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Reviews For: Johnson Viking Ranger

Category: Transmitters: Amateur radio

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Review Summary For : Johnson Viking Ranger
Reviews: 16MSRP: 179.50
Description:
This is the original (ca. 1960) Johnson Viking Ranger, plate modulated, AM transmitter. It uses a single 6146 rf power output tube. It operates on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 11, and 10 meters with a built-in VFO. The output power is approximately 50 watts (carrier level).
Product is not in production
More Info: http://w4pnt.8k.com/shortwave.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00164.8
KQ6IG Rating: 2007-03-13
Good Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my Johnson Ranger in 1994 for 150.00, from the estate of a deceased ham. For a rig from an era that produced loads of terrible gear (1950's) the Ranger holds it's own pretty well. The audio quality, and construction is better than average. You will need to replace the paper capacitors, as they do not age well. The frequently failing dropping resistor in the VFO will need to be replace too. Over all, I've had very little trouble with my Ranger. It will sit on the shelf for years, then fire up, and play like new. At the same time, its a rather simple design, so there's not much to go wrong.

The audio quality of a stock Ranger is acceptable for Ham communications. If you want something closer to hi-fi, replace the coupling, and decoupling capacitors with larger ones. Then reduce the value of the filtering caps accross the audio transformers. That, and a good mic (Shure SM-7, EV 664, etc) is all that is needed. Don't butcher your Ranger by going overboard.

Overall it is a fun, although under powered rig, minus the bone crushing weight of it's counterparts.
K1DWZ Rating: 2005-08-15
Best boat anchor Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased the Ranger in 1960. Used it with an NC-98 receiver for the next 10 years or so. The rig is probably the best boat anchor ever built. The modulation and audio are superb and the craftsmanship is outstanding. After the advent of SSBfound Iwas using the rigless and less. I still have the rig even though I haven't turned it on for many years now. I have thought about selling it but can't bring myself to do it thinking I may put it back on the air sometime. Of all the boatanchors back on the air undoubtably the Ranger is the best.
KC0SHU Rating: 2005-04-20
Engineering Marvel Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
If this rig doesn't rate a "5", I don't know what does. I've been using my Johnson Ranger now for the better part of a year on an almost daily basis, so feel comfortable stating that this is one heck of a boatanchor transmitter. Top quality parts, design and construction. I don't know exactly when mine was made, but they are advertised in my old QST magazines from 1954 thru 1961 or so. So it's 45 to 50 years old, and works perfectly, and to factory specs! What being made today will attain that benchmark? I have consistently superior voice and tone quality reports on AM and CW on all bands (160-10M) and the VFO is amazingly stable for the vintage. As you can tell from the photo above, this rig is also unmatched for pure radio aesthetic beauty. I have never had a problem with my Ranger and only wish my newer electonic gizmos (computers, stereos, TVs, etc.) were as well engineered, constructed and reliable. If you get the opportunity to get your hands on a good Ranger, DON'T HESITATE--GET IT!! You won't be disappointed.
W4PTO Rating: 2004-05-24
Best BA xmtr ever made! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Over the years, I had several EFJ Rangers. This is probably the best boatanchor transmitter ever made. With its small footprint, you can sidle this transmitter up next to your newer YAECOMKEN radio along with a compact classic boatanchor rx and you have a complete boatanchor station.

As of this writing, various parts can still be had for this radio (which was built in the late 1950's). This is a testament to an enduring design that still appreciated by many ham radio operators today. Couple the Ranger with a classic D104 or your favorite Vibroplex bug or Speed-X key and you have a vintage station ready to tap out beautiful time-sequenced keyed CW or great sounding Amplitude Modulation. If you have a chance to own one of these transmitters, grab it! You won't regret it.
AD5X Rating: 2004-04-22
Great Boat Anchor rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I dreamed about owning one of these when I was a kid, but they were too expensive for me. Found this one locally for $100 and have had a ball restoring/upgrading it. Goes along great with my Drake 2B receiver (also wanted one as a kid). You've got to be carefull working on these old vacuum tube rigs, but it sure is fun to get them on the air.

Phil - AD5X
AB2EZ Rating: 2004-04-22
A nice, vintage, AM transmitter Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Johnson Ranger is an excellent choice for a “boat anchor” AM transmitter. It has all of the features of any classic, plate-modulated AM transmitter, in a reasonably sized (and reasonable weight) package.

They are available, in working order, at prices ranging from $200.00 - $1000.00, depending upon the cosmetic condition (e.g., eyesore v. mint), and whether or not any modifications have been performed (e.g., to upgrade the audio fidelity, to add push-to-talk capabilities, to upgrade/renew the power supply's electrolytic capacitors). Depending upon your interests in owning one of these, you may prefer one that is in "stock" condition, or one that has been significantly modified. See http://w4pnt.8k.com/shortwave.htm for an example of a restored and modified unit.

They are reasonably well designed (i.e., they work as specified, and their parts don't wear out or fail often, in ordinary use); they are relatively easy to work on for maintanence, modifications, and repairs; and they sound great on-the-air.

As with all classic, vacuum tube equipment:

ONE MUST EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN USING OR WORKING ON A JOHNSON RANGER.

The unit contains and produces lethal voltages, several of which appear on external accessory connectors.

If you own one of these, you should expect to have to perform some routine maintanence every few months. Therefore, you should either be knowledgable and experienced enough to perform such maintanence (including trouble-shooting), or you should be in a position to obtain help from someone who can perform this maintanence for you.