Had a TS 520s for 3 years. Was a great SSB rig, but I got spoiled by a newer Ten Tec for my main mode, CW. The old hybrid just sat long periods between use. Ended up trading it to a guy for a nice Johnson Viking II and a National NC300. I really enjoy working CW on that combo. Since then I've accumulated more tubes - and a bunch of experience.

No problem. Appreciate the response.

Thanks Bill. That's what I thought would work. This is my first real boat anchor. Have realized that although I understand them conceptually, I need help with the details. Have a couple of guys experienced in the old gear coming over to help next week before I actually get it on the air.

Have the manual.  I am not talking about the antenna connections. I'm talking about the the 115v pwr out sockets to the relay.

Newer ham getting in to boat anchors, and running into a lot questions over the most simple things.

Well, I know I run the 115v from the 2 ceramic sockets on the back of the Viking II to the coaxial relay, but what does one use for the male plug in to the back of the transmitter?

Thanks

I own a nice TS 520s. Nice old rig, but as mentioned, maybe not the best choice for your very first HF rig. A used IC718 or FT450, plus a CW filter, would be a much better place to start, in my opinion.

As for waiting... Heck no! As a Technician, you have th*SAME* CW privileges as a General on 10m, 15m, 40m, and 80m! Learn the code and use those bands. You'll be working the world while other Techs are still repeater jockeys and hanging around wishing for 10m phone to open up.

Go to a local club meeting. Make some noise on the repeaters about your intentions. Bug the known CW guys for help. Get involved. Around here, guys come out of the woodwork to help new and aspiring CW ops. I've got a couple keys and an 80m QRP rig out on loan to new guys right now. Denver is a big city with lots of hams. Tons of opportunity to find some help and guidance in purchasing a rig locally, and getting on the air with CW.

Yep, Associated Radio are good folks to deal with. Unfortunately, Terry isn't there anymore and he is missed. The Kansas City area is lucky to have an amateur radio store, let alone a good one.

Stan,

I sent you a  PM basically plugging SKCC and their sked page.

Doug N3PDT

You should get a lot of enjoyment out of that Omni VI, Bill. Great receive, almost transparent QSK (As good as you're going to get in a transceiver anyway), just a really nice rig for CW.

You've probably already heard this a million times, but Ten Tec support is great. They're always willing to talk to, and help out, a TT owner - whether you bought it new or on the secondary market.  They have parts for old models. If you'd rather work on it yourself, they'll send you the part and give you all the info you need to get it fixed.

As AE4RV already mentioned, don't forget 30m. If you enjoy chasing DX, 30m has it late nights here.

Jerry was definitely talking about getting out of the business within the last year or so. Too bad, he sold some nice kits. I built one of the "baby keys" for my KX1, but got rid of the rig and key.

Yes, I prefer full QSK in all operating situations. Mainly use  a Ten Tec Jupiter, and an old Ten Tec Triton IV. I don't have an amp that will do QSK with the rigs, so in the rare situations I turn it on, I have to do without.

Agreed! Thanks for the glimpse into the "good old days". 

Here's something I've wondered, and you more experienced guys can probably shed some light on it: I regularly work former military, and some merchant marine, ops. 20 and 30 years ago was it fairly common to run across retired Western Union and rail road operators on the amateur bands? Seems like a few would at least take it up after they didn't have to do for a living anymore.

Yep.

I learned at age 52. Took a couple attempts, and finally packing my mic away before I got rolling. Took about 6 months. If I had just tossed the mic when I first started, it would have been closer to 2 or 3 months.

Everyone has slightly different learning styles, so I won't say what worked for me is what's best for you. Already lots of advice for that in this thread already. I used a combo of G4FON, on air listening practice, and a lot of sending practice to a code reader. That got me to where I was brave enough to find where the slow guys go (7.114-ish) and start making contacts. My progress increased rapidly with real life QSOs.

That was a little over two years ago and I've hit a couple plateaus along the way. I still struggle with 20wpm and up, but am pushing myself to get faster. I've found a LOT of fun to be had at 10-15wpm.

My "flight kit" fits in a semi hard sided laptop case I take as carry-on. At security, I take out the rig (K1) and the 7ah gel cell, and put them in a tub like I would a laptop. The gel cell always gets the most attention. I leave all the bundled wires, key, etc. in the case. I always carry my license card with me, but have never been asked for it, or had anyone really take more than a passing interest in the radio, the various bits and pieces, or all the wires.