KX5JT -- Excellence in Amateur Radio!
These guys make great videos... here just watch the latest!
Amatuer Logic TV episode 30 on youtube.com
SkyWave! KX5JT's Audio Journal
I acquired an E.F. Johnson Viking II and a National NC-300 on Feb 12th, 2011. This is a classic vintage A.M. lineup. The Viking II has improved audio modification in place that was done by Brian, N4DKD, one of the previous owners. Some improvements include a better audio driver transformer (Hammond) and a Viking Valiant modulation transformer. The rig easily achieves better than 100 % positive peaks now without breaking much of a sweat.
I also have a Heathkit DX-60, serial number 103, built in early 1962, the very year the kits were released. It too has modifications based on WC3K Bill's (sk) published works. It is a controlled-carrier AM rig with excellent hi-fidelity. It drives a Heathkit SB-200 linear amplifier.
Also active in my station is a Kenwood TS-570DG. This serves as my SSB and Digital modes rig.
My current antenna system includes a homebrew T-tuner with a edge-wound Johnson Roller Inductor and too wide spaced variable air capacitors. This feeds a homebrew parallel 80/40 meter inverted vee fed only at 30 feet for now.
My Henry 2K4 amplifier is awaiting a fresh pair of 3-500Z tubes.
KX5JT radio station is always changing and improving!
Who is KX5JT?
My name is John D. Tate. I was born in Lafayette, LA in 1966. I grew up in the suburbs. I always loved electronics. I remember being a small kid and twirling through my AM transistor radio and picking up KAAY in Little Rock, Arkansas. The program was Beaker Street and it played the psychedelic rock that was popular in those days, the late 60s and early 70s. I was amazed at being able to hear a station way up in the next state. I can also recall catching Denver, Colorado tv stations on UHF before cable TV came to our home. This started my fascination with radio signals.
After graduating high school in 1984, I enrolled in University of Southwestern Louisiana with a General Business major. I was bored so I switched to Southern Technical College and pursued a 2 year degree in Electronics Technology. I also married and later fathered two awesome boys. After spending the late 80s and the 90s building and maintaining computer networks for small business and schools, the Universe threw me a curveball. After the dust settled, I found myself living alone and pursuing my Amateur Radio hobby. I now work as a dispatcher at night (imagine that, radios and computers!). I love life and can't wait to be in the next Great Adventure!!
You can email me at johndtate@post.com anytime. Please visit my QRZ page at www.qrz.com/db/kx5jt