I just accidentally found this.

If you remember the electronics of the 80's, that link is a treasure trove of nostalgia, on par with the site that has all of the Radio Shack catalogues of the 70s. Even if you don't, you might find it fascinating. The technological advancement in what feels like a few years is mind-blowing.

It's really amazing.

 

Hello,

The American radio hystory site has a lot more:
https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Radio_Electronics _Master_Page.htm
There you can find a lot of other magazines too:
https://www.americanradiohistory.com/index.htm

Bertus

 

Hello,

The American radio hystory site has a lot more:
https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Radio_Electronics _Master_Page.htm
There you can find a lot of other magazines too:
https://www.americanradiohistory.com/index.htm

Bertus

Thanks for that, they seem to have gotten at least some of their PDFs from there.

 

The technological advancement in what feels like a few years is mind-blowing.

It's really amazing.

Even more so when you start out in the era of valves and transition through transistors- IC's etc.
Although my first project was solid state in a way, a Galena cats whisker radio.!!
Max.

 

I started out with tubes because in the 70's the old stuff we could get cheap and free was hollow state.

 

One of my most arduous projects was building a Valve tester, the hard part was rewinding a transformer to cater to all the different cathode heater voltages!
Max.

 

One of my most arduous projects was building a Valve tester, the hard part was rewinding a transformer to cater to all the different cathode heater voltages!
Max.

"But you tell that to the kids today, and they won't believe you!"

 

Hello,

I am probably younger than you guys.
I am now 59 years.
When I was on the techincal school, I made a circuit with all TTL IC's for testing tv sets.
It consisted of 30 TTL chips and created a patern on the TV.

Bertus

 

When I was on the techincal school, I made a circuit with all TTL IC's for testing tv sets.

I recall saving up for my first IC (singular!), I seem to remember it cost 10 shillings, I don't even want to know what that would be in today's money.
Max.

 

I still treasure my copy of the Sept., 1975 Issue #1 of Byte magazine. Ancient history, still fun to thumb through from time to time...

 

When I was on the techincal school, I made a circuit with all TTL IC's for testing tv sets.

I started out with tubes in the early-mid 60's. First IC's I used were RTL.

 

Even more so when you start out in the era of valves and transition through transistors- IC's etc.

When I took tests for my FCC license in the mid 70's, there were only a couple questions with transistors; everything else was tubes. My classes barely covered tubes...

 

I still treasure my copy of the Sept., 1975 Issue #1 of Byte magazine. Ancient history, still fun to thumb through from time to time...

My first feature story was in Byte. I read it as a teen and got a chance to write for it later.

Did you ever read Kilobaud?

 

When I took tests for my FCC license in the mid 70's, there were only a couple questions with transistors; everything else was tubes. My classes barely covered tubes...

But at least you know how to neutralize one!

 

Did you ever read Kilobaud?

I don't remember; probably not.

 

I don't remember; probably not.

It was the glossy hobby microcomputer magazine, the one Bill Gates wrote his “open letter” in.

 

Hello,

I am probably younger than you guys.
I am now 59 years.
When I was on the techincal school, I made a circuit with all TTL IC's for testing tv sets.
It consisted of 30 TTL chips and created a patern on the TV.

Bertus

You are just a bit older than me, but that makes you senior, sir.

 

I have a power supply that I built in the 80s. I still remember it as it is in my line of sight and still works. Does that count?

 

Started by ripping TVs apart and reclaiming parts. Then started a lot of SW listening,
around 1954, then 1956 or so started studying for Amatuer Radio license. Got a Heath
DX40 for birthday same year, built it, then family situation blew up so wound up not
getting license. (got it finally 6 years ago or so). Still just listen.

Went thru ET class in Navy, became a Reactor Operation SSN-583. Left Navy 1970 and
started school. Was building music synthesizers out of MSI TTL, some RTL. In school
1972 given a 4004, and manual. Read several nights the manual trying to figure out
what good was it, and a revelation happened I will never forget, the idea of reprogram-
ability of electronic systems. Loved processors ever since.

Rest of career semiconductor manufacturing, test and product engineering, then sales
for a while and finishing many years as an FAE.

Retired and still learning, love it.

Regards, Dana.

 

Started by ripping TVs apart and reclaiming parts. Then started a lot of SW listening,


Retired and still learning, love it.

Regards, Dana.

I was an SWL too, I loved utes particularly. Got my ticket later, in the 80s. I still love radio, but it's not the same when you have six or more radios in the supercomputer in your pocket. Don't get me wrong, I love my phone, but I miss HF and think it is being lost to our determent. It is the simplest, most reliable way to communicate and the world is forgetting it.