No other word to describe it! This was my first SSB rig (picked up used at the late lamented Harrison Radio in NYC: I traded in my beloved Eico 720/730 AM combo, and never looked back). One of the few that deserves the company of the 2B/2BQ. Still, what's the point of having this classic boat anchor if you're not going to keep it 100% stock and aligned by the book? The tube converts RF Output (via a 10K 2W dropping resistor) to something the meter can handle, so tossing in a diode would be simple enough. K5SVC has tube kits, nothing exotic except 6AH6's don't grow on trees and a 9006 RF rectifier tube was a novelty. The GSB-100 and Pacemaker won't overdrive the Thunderbolt, but anything with two 6146's or sweeps will, so plan on shopping for a 6 db attenuator if you're driving a grid that's not grounded with other rigs. I'm not too keen on the Gonset linears.something about Johnson gear always seemed to have a little more 'snap" to them. My last left home when I did.half a century ago. I'd like to get one of them, but haven't snagged another. Only other rig even close is the Johnson Pacemaker. If you don't mind a little less sideband suppression than a filter rig - in exchange for great audio - this is a keeper. "Time to throw the BIG SWITCH, OM." And mean it. The vox will do it, but who uses vox? No, this is much cooler. One thing I did (odd sense of humor, and all) is I installed a bright red AC switch with a bright red cover to handle t/r switching. Others have remarked on the amazing build quality - there's switched 110V on the back for the TR-switching for the Amp. Power output is nothing to write home about, but since this is a "nostalgia rig" for me (I've got several, truth be told) I picked up the Johnson Thunderbolt (pair of 4-400's) because I couldn't find a really great Courier. 200-300 cycles after 5-minutes and then rock-solid at 30 min mark. Reason? The balanced modulator sort of "drifts in" to balance as components come up to temp. Main thing to note is that these should never be set until the rig has been on 45-min to an hour. Great carrier suppression if you adjust the balanced modulator every so-often. Found a pristine GSB-100 with not a scratch on it and OMG, what memories - and what a fine rig!
Now, age almost 70, I finally got around to it. I knew at some point I'd have to get me this rig.
I helped him (more coffee, Norb?) and that was IT. on his roof on a squatty 12 foot mini tower. 1964, my elmer W7IMF (SK) was working phone patches with a drake 2b, GSB-100, and a Johnson Courier amp.
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