JRC JSB-20 SSB Radiotelephone Demonstration

This shows the JSB-20 portable 10 watt radiotelephone in operation using my 80 meter dipole checking into the Vintage Sideband Net with W9JFM.  Dan is in Algoma WI, 195 miles from my QTH in Freeport IL and as you can hear, reported an excellent signal from the JSB-20.  

The JSB-20 dates from the 1970s when HF SSB was the only means of communication for those outside of line-of-sight distance from civilization.   Scientific exploration, oil and gas, anf forestry crews were among those who depended on small portable radios like this for communication back to their base.   Antennas were often simple low dipoles using NVIS propagation and even short loaded whips were used with some success.   Battery power and crystal-control made operation simple anywhere on the globe.  

Since crystal control is not desireable for amateur operation I have substituted an internal synthesizer that is controlled by an Arduino by means of an external keypad/display unit that communicates via I2C.   Because the clarifier control is not usable without crystals the pot was removed and used for the synthesizer connnector, with power coming from the internal battery or external power connector.   The synthesizer also makes selectable upper or lower sideband operation possible which was a special option originally.    See my separate video that shows tuning and sideband selection and the JSB-20 ARTICLE for more photos.