[Hammarlund] sp600 for ham work?

[DJED1 at aol.com]

I'd suggest you use something other than the SP-600 for ham work.   Although 
you can receive CW and SSB comfortably by turning off the AVC, increasing the 
audio gain to 7, and using the RF as a gain control, the tuning rate makes it 
very difficult to tune signals on 14 MHz and higher.  Most importantly, IMHO, 
you have an inadequate frequency readout for determining whether you are 
operating within your assigned band segments.   I added a 100 KHz calibrator to my 
SP-600 so I have some idea where it is tuned, but even that could be 
inadequate at 14 MHz unless the receiver is accurately calibrated to start.   There's 
lots of old receivers which will do the job nicely:   My favorite is my R-4C, 
which can keep up with all but the most expensive new receivers; I started 
operating CW using my R-390A, which has all the capabilities needed,   and, as 
others have mentioned, the HQ-170 is very good. 
Best wishes on your ham operation
Ed   WB2LHI