[DCboatanchors] FS: Racal RA6790/GM receiver

[Avery Comarow]

This is a total makeover by Gary Wingerd, a former Racal top technician who 
was in charge of service for this model for many years. He is deservedly 
acclaimed for his ability, and the small number of receivers he refurbishes 
and puts up for sale are snapped up.

This one has new LCD and LED displays, updated PROM, new lithium battery, 
top and bottom covers, full technical manual (sold separately by Gary for 
$50), audio connector, and power cord. It also includes the optional RF 
amplifier/LP filter module, which includes lightning protection and isn't 
easy to find, and optional independent sideband module, which is even harder.

Appearance is about as close to new as you can get.

Basic frequence range is 0.5 kHz-29.999 MHz. Frequency selection is by 
direct keyboard input or continuous tuning with 8-digit LCD readout.

Unlike many 6790s on the market, it also comes with seven selectable IF 
filters, six Rockwell-Collins mechanical filters and one crystal filter. 
Mechanical filters--(2) Independent USB and LSB, 450 Hz-3 kHz bandwidth, 
(1) 300 Hz, (1) 1 kHz, (1) 3.2 kHz, and (1) 4 kHz. Crystal filter--(1) 16 kHz.

The 6790/GM isn't for casual desktop listening. It's big (22 inches deep 
and rack width), and lacks consumer features of today's ham/shortwave 
receivers such as memories and scanning capability. Government and 
commercial purchasers didn't want to pay for that. They paid for 
performance, meaning superior overload characteristics (dynamic range 
greater than 180 dB/Hz), low noise, 1 Hz readout, three tuning rates--fast 
(1000 Hz/revolution), slow (30 Hz), and fine (1 Hz), stability of 5 parts 
per 100 million, essentially flat audio response from 100 Hz to 16 kHz, and 
so on.

For more information and opinions about the 6790/GM, go to www.eham.net and 
click on Product Reviews (under Resources in the left channel), then enter 
6790 in the search box.

I'd much rather do a pickup deal than ship, so I'm putting it up for sale 
first on the DC BA list. I'm in Potomac, Md., just outside Washington, D.C. 
I'll drive 50 miles or so to deliver on a solid deal--no backing out at the 
last minute.

Price is firm at $1,000, which is a bit less than I paid. The buyer won't 
be sorry. It's one heck of a radio.

Email or call: 301-983-2407 home, 202-955-2609 office.

Avery W3AVE