60’s RF-101 Linear Amplifier

Vintage 60’s RF Communications, Inc. RF-101 Linear Amplifier.

I saw a Classifieds Sale ad pop up for a “linear amplifier project” on a local radio club forum, and the best part of the project ad was it said; “FREE“! I like FREE!

I made the call and inquired. Next morning came and I grabbed the Expedition to go pick it up. With a little help from Ed and a two-wheeler, we brought it up out of his basement. HEAVY! Ed clued me in on the RF-101 amplifiers history and how he picked it up as surplus equipment when satellite communications arrived in the Alaskan Bush. Prior to satellites this amplifier was used with a matching transceiver to order supplies and communicate with schools in the Alaskan Bush. While I was there I bought a pair of Eimac 3-500Z’s and a pair of Eimac SK-406 Chimney’s Ed had sitting in boxes.

So far I’ve been able to piece the old RF-101 back together, switch it over to 220VAC, clean it up a bit and get the High Voltage up and stable at 3,300 VDC.

Over the next few months I’ll get the RF input & output sections up to speed and dialed in. There’s several boxes of pieces & parts I still have to sort out that came with this “project”. I have to say the pair of Eimac 3-400Z’s in the window look plain awesome! Getting it powered up with plate voltage is a damn good start to getting it on the air me thinks!

Stay tuned!

N0UN