[AMRadio] HQ170A Problems

[doxemf]

Hello !

All this reveiver talk got me thinking about the HQ170 alignment that 
was a futile attempt recently.
  The receiver is in fairly nice condition but had some supply parts 
and the tubes pulled by an audio guy.
When everything was back in place about the only output was noise with 
occasionally something heard.
  Well, apparently a previous owner had attempted alignment or 
something as some of the slugs were cracked and locked in place.
Got all that straightned out with careful dismantling of the cans and 
replacement of the slugs with identical parts.
  Alignment went well untill noise appeared and the AVC line voltage 
went out the window even while turned off.
Anyone who has worked on one of these will probably agree that the 
bandwith switch is a bit of a tight item to work on.
  Unluckly it appears that one of the many brown silver micas wrapped 
around about three switch sections  is breaking down.
I've had the switch assm. out as far as it will go without removing 
wiring and can't locate which cap it is or any other problems.
  The noise shows up on the AVC line strongly around 2nd IF strip where 
the filter section is.

Has anyone had experience with the workings of these radios?
  It's not up on the bench now so can't immediatly reference anything 
but my memory for what it's worth.


On another topic Does anyone recognize this Gulf War period Solid 
State RF Driver/preamp module?
Several Pictures located at 
http://photos.doxaudiolab.net/thumbnails.php?album=4


Any help would be appreciated !

Bill  KB3DKS/1

Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email 
and IM. All on demand. Always Free.

Re: [AMRadio] Receivers

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

Hiya Rick -

I'll weigh in with my 2¢ worth since I've been away and missed all the fun.

The 75A-4 was designed primarily for SSB operation and is therefore
tailored more to that kind of listening: product detector, mechnical
filters, etc. It is indeed 'ham bands only' with some additional
coverage around the edges. In my view though, and contrary to those
who have said it has 'poor audio', I'd say instead that it has
less-than-ideal AM audio. The biggest reason for the audio issue is
the 6 kcs mechincal filter for AM. Not bad, but not the best either.
There are other options including 8 or 9 kcs that plug in and help out
a lot. But ask yourself this: how often can you open up the receiver
for full fidelity these nights? I'm not crazy about mechnical filters
for casual listening, but combined with the passband tuning in the
75A-4, you have a receiver that can switch quickly to 'battle mode'
when conditions deteriorate (as they do regularly on 75).

The SP-600 is a good band cruiser with its nice flywheel tuning, but
also lacks a bit in the audio arena. Not bad, not the best. They get a
bad rap for drifting, but this is almost always cured by moving the
tap on the transformer up a notch to 125v. I have mine in the rack
with the R-390 and R-390A.

Again, my opinion only, the R-390 is the better listening receiver
than the later A since it doesn't use the mechnical filters. The A is
the cost-reduced (and more plentiful) version, but did add the filters
which come in handy for bad band conditions. Biggest difference
between the A and the 75A-4 is the R-390A can be opened up to 16 kcs,
but will still ring on stronger signals. Of course, tuning any R-390*
is a lesson in patience and wrist stamina.

R-388/51J-3 is as stable and accurate as the 75A-4, but also suffers a
bit in the audio output. R-388A/51J-4 is even worse when it comes to
audio. Both are general coverage of course, AM/CW, no product
detector. I had a '388 until a few months ago, traded it off. Wouldn't
mind finding another someday, but in no hurry really.

So as others have said, it really depends on what kind of listening
you want to do. Keep in mind that many receivers like the R-388,
SP-600 were made primarily for communications work and not intended
for high fidelity audio. Same thing goes for the 75A-4. This doesn't
mean they have awful audio, just not as good as something with
push-pull 6V6s. If it's full audio you want, get any of the Super Pros
prior to the SP-600 (SP-400 and older), SX-28*, NC-240D, NC-183 etc.
You can run off the diode load of the R-390A, but that involves an
external amp and more mess.

Don is right of course: there are some receivers you just need to
have. I like Bill's advice, also: buy one of each, keep what you like!
Best bang for the buck? R-390A, hands down. You get the most radio for
the least amount of money. They are plentiful, and cheap (if you don't
shop exclusively on epay). The modular design makes it 'easier' to
service, but a Sky Buddy it's not.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ

On 7/29/06, Rick Brashear <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Thanks Don...

Do you mean it is a better SSB than AM receiver?

Rick

RE: [AMRadio] Receivers

[Brett gazdzinski]

I eventually gave up on commercial receivers, all of them had 
some flaw, some had many flaws.

My runner up was the R390 series receivers tho, for mostly
one or two bands, AM, as a station receiver, its good.
It has the diode load takeoff, the frequency resolution is good,
fidelity is not bad, has a GOOD scope takeoff, muting, etc.

Not good for maintenance, or scanning the bands, its quite
noisy, needs a 6kc filter.

Another good one (and much cheaper and easier to work on)
is the NC300/NC303 receivers.

For AM I thought all the Collins receivers sucked,
except the R390 series.

The 75s1 has possibilities, with a good filter and AM detector,
it might make a very nice receiver.
It looks great also, real ham radio look.

For what I use a receiver for, the homebrew blows all 
the commercial receivers away, because I picked what I 
wanted it to do.

Low stage count (very quiet).
Only the bands I use,
Jumping between 160, 80 and 40 meters,
the frequencies go 1880, 3880, 7290 without
touching the tuning (very non R390!).
I pick the bandwidth choices,
Hi fidelity AM detector built in,
Digital readout accurate to 100 hz.




Brett
N2DTS
  

[AMRadio] Fs: LPB 10ch Console

[I COLLECT TRAINS]

If there is any interested i know of someone who has a LPB 10ch stereo on
air console. has audition, cue, and program busses. think it is a older 70's
era signature console.

Email me and i will foward email to him :)


Thank You,

Rev. Robert P. Chrysafis
Universal Life Ministries (ULC)
http://www.ulc.org

Moderator Hunterdonfree
http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/hunterdonfree

RE: [AMRadio] Receivers

[nq5t]

> Another good one (and much cheaper and easier to work on) 
> is the NC300/NC303 receivers.

The 303 is one of my personal favorites. Like most of the radios that have been 
discussed, it lacks a bit in the fidelity department, but it isn't bad 
(certainly not as bad as a 51J-4 or that ilk).  Although like anything else, 
it's easy enough to tap the detector output and feed a decent audio system.

Still, it has the smooth and wrist saving tuning "feel" of the SP-600, no 
stinkin' mechanical filters, and although you can't read the dial to +-200Hz, 
it's close enough.  IF opens up to 8 Khz, plays quite well on AM (and CW/SSB), 
and is easy to service.

Grant/NQ5T
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From: "John E. Coleman (ARS WA5BXO)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "'Discussion of AM Radio'" 
Subject: RE: [AMRadio] Receivers
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 13:12:57 -0500
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X-List-Received-Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 18:27:48 -

I had both the NC300 and the NC303.  The 303 was my favorite of the two.  It
seemed to have much better fidelity than the 300 but I only had the two of
them and no others to compare to so there may have been a problem with my
300 and I have neither of them any more.

John, WA5BXO

Re: [AMRadio] Receivers

[david knepper]

I agree.  I hope that I don't lose my "Collins union card."


Dave, W3ST
Publisher of the Collins Journal
Secretary to the Collins Radio Association
www.collinsra.com - the CRA Website
Now with PayPal
CRA Nets: 3805 Khz every Monday at 8 PM EST
and 14255 every Saturday at 12 Noon EST
- Original Message - 
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "Discussion of AM Radio" 
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 1:22 PM
Subject: RE: [AMRadio] Receivers



Another good one (and much cheaper and easier to work on)
is the NC300/NC303 receivers.


The 303 is one of my personal favorites. Like most of the radios that have 
been discussed, it lacks a bit in the fidelity department, but it isn't 
bad (certainly not as bad as a 51J-4 or that ilk).  Although like anything 
else, it's easy enough to tap the detector output and feed a decent audio 
system.


Still, it has the smooth and wrist saving tuning "feel" of the SP-600, no 
stinkin' mechanical filters, and although you can't read the dial to 
+-200Hz, it's close enough.  IF opens up to 8 Khz, plays quite well on AM 
(and CW/SSB), and is easy to service.


Grant/NQ5T
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[AMRadio] Finally Pictures of Delta ASM-1

[I COLLECT TRAINS]

Here are pictures of the Delta Monitors I have for sale.

http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta.82b.jpg
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Asking $1200.00 Shipped Con-US Via FedEx Ground and will be carefully packed
by myself.

Thank You,

Rev. Robert P. Chrysafis
Universal Life Ministries (ULC)
http://www.ulc.org

Moderator Hunterdonfree
http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/hunterdonfree

[AMRadio] Re: Finally Pictures of Delta ASM-1

[I COLLECT TRAINS]

Correction to price

$1000.00 Shipped Con-US :) Will also ship to Canada and Alaska(Extra
Shipping Required)

- Original Message - 
From: "I COLLECT TRAINS" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Discussion of AM Radio" 
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 2:56 PM
Subject: Finally Pictures of Delta ASM-1


> Here are pictures of the Delta Monitors I have for sale.
>
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta.82b.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta2.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta3.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta4.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta5.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta6.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta7.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta8.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta9.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta10.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta11.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta12.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta13.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta14.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta15.jpg
> http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=delta16.jpg
>
> Asking $1200.00 Shipped Con-US Via FedEx Ground and will be carefully
packed
> by myself.
> 
> Thank You,
>
> Rev. Robert P. Chrysafis
> Universal Life Ministries (ULC)
> http://www.ulc.org
>
> Moderator Hunterdonfree
> http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/hunterdonfree
>

Re: [AMRadio] Receivers

[Rick Brashear]

Hi Todd... thanks for the sound advice.  I agree with Don too and Bill 
is absolutely right, however, my pocketbook revolted.  I hope to have 
all three one day, but for now I am hot on the trail of the R-390.  I 
have an HQ-180 and HQ-170 that I like real well.  Both have nice audio 
and tune quite easily, however, I have always wanted the SP-600, so I'm 
sure some where down the road I'll get one. 

Thanks again to all who have contributed to this discussion both on and 
off list.  I have received quite a needed education thus far.


Rick/K5IZ


Todd, KA1KAQ wrote:


Hiya Rick -

I'll weigh in with my 2¢ worth since I've been away and missed all the 
fun.


The 75A-4 was designed primarily for SSB operation

RE: [AMRadio] Receivers

[W1EOF]

Rick,

Considering that EVERYONE should have an R-390, and the fact that you
don't intend on doing a lot of "band cruising" I think you have made
an excellent choice.

Not to sway you because it's an entirely different deal but... Last year
I was ove a buddy's shack and heard his HRO-SR with matching National
speaker for the first time. We were listening to some AM on 160M. It was
hands-down the finest AM reception I've ever heard. I don't want to sound
like one of the audiphool guys but it had a quality to it that was eerie.
It sounded like we were listening to a QSO from 1950. That night the HRO-SR
moved way up on my "Want to have someday" list. Other people have written
me to concur. Seems to have something to do with the wide IFs or something.
I don't know enough about the design to tell you. I can only say that it's
something to behold.

Even with that, I still think you can't go wrong with an R-390 for overall
use. Good luck in your search.

73,

Mark W1EOF

> -Original Message-
> From: Rick Brashear [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 4:21 PM

> I hope to have all three one day, but for now I am hot on the trail of the
R-390.

> Rick/K5IZ

[AMRadio] VF-1 or DX100 Dial...

[Bob Peters]

In need of a VFO dial from a DX100... I believe that the VF-1 is the
same...
Someone out there must have a good one ...

Thanks...

Very Best 73's
Bob W1PE Dallas