In the office went the more vintage pieces, where they complement the old boatanchor Collins radio gear (Mom bought those for Dad for Christmas the year I was born). A while back I rearranged the office, consolidating all the ham gear on one side of the desk, and adding an Ikea cabinet (clearly the choice of discriminating, yet budget-conscious audio mavens the world around!). I shortened the Ikea piece by 1-1/2 "units" to leave room for hanging some guitars on the wall. The wife approves of the aesthetics, so here is how it will stay. Oh and yes, the rightmost KT88 on the amp is popped. I think the power supply caps have finally let go on the 275, and will be replaced soon.
Wow! Thanks all for the kind words! I'd forgotten about posting this picture. Latest update - I thought that something had gone south on the 275 but after disconnecting/unplugging/replugging I lucked out- one of the KT88s was loose in its socket was all. I had to crack open the 113 and restring its dial cord- truly an arcane art best practiced after prayer and fasting! Next adventure in audio is getting FM working on my 1700 receiver.
I grew up sitting on a barstool behind Dad's ham desk, listening raptly to the donald-duck sideband voices and the steady tic-tic-tic of the typewriter as he copied the W1AW 35wpm practice transmissions, just to keep his speed up. I only regret now having waited until Dad became a Silent Key before finally getting my ticket. I hope, once I've got the now-malfunctioning 275 and 113 fixed up again, to get the S-Line gear back on the air. I made my first HF QSO on the Collins rig, but soon thereafter the transmitter started arcing; it's been shut down since then.
The little Lahtis I scarfed from my uncle when he moved out west years ago. The 113 and 275 showed up one Christmas when I was a kid, presents from Mr. Mc to replace the 112 and MC60 and vanishingly-rare F100 we'd been using (my brother still has the 112; I have the 60 and the F100, though getting it in the car for the trip to Florida was a chore!).
