CQ CLASSIC
As we continue our look back over classic CQ articles from our first 75 years, and since this is our annual technology issue, we decided to look at some of the technology that revolutionized ham radio in the second half of the 20th century. While there are many options, FM and repeaters should be near the top of anyone’s list. They made VHF mainstream and maximized amateur radio’s value in emergency and public service communications by giving us a combination of mobility and coverage areas far beyond the local range of simplex communication on VHF. CQ began an FM column in the January 1971, issue, which we reproduce here. We’ve also got an ad for a typical 2-meter FM rig of the day, which accompanied that column. Plus, see WØRW’s accompanying article in this issue on one of California’s earliest FM repeaters. –W2VU
The January 1971 issue of CQ introduced our monthly FM column. The last page of this article also featured an ad for the 4-channel, crystal-controlled, Standard Communications SR-C806M. It should be noted that the 1971 price tag of $335 would be the equivalent of $2,160 today!
This month marks the birth of a new column in CQ. The ever increasing number of amateurs interested in v.h.f. and u.h.f. f.m. operation have pointed out a need for specialized information sources. The new FM column is designed to fill this void. This is not to say that information is not available from other sources (including publications other than CQ) but that the information now available to the average f.m.’er is often several months old when first published. Information such as availability of equipment, changes in repeater frequencies and locations, and general questions and answers need to be as current as possible. Construction articles, modifications of equipment, and general commentaries on f.m. are necessary, but they are seldom degraded by a wait of several months before publication.
This column will cover as much ground
