[Boatanchors] Hammarlund HQ-170A vs. National NC-300

[wf2u at ws19ops.com]

I have an NC-300 and until recently an HQ-170A.
The audio in the NC-300 is definitely better than that of the HQ-170 on AM.
However, I've been using the HQ-170 almost exclusively on CW and it is  
far better on CW selectivity-wise than the NC-300. Of course, on CW I  
don't give a rat's a** whether the audio is good, as long as it  
passess 600 to 1000 Hz with no hum at a sufficient volume... BTW I got  
the HQ-170 about 12 years ago, and still worked perfectly. I only had  
to replace the 6C4 oscillator tube about 9 years ago, as it was  
getting very weak and warbly.
And no, I didn't sell the HQ-170 because I didn't like it, I'm just  
downsizing the ham-band only gear so I have room for the military  
surplus and professional/commercial tube era HF rigs, with heavy  
emphasis on maritime equipment. The HQ-170's place was taken up by a  
TMC GPR-90/GSB-1 combo.
My HRO-50 is probably the next to go...

73, Meir WF2U
Landrum, SC



Quoting Carl <km1h at jeremy.mv.com>:

> I agree with Garey.
>
> The NC-300 failed at its intended SSB goal but it was great on AM
>
> The HQ-170 failed at all goals, especially the audio. And now you have
> the potential mess of silver mica disease in the IF cans.
>
> I have a HQ-120X, two 129X and three 140X and got rid of a 170 and 170A
> years ago.
>
> My primary AM receivers (not just ham bands) are SX-28, HQ-129X/140X,
> NC-240D, HRO-50T, NC-183, and R-390A with external audio.  The NC-183D,
> HRO-50T1, and HRO-60 are close but the 3 IF's limit the bandwidth.
> National had the most consistent audio quality over several decades
>
> Carl
> KM1H
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Garey Barrell" <k4oah at mindspring.com>
> To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:39 PM
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Hammarlund HQ-170A vs. National NC-300
>
>
>> Jeff -
>>
>> This oughta be good!  :-)
>>
>> I don't think there is any comparison between the two.  The NC-300   
>> is a solid, stable receiver with good AVC and great audio.  The   
>> HQ-170A has none of the above.
>>
>> I loved my HQ-129X, and still have it and an HQ-140X.  But by the   
>> 170A, it was all over for Hammarlund.
>>
>> 73, Garey - K4OAH
>> Glen Allen, VA
>>
>> Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line & TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
>> <www.k4oah.com>
>>
>>
>>
>> W8KZW wrote:
>>> I have the Hammarlund and an opportunity to acquire the National.  Will be
>>> used with my Ranger, primarily for AM.
>>>
>>> Which is the preferred radio and why?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> jeff
>>> W8KZW
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>
> _______________________________________________