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Reviews For: Johnson Viking Adventurer

Category: Transmitters: Amateur radio

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Review Summary For : Johnson Viking Adventurer
Reviews: 12MSRP: 54.95
Description:
Crystal-controlled 80-10 meter CW transmitter, originally marketed in 1954
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00124.6
WB0FDJ Rating: 2021-02-26
Simple hollow state stuff Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Update: One Saturday I decided to replace the old AC wiring. Installed new 3 prong wiring and went ahead and replaced the aging AC line caps with class Y safety caps. While there I decided to trace out every inch of the circuit comparing the schematic with what was in front of me. The original builder actually did a decent job on this radio (nearly 60 years ago) so there wasn't much to "fix". PS caps had already been replaced when I bought it. However I kept looking for R11 a 20K 10 W resistor and couldn't find it. After some digging I found the instructions for modifying the rig for use with a modulator and indicate that it is to be removed! Fortunately I had ordered a box of components and had one in hand so placed it in the circuit.

Once buttoned up I fired it up with my N3ZI DDS VFO and get about 25 watts out and good tone, no chirp. The VFO will drive it down to 10 meters, with some decrease in output. I spent a weekend using this running QSO's during SKCC Weekend Sprint 20 and 40 meters. This is a great old rig that I plan to keep for a long time. Recommended for those who want to get started with a simpler tube radio.

I hadn't used a tube rig since I was a novice in the 70s (when I foolishly sold my HT-40). Just picked this up and am having fun with it. It's just about the simplest rig made, CW only, about 20 watts out and an absolute minimum of switches and knobs. 2 tubes: an oscillator and a final. You peak the grid, dip the plate and you're off!. Crystals are getting hard to find but I've located a few and am having a blast. Yes it's got some chirp so I just ordered all new caps and plan to refurb it. For an old boat anchor this is actually pretty small. Next step: get a working VFO. Since I'm a QRP op, running 20 watts is plenty. If you want a simple older radio to have fun with, this would be it. Not too expensive on the used market. It's a keeper.
AB1UP Rating: 2018-10-01
Simple crystal operated transmitter Time Owned: N.A.
The was my first novice transmitter back in the early 60's and the only issue I had with it was rf burns if I happened to put my fingers on any metal parts of the telegraph key. It's a simple design (6AG7 for xtal oscillator and an 807 final). 807's were easy to find in the early 60's, because they were used in the early computers of that era. They were very forgiving in loading into antennas that were not well matched.
AB1UP formerly WA1HIR
KC2VDM Rating: 2011-10-15
FUN FUN FUN Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got this transmitter in less than great condition at a fest for $24! After lots of TLC and help from a few friends on eHam, The rig now chirps ( yes, there is a slight chirp, even when using crystals) out 50W max. Great looking, Easy to use, Simple construction, and a look into the past. Once I finally learn CW, Look for me around 7.114 mHz

-Alex
N8QZ Rating: 2008-02-22
Wow! memories Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Saw this post and it brought back a ton of memories. I used a converted ARC-5 for my 1st novice (KN1QZL) xmtr, but the neighbors complained of TVI. Dad bought me the Adventurer from a dealer in NH. I used a dipole on 80M and made tons of contacts. When I upgraded to General I found a Heath VF-1 VFO and could expand my frequency coverage. Also found the plug-in screen modulator and made phone contacts on 40 & 80 for great rag chews.

One issue which was my fault . . . spent a couple of weeks at Wellfleet on Cape Cod on summer vacation and didn't have enough space to hang the 80 M dipole so I loaded into a random wire. When we got home I had a number of OO reports based on the out of band 2nd harmonic and one "friendly FCC" notice. As I recall, I didn't have to send in a reply, but I did have to answer my parents! Learned a geat lesson about antennas that summer.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by N8QZ on 2004-08-23

First commercial rig after TVI problems with my ARC-5 novice station back in the early 60's. Not sure the pi-network would match everyting. I was on an extended summer vacation on Cape Cod and was running portable with a random long-wire. My Dad brought (from the home QTH) a handful of OO reports and an FCC warning based on my 599 2nd harmonic (out-of band) from the 80M novice band. Where was my Elmer when I needed him? Live and learn. Formerly KN1QZL
KM1H Rating: 2008-02-22
The Model A of ham radio, simple, and functional Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had a used one in 1957 in between selling a DX-100 that never stopped drifting and looking for another TX in the 100-150W range. I worked Europe on 40M with a dipole many times and worked the world on 20 and 15 with a ground plane and 3 el Gotham yagi respectively. The receiver was a HQ-129X.

I finally got a Viking I and the Adventurer sat on a shelf until around 1963 when it was sold. Never had a problem or bad signal reports.

Now in 2008 I have another Viking I,122 VFO, HQ-129X, and just picked up an Adventurer. A friend found it under a tattered tarp in Idaho where it had been sitting for a few years and sent it to me. Except for a lot of pine needles and dead bugs the interior is very nice with no corrosion. Replaced the electrolytics, hooked up the 122 VFO and it worked right off. It says something about the dry climate in Idaho as it would have been ready for the trash here in Southern NH.

A prior owner had added a BNC connector to the front panel for a VFO so Im looking for a nice replacement panel.

Carl
KM1H
W8AAZ Rating: 2007-12-16
Heartache box Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Got a used one off the shelf as my first novice tx back in the 70's. Thought it was the coolest thing in the world. Loaded up a lightbulb dummy load and loved to watch it glow as I tuned thru the dip. Finally put it on the air. Did get one OO for a harmonic with it. Everyone I tried to work complained that the freq. drifted the longer I transmitted. Apparently stressing the xtals I had. I tried some stuff but never could overcome that problem. Drift in an xtal rig! ugh. Tried new tubes etc. No luck so it ended up off the air and eventually 25$ at a garage sale. Now I would love to have another try at it but since it is a "rare classic" the prices are hard to swallow. Probably will build a two tube rig similiar from parts and save $$$ instead.
K4MSG Rating: 2007-09-20
Simple, great classic! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My first rig in 1957 was an Adventurer, and I've owned and restored several others in the past 10 years (even tore one down to the last screw & washer and rebuilt it from scratch - talk about deja vu!). It is a bare-bones basic CW rig that puts out a clean signal, is reliable and well-made, and is easy to repair. It's a wonderful rig for "newbies" who want to learn something about tube technology "from the good old days" because it is so simple and easy to understand.

While a separate "standby-transmit" switch with extra contacts for switching an external relay would be nice, this can be solved with an external switch and using rear-panel 6.3VAC for the relay, so it's no big deal. I also much prefer the 6AG7-807 lineup to the ubiquitous 6CL6-6DQ6 used by "other" manufacturers.

I use my current Adventurer with a Drake R-4A on 80m & 40m CW and I must say it is really a blast to work DX with this set-up.
WA8QNJ Rating: 2007-05-25
WHAT A CLASSIC.....!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I HAVE BEEN PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AT HOW SIMPLE AND STRAIGHT FORWARD THIS LITTLE TINY TUBE TRANSMITTER BY JOHNSON IS... I USE IT XTAL CONTROLED AND HAVE A BALL... LOVE THE WAY THE SINGLE 807 FINAL PUTS OUT THAT BEAUTIFUL WARM RED GLOW WHILE PUTTING OUT A 20 WATT CRISP CW NOTE... THEY CERTAINLY DON'T MAKE THEM LIKE THIS ANYMORE, ALL METAL, JUST LIKE A CLASSIC CAR FROM BACK IN SAME TIME PERIOD... HAD FUN PUTTING SOME WAX ON HER AND SEEING HER SHINE... A KOOL PIECE OF HAM AMERICANA FROM THE MID 50'S THAT WILL BE A WELCOMED ADDITION TO ANYONES SHACK... THE ADVENTURER IS NOT A BIG AND HEAVY RIG LIKE THE OTHER JOHNSON EQUIPMENT I'VE HAD IN THE PAST, AND DOESN'T TAKE UP MUCH SPACE... IT LOOKS RATHER IMPRESSIVE SITTING NEXT TO MY DRAKE 2B, IN FACT, IT'S ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AND MAKES FOR AN AWESOME COMBINATION... EVERY CW HAM SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN ONE OF THIS GEMS... SIMPLE, IS REALLY BETTER...!!
W6LBV Rating: 2006-04-10
"THE KIND OF QUALITY STUFF THAT THEY DON'T MAKE ANYMORE" Time Owned: more than 12 months.
In 1959 I began setting up my first novice station while studying for the exam. Upon recommendation from an active ham friend I bought an E. F. Johnson, Inc., Adventurer transmitter kit, and having previously successfully built other electronics kits I began to assemble and test it.

My initial impression upon unpacking the kit was an overwhelmingly sense of QUALITY. I still recall staring bug-eyed at the supplied chrome plated nuts and star washers, at a big and heavy power transformer easily large enough to run a fifty watt (if not more) transmitter, and at three new "brand name" vacuum tubes. The case and chassis were sturdy enough that I could stand on it (I weighed less in those days). The circuit design was conventionally conservative, with no tricks or short cuts.

That initial impression of Johnson quality never faded. Thirty-four years later I traveled to Minneapolis, representing my employer, to sign a $3 million purchase contract for a Johnson commercial two-way radio network (which contract EFJ. Inc. won on the merits). And I told the Johnson contracts manager (who wasn't a ham) across the table from me the story of how I still remembered with pleasure unpacking the first Johnson kit. He was amused by the story.....but it was clear that he didn't have a clue about what I was describing! (And on that trip I also visited the Johnson, Inc. museum at the factory down in Waseca, where many of the old Johnson Viking ham transmitters, still in working shape, are on display).

The Adventurer was better than I was as a novice. For an antenna I used a 40 meter folded dipole made from 300 ohm TV twin lead. It was a balanced feed antenna, but the Adventurer had a 50 ohm unbalanced output, and I hadn't yet learned about antenna tuners and baluns. I fed the twin lead directly, and the Adventurer's pi-network output didn't care. It loaded up without complaint and I still made some contacts. And I had no transmitter failures during my entire novice period.

I eventually bought the AM screen modulator kit and tried unsuccessfully to get the Adventurer's 807 final to double in the output stage to reach 6 meters. One can imagine how delightful that result might have proven in suburban Los Angeles, which is home to a major CBS-owned and -operated TV Channel 2. Eventually I sold everything and moved on. But I've always kept a soft-spot for the ruggedness and reliability of that first Johnson transmitter.

The Adventurer is well worth having if you are someone who appreciates the "kind of quality stuff that they don't make anymore!" That holds for almost any Johnson amateur product. Thank you to (the late) Edgar F. Johnson, B.S.E.E., a farm boy from the Minnesota prairie town of Waseca, who understood and built quality!
N4PSE Rating: 2004-08-23
Just plain fun! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I picked up one about a year ago and promptly blew the 50 year old electrolytics. What a mess when they blew! Replaced them with modern substitutes and she now puts out a decent signal. Still has a slight chirp on 40, better tone on 80. Have made many contacts with it (xtal controlled) and must admit it is really a kick. It's a nice way to break the boredom of good rig / bad propagation. It's a lot more fun to work 500 to 1,000 miles with one of these!