Vintage 6 Meter Gonset Transceiver

[Jeffhs]

Perhaps I was operating at the wrong time of the year, but during the short time I was on 6 meters (about six months, IIRC), I couldn't work any DX even if I wanted to. However, the first day I was on six meters, shortly after getting my Technician license in mid-1975, I had a Heathkit Sixer transceiver and heard a station in North Dakota (WA0SDK).

Unfortunately, since I was using a makeshift antenna in a third-floor bedroom at the time, I couldn't reply to the station, but I have never forgotten hearing it nearly 42 years ago. However, I was active on a local 6-meter net, the (now defunct) Apricot Message Net, in suburban Cleveland Heights for a few months. Since the net control station (NCS) was only a short distance from me at the time, my crude antenna and 5-watt Heathkit Sixer kept me active on that net until I moved (see next paragraph).

Later on (as in several months later), I moved back to my hometown (long story) and had the same Heathkit Sixer, but with a circular-element beam. Didn't work anything much other than locals from then until I got on 2-meter FM in mid-1976, then was on six again for about a month when, in 1977, the final transistors burned up in my 2m rig.

I didn't work anything much on 6 meters during that time (early-mid 1977); in fact, I didn't work anyone else, even though I was on quite regularly. I still have the QSL card from the station I worked on 6 from my hometown, but I don't know where the card is anymore (may have gotten lost when I moved here 17 years ago). I do know, however, that the station, WA8CSQ, is no longer on the air, the license having expired some time ago. The operator may have become an SK (Silent Key) by now as well, but that is just a guess on my part. I do know, however, that WA8CSQ is no longer listed in Hamcall.net or Buckmaster, so even if the licensee is still alive, he is definitely not operating any kind of amateur station any longer.