[GreenKeys] Want to buy: general coverage receiver

[John Lawson]

  I have an Icom PCR-1000 (NOT the -100!) 200Khtz to 1.3 GHtz, that I have
been very happy with. It is a 'brick' with antenna, power, and an RS232
port that you connect to your handy computer to use as the enhanced
front-end.  They are in the $350 range new, more with the optional DSP
unit (highly recommended), and I have seen them on eBay for about $250 so
configured.

  They are nice because they are small and travel well.  I had mine when I
lived in India, and it went with my laptop, and never raised a question.

  TenTec makes a very nice similar item, tho I have no experience with it.

  There is also the Waveradio, which is on a card that goes in a slot in
your full-size PC - many folks report liking it very much.


   THEN - that being said - I would recommend haunting the flea markets
and Hamfests, and look for a middle-age Hallicrafters or Hammarlund, or
any of the well-known 'vintage' recievers - they can sometimes be had for
cheap.  eBay of course - I see them once in a while.  Just get something
with a BFO and stable main oscillator (no drift) and you will be able to
get the 'feel' of it before investing BigBux in a more elaborate rig,


  Here at KB6SCO, I usually use my Kenwood TS430-2, or the Collins
51-J/R388 which is older than even I...  if you can imagine such a thing.


  Cheers

John