[Collins] Best receiver?

[Clemens S.Ostergaard]

The original question concerned a general coverage receiver for SWL'ing 
only, from Collins. I can compare a 51S-1, a 51J-4 and an R390 (without the 
A) on a daily basis, using the same antennas. They are, as we know, all 
wonderful receivers, and difficult to choose between. SWL'ing usually 
entails bandsurfing, which gets a bit tedious on the odometer. It is much 
easier on the 51J4, but most convenient on the 51S-1. Of course, the latter 
has too few knobs to twiddle, doubtless a help for less trained operators. 
It is also twice as expensive as the other two. But I have to admit that I 
think it performs extremely well, on top of that taking less space and 
creating less heat (well, I didn't actually measure against the J4) , 
involving fewer  tubes, and it is the one I will be able to lift when I 
have to leave the others where they are.

I do wonder why many people diss the Collins radio produced between 1959 
and 1975 (or longer), it it the one I turn to with unmixed pleasure, and 
part of this is to do with its good sound, part with its good mechanical 
feel, and part with its very sensible filtering (not to mention having 
USB/LSB )

There are of course greater bandsurfers, looking round at other rx's in the 
shack, like the Racal RA17 or the Hammarlund SP-600 or the National HRO-60 
(great sound),   but now we are moving outside the Collins requirement. And 
there is a world of radios that rarely make it to the US, like Eddystone 
880/2 or the Siemens tube-receivers, not forgetting Rohde & Schwarz EK-07.

But I think the 51S-1 (late winged-emblem) will stay with 
me.            (and we still haven't heard the reasons for knocking it)



Best,

Clemens S.Ostergaard
Aarhus
DENMARK
clemens at it.dk