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Author Topic: Braille version Atlas 210x  (Read 225 times)

N6AF

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Braille version Atlas 210x
« on: March 04, 2022, 08:15:46 PM »

I picked up a neat Atlas 210x recently and got it running after cleaning up the T/R relay contacts and a component change.  Typical stuff for a vintage rig.  Now for the not so typical item.  I looked closely at the VFO 'dial face' which is the clear plastic window in front of the dial 'drum' with the frequency markings.  But on this particular 210x there is a second clear plastic 'window' which has cut-outs in it with a peak in the middle.  You can poke your finger through that contoured plastic window if you remove the front piece and there are Braille markings on the upper part of the dial drum!  A quick study of Braille revealed the drum is Braille bump marked with the numbers 1 through 9 and then zero.  Quite interesting.  Was curious if anyone else has seen a Braille version 210x.  Maybe someone customized this.  They would have had to remove the drum's dial 'strip' and carefully punch the Braille bumps into it.

73 N6AF Chuck
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W1NK

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Re: Braille version Atlas 210x
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2022, 04:56:48 AM »

From what I could find (and it wasn't much!), the Braille dial was a mod available from Atlas, installed by the dealer (?). 

I could only find one ad in an August 1976 73  Magazine, where the dealer (Slep Electronics in NC) advertised installing the kit for no charge to blind hams.

Frank, W1NK
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K5WLR

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Re: Braille version Atlas 210x
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2022, 03:19:39 PM »

I recall from my early ham radio days (mid 70s) in the Tampa Bay area, there were a couple of blind hams who used Atlas rigs for HF operations. It was the perfect rig. They could read the frequency with the Braille dial and no Plate and Load settings to fuss with. Very cool.

73
Will Rogers
K5WLR
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N6AF

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Re: Braille version Atlas 210x
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2022, 10:24:29 PM »

Thanks for those replies.  I found the August 1976  73 Magazine online and saw the ad for the Braille dial addition by Slep Electronics.  No charge.  Interesting.  Also interesting that the 210x back in '76 was priced at about $650 which translates to about $3250 in 2022 inflated dollars.  So in a real sense, ham radios have dropped in price.  Now if we did the adjusted price for my 1963 KWM-2, today's price would be huge!  So we're lucky the technology and manufacturing dropped over the years.  Back on the blind-assistance radios; my TS-590SG is set up to accept an audible operating assistant, although I never added it. 

73 N6AF Chuck
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KG9H

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Re: Braille version Atlas 210x
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2022, 06:22:16 PM »

I have had one for years now.  It works well and is "different" like you describe.  Herb built some interesting radios, I am glad I have one of these that works!  DE KG9H
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