[Hallicrafters] Re: SX-115 vs 75A4

[Grant Youngman]

> available filter sockets.  It covers 160 meters and  is known 
> as one of the best DX receivers of all time for 160 if you 
> are lucky to live in a low noise area or have good receiving 
> antennas for that band.  And the passband tuning is neat, 

The lack of 160 on the SX-115 could be an issue for some -- although who
among us has only ONE radio :-)

There are times I have missed the passband tuning on the 115.  You can get
there, however, by shifting the BFO and retuning.  Not very convenient, but
that's all the A4 passband control does, only it does it with the twist of
one knob.
 
> clips above the changing peak levels of signal.  Less 
> effective on AM.  

Now then, AM is a clear differentiator in favor of the 75A4, if you like
that mode, like I do.  The SX-115 is not a radio of choice for AM.  I
dislike the fact that the SX-115 (and SX-101A) didn't provide a
sideband-indifferent mode position for AM like the earlier 101's, 100, etc.
-- opting instead for selectable sidebands.

The 75A4 can be a VERY good AM receiver, but needs the 6 Khz filter at least
(9 Khz better) and some work in the audio section to open things up a bit.
Or better yet, take the IF output to a Sherwood sync detector, or at least
feed the detector output to an external audio amp.  The only reason I'm a
"don't care" on that point in favor of the 75A4 is that I have several other
very good radios (R-390/R-390A/SP-600) which I use on AM -- and my city lot
(albeit an acre) and local ordinances (height limits) won't handle much of a
160 skyhook :-)

Grant/NQ5T