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Post by dieseldog on Nov 18, 2008 23:03:00 GMT -5
OK here goes guys; I was last on the CB airwaves back in the mid seventies as a kid. In fact I still have my old corbra 21 (23 channel) radio in it's original box w/ papers and lic (KXI-5794). Also have my Antenna Specialists base load mobile antenna.
Fast forward to now, I want to get back into radio after a 30 yr hiatus and go old school with the "good stuff" just like I remember. Back then, in and around Oroville, all the serious operators ran Trams and Brownies coupled to the moonrakers, Avanti astro-beams, and astro-plane antennas and such.
So instead of ebay, I thought I'd try here first to see if any of you have , or know of a good Browning Mark IV of known origin, well treated, correctly stored and properly serviced (my recent research shows Mr. Barkett is the authority on these matters) that they would be willing to sell to a good home.
I would much rather buy from one of the forum members than from some possibly unscrupulous dealer on ebay. After all-you are the real old time radio operators that I always respected so much in the past-right there with good advise and a helping hand if necessary.
I'm also looking for vintage antennas, particularly the Avanti astro-beam and astro-plane. I know there are better antennas now , but still want one.
I've read 2 books on antenna theory recently and have found that probably the best American made antennas these days are the Signal Engineering, white lightning 4+ beam, and for an omni, either the I-10K, or Mr. coily's .64 wave Enforcer.
I've also recently purchased a new in the box Astatic "final edition" D-104 silver eagle,
and a d&a Phantom triple stage amp to start my dream station.
Please tell me guys, am I on the right track, and can anyone help me find the "right" radio, and advise on the antennas.
Thanks in advance. Michael (dieseldog)
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Post by spitfire441 on Nov 19, 2008 7:27:40 GMT -5
I can't help you out with a Browning, however I would say you are going down the right road with the mindset of the forum members. There are plenty of "lesser" tube radios than Browning or Tram out there that still have nice tube audio. For less than $100 you can get a good shape working audio monster of the tube variety. Some Reccomendations. Cobra CAM 88, or 98, Lafayette Comstat 25, Regency Imperial, Couriour 23, Robyn 123b or 240. There are plenty of others too. But of course Trams and Browinings are undeniably the status kings.
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss 
Posts: 6,247 
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Post by Sandbagger on Nov 19, 2008 7:47:30 GMT -5
OK here goes guys; I was last on the CB airwaves back in the mid seventies as a kid. In fact I still have my old corbra 21 (23 channel) radio in it's original box w/ papers and lic (KXI-5794). Also have my Antenna Specialists base load mobile antenna. Fast forward to now, I want to get back into radio after a 30 yr hiatus and go old school with the "good stuff" just like I remember. Back then, in and around Oroville, all the serious operators ran Trams and Brownies coupled to the moonrakers, Avanti astro-beams, and astro-plane antennas and such. So instead of ebay, I thought I'd try here first to see if any of you have , or know of a good Browning Mark IV of known origin, well treated, correctly stored and properly serviced (my recent research shows Mr. Barkett is the authority on these matters) that they would be willing to sell to a good home. I would much rather buy from one of the forum members than from some possibly unscrupulous dealer on ebay. After all-you are the real old time radio operators that I always respected so much in the past-right there with good advise and a helping hand if necessary. I'm also looking for vintage antennas, particularly the Avanti astro-beam and astro-plane. I know there are better antennas now , but still want one. I've read 2 books on antenna theory recently and have found that probably the best American made antennas these days are the Signal Engineering, white lightning 4+ beam, and for an omni, either the I-10K, or Mr. coily's .64 wave Enforcer. I've also recently purchased a new in the box Astatic "final edition" D-104 silver eagle, and a d&a Phantom triple stage amp to start my dream station. Please tell me guys, am I on the right track, and can anyone help me find the "right" radio, and advise on the antennas. Thanks in advance. Michael (dieseldog) Well, I'm always happy to help someone relive a childhood dream. I know first hand how that feels. We have quite a few members on this forum who enjoy restoring and using 60's and 70's vintage radios. Most of us who have a Browning Eagle or two are not likely to give them up easily, but someone might have an extra. But if it's been gone over and restored to its full former glory, it probably won't be cheap. I have a website with some of the equipment that was popular in my neck of the woods back in the day. Check out my equipment page and maybe you'll find an old rig that you remember and you might be able to pick up cheap. I picked up my Royce 640 for $10 a couple years back, and it was working and all it needed was a little cleaning and a touch-up alignment. As for antennas, once in a while someone will sell a vintage antenna new in the box, but as you might imagine, they also don't sell for cheap, due to the rarity of the item. IMHO, while it might be a little more "purist" to run all equipment from back in the day, including the antenna, it's not always practical and there are some modern antennas that perform well enough. On the other hand, you might also have some luck just driving around your local area looking for old antennas that are no longer in use. Sometimes you can get them for free if you take them down for the homeowner. A little aluminum cleaner and some new hardware and you're good to go again. |
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Post by gator7 on Nov 20, 2008 20:05:09 GMT -5
I have a buddy who just restored a Robin 123B. In Great shape. And it has that nice plate modulation. I will ask him if he wants to part w/ it. He has more radios them I can count. Welcome back to the world of classic radios. I had a courier 23 with a Astor plane back in the day. It was a good sounding pair. I wish that I still had the old courier. I also had a courier 1m and a courier 12. That was back in the late 60's. Nice to talk about the old days of radio with someone who appreciates the equipment from that time period. 73's  |
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Post by gator7 on Nov 20, 2008 20:16:10 GMT -5
And as for the antenna. Read some of the posts in the forum. You will find some good reports on the new antennas on the market now.
My favorite was the antennas specialist 3 element beam that was electronically switched. I can't remember the name of it now. But it had good ears. you could use it as a omni or directional.
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Nov 20, 2008 21:04:26 GMT -5
Gator, was that antenna the Super Scanner maybe?
Tombstone
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Nov 21, 2008 9:33:56 GMT -5
Sandbagger, do you own those radios that are pictured on your equipment site? I really like that 23 channel Hygain sidebander with the blue front panel.
Tombstone.
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Post by gator7 on Nov 21, 2008 13:23:22 GMT -5
Tombstone,
Yes, It was a super scanner. We had several operators who used them in Connecticut back in the day.
Ahh the good old days!!
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Post by gator7 on Nov 21, 2008 13:35:11 GMT -5
Dieseldog,
I sent you a email regarding a radio.
gator.
73
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