[Boatanchors] Boatanchor purchase suggestions

Sun, 7 Dec 2003 14:42:29 -0500

Ok, I don't know much about National HRO, but I'm going off to do a Google
search on them. I've heard of the name, but you've piqued my interest here.
Thanks!

Chris
W1CMB

-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Cohen [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: December 7, 2003 1:58 PM
To: [email protected]; Chris Bower
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Boatanchor purchase suggestions

Leaving the restoration issue out of it for the moment, I'm a huge 
proponent of National HRO series receivers, especially those painted in 
black crackle.  At least for me, there is no receiver that looks more 
classic or has such an interesting history.

The basic mechanical and electrical design of the HRO remained 
unchanged from its birth in 1935 through the early 1960's.  It offered 
amazing performance for its day, and compares pretty favorably with 
modern receivers.  National built thousands and thousands of them over 
the years, so that even the older units are still quite common at 
hamfests or on Ebay.  A google search on HRO receiver will turn up lots 
of links that will tell you the HRO story.

Any piece of radio gear that is 40 or more years older is probably 
going to need some sort of restoration or repair.  If you do not want 
to do the work yourself, you will have to find a unit that has already 
had the work done.  One of the things that I like about HRO's, is that 
they tend to be easily restored electrically.  There is lots of room 
under the chassis and the parts tend to be common and easily obtained.  
Recently, I brought a 1936 model back from the dead by simply replacing 
all of the old paper caps with orange drops.  The entire job only took 
about four hours and cost less than $50 in parts.  Even if you do not 
wish to do the work yourself, it shouldn't be too difficult to find 
someone skilled enough with a soldering iron to do it for you.

Just my two cents.  I'm sure that others will have their favorites.

Alan
WA2DZL

On Dec 7, 2003, at 1:20 PM, Chris Bower wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I've been a lurking member of this list for quite a while and I want to
> thank you all for a great deal of education in boat anchor equipment.
> However, I have a question for you all. Actually, I'm looking for 
> advice on
> an upcoming purchase. I'm considering treating myself to a new boat 
> anchor
> receiver with my tax return in January. I would like to hear 
> suggestions
> from you folks on what to buy. Here's what I'm looking for:
>
> General coverage receiver to 30 MHz or thereabouts. (I mostly listen 
> to the
> ham bands, but sometimes general SW broadcasts.)
> Must be ALL tube (God, I love radios that glow in the dark!)
> Sensitivity and audio quality would be my primary requirements.
> I have no brand preference at the moment.
>
> I should also state that I am NOT looking for a radio to restore; I'm
> looking for one that's already been restored and is ready to go. I 
> love tube
> radios, but I'm currently not good enough to restore any serious 
> equipment.
> I'm just now "cutting my teeth" on restoring old tabletop AM/FM tube 
> radios.
> Do you folks have any suggestions on what brand and model you would 
> consider
> given my requirements?  Once I decide on a model, I intend to search 
> the
> auction sites and several other places for my purchase. As far as price
> goes, I realize that this will not be cheap, but I plan on spending up 
> to
> 1,000 coconuts on this purchase if necessary. Thanks in advance for 
> your
> advice, and thanks for all the information you folks share!
>
> Chris Bower
> W1CMB
> [email protected]
>
> Non construo, nec emo, nec frango, sed tantum reparo.
>
>
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