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Reviews For: Temco RA-150

Category: Transmitters: Amateur radio

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Review Summary For : Temco RA-150
Reviews: 1MSRP: 695.00 in 1947
Description:
10 thru 80 meter 100 watt transmitter for AM/CW use with optional FM Adapter and built in VFO
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0015
N3IBX Rating: 2002-05-14
Great AM Transmitter and fun to operate Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The Temco (stands for Transmitter Engineering Manufacturing Company) RA-150 is a blast to operate, especially if you're into "old buzzard" long winded style transmissions. If you've wondered why some people make 10 minute long transmissions this rig will explain why. It's necessary to key the oscillator first and then the plate supply to transmit; and do the reverse to receive again. Make no mistake about operating PTT here. You can actually master it with a little practice, and the Temco people made it easy for you since the transmitter has it's own "wired" remote control box attached to a 6 foot cable - neat!
The tube lineup is a single Eimac 4-65A tetrode modulated by four 6L6's in push-pull parallel. Each band has it's own 1614 (6L6 like) oscillator, and it's necessary to change grid coils when changing bands. The internal VFO is a little different that you may expect and it's neccesary to use the calibration chart in the operating or a frequency counter to figure out your transmitting frequency. I tune mine into my receiver with the oscillator on. Transmit audio is communications quality plus when used with a crystal element D104 or Turner 22X crystal microphonium.
It's weight is about 200 to 250 lbs so be prepared to have a helper help you move it around your shack if you plan to relocate it.
One very positive note: Most of the caps are oil filled with the exception of the audio coupling caps in the speech amp. You'll probably be able to rekindle the power supply just by bringing it up on a variac. Everything in the transmitter is easily serviced through the rear cover and each "module" slides out to facilitate repair. Everything seems to be made of the highest quality material at the time (1947-1948).The optional FM unit (tried it on 10 meters coupled to a pre-war Hallicrafters S-27) works very well.
If you're lucky enough to find one of these transmitters it'll be a forever "keeper" in your shack.
Thank you for reading my article.