[Boatanchors] 51J3 vs SP600?

[Grant Youngman]

> Anyone have an opinion in comparing a Collins 51J3 / R388  
> with a hammarlund sp600 for general use? 

You can't beat the SP-600 for general SWBC band scanning and ham use on the
lower bands.  And it is an excellent receiver overall.

You can't beat the 51J-3/R-388 for dial accuracy and stability throughout
it's tuning range.  Another excellent general purpose AM receiver.

I'd never part with my SP-600.  I did part with my R-388 a few years ago in
favor of keeping a 51J-4, but that was a mistake. I finally sold the 51J-4
and will probably replace the R-388 one of these days.  The SP-600 has
better audio out of the box.  The R-388 audio is very "communications
quality" tailored,  but with an external audio amp off the detector it, too,
plays great.

You need BOTH :-)

Grant/NQ5T