1930s W1UJR Station Now Ready
Had a few minutes this morning to get Scott W9WFA's old National NC-101X out of storage and onto the new 1930s station desk. I'll be moving the other 101X over once the restoration is finished, but it'll be on the workbench for a bit, so time to fire up something...
Opening The “Catacomb” – National NC-101X Coil Set
I removed the sliding coil assembly, often called a "catacomb coil" for cleaning and service. Needed it too, 80 some years of dirt, and old grease build up make it a mess. Removed the coil sets, used a sharpie to id the location with small dots, and threw the aluminum...
Opening The “Catacomb” – National NC-101X Set
Continued on with the restoration of the National NC-101X today. Removed the sheet metal enclosure, which required removal of all knobs again, then carefully undid the front drive gear, part of the rack and pinion gear set that moves the "catacomb" coil holder from...
All About QSL Cards
Ham Radio QSL Cards - In the early days of ham radio, when making shortwave contact with a station across the state was a novelty, across the country was astounding, and transoceanic contacts where nearly unheard of, hams would confirm contact by sending each other...
National NC-101X – Starting Restoration
The first thing I like to undertake when staring a restoration is to decide if I am restoring or repairing. For me a restoration is to make the unit look, and function as new again, with correct period parts and repair techniques. A "repair" means that I am going in...

National NC-101X – Time Capsule
Fall Project - 1938 National NC-101X Shortwave Receiver I left Maine last night for a small town in New Hampshire, right near the Vermont border. Purpose of the road trip was to pick up this shortwave set from the grandson of the original purchaser back in 1938. For...