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

[Grant Youngman]

On Jul 16, 2008, at 4:32 PM, Carl wrote:

> I find the HC-10 to make the R-390A and 51J4 a way better SSB and CW  
> receiver than some of the magazine product detectors Ive tried and  
> removed.
>
> The CE Slicer audio phasing demodulator makes CW so much easier  
> listening as compared to a diode detector. I have them hooked up to  
> a SX-28, HQ-129X and NC-183D. SSB also is nice copy but I dont  
> operate that mode with those receivers. I did use a 129X with one on  
> SSB back in the late 50's to early 60's along with a 20A. Ive always  
> been partial to phasing rigs.
>

I've owned all of the NC-300, 303, HQ-170, HQ-170A, HQ-180, HQ180A  
(late, with the plug-in clock), and HC-10.  Of the group, the only  
thing left is the NC-303, which I enjoy very much -- except that the Q- 
Mult doesn't like to stay aligned for long.  While the NC-300 is a  
fine AM radio, it is not nearly as good as the NC-303 on SSB.  There  
are published mods in ER for the NC-300, but they really didn't solve  
that problem.   The weak link in either of the National radios is the  
9 Mhz trap, which doesn't trap much .. and perhaps that isn't a  
problem if you like to do general SWBC listening mixed in with ham  
coverage on the 20 or 15M bands when skip is long.  The radio really  
needs a stiff 9 MHz band reject filter between the antenna and the  
radio, not just the afterthough that National put in there.

The 170 is ok, but between that and the HQ-180 the 180 has a better  
built RF section, and is a better radio IMO.   I still have sellers  
remorse on that one (and on an HRO-60, but that's another story).  The  
HC-10 is great as far as it goes, but the biggest problem is that the  
1st conversion oscillator has AGC applied and pulls on strong signals,  
giving a nice "warble" to strong SSB signals even with an input level  
pot added a la the SPC-10.  I suppose this could be solved by taking  
AGC off that stage, but I never got around to experimenting with it ..  
and that might result in problems of its own.

I like the CE Slicer for SSB and have used one on many 455-500Khz  
radios.   Better results than the HC-10 overall, I think, even given  
the better IF strip you get with the HC-10.  The RME 430x (x=1 or 2, I  
don't recall) is also a good slicer capable of  nice audio if followed  
by a decent audio stage.  I had a complete RME 4350A with Slicer and  
speaker as a kid, and liked everything about the radio except the  
lousy vernier.   I'd still like to find another nice 4350A complete  
with the slicer (very late, all gray without the black section on the  
front panel).

Grant/NQ5T