The Sommerkamp FT 250 offers a unique user experience deeply connected to the traditions of amateur radio. Owning and operating it is a journey back to the golden age of radio communication, providing a deep sense of satisfaction that modern digital devices often cannot replicate. Every knob turned and each contact made is a tribute to the technical achievements of the past.
Once inside Europe, Sommerkamp assembled the final aesthetic pieces, completed regional testing, and affixed its own badging and lettering. This strategy allowed the radios to bypass punitive import duties while securing compliance certificates. Consequently, European radio amateurs who bought a Sommerkamp FT-250 were purchasing an exceptional Japanese rig masked by a Swiss identity. Architecture & Technical Specifications
: Equipped with a VOX (voice-operated transmit) system, a 100 kc calibrator, and intuitive front-panel controls for grid tuning and plate loading.
It is still a capable radio for casual operation and CW. sommerkamp ft 250
| | Specification | | :--- | :--- | | Frequency Bands | 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m (amateur bands) | | Frequency Range | 3.5 - 4 MHz; 7 - 7.5 MHz; 14 - 14.5 MHz; 21 - 21.5 MHz; 28.5 - 29 MHz | | Modes | SSB (USB/LSB), CW, AM (with reduced carrier) | | Power Output | Input power of 200W , yielding approximately 100-120W output on SSB and CW, and 25W on AM | | Receiver System | Single-conversion superheterodyne using tubes, with an IF frequency of 9 MHz | | Sensitivity | 0.5 µV for 10 dB S/N | | Selectivity | 2.3 kHz at -6 dB, 4 kHz at -60 dB | | Audio Bandwidth | 300 - 2700 Hz (for SSB) | | Antenna Impedance | 50-100 Ω | | Dimensions (WxHxD) | 13.2" x 5.5" x 11" (335 x 140 x 280 mm) | | Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) for the main unit | | Valves (Tubes) | 16 tubes, including a 7360 balanced modulator and 6JS6C final amplifier | | Transistors | 8 transistors | | Power Supply | Requires external supply, typically the FP-200/250 for AC or DC-200/250 for 12V DC | | Original Price | 1,398.00 DM in 1969 |
The FT-250 is a testament to a time when amateur radio was as much about the art of engineering as it was about communication. For those willing to take on its quirks, it offers an unmatched sense of history and a performance that remains fiercely capable. If you are lucky enough to own or operate one, you possess a tangible piece of radio history. Are you looking for operating tips or help with a specific restoration challenge?
: Features an analog dial with 1 kHz divisions for accurate manual tuning across all bands. Standard Features & Controls The Sommerkamp FT 250 offers a unique user
While today’s rigs are packed with menus and touchscreens, the FT-250 is a tactile, "hands-on" experience. Here is why it remains a favorite for vintage collectors: Sommerkamp FT 250 Shortwave Transceiver
Are you looking to an FT-250, or do you already own one?
Electrolytic capacitors will likely need replacing to ensure stability and safety. Once inside Europe, Sommerkamp assembled the final aesthetic
: Uses a high-stability heterodyne VFO and a 9 MHz crystal filter for voice quality. Clarifier : Provides ±5plus or minus 5
: Marketed by Henry Radio in the United States (typically in a black and silver case). Technical Specifications & Performance
: Includes a ±5 kHz receiver offset (clarifier) for fine-tuning without changing the transmit frequency.
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