[Boatanchors] Boatanchor receiver

Thu, 12 Feb 2004 11:32:39 -0500

Greetings all,

I was wondering myself why the R390 and SP-600 series (including all
versions of both, A to JX-17) were not under consideration.  Now that Todd
has added that spin I'd like to pass on my new found love for the SP-600.
I'll agree that warm up time to "drift free" operation is longer than the
390 series. However, and I'll never post this on the 390 list, I find
myself using My SP600-JX as much if not more than the '67 EAC 390A.  The
smooth flywheel tuning is a joy when bandcrusing and it doesn't wake up the
baby like the mechanics of the 390A does. (how's that for a technical
requirement?)  I also like the "sound" of the SP600-JX better.  Also for
whatever reason, the limiter on the SP600-JX seems to be a bit better at
dealing with the noise some times found in my part of the world.  Nothing
against the 390A as it is still my favorite BA radio of all time.  Nice
examples of the SP-600 are usually available for a lower price tag as well.
If you can't find one, drag Todd out to your next flea.  He can sniff them
out like a good dog can raise pheasants in the field.  Just don't let him
look at it to long or he'll want it himself!

John Flood KB1FQG
TASC Department
KROHNE, Inc
7 Dearborn Rd.
Peabody, MA   01960
Tel.:  978-535-6060 / 800-356-9464
Fax:   978-535-8180

                      [email protected].                                                                                                 
                      us (Todd Bigelow - PS)         To:      Ross Hochstrasser <[email protected]>                                  
                      Sent by:                       cc:      David Harmon <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected] 
                      boatanchors-admin@mail         Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Boatanchor receiver                                          
                      man.qth.net                                                                                                            

                      02/12/2004 10:37 AM                                                                                                    

Ross Hochstrasser wrote:

>If you want one that won't drift.... Racal RA17(17L,117 etc)  Ross
>

Absolutely! Also the SX-115, perhaps the best commercially made BA for
SSB work. Triple conversion and stable, with wonderful audio. I say
'perhaps' because it's mainly my opinion based on other equipment I have
or have used. Tough to beat the Racal or the R-390 and later,
cost-reduced 'A' model too. SP-600 has gotten a bumb rap over the years
for being drifty, but selecting the correct tap on the transformer
usually takes care of that. Even on their best day though, they aren't
*quite* as stable as the above-mentioned - but who cares? I'm thinking
that the SP-600 would fit in a class with the RCA AR-88 types, maybe a
rung down from the RA-17/R-390s types. SP-600 has a lot more
functionality, though - and it has wonderful flywheel tuning.

The 51S-1 is also rock-stable, but not as hot as decent R-390 or the 'A'
version. When you get into the Drakes and Collins S-Line stuff, it's
difficult to actually view it as a boatanchor though, compared to an
R-390, SP-600, or RA-17. My RA-17UC went to a new home with Roy Morgan
last fall, so...time to start looking for a replacement. I can just see
it now....Roy working away under a light and magnifier, replacing
anything that remotely resembles a cap and trying hard to coin a 'new
and different' term for it.... RA-17 Non-L, Non-117, Non-Non.....Non-Non-A!

Ah, those Racals.....nice radios.

de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ

_______________________________________________
Boatanchors mailing list
[email protected]
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **
** For Assistance: [email protected] **
$$ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web site $$
http://www.w9wze.org