Re: [AMRadio] Best AM BoatanchorReceiver or AM RiceboxReceiver Discussion
Hi Brian/list: I have all the parts to build the 2010 detector but been too lazy to build it up. Someday?? The whole kit is still available with circuit board I think. I bought mine as spare parts from Sony. 73 DE Charlie, K0NG . __ AMRadio mailing list List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
Re: [AMRadio] Best AM BoatanchorReceiver or AM RiceboxReceiver Discussion
The SYNC-AM works EXTREMELY well on the Sony ICF-2010 receiver! > Hi Jim (JO): I have an R-75 also but only the stock filters. My S-AM has > rarely shown (if any) improvement. If I use my imagination, on weak signals, > the S-AM seems to work a little bit. Otherwise, especially with good head- > phones, the R-75 audio has a lot of lows and enough highs. Works as good or > better than my BA receivers but I like the BA stuff when working AM. > > 73, Charlie, K0NG. > > > __ > AMRadio mailing list > List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio > Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html > Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net > __ AMRadio mailing list List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
Re: [AMRadio] Best AM BoatanchorReceiver or AM RiceboxReceiver Discussion
Hi Jim (JO): I have an R-75 also but only the stock filters. My S-AM has rarely shown (if any) improvement. If I use my imagination, on weak signals, the S-AM seems to work a little bit. Otherwise, especially with good head- phones, the R-75 audio has a lot of lows and enough highs. Works as good or better than my BA receivers but I like the BA stuff when working AM. 73, Charlie, K0NG. __ AMRadio mailing list List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
RE: [AMRadio] Best AM BoatanchorReceiver or AM RiceboxReceiver Discussion
As far as my receiver goes, I have a 4.5 and a 5.5 kc filter in it right now, and when things get nasty, I would rather not, thank you. I can tune off to one side, the filters (KIWA) are like mechanical filters, but sometimes its not worth it. I had an icom 756 pro with the dual passband tuning, and that receiver was no better (actually worse) then the home brew. I have had an R2000, TS440, IC735, and the 756pro, and all sucked big time compared to the homebrew. The R390A was good, but real noisy. The SX17 had push pull 6V6 output tubes to give 17 watts out, so at 2 watts the distortion was real low. The Scott SLRM had push pull 25L6's in a direct coupled (from the driver tube) audio, and that sounded very good. The homebrew is nothing fancy, a link tuned antenna into the mixer grid, 2 stages of IF amp, hi fi detector with AGC, and outboard audio (Marantz). There is a bfo (455khz xtal osc), and an s meter, IF gain, digital frequency readout, and that's about it. Think of your old tube table radio with a good filter and good audio, simple, broad as a barn door (pre filter), low noise, low stage The homebrew is not general coverage, does not work well with a 5 foot antenna, and does not go above 40 meters, but for 160, 80 and 40 meters with the TX antenna, it works better then anything else I have ever had: 75A4, 75s1, NC300, NC303, Sx101, 51J3, 51S1, R390A, SX17, R1000, R2000, TS440, IC735, IC756 pro, Scott SLRM, And the ones I forget...I once had a Sony receiver with a synchromesh detector and it sucked. I used to use the R390a, and I could hear signals clearly on the homebrew that were below the noise level on the R390a. I think, sometimes simple is better... Brett N2DTS > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim candela > Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2006 12:16 PM > To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service > Subject: [AMRadio] Best AM BoatanchorReceiver or AM > RiceboxReceiver Discussion > > > Hi All, > >Yesterday morning on 75 meters we had at least 3 AM QSO's going on > simultaniously. It was glorious! I heard QSO's on 3880, 85, > and 90. At the > same time there were SSB groups on 3878, and 3894. > > At my QTH (central Texas) with my equipment, my SP-600 was > useless. Yes I > could use the 3Kc IF bandpass position, and tune off center > to favor one > sideband or another. As soon as the audio midrange would > brighten up I'd > hear QRM from an adjacent channel. Switching in the 8kc > position resulted in > a maddening array of signals besides the one I was wanting to hear. > > Then I switched to my Icom R-75 with 3 mechanical filters > that are about > 2.4, 3.5 and 6 khz in bandwidth. I could hear all 3 QSO's Q5 > in AM with the > 3.5 Khz filter, but it was no fun because the upper mids, and > all highs were > gone. Then tune off 1 Khz, and much better or turn on the synchronous > detector, offset the passband tuning 2.4 khz (or 3.5), select > the 2.4 filter > (or 3.5), and golly Gee! Nice sounding AM on all 3 QSO's so > long as you pick > the better sideband. > > As the morning went on the QRM went away, and all we had was > the traders net > on 3890. Now the SP-600 ruled until the signals started dropping from > daytime propagation kicking in. Now I was experiencing QSB, selective > sideband fading, and occasional impulse line noise. Switch > back to the R-75, > turn on the noise blanker, and synchronous detector. Back to > Q5 again!! > > This is not a tube versus solid state issue. Chuck Wa0zhh has > a all tube HB > receiver that has most of the modern features, and his > receiver can probably > blow the doors off my R-75. Chuck likes old style octal tubes > too like the > 6L7 in his noise blanker circuit. > > So how would a R-390 have done yesterday, or a NC-183D, Bretts HB tube > receiver, or one of Darrel's HB tube receivers?? Just curious. > > Jim > JKO > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.12.10/459 - Release > Date: 9/29/2006 > > __ > AMRadio mailing list > List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio > Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html > Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net > __ AMRadio mailing list List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
Re: [AMRadio] Best AM BoatanchorReceiver or AM RiceboxReceiver Discussion
Jim, I lover your term, 'Aflak'! Pardon me, but I am going to use it..:-) That Sx-117 is a pretty neat receiver. I was just looking at the specifications at the following sight: http://www.dxing.com/rx/sx115.htm The IF selectivity at .5, 2.5 and 5 khz @ -6db is pretty tight for AM, and I bet that is why you did pretty good on 75 yesterday with 3 AM signals spaced 5 Khz apart, and a duck on either side. My Sp-600 with a 3 and 8 and 13 khz options just did not have the right bandwidth position for the conditions. There was also an Aflak at 3918 Khz running an amplifier, and was about 150 yards from my home. The SP-600 could not handle it, S-meter would go down about 1/2 what it was, and undetected SSB came right through the speaker - loud too. The R75 with preamp off, and attenuator off had no trouble with the 3918 Aflak. In defense of that SP-600, later during the traders net the QRM subsided, and I opened the Super Pro to 8 Khz, and turned up the audio. It was clear as a bell, and the audio from those guys really came through nicely. Then the signals faded, QSB, selective fading, noise, etc. came in. The R75 sync detector has issues, and many complaints. That said, if you use the passband tuning (say +/- 2.4 khz), with AM sync ON, it locks every time. With normal AM tunining mine seldom locks. The Kiwa mods take care of that, and several other issues. http://www.kiwa.com/R75.html Jim JKO - Original Message From: Jim Wilhite <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service Sent: Sunday, October 1, 2006 11:33:28 AM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Best AM BoatanchorReceiver or AM RiceboxReceiver Discussion Jim I listened to the same groups as you yesterday on an SX 117. I did not have any trouble copying each of the groups. While some of the aflack noise could be heard, it did not affect my copy that much. I turned on the HRO 60 with the D coil in the General Coverage mode and was able to copy very well with it. I am about 500 miles North of you and was using a dipole and an inverted L on both receivers. I didn't try the NC 183D but it tends to be almost as selective as the HRO. I also have an R 75 and I really don't see that much of an improvement in reception. I do not have all the filters in it as you do, but the S- AM mode does not help that much. Also my R 75 does not have any modifications. 73 Jim W5JO > Hi All, > > Yesterday morning on 75 meters we had at least 3 AM QSO's going on > simultaniously. It was glorious! I heard QSO's on 3880, 85, and 90. At the > same time there were SSB groups on 3878, and 3894. > > At my QTH (central Texas) with my equipment, my SP-600 was useless. Yes I > could use the 3Kc IF bandpass position, and tune off center to favor one > sideband or another. As soon as the audio midrange would brighten up I'd > hear QRM from an adjacent channel. Switching in the 8kc position resulted > in > a maddening array of signals besides the one I was wanting to hear. > > Then I switched to my Icom R-75 with 3 mechanical filters that are about > 2.4, 3.5 and 6 khz in bandwidth. I could hear all 3 QSO's Q5 in AM with > the > 3.5 Khz filter, but it was no fun because the upper mids, and all highs > were > gone. Then tune off 1 Khz, and much better or turn on the synchronous > detector, offset the passband tuning 2.4 khz (or 3.5), select the 2.4 > filter > (or 3.5), and golly Gee! Nice sounding AM on all 3 QSO's so long as you > pick > the better sideband. > > As the morning went on the QRM went away, and all we had was the traders > net > on 3890. Now the SP-600 ruled until the signals started dropping from > daytime propagation kicking in. Now I was experiencing QSB, selective > sideband fading, and occasional impulse line noise. Switch back to the > R-75, > turn on the noise blanker, and synchronous detector. Back to Q5 again!! > > This is not a tube versus solid state issue. Chuck Wa0zhh has a all tube > HB > receiver that has most of the modern features, and his receiver can > probably > blow the doors off my R-75. Chuck likes old style octal tubes too like the > 6L7 in his noise blanker circuit. > > So how would a R-390 have done yesterday, or a NC-183D, Bretts HB tube > receiver, or one of Darrel's HB tube receivers?? Just curious. > > Jim > JKO __ AMRadio mailing list List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net __ AMRadio mailing list List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
Re: [AMRadio] Best AM BoatanchorReceiver or AM RiceboxReceiver Discussion
Jim I listened to the same groups as you yesterday on an SX 117. I did not have any trouble copying each of the groups. While some of the aflack noise could be heard, it did not affect my copy that much. I turned on the HRO 60 with the D coil in the General Coverage mode and was able to copy very well with it. I am about 500 miles North of you and was using a dipole and an inverted L on both receivers. I didn't try the NC 183D but it tends to be almost as selective as the HRO. I also have an R 75 and I really don't see that much of an improvement in reception. I do not have all the filters in it as you do, but the S- AM mode does not help that much. Also my R 75 does not have any modifications. 73 Jim W5JO Hi All, Yesterday morning on 75 meters we had at least 3 AM QSO's going on simultaniously. It was glorious! I heard QSO's on 3880, 85, and 90. At the same time there were SSB groups on 3878, and 3894. At my QTH (central Texas) with my equipment, my SP-600 was useless. Yes I could use the 3Kc IF bandpass position, and tune off center to favor one sideband or another. As soon as the audio midrange would brighten up I'd hear QRM from an adjacent channel. Switching in the 8kc position resulted in a maddening array of signals besides the one I was wanting to hear. Then I switched to my Icom R-75 with 3 mechanical filters that are about 2.4, 3.5 and 6 khz in bandwidth. I could hear all 3 QSO's Q5 in AM with the 3.5 Khz filter, but it was no fun because the upper mids, and all highs were gone. Then tune off 1 Khz, and much better or turn on the synchronous detector, offset the passband tuning 2.4 khz (or 3.5), select the 2.4 filter (or 3.5), and golly Gee! Nice sounding AM on all 3 QSO's so long as you pick the better sideband. As the morning went on the QRM went away, and all we had was the traders net on 3890. Now the SP-600 ruled until the signals started dropping from daytime propagation kicking in. Now I was experiencing QSB, selective sideband fading, and occasional impulse line noise. Switch back to the R-75, turn on the noise blanker, and synchronous detector. Back to Q5 again!! This is not a tube versus solid state issue. Chuck Wa0zhh has a all tube HB receiver that has most of the modern features, and his receiver can probably blow the doors off my R-75. Chuck likes old style octal tubes too like the 6L7 in his noise blanker circuit. So how would a R-390 have done yesterday, or a NC-183D, Bretts HB tube receiver, or one of Darrel's HB tube receivers?? Just curious. Jim JKO __ AMRadio mailing list List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
[AMRadio] Best AM BoatanchorReceiver or AM RiceboxReceiver Discussion
Hi All, Yesterday morning on 75 meters we had at least 3 AM QSO's going on simultaniously. It was glorious! I heard QSO's on 3880, 85, and 90. At the same time there were SSB groups on 3878, and 3894. At my QTH (central Texas) with my equipment, my SP-600 was useless. Yes I could use the 3Kc IF bandpass position, and tune off center to favor one sideband or another. As soon as the audio midrange would brighten up I'd hear QRM from an adjacent channel. Switching in the 8kc position resulted in a maddening array of signals besides the one I was wanting to hear. Then I switched to my Icom R-75 with 3 mechanical filters that are about 2.4, 3.5 and 6 khz in bandwidth. I could hear all 3 QSO's Q5 in AM with the 3.5 Khz filter, but it was no fun because the upper mids, and all highs were gone. Then tune off 1 Khz, and much better or turn on the synchronous detector, offset the passband tuning 2.4 khz (or 3.5), select the 2.4 filter (or 3.5), and golly Gee! Nice sounding AM on all 3 QSO's so long as you pick the better sideband. As the morning went on the QRM went away, and all we had was the traders net on 3890. Now the SP-600 ruled until the signals started dropping from daytime propagation kicking in. Now I was experiencing QSB, selective sideband fading, and occasional impulse line noise. Switch back to the R-75, turn on the noise blanker, and synchronous detector. Back to Q5 again!! This is not a tube versus solid state issue. Chuck Wa0zhh has a all tube HB receiver that has most of the modern features, and his receiver can probably blow the doors off my R-75. Chuck likes old style octal tubes too like the 6L7 in his noise blanker circuit. So how would a R-390 have done yesterday, or a NC-183D, Bretts HB tube receiver, or one of Darrel's HB tube receivers?? Just curious. Jim JKO -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.12.10/459 - Release Date: 9/29/2006 __ AMRadio mailing list List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
