Another mobile from the AM boat anchor era was the Mara Twins (may be 
misspelled). Their mobile was also a 50 watt class rig with a 6146 
final, and a matching separate receiver. They also made a larger base 
station transmitter.

In addition to the G66/G77 mobile twins, Gonset also made the G76, a 
transmitter and receiver in one box. It is often called a transceiver, 
but the transmitter and receiver had separate tuning dials. As with 
the other equipment mentioned, the power supply for either base or 
mobile use was a separate box. I have a fully operational G76 on my 
desk now, with a home brew power supply. Depending on the power supply 
used, the output from the G76 is about 40 watts of carrier.

Gonset and Regency also made a line of mobile converters which turned 
your AM car radio into a general coverage or ham band receiver. 
Probably the most famous of these converters was the Gonset Super 6. 
Elmac may have also made a converter, but I can't say that for 
certain.

Sonar, the company which made lots of marine and CB equipment in the 
1960's, also made one or two ham transmitters in the 50's. At least 
one of these was a mobile rig. I've only heard one of them on the air, 
and that was at least 30 years ago.

The GPR90 receiver was made for the military by the Technical 
Materials Company. I have touched one, but it was not in use at the 
time, so I haven't operated one. The GPR90 is apparently highly prized 
among collectors.

The Collins look alike rigs someone asked about were probably the 
Elnico twins, (again maybe misspelled.) I don't have specific model 
numbers, but I have touched one of their transmitters once, for about 
30 seconds. It was big and heavy, about the size of a Hallicrafter 
HT37. The rigs from this company were early single sideband units, and 
were around at about the same time as the Heath Kit Marauder, and the 
Central Electronics transmitters.

For the new hams among us, imagine two large microwave ovens sitting 
side by side on your operating desk. Now you have an idea of the "big 
part of the above description. As for the "heavy," usually at least 
one pound per watt for the early side band units, and 2 or 3 pounds 
per watt for plate modulated AM gear. Someone once said that most ham 
equipment made before the mid 1960's was made by a subsidiary of 
Hernia Incorporated.

Mike Duke, K5XU
American Council of Blind Radio Amateurs