NEW DIRECTIONS RADIO

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Copthorne Macdonald is the inventor of slow-scan television... a method of amateur radio transmission that allows ham operators to both hear and see each other during shortwave broadcasts.

GETTING ON THE AIR

Many of us none-too-flush MOTHER readers have asked, "How can 1 put a ham radio station on the air at the lowest possible cost?" The answer is simple: Buy a low-cost, code-only transceiver.

As you'll recall from our last column ("Getting a Ham License", page 44 of MOTHER N0. 46), beginning hams-that is, amateur radio operators who hold Novice or Technician Class licenses -must use Morse code when they communicate in the "long distance" HF (high frequency) bands . . . they cannot transmit voice. This limitation !s actually a bless. ing, since code is less subject to interference from other stations, covers more miles per watt of transmitter power, and requires simpler, less expensive equipment than voice. (Many experienced hams, of course, prefer code to voice for these reasons.)

Just how expensive is "less expensive"? In the case of the Heathkit HW-8 low-power, code-only transceiver kit, it's about $130. While you can listen to some voice stations with the HW-8, the set was basically designed for good CW (code) performance only ... and that's why its price is so low. (The Ten-Tec Argonautanother excellent lowpower transceiver -has full voice capability in addition to code ... but its price is 2-112 times as great as the HW-8's: $329!)

With the HW-8, you get continuous tun. ing o7 the lowest 250 kHz of the 3.5-, 7-, 14, and 21-MHz amateur bands ... a transmitter that runs approximately 3.0 watts input and that produces an RF (radio frequency) output of 1.2 to 2.0 watts ... and a very sensitive receiver with a built-in narrow bandwidth filter (which is a big help in separating the particular incoming signal you want from the others on the band).

One particularly nice feature of the HW-8 is that it can be powered by any 12. to 16volt DC source-such as a lantern battery, an automobile battery, or a rechargeable nickelcadmium battery pack -or by a power supply unit fed by 120-volt AC house current. (Healthkit's HWA-7-1 AC power supply kit sells separately for $14.95 plus shipping.) The HW-8's compatibility with battery power-coupled with its small size (9-114" X 8-112" X 4-1/4") and light weight (four pounds)-make it ideal for emergency and backpack use.