R&S SK080 AM transmitter on 6020 kHz shortwave

Radio Delta International used the Rohde & Schwarz SK080 AM broadcast transmitter for special events.

This transmitter gives us a lot of fun, because of the history and the beautiful appearance.

Rhode & Schwarz SK080 with classic anode/screen modulation, built in 1959. 100% tube-based, 800 Watts RF, sucks 3.4 kVA (one phase!). Radio Delta engineers refurbished this beautiful vintage AM broadcast transmitter. We used this transmitter in the 80’s on shortwave 7325kHz.

The R&S SK080 has a nice internal modulator with 2 x QB3/300 tubes with a brilliant AM modulation. This R&S SK080 transmitter could modulate around 800Watt nom. Many dutch pirates use the smaller R&S SK010 with external modulator, this transmitter can modulate around 130Watt nom.

The R&S SK family was in used by the German Army during 60’s and beginning 70’s. During the 80’s and 90’s this army surplus was sold to handlers. It was in the past rather simple to buy such a gear in Germany and Holland. Later became the R&S SK1 (1 kW max carrier power AM, + USB and LSB ) popular. But there mintage was much much less.