Some of my earliest ham radio memories are of 73 Magazine. Perhaps this has something to do with the electro-erotica cover shots of the early 1970s! I used to buy copies at "Electronics 59" in Spring Valley, New York. I remember struggling to understand the magazine: Why were these guys so obsessed about going to Navassa Island? Why was there a column entitled "Never Say Die?" Why was the classified section entitled "Caveat Emptor?" In time, all this would become clear to me. Occasionally, I'll come across an old issue and will suddenly remember it from when it first came out. I must have read these things cover-to-cover. (Jean Shepherd recalled reading even the grommet ads in the old QSTs.) I really liked 73. It always had a zany, edgy, kind of "out-there" feel to it. Of course, near the end it went too far off the reservation (Bio-electrifiers? Faked moon walks?)
This morning QRP-L brings us the news that all the back issues are available on-line:
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=collection%3A73-magazine&sort=-publicdate
I'm hoping that somewhere in there we will be able to find that early 70's article about the varactor-tuned DC receiver that I tried to build but couldn't get working.
Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics"http://soldersmoke.com/book.htmOur coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmokeOur Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20
Posts
Ummmm. The "Santa" issue on the left of the photos was favorite of mine back then. Obvious as to why.
ReplyDeleteHot stuff back then.
Thank You!, Thank You!, Thank You!
ReplyDeleteHope you find that DC rcvr.
Armand (WA1UQO)
The best search tool for 73 is at http://www.w1sdm.net/73/index.html
ReplyDeleteI had a copy of that archive for several years now as well as most of the print copies (subscriber and hamfest find).
Cool!!! Thanks Santa! I found my favorite, "The Zero Meter Band" from Feb. '66.
ReplyDelete73 and Happy Holidays from KC7IT
Ham Radio Magazine archive also available:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.archive.org/search.php?query=ham%20radio%20magazine%20AND%20mediatype%3Atexts
Bill N5AB
Hey Mike! See you on Zero Jan. 01, 2012. Hope the rest of the gang will be there.
ReplyDelete73.......Steve Smith WB6TNL
"Snort Rosin"
Some real gems from long ago.....
ReplyDeleteDec. 1963: Some Guys Make It
Author: K2ORS
73.......Steve Smith WB6TNL
"Snort Rosin"
Absolutely true. I too would go through 'em ala Jean Shepard grommet ad level. Great magazine. Despite Wayne Green's libertarian-reactionary tendencies (he eventually wound up promoting his ideas on Art Bell's Coast-to-Coast AM radio program). 73 was diverse and eclectic. And the covers you show here beat out QST and Ham Radio any time...Merry Christmas/Happy New Year...
ReplyDeleteDec. '63, K2ORS - that's Jean Shepherd! It's so good Wayne reprinted it twice. Thanks Steve! See you on Zero!
ReplyDelete