[Hammarlund] Collins or Hammarlund?

[Ray, W2EC]

Hi Glen,

Actually, if you look at my station, "http://www.w2ec.com/W2EC.html",
you'll see I also have a CV-591A which is switch selectable between the
R-391 and SP-600 for SSB work. My SP-600 works just fine on SSB when
used with my Valiant/Johnson SSB adapter or Drake T-4XB on the ham
bands. I know it will be heresy to most, but if I absolutely,
unequivocally, could only keep one radio, it would be the SP-600 and I
would have to let go of my R-391, plus the R-390 and two R-390A's that I
have in the other room.

Sorry, but without lab grade test measurements, they all function just
about the same. Yes, each has pros and cons, and the R-39x is the
marginally better performer, but for sheer ease of use the SP-600 is the
handier receiver. The performance gains of the R-39x series are so minor
for my purposes that I can trade them off for the for band cruising
capability of the SP-600.

73, Ray W2EC

Glen Zook wrote:

 > The SP-600 is, as are most Hammarlund receivers,
 > stable enough for most AM operation.  But, when you
 > try to use them on SSB or CW, that is where the
 > drifting problems come in.  When crystal controlled
 > (like with the JX-17, etc., models), when using the
 > crystal they are very stable.  It is just when tuning
 > "normally" that the drift occurs.  The drift is much
 > worse on the higher bands.  The lower the band range,
 > the more stable the receiver is.
 >
 > There are individual exceptions, and some particular
 > receivers are more stable than others (due to
 > component tolerances most often).  But, it has been my
 > experience that a large number of the Hammarlund
 > receivers do tend to drift.  Of course, the same can
 > be said for quite a number of other manufacturers'
 > receivers including many models made by Hallicrafters,
 > National, etc.
 >
 > Frankly, I have a number of "shortwave" band receivers
 > from the 1930s that you can let warm up for about 30
 > minutes and then tune in a broadcast station (on
 > "shortwave") and the receiver is stable enough to hold
 > the frequency.  However, I wouldn't even try to use
 > them on CW or SSB if they did have a BFO.
 >
 > Glen, K9STH
 >
 >
 > --- "Ray, W2EC" <w2ec@attglobal.net> wrote:
 >
 > I can power up the SP-600, dial in a known BC
 > frequency on the vernier setting, and listen all day
 > without touching the dial again.
 >
 >
 >
 > =====
 > Glen, K9STH
 >
 > Web sites
 >
 > http://home.comcast.net/~k9sth
 > http://home.comcast.net/~zcomco
 >
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