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Reviews For: Gonset Sidewinder Model 910A (6M USB/AM/CW)

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

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Review Summary For : Gonset Sidewinder Model 910A (6M USB/AM/CW)
Reviews: 1MSRP:
Description:
The Gonset Sidewinder Model 910A is a Six Meter USB/AM/CW transceiver with VFO receive and VFO or xtal transmit. Frequency range is 49.975-54.025 M/C. Power output is 7+ watts for CW & SSB, and backed down to 3 watts for AM operation. Fully solid state PS & RX, transmitter chain uses 6EA8 mixer, 12BY7 driver, and 6360 final tubes.
Product is not in production
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# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0014
N1BEC Rating: 2006-04-02
Still a useful rig after 40 years! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.

I picked up this Sidewinder at the Puyallup (WA) Hamfest earlier this year.
The unit was absolutely cherry: It looked like it just came out of a box, not in any way like it was 40 years old!
The Sidewinder represents a transition period in electronic technology: It bridges the gap between fully vacuum tube and fully solid state technology, using both technologies! The power supply is fully solid state with silicon diodes eliminating the need for vacuum tube rectifiers.
The receiver is fully solid state, using discreet PNP transistors.
The transmitter starts out with a solid state oscillator, but then uses tubes in the subsequent stages.
The transmitter uses a 6EA8 (6U8) mixer, 12BY7 driver, and a 6360 final. The 6EA8 is an original Gonset branded tube!
Power output is in excess of 6 watts USB & CW. Directions in ther manual suggest reducing carrier to about three watts for AM operation.
My unit is stable on transmit and receive. The receiver meets spec of 10dB SINAD at 0.5 microvolts as tested on 50.250 Mc in the AM mode.
Takes ¼” phone plug for CW key, and ¼” stereo plug for microphone. I used a non-amplified D-104 in my tests.
The radio uses a couple of "pull" switches coupled to pots: The one coupled with the RF Gain control turns on the transmitter filaments. The one on the Mike Gain control keys the transmitter (and is usually used with the CW mode, as the AM & USB modes can use a mike PPT to key the transmitter).
All of the pots needed to be cleaned and Pro-Golded, with switches getting the same treament.
The mode switch needed repeated treatments with De-Oxit and then Pro-Gold. This switch is a semi-sealed plastic affair which is undoubtedly the rig's Achilles Heel.
It's still not perfect, but MUCH better than when I got the rig!
With the receive audio cranked full tilt on USB, there was a slight amount of AC hum. This went down when one of the 1000 uF low voltage electrolytic filters had a 2200 uF cap put across it. I left the radio stock.
At some point, someone tacked a large bypass cap across the accessory power connector. As it doesn’t affect anything, and is part of the unit’s history, I’ve left it in place. No other modifications were apparent.
I feel that the Gonset Sidewinder is still a perfectly viable and awesomely cool rig to run (especially with a matching 250 watt output amplifier!).
I chose to sell it, as I already have the Gonset Communicators III and the G-50 for 6 AM, and a Swan 250 for QRO SSB work. Only have so much space, and by giving it up, someone else gets to play with it. I simply can't hoard all the toys!
If you can find a Sidewinder, by all means add it to your collection, and don't be afraid to use it on the air!

73's, -Tom N1BEC/7