Symposium Meet & Greet: 8:45 – 9:00 AM
9:00 – 9:40AM– The Central Electronics 100R Receiver – Nick Tusa, K5EF
We all know the history of the groundbreaking Central Electronics 100V and 200V broadband, no-tune transmitters of the late 1950s…many years ahead of its competitors. But what of the planned companion 100R receiver? Only one prototype was eventually developed and shelved by CE parent Zenith Radio, but what about Wes Schum’s original vision for the 100R and what is so different about the one surviving prototype? Learn more about the 100R, its many advanced features, what didn’t materialize in the prototype, and the back room struggles during its development.
9:45 – 10:30 AM Signal/One: Contester’s Dream Rigs of the 1970/80s – Bob Sullivan, W0YVA
For years the CE 100/200V was the contester’s dream rig due to its no-tune operation and 100% key down capability. Then came the Signal/One CX7 – a
fully integrated station in one box! Discover more about these fascinating rigs, such as the Mil-Spec 1030 and the ultra-rare CX-11,
along with tips on their restoration.
11:00 – Noon The Green Bank “Quiet Zone” – Sophie Saint Georges, Sr. Education Specialist
Nestled in the mountain ranges and farmland of West Virginia, within the National Quiet Zone, radio astronomers have developed massive radio telescopes probing the furthest reaches of the universe. Much of the facility’s equipment is highly specialized and developed/built on-site. While terrestrial radio services are FCC-restricted within the Quiet Zone, amateur radio plays an important role. Hear from staff and even a resident Ham Op while learning more about the nation’s most important “DX” research operation.
LUNCH BREAK (various venues near Convention Center) from NOON – 1:00 PM
1:00PM – 2:15PM Mechanical Telegraphy & Radio Teletype, Past and Present – Harold Hallikainen, W6IWI
Most every weekend, you can find Hams using computer software to send Baudot-based rag-chew text messages or contesting via RTTY. Oddly enough, this legacy form of digital communications has remained relevant while other digital modes have come and gone. A subset group of RTTY on-air enthusiasts actively restore and use mechanical teleprinters, commonly referred to as Teletypes. This presentation offers a brief history of printing telegraphy—first involving high-speed mechanical CW, how those techniques were improved/enhanced using Baudot-based Teletype systems, and the fascination many Hams have with these mechanical marvels. Harold steps us through mechanical RTTY and his more recent work developing DSP-based RTTY demodulators. If you enjoy radio and mechanics, this is for YOU!
2:30 PM – 3:45 The Hallicrafters FPM-200 and SDR Homebrew Adventures – Bob Nickels W9RAN
In 1959, the Hallicrafters Company announced a revolutionary new product that even today boggles most Ham’s minds: the FPM-200 – a compact transmitter-receiver that seemed as futuristic as a flying car – and seemingly cost as much as one! What was the company best known for entry-level, no-frills shortwave receivers thinking?
As the caretaker of what’s considered to be the “world’s greatest collection of all things FPM-200”, Bob Nickels W9RAN will give us a “look under the hood”, examine an FPM-200 in person, and describe its innovative design features that made the FPM-200 an engineering marvel of the time. Bob will also provide an update on SDR projects that were presented by him at last year’s Symposium.