RE: [AMRadio] Receivers
--- John Coleman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Nobody here mentioned using a home brewed receiver or an HF to BC converter even. I know that Chuck in Midland TX is using a totally HB receiver, and a very fine one at that, with lots of modern features. The Best receiver I ever used was a car radio from a 1955 dodge. It was the radio that had the separate vibropack and audio output section from the main receiver. I did not use the audio output and power supply but instead built a power supply and audio section on a rack chassis and then mounted the radio in the front panel of the rack chassis. Also built into the rack chassis was an 80/40 mtr converter and a BFO with adjustable insertion. At the time it was a fantastic RCVR. I have often though of doing it again with more modern additions. John, WA5BXO __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. Yogie Wrote Those where the good old days. I like the best radio ofr A.M. is the SP-600 never had any problems picking up anyone with that radio. Catch up on fall's hot new shows on Yahoo! TV. Watch previews, get listings, and more! http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/3658 __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Wow -- the assortment of receivers in use is really astounding. When I have the time, I'll tabulate how many of each kind there is and report it to the group. Just for fun. 73, Kim Elmore, N5OP __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
My first receiver was a circa 1938 American Bosch model 585 floor console. It covered 150 kc/s to 18 mc/s in four bands. It had one rf stage followed by the usual mixer, oscillator, i.f. stages, diode detector and audio. I removed the power transformer, rectifier and filter caps, and used the chassis space to build a homebrew BFO, and reconstructed the power supply on a small separate chassis. It worked well on 80m, but the entire 40 and 20 m bands took up about 1/8 on the main tuning dial. It had a bandspread dial of sorts, a short pointer that rotated about a circular 0-100 logging scale in the centre of the main dial, kind of like the second hand of a clock. It worked great for 80m cw, where I spent the entirety of my three-month novice career. I could have added a trimmer cap to make a real electrical bandspread function, but the idea never occurred to me at the time, and I probably didn't have a suitable variable cap for the purpose anyway. Then I purchased from a local ham, a well-used NC-173. It took me some getting used to that receiver; the broadcast radio actually seemed to work better until I got used to the NC-173. The National was OK, but nothing to write home about. I used it throughout the 60's, but in early 1970 I picked up a 1935 vintage National HRO. The HRO was about 12 years older than the NC-173, but worked so much better that I gave away the NC-173 to another ham. The only exception was 10m. The NC-173 was far superior on that band. The old original HRO was practically worthless on 10m, with poor sensitivity stability and bad a.c. hum modulation in the HFO. It even displayed hand capacity, shifting frequency as you touched the tuning dial with your hand. And there was no 15m bandspread, since that amateur band didn't exist when the receiver was built. But by then I wasn't working 10m, so it didn't really matter. On 160 through 20, the HRO stood head and shoulders above the '173 in terms of stability, image rejection, dial calibration, tuning rate, and it was just plain far more solid. I still have the HRO but haven't used it for years, since I picked up a couple of 75A-4's in the early 80's. Don k4kyv __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
I use a modified 75A-4. All mods are reversible. Outboard mechanical filters plus the internal slots give the following choices of mechanical filters: 300~, 3.1 kHz, 4, 6, 8, 9.7, 16. Use outboard 10w hi-fi audio amplifier driving 16 coaxial speaker in G-E broadcast studio monitor box. The audio is taken off the grid pin of the 1st audio tube, with a plug-in adaptor which contains a cathode follower to an unbalanced line to the outboard amp. Audio coupling caps from the diode detector to the 1st audio tube socket were changed from .01 mfd to 0.1 mfd. Pulled out the unused 6AQ5 to cut down internal heat and to avoid wearing out a good tube for nothing. Using a 7-pin plug, pull DC power to run the cathode follower from the 6AQ5 socket. The mechanical filters in the 75A series and in the R-390A (and 51J series) put a rough edge on the audio. My R-390 with L-C i.f. selectivity is almost as sharp as the mechanical filters in the 390A, but the 390 sounds a lot better on AM. Other receivers in the shack include SLRM, R-1000, HRO Sr. Don k4kyv __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
National wrote a lot more service bulletins to fix a number of things in the NC-300. I believe there was only one for the NC-303. AM quality seemed to be the same on both receivers but the NC-303 definitely had far better stability for CW and SSB reception. Had two NC-300's and got rid of them but still have a NC-303. Pete, wa2cwa On Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:55:50 -0400 [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: While we're on the subject... What's the difference (physical, electrical, or ephemeral) between the NC-300 and NC-303? I want to buy one as my main AM receiver, especially for use with my Johnson 6N2 converter with it'd weird IF frequency. Is one decidedly better than the other? 73, Mark W1EOF __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Hi Steve, Nice station. 73, John Dilks, K2TQN At 10:15 PM 9/18/2007, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Kim, HRO 60 and a HQ 160 are in the primary operation position here. Look my call up on QRZ for a picture W1TAV Steve __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
I use an R-390A for the station, a Halicrafters S-85 for general listening that has fallen to disuse because I built a little regen that performs better than the Hallicrafters... Odd, but from the replies, it seems that not many people on the list home brew recievers, but a lot home brew transmitters. Wonder why?? ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Jim Miller WB5OXQ in Waco wrote: When using a receiver and a transceiver as a transmitter how do you switch the antenna off of the stand alone receiver when transmitting. I used to have a HQ180 that was a real good receiver with the transmitter section of a ts 2000 but I could not share the antenna and when using a separate rx antenna I was always afraid of burning out something in the receiver front end. The TS-2000 has an aux. jack on the back, right? There are some relay contacts in there for keying an amplifier, right? You could use those relay contacts control some voltage for a T/R relay, I'm sure. There's all kinds of ways of making that happen. -- Driving your AM Rig without a scope, is like driving your car at night, without headlights. (K4KYV) -- 73 = Best Regards, -Geoff/W5OMR __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
There are two ways. Both involve muting/switching to standby the reciever: 1. Quick and dirty (and very old school) - switch the rciever to standby before transmittting by hand from the front panel. 2. For PTT-type operation - most halfway decent older receivers have a muting line on an accessory plug on the back of the receiver. Oftentimes you'll see a wire bridging the two muting contacts, so you can use the Standby switch on the front of the receiver. Wire the muting line contacts to a relay that's fired (and will go to Open when actuated) by the PTT/keying line of your transmitter. This will mute the receiver. Oh, I forgot to mention, some of the newer receivers will actually have a terminal labled Receiver Mute on them. The older tube receivers can take some abuse if you goof, and forget to mute them during transmit. But, it's not a good idea to do it all of the time, as the receiver can end up permanently desensed. 73, Ellen - AF9J - Original Message - From: Jim Miller WB5OXQ in Waco [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 10:38 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Receivers When using a receiver and a transceiver as a transmitter how do you switch the antenna off of the stand alone receiver when transmitting. I used to have a HQ180 that was a real good receiver with the transmitter section of a ts 2000 but I could not share the antenna and when using a separate rx antenna I was always afraid of burning out something in the receiver front end. I sold the hammarlund but I may buy a nc 300. I don't know how these receivers would compare. The Hammarlund was real good. wb5oxq __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.487 / Virus Database: 269.13.22/1015 - Release Date: 9/18/2007 11:53 AM __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Well, In order of preference: SP-600JX-17 R-390A SX-101 NC-183D NC-303 All are switch selectable audio output, to an EICO audio selector driving an EICO 10 watt amplifier, which drives a Studio Speaker. 'Most Excellent' 73 Jim WB2FCN - Original Message - From: Kim Elmore [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:27 PM Subject: [AMRadio] Receivers Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? Kim Elmore, N5OP __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I use an R-390A for the station, a Halicrafters S-85 for general listening that has fallen to disuse because I built a little regen that performs better than the Hallicrafters... Odd, but from the replies, it seems that not many people on the list home brew recievers, but a lot home brew transmitters. Wonder why?? Brett/N2DTS has homebrewed his own receiver. I've been there. The thing works, and sounds -great-! John/WA5BXO homebrewed an asynchronous detector circuit in an Altoids can and tied it to the I.F. output of his HQ-145. Alas, it got washed away in the flood. -- Driving your AM Rig without a scope, is like driving your car at night, without headlights. (K4KYV) -- 73 = Best Regards, -Geoff/W5OMR __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Favorite receiving setup for AM is currently an R-390A. I-f output feeds a homebrew setup - 455 kHz preamplifier that drives a four way power divider...the four outputs are run into: 1) peak detector, 2) precision rectifier, 3) synchronous detector, 4) output to scope. The three audio outputs are selected by a Hafler DH110 audio preamplifier which drives headphones and a Hafler P3000 power amplifier / speakers. Also have (in order of next preference): SP600-JX17, Harris RF-590, 75A4, R75, etc. Jay W1VD - Original Message - From: Kim Elmore [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:27 PM Subject: [AMRadio] Receivers Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? Kim Elmore, N5OP __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Lots of receivers here also. A Collins R390A is the main AM receiver utilizing detector output to an external audio amplifier with a pair of 6L6s and a large speaker for nice audio. Also have a National NC 240D that really sounds great on AM with its matching speaker. A Collins 75A-1 and a 75A-2, Hallicrafters SX-28, a National NC-300, and a Hammarlund HQ-129X (doesn't everyone have one of those?) I also have in my collection (on the shelf) a National SW54 and an old Heathkit AR-3 just like the one I had back in 1959-60. The AR-3 has the relative sensitivity of a cardboard box, but was my first real communications receiver. It might be interesting, however, to note that my first ham receiver was an old Zenith 7S363 console that I pulled the chassis out of and set on the operating table. I utilized a another little ACDC radio along side the Zenith for BFO to copy CW by heterodyning the local oscillator in the Zenith IF. Crude, yes...but it worked and I had a lot of fun wi th it as a novice. Modern receivers include a couple of ICOM transceivers, but they just don't have the classic sound and ambience of the boatanchor stuff. 73, Jack, W9GT -- Original message -- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
RE: [AMRadio] Receivers
Main receiver is a 51J4, with others in use: R388, AR88, SP-600, HQ-170. Have my original Trio 9R59 on the shelf which I use for nostalgia, (I cut my eye-teeth with that receiver). Waiting restoration and repair is a nice NC-303. My main transceiver is a Yaesu FT-990, which has a decent AM receiver. Ed, VA3ES __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
RE: [AMRadio] Receivers
I use an SX-101 as my main receiver with an SX-42 as my 2nd receiver with an S-38 D to listen to Rush on... Very Best 73's Bob W1PE The Voice of Mesquite www.w1pe.com Money is only temporary, but radios are forever - Jim Little aka the old dog/K5BAI -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Grant Youngman Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:46 PM To: 'Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service' Subject: RE: [AMRadio] Receivers Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
I have a bunch of receivers but not all are set up for operation. Set up and usable at the moment are: Hallicrafters SX-28 National HRO-5TAI National RAO-7 RCA ACR-175 Patterson PR-16 RCA R-203A/SR Swan 500CX SS-16B Collins 51S-1 and an Yaesu FT-1000MP driving a Kenwood TL-922 for the modern radio. 73, Dave N7RK -- *** Dave N7RK Boatanchors Home Page: http://members.cox.net/n7rk Phoenix, Arizona *DXCC Honor Roll**WAZ#22 - 75 Meter SSB* ex-XE2/N7RK, N7RK/ZB2, VK2ERK, ZM0AJN, WB6NRK, WN6IWX Boatanchor and Antique Radio Collector __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Jack, your comment about the Zenith reminded me of the first receiver I used as a newly licensed ham in 1957. It was an RCA model 8K console that I pulled the chassis out of and set on the desk. I fabricated a Masonite front panel and added a bfo and a Heath QF-1 q multiplier! Next, in 1958 or so I graduated to a Heath AR-2! After that, I used a home brewed rx! Presently, we have the following: R390A, 75A4, 51J4, Racal RA6790/GM, Sylvania R1414/URR, BC348, and an HRO-500! That old RCA was fun to work with ... finding a choke to sub for the speaker voice coil, replacing that wet electrolytic can that sprayed its guts out one time in the middle of a qso ... ah! the memories! 73, Frank W9FM (on AM) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It might be interesting, however, to note that my first ham receiver was an old Zenith 7S363 console that I pulled the chassis out of and set on the operating table. I utilized a another little ACDC radio along side the Zenith for BFO to copy CW by heterodyning the local oscillator in the Zenith IF. Crude, yes...but it worked and I had a lot of fun with it as a novice. Modern receivers include a couple of ICOM transceivers, but they just don't have the classic sound and ambience of the boatanchor stuff. 73, Jack, W9GT -- Original message -- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Hi Frank, Yes, those were the days!!! I probably had more fun as a novice for that first year than I have had in all the years since. What a cool experience as a 14 yr old kid.having my own radio station and actually talking with other people with equipment that I built/haywired myself!! Hope we will see you and John, and others from Chicago-Milwaukee areas at the Ft Wayne Hamfest again this year. We are planning to get together again at the ACME Bar Grill for lunch and eyeball QSOs. Sure enjoyed it last year. 73, Jack, W9GT -- Original message -- From: Frank J. Mercurio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jack, your comment about the Zenith reminded me of the first receiver I used as a newly licensed ham in 1957. It was an RCA model 8K console that I pulled the chassis out of and set on the desk. I fabricated a Masonite front panel and added a bfo and a Heath QF-1 q multiplier! Next, in 1958 or so I graduated to a Heath AR-2! After that, I used a home brewed rx! Presently, we have the following: R390A, 75A4, 51J4, Racal RA6790/GM, Sylvania R1414/URR, BC348, and an HRO-500! That old RCA was fun to work with ... finding a choke to sub for the speaker voice coil, replacing that wet electrolytic can that sprayed its guts out one time in the middle of a qso ... ah! the memories! 73, Frank W9FM (on AM) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It might be interesting, however, to note that my first ham receiver was an old Zenith 7S363 console that I pulled the chassis out of and set on the operating table. I utilized a another little ACDC radio along side the Zenith for BFO to copy CW by heterodyning the local oscillator in the Zenith IF. Crude, yes...but it worked and I had a lot of fun with it as a novice. Modern receivers include a couple of ICOM transceivers, but they just don't have the classic sound and ambience of the boatanchor stuff. 73, Jack, W9GT -- Original message -- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
RE: [AMRadio] Receivers
Nobody here mentioned using a home brewed receiver or an HF to BC converter even. I know that Chuck in Midland TX is using a totally HB receiver, and a very fine one at that, with lots of modern features. The Best receiver I ever used was a car radio from a 1955 dodge. It was the radio that had the separate vibropack and audio output section from the main receiver. I did not use the audio output and power supply but instead built a power supply and audio section on a rack chassis and then mounted the radio in the front panel of the rack chassis. Also built into the rack chassis was an 80/40 mtr converter and a BFO with adjustable insertion. At the time it was a fantastic RCVR. I have often though of doing it again with more modern additions. John, WA5BXO __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
John Coleman wrote: Nobody here mentioned using a home brewed receiver or an HF to BC converter even. I know that Chuck in Midland TX is using a totally HB receiver, and a very fine one at that, with lots of modern features. The Best receiver I ever used was a car radio from a 1955 dodge. It was the radio that had the separate vibropack and audio output section from the main receiver. I did not use the audio output and power supply but instead built a power supply and audio section on a rack chassis and then mounted the radio in the front panel of the rack chassis. Also built into the rack chassis was an 80/40 mtr converter and a BFO with adjustable insertion. At the time it was a fantastic RCVR. I have often though of doing it again with more modern additions. Well, I mentioned your PLL circuit in the Altoids can, for synchronous detection and incorporating that into the HQ-145. Pretty cool, to listen to the side-band power without the phase-shift and selective fading typical on an AM signal that rises and falls with QSB. What I DIDN'T mention was the mobile receiver that Otis built, when he came to San Antonio, in his 'Good-Times Van' (that he never had a good time in) to visit Koby/K5MZH(sk). It was/is a converter rig, that used 1400kc from the AM broadcast receiver in the van. Seems I recall, he built the thing up in 3 or 4 days, and then remembered Oh, yeah - Koby's on SideBand, now and as an after thought built up a product detector. He had 80, 40 and 10m in the little rig that was no bigger than a cigar box. John, was that the same project where Otis was on his knees with an Ohm meter, measuring resistors, looking for a 39k (I think)? (Otis is color blind, y'all) Poor Otis... had been checking a pile of resistors for a couple of hours, looking for the right Ohmage he needed with his Simpson, and John walked in the door, saw Otis on his knees and said What -ARE- you doing? Otis says I'm looking for a (_fill_in_the_blank_) ohm resistor! John took a diddle stick from his pocket protector and fished through the pile of resistors, and in about 45 seconds had about a half-dozen pushed over to one side. Otis said Do you have any idea how long I've been down here on my knees checking each resistor? And then you come along and bam, there's 6 of 'em! Ah, the good times! ;-) Wonder where that receiver is now, John? -- Driving your AM Rig without a scope, is like driving your car at night, without headlights. (K4KYV) -- 73 = Best Regards, -Geoff/W5OMR __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
I use a SX100 that I have had since 1958 and a 75S3 that I have used since 1974. Many others have passed thru here and these I keep. Healthfully yours, Don W4BWS - Original Message - From: Kim Elmore [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 8:27 PM Subject: [AMRadio] Receivers Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? Kim Elmore, N5OP __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
This was going to be my next question; How might I use a modern rx with a boatanchor tx? I'll have to look at my Orion II Manual again... What a fabulous list of Golden Age receivers! Hat's off to all of you who keep them going! With some luck, at some point somewhere down the road, I'll get my Dad's (W5JHJ) Globe Champ 350, HQ-170A and HQ-110. He's now a Silent Key (in QST this month -- I guess I'll keep that one) and was the original owner of all of these, along with a NC4L-blessed FT-102 (NC4L took it from a miserable piece of junk to a fabulous rig). They are all currently tied up in a very nasty probate, thanks mainly to a career deadbeat brother-in-law and my sister to idolizes his work ethic. But enough of that... Last time we checked, they all worked. Dad had kept them in working order, though I don't know how well they work. I know them all well, so I'm not queasy about rummaging about inside and fixing what needs to be fixed. I think the Globe is in the best shape, followed probably by the '170A. The '110 was always used as a gc rx -- I tried using it once as a primary rx for CW when the '170A needed some work. I found it totally inadequate. Maybe I'm spoiled, but it drifted, tuned way too fast, was microphonic, and didn't have sufficient selectivity. It was much better for 'phone and seemed fine for SWLing. Both the '170A and the '110 have muting lines, and Dad has an appropriate relay set up to mute the rx when the tx is keyed. I know that's all still there, so when the time comes, shaking the dust out should be pretty straightforward. I'll look to see if my Orion has a muting line (or anything similar). 73, Kim Elmore, N5OP __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
First let me say that I'm a Heathkit fan and run a DX-100. Due to wanting to primarily use Heathkit products I paired the RX-1 Mohawk as my receiver of choice for AM. Many will tell you it has technical deficiencies but it matches my DX-100 with respect to band coverage. They both cover 160-10 meters where as the physically matching transmitter for the RX-1 is the TX-1 but the TX-1 does not cover 160, which is strange. The biggest fault of the RX-1 is it's drift but on AM which it is a lot less bothersome than on SSB. For about 2 hours the radio drifts frequency quite a bit. With AM you can drift a fair amount and still read the signal but with SSB your hand is always on the dial trying to keep Donald Duck out of your radio. There is a process detailed in a series of articles in ER Magazine on how to minimize the drift but it's too much of a bother for me. I guess it's like driving a Studebaker...you do it because you want to. 73, Tom K3TVC From: Kim Elmore [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: 2007/09/18 Tue PM 09:27:00 EDT To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Subject: [AMRadio] Receivers Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? Kim Elmore, N5OP __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Rcvrs Here: Hammarlund SP-600 JX-26 Hammarlund HQ-170A E.H. Scott RCH (Navy) Espey R366 (Navy) Hallicrafters SX-28 Flex Radio SDR-1000 (Excellent Sync Detector, but only good for lower bands in regard to sens.) 73 wa5am -- Money is only temporary, but radios are forever - Jim Little aka the old dog/K5BAI __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Interesting topic, and many responses. Seems we all have a great deal to be thankful for. Here, at KC8JX, I have: National NC-303 paired with a Heathkit DX-100B (main AM station; NC-303 great on SSB and CW)) Drake 2C/2CQ paired with a Drake 2NT (Yes, it's for CW but do listen to AM on the 2C occasionaly) Drake 2B/2BQ paired with a Heathkit HX-10, Marauder Hallicrafters SX-100 with a Heathkit DX-20 (Yes, it's for CW but do listen to AM on the SX-100 often) Drake R4B with a Drake T4XB (AM sounds good on the R4B) More modern, Kenwood TS-940 (AM sounds great) National NC-125 (it's for sale) Heathkit RX-1, Mohawk (awaiting time for restoration) That is all folks.73, KC8JX --- Kim Elmore [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? Kim Elmore, N5OP Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us. http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7 __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Kim, this has been a fun thread. Thanks for starting it. Interesting to see what people are using. Also, interesting that almost everyone has several receivers. How different from the old days when you were lucky to have one. Receiver line-up here: 75A-4 (my favorite) (great audio with 6KC filter good speaker; don't know why it has a bad rep for AM audio) 51J-4 R-388 51S-1 75S-3 (Heathkit Q Multiplier makes this a great AM receiver) HRO-5 NC-173 HQ-129X HQ-120 73 -- Ernie, k0occ Atlanta, GA -- Original message -- From: Kim Elmore [EMAIL PROTECTED] Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? Kim Elmore, N5OP __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
OK Kim, I'm using a Hallicrafters SX-96. Ellen - AF9J __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? I have a lot of good receivers, but for easy AM operating I usually reach for my Kenwood R-1000. I also have an HQ-110 on the operating desk, and I'm considering restoring my Collins 75A2 as a main receiver as well. I'm at my ancestral home this week, and I just loaded my old RBB navy battleship receiver into the car to take home for possible use as the mate to my Gates BC1T transmitter on 160m AM. 82 lbs without power supply! I've got to find a manual or at least a schematic, and build a power supply for it. I'm hoping that, as a prewar receiver, it won't need a bunch of parts replaced. Steve WD8DAS [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.wd8das.net/ Radio is your best entertainment value. Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
I use a Halicrafters SX-110. While the Halicrafters receivers don't have the stability for SSb they are just fine on AM. Bob Macklin K5MYJ Seattle, Wa, - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 6:45 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Receivers what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? I have a lot of good receivers, but for easy AM operating I usually reach for my Kenwood R-1000. I also have an HQ-110 on the operating desk, and I'm considering restoring my Collins 75A2 as a main receiver as well. I'm at my ancestral home this week, and I just loaded my old RBB navy battleship receiver into the car to take home for possible use as the mate to my Gates BC1T transmitter on 160m AM. 82 lbs without power supply! I've got to find a manual or at least a schematic, and build a power supply for it. I'm hoping that, as a prewar receiver, it won't need a bunch of parts replaced. Steve WD8DAS [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.wd8das.net/ Radio is your best entertainment value. Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
RE: [AMRadio] Receivers
I have had a bunch over the last 25 years or so, most of the popular ones, tube and transistor, plus various transceivers. Most have at least some good points. The R390 series with outboard audio are very good on AM, with if output, muting built in, good bandwidth choices, accurate frequency readout, good stability. They can be a bear to repair, and you don't want to hop between 160 and 10 meters often! The NC 300 and 303 are good. For top fidelity, some of the real old receivers work great, the SX17, SX28, Scott SLRM, low tube count, low noise, wide bandwidth, and loads of HI FI audio output power. Everyone has a favorite receiver. I personally dislike almost all of the new IC chip based receivers, and the ones with dsp, although the new K3 sounds like it might be great on AM with its sync detector, low noise low distortion setup, built in 8 band eq, line outputs, etc. I will post a review when mine arrives. The modern stuff I have had and my personal rating of it... kenwood R1000, poor, kenwood ts440, poor, icom 735, poor, but the passband tuning worked on AM at least, icom 756 pro, poor, sony 2010, poor with the built in speaker, maybe better otherwise, The only receivers I have had for a while are the homebrew tube type single conversion ones I built a few years ago. Brett N2DTS -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kim Elmore Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:27 PM To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Subject: [AMRadio] Receivers Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? Kim Elmore, N5OP __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Kim, HRO 60 and a HQ 160 are in the primary operation position here. Look my call up on QRZ for a picture W1TAV Steve __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
I mainly use a Heathkit Comanche MR-1 (with a DX-40 TX). Audio on AM isn't bad at all and I got it for free. Ken, KC8QO --- Kim Elmore [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? Kim Elmore, N5OP __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm at my ancestral home this week, and I just loaded my old RBB navy battleship receiver into the car to take home for possible use as the mate to my Gates BC1T transmitter on 160m AM. 82 lbs without power supply! I've got to find a manual or at least a schematic, and build a power supply for it. I'm hoping that, as a prewar receiver, it won't need a bunch of parts replaced. Steve I'll bet your assumption will be proven correct. I had an RBB show up in my driveway one day years ago, and it's a fantastic receiver. Other than wiring around the unobtainium plug to a Lambda regulated p/s I haven't touched it and the dial calibration is still right on the money. I'm sure as with any receiver of this vintage, it's just luck. I'll see what I have in the way of power supply wiring and schematic. I listen to AM on everything from S-38 to SDR, but my current favorite AM receiver is an HRO-50R1. Love that full range push-pull audio and the PW dial. 73, Bob W9RAN __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
I'm currently using a Collins R-388 and it does an nice job. I also have recently used my Collins 75A2 and it's good as well. I prefer the older Collins line without the mechanical filters. These radios were designed for AM service. The Collins 75A4 and R-390 are acceptable for AM if they have the 6 kc filters. I have a Collins R-390A with 2, 4, and 8 kc filters. The 4 kc filter is to narrow and the 8 kc is normally to wide under most conditions. It still lacks a natural AM sound in my opinion so it's on the shelf. A real sleeper is the National NC-300. A very solid and fantastic sounding AM receiver. I have one and will use it when I fix a problem. Enjoy AM! Joe, KF9EU - Original Message - From: Kim Elmore [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:27 PM Subject: [AMRadio] Receivers Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? Kim Elmore, N5OP __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Kim Elmore wrote: Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? I have (3) Hallicrafter R-274's here, Kim and an (on loan) RCA AR-88. I've thumbed a 75A-4, HQ-145, HQ-180, SX-28 a couple of Nationals and several various solid-state devices. I like the SX-28, the AR-88 and R-274's as 1, 2 and 3. It's hard to beat push-pull audio in a receiver, though. A good working SX-28 has more sensitivity. The AR-88 is -hot- as well.. I guess those two are a tie. The R-274's are plenty sensitive and, like the AR-88, receive in a very b-r-o-a-d mode, but they just don't have the 'depth' of sound that the -28 and the -88 have. -- Driving your AM Rig without a scope, is like driving your car at night, without headlights. (K4KYV) -- 73 = Best Regards, -Geoff/W5OMR __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
N5OP and the group, Great question here we use a Collins R-390a as our primary rx. In addition, I use a DRAKE 2A with the 2AQ (q-multiplier) and a Collins 75S-3. The 390A has proven to be a top notch choice. Mine is original with only the requisite capacitor changes being made to ensure seamless operation otherwise. The audio is superb, especially when picked off at the diode detector. The 75S-3 is stock and is used on 10m AM mostly. (when there are band openings) If we jump to riceboxes, the Kenwood TS-930S-AT has a good receiver and isn't too shabby on transmit if band conditons, etc. are cooperative. The 390A is still my favorite. Paired with my DX-100, they're an unbeatable combo. 73 de W4MIL Chuck -Original Message- From: Kim Elmore [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 9:27 pm Subject: [AMRadio] Receivers Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? Kim Elmore, N5OP __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
RE: [AMRadio] Receivers
Much of the traffic here concerns transmitters. References to receivers seem relatively sparse in comparison. With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? R-390 with Sherwood detector, SP-600, NC-303. Also have an R-390A, but prefer the R-390. I've been through a lot of receivers over the last 15 years, and these four have ended up the keepers, plus an Ocean Hopper :-) Grant/NQ5T __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
I should also mention my idea to retune one of the excellent old AM car radios from the 1960s as a convenient AM receiver for 160m. I've got a couple on the way from eBay auctions. I remember how good a receiver a radio pulled from a 1964 Dodge was for me as a young AM DXer. And I think it would be poetic to use one of them with the BC1T... they would have been working together in the broadcast band all over the country years ago... Steve WD8DAS [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.wd8das.net/ Radio is your best entertainment value. Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Daily driver: R-388 2nd radio:R-390 (non A) Also I have a Beckman/Berkeley multi-band WWV reciever - I use it to get a 'quick fix' on propagation across the HF band, and once in a while, to actually recieve WWV... Cheers John KB6SCO DM09fg __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Kim said: With that subjective impression as an opening, what sort of receivers are in use in the AM community? Well, lets see. Lately I've been using my HRO-60T that I brought back from the dead and a NC-183D. They are my favorites that I'm using now. I like the HQ-140X, the HQ-129, the BC-779-B for AM. I just got a RCA AR-60T that I'm dying to hook up to an aerial just to here how it plays. Oh by the way, the Collins 75A3 sits on the shelf collecting dust. I was never too impressed with it. Mod-U-Lator, Mike(y) W3SLK __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
While we're on the subject... What's the difference (physical, electrical, or ephemeral) between the NC-300 and NC-303? I want to buy one as my main AM receiver, especially for use with my Johnson 6N2 converter with it'd weird IF frequency. Is one decidedly better than the other? 73, Mark W1EOF PS: Anyone got a 300 or 303 for sale or trade? __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
KE9PQ has several of K9RJ's NC300 for sale on his Web-site __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
The NC-300 was designed for AM, and the NC-303 for SSB. I've only had a 303, but I understand the 300 is a much better AM receiver. Steve WD8DAS [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.wd8das.net/ Radio is your best entertainment value. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 9:55 pm Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Receivers While we're on the subject... What's the difference (physical, electrical, or ephemeral) between the NC-300 and NC-303? I want to buy one as my main AM receiver, especially for use with my Johnson 6N2 converter with it'd weird IF frequency. Is one decidedly better than the other? 73, Mark W1EOF PS: Anyone got a 300 or 303 for sale or trade? __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body. Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
When using a receiver and a transceiver as a transmitter how do you switch the antenna off of the stand alone receiver when transmitting. I used to have a HQ180 that was a real good receiver with the transmitter section of a ts 2000 but I could not share the antenna and when using a separate rx antenna I was always afraid of burning out something in the receiver front end. I sold the hammarlund but I may buy a nc 300. I don't know how these receivers would compare. The Hammarlund was real good. wb5oxq __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
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
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
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 From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mon Jul 31 14:27:48 2006 Return-Path: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-Original-To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Delivered-To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Received: from rrcs-mta-04.hrndva.rr.com (rrcs-mta-04.hrndva.rr.com [24.28.200.156]) by mailman.qth.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 49D82859C1F for amradio@mailman.qth.net; Mon, 31 Jul 2006 14:27:48 -0400 (EDT) Received: from rrcs-fep-11.hrndva.rr.com (rrcs-fep-11b.hrndva.rr.com [172.28.200.149]) by rrcs-mta-04.hrndva.rr.com (8.13.5+Sun/8.12.10) with ESMTP id k6VIGLjV007501 for amradio@mailman.qth.net; Mon, 31 Jul 2006 14:16:21 -0400 (EDT) Received: from frontdesk ([24.242.159.230]) by rrcs-fep-11.hrndva.rr.com with ESMTP id [EMAIL PROTECTED] for amradio@mailman.qth.net; Mon, 31 Jul 2006 14:16:20 -0400 From: John E. Coleman (ARS WA5BXO) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Discussion of AM Radio' amradio@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [AMRadio] Receivers Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 13:12:57 -0500 Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook, Build 10.0.6626 Importance: Normal In-Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2869 X-BeenThere: amradio@mailman.qth.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.4 Precedence: list Reply-To: Discussion of AM Radio amradio@mailman.qth.net List-Id: Discussion of AM Radio amradio.mailman.qth.net List-Unsubscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] List-Archive: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/private/amradio List-Post: mailto:amradio@mailman.qth.net List-Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] List-Subscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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
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 amradio@mailman.qth.net 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 __ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net AMfone Website: http://www.amfone.net AM List Admin: Brian Sherrod/w5ami, Paul Courson/wa3vjb
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
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
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 SNIP I hope to have all three one day, but for now I am hot on the trail of the R-390. SNIP Rick/K5IZ
RE: [AMRadio] Receivers
Rick - I think this can only be answered depending on what you are looking for in a receiver and what you intend on doing with it. Can we assume you want to listen to AM only, or mostly? How important is audio quality/fidelity to you? Are you going to listen to amateurs only or are shortwave broadcasting too? Are you going to head directly to a particular frequency or are you going to cruise the airwaves? Others may have more considerations but those are some of mine. 73, Mark W1EOF -Original Message- From: Rick Brashear [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 8:50 PM To: AMRadio@mailman.qth.net Subject: [AMRadio] Receivers I know this may spark a geyser of opinions, but I am in need of assistance. I'm shopping for a new (new to me) receiver and I'm mainly looking at the SP-600 and R-390. I'm sure price will play a considerable role in what I get, but I want to get the most bang for my buck. What's your advice? Would you look at others? Are these as good as they are cracked up to be? Of course, I'm talking about tube type receivers only with AM as their primary mode. Rick/K5IZ __ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net AMfone Website: http://www.amfone.net AM List Admin: Brian Sherrod/w5ami, Paul Courson/wa3vjb
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Rick, In my opinion: 1. You can't go wrong with an R-390 if you use the audio available at the diode detector into a decent amp and speaker AND you are going to park the 390 on your favorite band. If you are a short wave listener, you will soon tire of the hundreds of revolutions of the gears to get from a low frequency to a high one. I had an R-390A and sold it for that reason. 2. The R-388 is a great receiver. On mine, I bring out the audio from the diode detector into a decent amp and speaker. Alignment of the R-388 is easier than the 390. I like my current 388 better than I did the 390-A. 3. I'd like to tune a 51J-4 sometime and see how it compares to my 388. I think the 51J-4 could be my ultimate tube receiver. 4. The 75A-4 is another great receiver but the stock audio is poor. Here again, bringing out the diode detected audio fixes thing up nicely. I have no recent experience with the SP-600 to comment. 73, Ken W2DTC
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Mark, Thanks for the reply. You brought up some interesting points. The bulk of my listening activity is on 160, 75 and 40 meters. I seldom listen to short-wave broadcasts, so that won't come into play. As for fidelity, I'm no spring chicken and my ears are not as sharp as they once were, (that's a bad place for an audio engineer to be) so I need clean audio. I can always process it with outboard equipment to get the exact sound these old ears prefer. I have at this time a great old HQ-180 that I use as my primary receiver. However, it's more of a communications receiver than a ham receiver, so it's lacking in areas, but has beautiful audio. I also use a National NC-183 that has fantastic audio. Even though I have gone through it completely and spent hours getting the alignment exactly right, it still doesn't perform as well as I'd like. I think it's doing all it was designed do, but that's not enough. Thanks again for your questions and observations. In light of my reply, what would you recommend? Rick/K5IZ W1EOF wrote: Rick - I think this can only be answered depending on what you are looking for.
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Rick, Based on your comments below, I would prefer a 75A-4. It has a product detector where the other receivers SP-600, R-390, R-390A, R-388, 51J-4 do not. There is some AM activity on 160, 80, and 40, but SSB activity is much more prevalent. Unless you like riding the RF gain control all the time when copying SSB or CW, you would really appreciate the product detector. However, you do give up general coverage capability with a 75A-4. -- Ernie, k0occ Atlanta, GA -- Original message -- From: Rick Brashear [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mark, Thanks for the reply. You brought up some interesting points. The bulk of my listening activity is on 160, 75 and 40 meters. I seldom listen to short-wave broadcasts, so that won't come into play. As for fidelity, I'm no spring chicken and my ears are not as sharp as they once were, (that's a bad place for an audio engineer to be) so I need clean audio. I can always process it with outboard equipment to get the exact sound these old ears prefer. I have at this time a great old HQ-180 that I use as my primary receiver. However, it's more of a communications receiver than a ham receiver, so it's lacking in areas, but has beautiful audio. I also use a National NC-183 that has fantastic audio. Even though I have gone through it completely and spent hours getting the alignment exactly right, it still doesn't perform as well as I'd like. I think it's doing all it was designed do, but that's not enough. Thanks again for your questions and observations. In light of my reply, what would you recommend? Rick/K5IZ W1EOF wrote: Rick - I think this can only be answered depending on what you are looking for. __ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net AMfone Website: http://www.amfone.net AM List Admin: Brian Sherrod/w5ami, Paul Courson/wa3vjb From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sat Jul 29 01:35:27 2006 Return-Path: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-Original-To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Delivered-To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Received: from rrcs-mta-02.hrndva.rr.com (rrcs-mta-02.hrndva.rr.com [24.28.200.154]) by mailman.qth.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 8DF06859C36 for amradio@mailman.qth.net; Sat, 29 Jul 2006 01:35:27 -0400 (EDT) Received: from rrcs-fep-12.hrndva.rr.com (rrcs-fep-12b.hrndva.rr.com [172.28.200.150]) by rrcs-mta-02.hrndva.rr.com (8.13.5+Sun/8.12.10) with ESMTP id k6T5OG98003077 for amradio@mailman.qth.net; Sat, 29 Jul 2006 01:24:16 -0400 (EDT) Received: from home1 ([68.89.47.126]) by rrcs-fep-12.hrndva.rr.com with ESMTP id [EMAIL PROTECTED] for amradio@mailman.qth.net; Sat, 29 Jul 2006 01:24:16 -0400 From: John Coleman ARS WA5BXO [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Discussion of AM Radio' amradio@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [AMRadio] Receivers Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2006 00:24:43 -0500 Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook 11 Thread-Index: AcayxG926ra4oCd9TOGvcSr0JsaIiQACEa7g In-Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2869 X-BeenThere: amradio@mailman.qth.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.4 Precedence: list Reply-To: Discussion of AM Radio amradio@mailman.qth.net List-Id: Discussion of AM Radio amradio.mailman.qth.net List-Unsubscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] List-Archive: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/private/amradio List-Post: mailto:amradio@mailman.qth.net List-Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] List-Subscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] X-List-Received-Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2006 05:35:27 - The 74A4 excels in stability, dial accuracy, and easy of tuning, but it is poor on fidelity. Not just in the audio stages but the conversion and IF stages add distortion as well. It's far from the worst of communication type receivers though, and some might say it's not bad at all, but it doesn't compare to the Superpros and that vintage of receiver. You might want to consider adding a double balanced product detector to one of the older receivers such as your NC183 for easy of tuning SSB and CW. There are a number of different designs that work well by sampling the IF before the detector. There is even a chip specially designed for the application and used in AM stereo radios. One advantage to this is the enhanced audio achieved while using the carrier lock on AM capability of the quadrature double balanced product detector. I used one that I built years ago on my HQ145, before the special chip was available. It was a real pleasure not having to listen to the distortion caused by selective QSB when
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Thanks to everyone for their comments on the receivers. It seems the R-390 is a top candidate, but hard to service and slow to tune. I have always wanted one of these receivers, but have never made the decision to let go of enough cash to have one. I'm not much on paying for a name and it seems that is a big part of the high price of Collins stuff. Are there any other great receivers out there that could be considered in the same category as the ones we've been discussing? I'm not really interested in SSB, just AM and CW, of course. Rick/K5IZ John Coleman ARS WA5BXO wrote: The 74A4 excels in stability, dial accuracy, and easy of tuning, but it is poor on fidelity. Not just in the audio stages...
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Rick, Buy all three the 51J-4, R-390A and the SP-600. I have all three here and then some. More than I care to admit. Buy the three and sell off what you do not like. You will not lose any money. If you pay a decent price for a decent radio you will get your money back most every time. There are several not mentioned I could go into but which one do I listen to all the time? I use the SP-600 all the time. I use the R-390A when its time to get serious about hearing or finding a weak one. I use the 51J-4 for sitting on a frequency(what a waste but its a pain to tune-albeit stable). I can and do use the 75A-4 for serious Hammin'. Given a choice for SWLing and casual listening its the SP-600 every time. If you want to spend less than the going rate for these then we could go on for days naming decent ones. But that's the fun of buying and using. You get to become know it alls like the rest of us. But get started and buy what you can afford and sell it and buy another. Bill Marx W2CQ - Original Message - From: Rick Brashear [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Discussion of AM Radio amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 9:20 AM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Receivers Thanks to everyone for their comments on the receivers. It seems the R-390 is a top candidate, but hard to service and slow to tune. I have always wanted one of these receivers, but have never made the decision to let go of enough cash to have one. I'm not much on paying for a name and it seems that is a big part of the high price of Collins stuff. Are there any other great receivers out there that could be considered in the same category as the ones we've been discussing? I'm not really interested in SSB, just AM and CW, of course. Rick/K5IZ John Coleman ARS WA5BXO wrote: The 74A4 excels in stability, dial accuracy, and easy of tuning, but it is poor on fidelity. Not just in the audio stages... __ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net AMfone Website: http://www.amfone.net AM List Admin: Brian Sherrod/w5ami, Paul Courson/wa3vjb
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
The 75A4 is a ham bands only SSB receiver. So comparing it to a 390 or 390A is apples and oranges. I have an A4 too and again, would not be without one in the shack. That's another one that I sold, but regretted and had to come back to. Good luck. 73, Don M. --- Rick Brashear [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks Joe, Don, Ernie for the info. Do you guys feel the 390A has an advantage or disadvantage when compared to the 390? How about the 75A4? Rick __ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net AMfone Website: http://www.amfone.net AM List Admin: Brian Sherrod/w5ami, Paul Courson/wa3vjb
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Thanks Don... Do you mean it is a better SSB than AM receiver? Rick Don Merz wrote: The 75A4 is a ham bands only SSB receiver. So comparing it to a 390 or 390A is apples and oranges
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
R-390 the better of the two, although to me the SP-600 is easier to use. Joe W4AAB - Original Message - From: Rick Brashear [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: AMRadio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 7:50 PM Subject: [AMRadio] Receivers I know this may spark a geyser of opinions, but I am in need of assistance. I'm shopping for a new (new to me) receiver and I'm mainly looking at the SP-600 and R-390. I'm sure price will play a considerable role in what I get, but I want to get the most bang for my buck. What's your advice? Would you look at others? Are these as good as they are cracked up to be? Of course, I'm talking about tube type receivers only with AM as their primary mode. Rick/K5IZ __ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net AMfone Website: http://www.amfone.net AM List Admin: Brian Sherrod/w5ami, Paul Courson/wa3vjb
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
In that class of receivers, I prefer a 51J-4 or R-388 over both R-390 and SP-600. You get smooth tuning, great calibration accuracy, and a lot easier to work on. -- Ernie, k0occ Atlanta, GA -- Original message -- From: Rick Brashear [EMAIL PROTECTED] I know this may spark a geyser of opinions, but I am in need of assistance. I'm shopping for a new (new to me) receiver and I'm mainly looking at the SP-600 and R-390. I'm sure price will play a considerable role in what I get, but I want to get the most bang for my buck. What's your advice? Would you look at others? Are these as good as they are cracked up to be? Of course, I'm talking about tube type receivers only with AM as their primary mode. Rick/K5IZ __ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net AMfone Website: http://www.amfone.net AM List Admin: Brian Sherrod/w5ami, Paul Courson/wa3vjb From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fri Jul 28 21:31:50 2006 Return-Path: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-Original-To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Delivered-To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Received: from web56104.mail.re3.yahoo.com (web56104.mail.re3.yahoo.com [216.252.110.198]) by mailman.qth.net (Postfix) with SMTP id 56F86859C58 for amradio@mailman.qth.net; Fri, 28 Jul 2006 21:31:50 -0400 (EDT) Received: (qmail 68948 invoked by uid 60001); 29 Jul 2006 01:20:40 - DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s=s1024; d=yahoo.com; h=Message-ID:Received:Date:From:Subject:To:In-Reply-To:MIME-Version:Content-Type:Content-Transfer-Encoding; b=E47hHGfvv+E0uqcVDWFuomWeA2eW/tq1tbGnav00rEiQ13K0QIFnYAMpYfhMLhVgiVUG7aHh4zGtIAXqfX+Zxb/J51avojmTTHbYFmaMlyVYjAlOGUpypZ5cFd4/zmCjK4N/CJSZKjojniVBL75gUsatkZ7bfeEKG/Kj133+Hsw= ; Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Received: from [70.17.172.213] by web56104.mail.re3.yahoo.com via HTTP; Fri, 28 Jul 2006 18:20:40 PDT Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2006 18:20:40 -0700 (PDT) From: Don Merz [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Receivers To: Discussion of AM Radio amradio@mailman.qth.net In-Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-BeenThere: amradio@mailman.qth.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.4 Precedence: list Reply-To: Discussion of AM Radio amradio@mailman.qth.net List-Id: Discussion of AM Radio amradio.mailman.qth.net List-Unsubscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] List-Archive: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/private/amradio List-Post: mailto:amradio@mailman.qth.net List-Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] List-Subscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] X-List-Received-Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2006 01:31:50 - While this is true, I bet Ernie can say this because he already has an R390 or A or several of them. I think a 390 is a basic shack requirement. There may be reasons to prefer other radios (and I like Ernie's reasons below). But a vintage ham shack isn't really complete without an R390 or R390A. I've tried going without them and it's just not as much fun. But I can and do live without an SP-600. I sold mine a couple years ago and haven't missed it. 73, Don Merz, N3RHT --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In that class of receivers, I prefer a 51J-4 or R-388 over both R-390 and SP-600. You get smooth tuning, great calibration accuracy, and a lot easier to work on. -- Ernie, k0occ Atlanta, GA -- Original message -- From: Rick Brashear [EMAIL PROTECTED] I know this may spark a geyser of opinions, but I am in need of assistance. I'm shopping for a new (new to me) receiver and I'm mainly looking at the SP-600 and R-390. I'm sure price will play a considerable role in what I get, but I want to get the most bang for my buck. What's your advice? Would you look at others? Are these as good as they are cracked up to be? Of course, I'm talking about tube type receivers only with AM as their primary mode. Rick/K5IZ __ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net AMfone Website: http://www.amfone.net AM List Admin: Brian Sherrod/w5ami, Paul Courson/wa3vjb __ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net AMfone Website: http://www.amfone.net AM List Admin: Brian Sherrod/w5ami, Paul Courson/wa3vjb
Re: [AMRadio] Receivers
Thanks Joe, Don, Ernie for the info. Do you guys feel the 390A has an advantage or disadvantage when compared to the 390? How about the 75A4? Rick
