[Hammarlund] Hq-180 vs 145 and 170

[Grant Youngman]

> I have both an HQ-145 and an HQ-170, and I'm thinking of 
> replacing both by either a Sp-600 or Hq-180.  Does anybody 
> out there have 
> thoughts: good move, neutral move, Hq-180 beats Sp-600,   ... ? 
> I typically SWL and am working to get General lic. 

It depends on your objectives, and whether you can have only one or the
other .. Or both :-)

The SP-600 is a fine radio for general AM SWBC listening, and has the
distinct advantage of a 455Khz IF (as does the HQ-145) which makes it easier
to add something like a Sherwood synchronous AM detector.  You can also
easily add a product detector or external SSB adapter.  It doesn't have
bandspread, so it's utility on the ham bands above 40 meters is limited.  It
has wider bandwidth options, and I think just "plays" better as an SWL radio
than an HQ-180.  I use mine strictly for SWBC listening and AM on the lower
ham bands.  Unless you get an SP-600 that has been restored by a previous
owner, expect a lot of parts replacement (caps, some R's), in addition to
physical cleanup,  to get it going.  A completely unrestored SP-600 will be
a lot of work, and it is HEAVY.  Built like a tank.

The 180 is certainly a more modern design, is built for SSB, and is more
flexible in terms of interference fighting tools (notch, more bandwidth and
selectable sideband options, etc).  It is not as good an AM receiver as the
SP-600, but many people swear by the thing for MWBC dxing.  Even with it's
various faults, it is a far better general purpose receiver overall than the
SP-600, IMO, but you only have to turn the main tuning control on an SP-600
once to see why it is such a popular radio.  Its unusual for an HQ-180,
unless it's come out of a wet barn or something, to require much work other
than a little cleanup, lubrication and alignment.  Also, it's important to
get some guarantee that none of the ferrite slugs in the RF/IF coils are
split, which will cause them to jam and make it impossible to align.
Lightweight, and not as physically robust as the SP-600.  I think the SP-600
wins on stability, but everyone's mileage varies.

I sold my HQ-180 several years ago, and still haven't entirely recovered
from seller's remorse.  I have no inclination whatsoever to part with my
SP-600.  

That said, the HQ-145 is a very good SWL general coverage and AM receiver.
The HQ-170 is a good ham-band receiver (better than the 180 because you
don't have to fool with main tuning and bandspread, and is also more stable
as a result).  You may not be better off by replacing that duo with either
one of the possibilities.

FWIW  ... Grant/NQ5T