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| Reviews Summary for Lafayette HE-73 PreCon |
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Reviews: 1
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $49.95
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Description: A Preamp and Converter that covers 80 through 10 Meters.
Tube type from the early 60's.
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the Lafayette HE-73 PreCon.
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N4UE
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 3, 2003 12:52
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Old but excellent BA accessory
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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OK, I can let out one of the best-kept secrets of Boatanchordom. Yep, the Lafayette HE-73. I had one of these back in my Novice days. It is a companion to the HE-80 type of receivers. The reason I'm letting the secret out is because I now have a pretty good collection of them!
The PreCon is a 3 tube Preselector and Crystal controlled converter. The P/S is solid state. As you Lafayette fans out there know, this product was manufactured by Kenwood Trio and the workmanship is excellent.
Now don't go looking for one of these if you have a newer radio. It's primary duty was for older tube-type, single conversion, receivers. I won't be using it with my 756PRO...
But, if you have a BA that's a wee bit 'deaf', this little baby will perk it up, more than you might expect.
You can find them on the various Auction sites, for nearly nothing. I just received one yesterday that looked like it came out of a time capsule. Often, the HE-73s can be had for less than the price of the tubes!
Internally, there is a 6BA6 RF amp, and a 6BL8 that functions as either a RF amp or Converter, depending upon your selection of the Function switch. There is another 6BA6 in the Converter / output stage. No, they won't work with a transceiver. When in the Converter mode, it will convert 20, 15, and 10 Meters to output near the 80M band. Due to the width of 10 Meters, if you have a ham-only receiver, you will miss the upper portion of 10, but only when in Converter mode. I rarely use that, just the very ample Preamp function.
In fact, you can often get them for free from someone who transmitted into them. A simple fix.
When I get one, I replace the 2 P/S electrolytics with modern ones, although they are usually OK. The tubes are almost always good.
One modification I make is to place a small toggle switch on the rear panel to control the 'power on'. This way, you can switch the preamp in and out, without the tubes turning on and off.
One of these is absolutely necessary on the HA-350. Probably the most insensitive receiver I have ever used. And yes, I have a couple of those, just 'cuz I like the way they look. ha ha
Note, lots of BA receivers used 6BA6s in the RF stage, these can be swapped to a 6BZ6 for more gain. However, due to the difference in the tubes' cut off, the RF gain won't work quite the same.
The Lafayette color is easy to duplicate (sort of a strange blue-green),with over the counter materials, but that's a 'trade secret'.
Ron
N4UE
Boatanchor Lover Maximus
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