When I was just starting out in ham radio there were some rigs that stirred up thoughts of working exotic DX. These had knobs, dials, switches, meters and all sorts of controls. This Harvey Wells radio falls into that category.
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The Harvey Wells TBS-50A
It has that distinct military look and in fact the "TBS" prefix for military hardware is Talk Between Ships.
This radio is all band and has an 807 Final and built in AM Modulator. It can be operated crystal controlled or an accessory base unit with a sloping front panel housed a companion VFO for frequency agility. [I could have said QSY but for the majority there would be a lack of understanding.]
Couple this with a National HRO or Hallicrafters SX-28 or Hammarlund SP-600 and indeed you could work the world.
The knob less black box high end SDR radios are lacking in any sort of emotional appeal. Sexless is a great word! You get no sense of control when looking at a FLEX 6300 enclosure, it's a black box! Yet you get that feeling of control with the TBS-50.
Maybe it is because of when I became a ham this was the course. Today it is a black box that is interfaced with your iPhone and that is the standard.
Sadly, none of these radio manufacturers exist today and the radios that still float around are in two piles. Pile #1 are junkers advertised for parts only and Pile #2 are radios that could be restored but are high priced. The unit in the photo is listed for $400. There is corrosion on the very front top of the cabinet and likely corrosion of the innards. You might be looking at $1K before you are done with a restoration. I am nostalgic but not at the $1K level.
How are you holding up with the shutdown? For many outside the government this is a sign that we don't need a government. You know who they are by their distinctive apparel. But wait until the next catastrophic event and then let's see what they say. For those who have been furloughed we hope you are doing OK and that this gets fixed... and soon.
But an event like this sparks more firings as the hiatus undeniably causes change and this results in efficiency improvements (application of AI to do human work).
One major banking CEO suggests we are underestimating the AI impact to the workforce. With the slash and burn of the social welfare programs (like SNAP) how will the displaced workers get by? Many argue for AI, after all, no strikes, no employee complaints, no limitation on work hours, no work breaks, no sick days or vacations and best of all no fringe benefits!
Depressing... yes! Them that know can make it go.
73's
Pete N6QW