[Boatanchors] Boatanchor receiver

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

Mike Clarson wrote:

>Todd: Glad to see the AR-88 mentioned. Its more recent version, the CR-88
>with the B version mods (product detector, crystal BFO and mechanical
>filter) makes a supurb (for the itme) sounding AM/SSB rcvr. Just don't plan
>on carrying it anywhere too often. The choice really depends on how the unit
>is to be used. For pull them out of the noise performance, the Drake stuff
>is great, but we are talking 30 years more evolution from some of the other
>stuff mentioned.--Mike, WV2ZOW
>

You've got that right, Mike. A lot of folks seem to forget this. Same is 
true between the SX-115 and 75A-4. Better tubes became available, for 
one thing. The Drake gear is indeed some nice stuff, and if space is an 
issue it's the best way to go. Unless you can afford the price of an 
S-Line or its components, and even that/those designs are a bit dated in 
comparison. Drake gear still goes begging compared to Collins prices, 
though. All mine is gone except for one piece, and I'm hangin' onto that 
one.

The AR-88 series doesn't get a lot of publicity because they aren't as 
plentiful as the Hallis, Nationals, Collins and Hammars I guess. I got 
my first one, an AR-88LF back in the mid/late 90s. It's still awaiting a 
stripping of the front panel and reassembly, but I did get to use it a 
bit first. Very nice audio, at least on par with the SP-600 and probably 
a bit better. Also have the later CR-91A and, most recently, the R-320 
(SC-88) which I really like a lot. Something along the lines of the 
CR-88A, except in Signal Corp black wrinkle and with a band-in-use 
viewing mask for the dial. When I got the thing it lit up but was nummer 
'n a box o' rocks. Turns out *every* tube in it was weak to the point of 
little or no emisson! What a difference a retube made. Normally wouldn't 
do such a thing out of hand, but it wasn't like I had much choice. Still 
keeping my eyes open for one of the CR-88 variants to pair up with the '91A.

The early AR-88's are contemporaries of the SX-28 and earlier HROs, so 
that gives folks an idea for comparison. And you're dead on about moving 
them. At 100 lbs, it's one chunk of radio! Pound that and you'll get 
broken fingers on the thick STEEL front panel. Now *that* kinda 
construction just screams 'BOATANCHOR'.  (o:

73, de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ