filter width of only 2.1 KC's at 6 DB, and only 3.8 KC's at 60 DB down.
5. Have receiver sensitivity comparable to any receiver available today, regardless of price, and better than most. Remember receiver sensitivity is BETTER than 1/2 microvolt for 10 DB S/N.
6. Have one of the finest dual attack and release AVC systems available, makes the receiver, on frequency, virtually block proof on the strongest signals.
7. Have an average of 8 to 10 DB of ALC, which aids in preventing flat-topping and distortion of the transmitted signal.
8. Have carrier suppression in EXCESS of 45 DB and unwanted sideband suppression in EXCESS of 55 DB.
9. Have selectable Upper and Lower sideband on all bands.
10. Are the only transceivers available, which incorporate the EZ VUE DIAL for minimum visual error of frequency readout while operating mobile.
11. Are manufactured with the strictest possible quality control. Each unit is individually subjected to rigorous tests that exceed any normal use for which intended.
12. Have been tested and demonstrated (at ARRL National Convention, 1964, New York City) at full output, (200 Watts into an accurate dummy load) for over 5 minutes continuous CW carrier, without loss of power output or damage to tubes or components.
13. Full uniform output on all bands, 10-80 meters.
14. Have shifted CW carrier for best CW operation.

How to find your local Maximum Wind Speeds for Tower building guidelines

When designing a Amateur Radio Station tower installation, how do you determine the maximum wind speeds to design for? The maximum wind speeds will vary depending on the geographic location of your tower installation. In the USA you can consult the NOAA Climate Data tables of observed data for an area close to you. For Example, I live in Stuart Florida, my town is not big enough to be on the list but it is about 30 miles north of West Palm Beach, so I should be safe to use that data for my reference point. NOAA Maximum Wind Speeds

It appears by looking at the row for West Palm Beach, that throughout the last 57 years the annual measured wind speeds peaked at 86 miles per hour. I can tell you from first hand experience, August is a bad month for wind. October, though slightly lower at 83 miles per hour, is the month my last tower was destroyed (October 2005, thanks Wilma) So it appears to me that if you are building a tower in my town of Stuart FL, it should be at a minimum built to withstand 90 mph winds when fully loaded.

New Server

We just moved the site to a new server and upgraded the content management software so you may see some glitches here and there.

Antenna Specialists Ball Mount Template

If you are building your own mobile low band antenna system from parts you might be lucky enough to find one of the old Antenna Specialists Swivel Ball Mounts such as the ASC-3D or ASC-13D (and lucky enough to have a car it would look good on) you might need a template to use for drilling the mounting holes for the ball mount. You can find a copy of a template for both models mentioned above in searchable PDF format in the downloads section- (more)

CW-7 reconstruction effort

Of recent on the Glowbug list the WRL CW-7 came to attention. Several of us took intrest in the rig, and an effort to uncover it's original circuit was launched- to no good result, alas... so taking calculator in one hand and pencil in the other and paper in the third, reading what little was available, a reverse engineering party ensued resulting in a rough guess at how it was designed. This is now presented on a webpage for all to galk at and behold in wonder and trembeling horror. CW-7 MK 2 -Kirk

Free Flea in Broward County

There will be a Free Flea in Broward County on Saturday, April 1st 2006, Address is 3900 NE 3rd Ave, Oakland Park Fl. 33334. ARRL Event, SEFTN Net table,CAP Table, Club Tables. Food Available. Free to sell and Free to enter. Talk in on 146.790 (no tone)- directions (continued)

Galaxy V Mark II Manual - Free Download

Those of you who own a Galaxy V Mark II and have "made do" with a close schematic for the plain Galaxy V will be happy to find the newest addition in the downloads section. You should find the PDF of better quality than the BAMA Galaxy V schematic. 73- Bill N4BKT

Happy Birthday Leo!

Leo, W0GFQ (center) at the Party with Pat, WA6MHZ (left), and Steve, NF6V. Photo courtesy NF6V On March 16th, there was a wonderful 95th birthday party for Leo Meyerson W0GFQ- founder of the famous World Radio Labs held in a really nice park gazebo in Palm Desert, California, probably 75 or more attended. The event was sponsored by QCWA Chapter 154 and hosted by Chapter President Gene Pentecost W4IMT. Many other chapter members were there to help with the cooking and hospitality. Numerous celebrities arrived and many Hams came from a long ways away. One guy said he came in all the way from Michigan! The American Radio Relay League was represented by Southwestern (continued)

1949 World Radio Labs Catalog

This is the cover of the 1949 World Radio Laboratories catalog featuring WRL PERSONALIZED SERVICE. Featured on the cover is "Maj H.N. Detrick, J2DND, Nagoya Japan "Nelse" works many fellows stateside and says his Globe King is tops". Also featured are Doc Wilson, W5NIH and Harlan Dewitz, W0DHO. The captions under their photos read: "O. A. "Doc" Wilson, W5NIH at his GLOBE TROTTER. His brother "Judge" W5NIG and Henry W5KJZ also have GLOBE TROTTERS, Making Mont Belvieu, Texas 100% WRL equipped". and "Harlan Dewitz, W0DHO, Wisner, Nebr. says in 20 years of Hamming he hasn't seen a better value than the GLOBE KING." This is the oldest WRL catalog I presently have and certainly the most expensive. I purchased the catalog on auction at eBay last week.