http://www.ohio.edu/people/postr/bapix/rbg2.htm
RBG-2

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/hammarl_mf_rbg_1_chc_46163.html

http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/hammarlu/rbg/

It's a Navy RBG, a variant of the HQ-120. It was designed for shipboard use during WWII.  Obviously it has been hacked up.

Distinguishing characteristics:
-Potted round capacitors
-Tall rectangular IF transformers
-Main dial bandspread markers are in marine bands
-Bandspread dial calibrated for marine bands
-Tube lineup unlike either the -120 or -129.
-Case is steel with copper cladding
-Shock mounts instead of feet (if not replaced)

If you are still in doubt after reviewing photos and manual, I can provide photos.

bill

p.s.  the Bandspread can still be used on Ham bands by making a little conversion chart.

www.radiodaze.com  now has the ability to make custom dials

Welcome!
  
Since you are interested building antennas, one of the most satisfying and cost effect aspects of hamming, I strongly urge you to purchase a copy of the ARRL Antenna Book.  You will refer to it for years to come.

Two meters polarization conventions:
-FM/Repeaters, Vertical
-SSB/CW/Weak signal work: Horizontal

A 2m dipole antenna (half wave) is probably a very poor choice due to several factors:  hard to hang for FM work, other antennas are much simpler to build, gain antennas which beat the pants off it are easy to build or buy.

The simplest antenna you could build for FM work is a "1/4 wave length ground plane".  You can build it with some solid wire and an SO-239 connector.  Google that and you will find directions.  (don't let anyone try to convince you on Jpoles. They are more complex, don't perform any better and tend to radiate signals down the feedline)   "Why yes! I'm a ground plane man. How did you know?"

The formula 234/Mhz = element length in Ft.  Gives you the dimension for the elements. Commit this to memory, and it will serve you well for years.

Use whatever connectors fit your radio/antennas, or are handy.

PVC is fine for work at UHF and below; many hams use it.

cheers, bill

Thanks for the tour of this rare radio.  Great production quality made this a joy to watch.  b.

IMHO you are really riding their back.

I believe the upward swept sounds are frequency sounders , probably government.  In the late 80's the navy introduced 'chirp sounders' for propagation measurement, but I haven't heard them in years.  They were quite intrusive and worked in discrete steps.

Do keep in mind that there are about a dozen ionospheric sounder sites around the world run by various governments or university research arms.  You can find them on the web, with daily reports.  The one at the HAARP site in Alaska is probably the most familiar.

Have you called Kenwood Parts?

There are lots of 'audio mixer circuits' available on the web.  They take a couple transistors and a few resistors.  Very cheap, very simple.  Only thing you have to add is some dc power.

However, messing with car stereo systems is not my cup of tea.  For car use, I just use some used Motorola speakers.  If you are hamming the stereo should be off anyway, is my philosophy. 

700F is the temperature that NASA specifies in their soldering procedure documents.  In my experience as a military contractor, we used that temp as well.

There are two other factors that must be taken into consideration.

-The size and mass of the components  being soldered
-The size and mass of the soldering pen tip

It's wise to have several tips to select from.

That's not true.  It depends on the state laws and county ordinances.

Well that covers the "Shameless self promotion" category.   

http://www.k9sth.com/Page_2.html
Glen's view, page down for Grounding Articles

http://www.w8ji.com/ground_systems.htm
Tom's view

http://forums.qrz.com/forumdisplay.php?33-Antennas-Feedlines-Towers-amp-Rotors
Read the three topics pinned at top

There are no guarantees when it comes to lightning protection.  However radio stations, cell operators and commercial operators with well designed systems regularly survive direct hits without damage.   Most hams aren't willing to spend the money and effort for a bullet proof system.  Still it is possible to have a very good system for reasonable cost and effort.

Note that a lightning ground and an RF ground have different requirements.

"Don't miss the opening.  The first minute sets the tone for the whole season"  Daily Stare

"Sweeping action, your emotions will be modulated minute to minute."  Hebert and Rover

"A plot that could stop a clock!"  Big Ben

I hope the URL doesn't bounce.

You can run radials to be in contact with the salt water, but there is no need to extend them very far into the water.  Remember that RF Skin Effect means that RF won't penetrate very deep into the water.

For good performance you will still need radials in the directions away from the shore.

How many radials you use always depends on your level of time, interest, effort.

In my opinion, eight ( 1/4 wave length radials (in your case around 3-3.5meters) provides a stabilized impedance and good basic pattern.

Have fun at the beach!  Bill

Why did the coax cross the road?

To get to the other sideband.

*Rimshot*