[Heathkit] RX-1 Mohawk Receiver Opinions Wanted

[WF2U]

Scott,

The RX-1 is basically an excellent receiver, with a terrible AGC design. The
bad AGC design makes the receiver mediocre at best without modifications due
to the tendency to overload and distort. Other than that, the basic concept
and circuit are good and have the makings of a good receiver, provided some
modifications are done.
A few years ago there was an article in Electric Radio Magazine about
modifications of the AGC and some other updates of the RX-1 which make it an
excellent performer.

I have the Mohawk-Apache pair on the air. I haven't modified the Mohawk yet
according to the article, and indeed it's a pain in the neck AGC... The
RF/IF gain pots have to be worked all the time in order not to get distorted
signals. I haven't found the stability bad, and the sensitivity is excellent
(that's why it overloads easily without the modifications,
The modification project is planned in the near future...

The Apache is a very decent transmitter. People have the tendency to crank
up the clipper to the point that it distorts, hence the nickname of the
transmitter: "scratchy Apache"... If the clipper is adjusted properly,
according to the manual and preferably with a monitor scope, the audio is
crisp and good sounding.

73, Meir WF2U
Landrum, SC

> -----Original Message-----
> From: heathkit-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:heathkit-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Freeberg, Scott
> (STP)
> Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 9:45 AM
> To: heathkit at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Heathkit] RX-1 Mohawk Receiver Opinions Wanted
>
>
> I have a TX-1 on the shelf that was given to me several years
> ago. Lately I've been thinking
> about buying an RX-1 and setting up a matching station and
> putting it on the air.
>  I've heard various comments about the RX-1 performance over the
> years.  Some folks say its great,
> some folks say its terrible, some folks say its great and
> terrible at the same time :)
> Is anyone on the list using a TX-1/RX-1 combination on the air?
> Just how well does the stock RX-1 work on cw and AM?
>
> 73, Scott WA9WFA in Saint Paul Minn
>
>