TBS-50

[Jack Taylor]

On Wed, 3 Sep 1997, Rod Fitz-Randolph wrote:

> Anyone have a Harvey-Wells TBS-50 in collector condition?  If so,
> what are you asking, assuming you are willing to part with it.
>
> Rod, N5HV
> w5hvv at aeneas.net

Yesterday I blew the dust off a Harvey-Wells TBS-50D and discovered this
to be quite a handsome addition to the shack here!  The layout of the
front panel is somewhat reminiscent of the WWII big black navy
transmitters, except in miniture.   The case has genuine black wrinkle
paint and the sides have real louvers stamped into the steel cabinet!  On
the front there is a single meter to read various internals and a number
of shiny black knobs for transmitter adjustment.  An added touch is the
chrome plated red and black Harvey-Wells logo in the center and on the
companion VFO.  It also has several man-sized toggle switches which give a
resounding "SNAP!" when thrown.

The companion VFO blends in well with the main transmitter and is designed
to allow the transmitter to sit atop it.  The VFO also has a nice easy to
read large slide-rule dial and covers 80-40-20-15-10 meters.  Crystals are
required for 160, 6, and 2 meters.  Yes, this amazing transmitter is
designed to operate on 6 and 2, and can be (according to the instruction
manual) modified for 160 meters!

In addition to CW, the 'D' version of the Bandmaster Deluxe has a built-in
hi-Z audio mic preamp and uses a pair of 6L6's to modulate the single 807
final amplifier.

Harvey-Wells made three versions of the TBS-50.  These were:

Bandmaster, Jr         Model TBS-50B
Bandmaster, Senior     Model TBS-50C
Bandmaster, Deluxe     Model TBS-50D

The TBS-50B was CW only.  The TBS-50C was CW and Phone, using a carbon mic
and the TBS-50D CW and Phone using a high impedance crystal or dynamic
mic.  Looking ahead, Harvey-Wells Bandmaster Jr and Seniors came with the
necessary chassis holes prestamped so's to be easily upgradable to the
Bandmaster Deluxe version.

Harvey-Well offered an AC power supply for fixed station operation and the
transmitter could be ran off 6 or 12 volt dc dynamotor or vibrator
supplies.  The instruction manual even describes how the vernerable olde
PE-103 dynamotor could be adapted for use!

The manual discusses TVI prevention techniques and I suspect in this day
and age, errant harmonics could be easily dealt with.

All-in-all, the Bandmaster series appears to be a quality transmitter that
was unusually versatile for its time.  In appearance, it mates up well
alongside of my BC-348 receiver, which with a few converters for the
higher bands, would make an excellent companion station!

This brings me back to my original posting about 'whatever happened to
Harvey-Wells?'  I also blew the dust off a Harvey-Wells T-90 Transmitter
and it too seems to be well designed.  Does anyone know what was the first
and last amateur products they produced?

73 de Jack