[Collins] Re: 51S-1 improvement

[Ed Tanton]

Well-l-l now Dave... I ** LOVE ** my 51S-1! It's probably my favorite tube 
receiver. It isn't my BEST tube receiver-probably the Chuck Rippel R-390-A 
at: <http://www.qsl.net/n4xy/rcvr_MIL_r-390-a.html> holds that honor-and I 
DO have a wonderful RACAL 
RA-17C12  <http://www.qsl.net/n4xy/rcvr_racal.html> that has it's own set 
of interesting features. But if I had to pick one tabletop receiver from 
the tube era, it's be a 51S-1. Especially if you apply the desert-island 
test (you're stranded, you only have one rcvr, and a spare set of tubes.) 
It's a champ! Reasonably EVERYTHING: reasonably accurate; reasonably 
stable; reasonably sensitive; etc. etc. It's only when you operate 99% CW 
(like I do) that it fails to be that "Reasonably EVERYTHING". As you can 
see, I like it most of all for it's all-around performance and operating 
criteria... if you don't lean too heavily on the CW aspect!

That said, while I HAVE used my 51S-1 for ham radio CW QSOs, it is barely 
adequate for that purpose (although a JPS NIR-12 DSP REALLY helps!)-as I 
think you are suggesting. I would love updates that didn't require 
re-wiring... especially if they improved the unit's lifespan. But I believe 
you are correct, that the HR market would not be large... and I don't know 
if the SWL guys work on their receivers that much.

P.S. The RA-17C-12 has a really interesting story. Give it a read if you 
get the chance.



73 Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy@earthlink.net>

Ed Tanton N4XY
189 Pioneer Trail
Marietta, GA 30068-3466

website: http://www.n4xy.com

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