Note
73, Apr 1979, p. 27.
The Stoner Model PRO-10, dubbed "The Black Widow," is noted as the first amateur radio transceiver to employ amplitude-compandored speech.
Features
– Amplitude-Compandored Speech: Utilizes a integrated circuit from Signetics .It performs logarithmic speech compression and expansion with no audible distortion, raising average modulation/talk power on transmission and expanding the voice on reception to enhance both incoming and outgoing signals (even when communicating with conventional SSB radios).
– Band & Operating Modes: Operates on the 10-meter band. It supports SSB, CW, and AM modes, featuring an LED to the right of the frequency display indicating the active mode (U, L, or A).
– Transmitter Performance: Delivers a minimum of 100 Watts power output over the entire band on SSB/CW, and 25 Watts carrier output on AM (with break-in CW operation provided via carrier offset yielding 50 Watts output).
– Receiver Performance: Offers a receiver sensitivity of 0.5 microvolts for a 15 dB (S+N)/N ratio. To accommodate converted CB radios on 10 meters, it includes AM reception provisions via a dual-bandwidth (2.5 and 5.0-kHz) crystal filter.
– Tuning & Frequency Display: Features state-of-the-art electronic tuning (fast or slow) operable from either the panel or the microphone. A phase-locked loop (PLL) tunes the radio in 10-kHz steps, while a VFO provides continuous tuning (1 kHz per turn) between steps. A built-in memory stores the last frequency used when powered off.
Power Requirements: Requires 13.6 V DC at an average current of 5 Amperes.