I believe that may have been me, Bob.
I used an RAL-7 as my main station receiver for over 12 years. I preferred it for my CW use over every other receiver I accumulated and used over that period.
I finally retired it to secondary status after I bought a Heathkit SB-100.
Other receivers I thoroughly enjoyed using were an RBB/RBC pair, and a BC-779 I modified by incorporating a good product-detector.
I used the BC-779 primarily for RTTY.
I was amazed at the HUGE improvement in the BC-779 due to the PD.
I have a couple of RBCs now, and both an RAK and an RAL, but have no bench space for them yet. I would like to find an RBB.
I also have two RBAs. Still no bench space.
Same condition for my R-390A, my R-389, and my SP-600-JX1 darn it.
I have a "thing" for receivers, probably because my very first ones were so bad.
But I really loved the RAL.
Ken W7EKB
-------- Original message --------
Date: 7/28/26 09:18 (GMT-08:00)
Subject: Re: [ARC5] FS: RBB, RBC, and Power Supply
On 7/28/2026 1:04 AM, Hubert Miller via
ARC5 wrote:
In
US shipboard receivers, the RAL was the only HF receiver to use
regenerative circuit.
Someone probably has a better memory and can
recall the names or callsigns, but I remember at least one
stalwart of the boatanchor list(s) from years ago who used the
RAL as a primary CW receiver and said he'd put it up against any
other. I always admired that! Anyone who has played with even
a simple 1-tube regen knows how sensitive they can be, and with
the RAL-type construction, TRF front-end gain and selectivity,
plus the audio filter I never doubted those claims. Once you
look inside an RAL it's hard to think of anything that could be
done make it more rugged or stable, at least from a mechanical
standpoint.
The RBB is a favorite of mine ever since one
showed up in my driveway after a hamfest. A local guy
evidently figured that since he couldn't talk me into hauling it
home, I'd at least adopt it if it turned up like a stray.
Something about cranking that tuning knob...
73, Bob W9RAN