[Hammarlund] Favorite Hammarlund Radio

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 10 Dec 2011 at 22:13, Carl wrote:

> > At the time they first came out, the Hammarlund SP-200s were the
> > most expensive receivers available, as I remember it.
> 
> RBB and RBC beat it I bet

I guess I should have said, "...the most expensive HAM receivers 
available..."

Of course the RBB/RBC (and the VLF RBA) were FAR more expensive: but 
those were military-only receivers, and cost was no object.

However, even the RBB/RBC didn't have that variable IF selectivity 
that the Hammarlunds did/do.

I have used the RBB and RBC extensively (and the RBA) and while they 
were certainly more stable than the military variants of the SP-200, 
they were also certainly not any more sensitive, nor had they 
comparable audio quality.

Also, I heard that the old Navy radio operators actually preferred 
the older RAL/RAK to the RBA/RBB/RBC on board ship since the RAK/RAL 
were far less subject to interference from nearby transmitters. The 
RAK/RAL had better RF selectivity and no IF to be overloaded.

One thing I DID find very impressive about the RBB/RBC was their 
audio limiter: that thing is absolutely amazing!!!!!! 

When I was using my RBB, I was also running a KW on CW. I used a 
separate antenna for the receiver, and with the limiter on and 
properly set, my own KW transmitter was not any louder in my 
headphones than the signal I was copying.

Once, one of my Elmers stopped into the shack while I was handling 
traffic and was completely amazed by what he heard. He couldn't get 
over it.

I wish I could incorporate that limiter into every receiver I own.

I have never yet used any AGC in any receiver I have ever used which 
could even begin to compare in effectiveness at keeping sudden strong 
signals from blasting my eardrums.

Ken W7EKB