[Heathkit] SB-301

[W. Harris]

> Well, it came to AM reception, at least, this reviewer did NOT give any of the Collins receivers much credit, to whit:
> 
> 
> Ten Worst Receivers for AM Use
>  
> Heathkit Mohawk.  A passel of design mistakes make this very attractive receiver almost worthless for ham use.  Heathkit took advantage of every opportunity to add distortion they could.  Electric Radio had a 3-part article several years ago that outlined the steps necessary to correct these deficiencies.  If you have the patience and expertise to do the mods, this radio has definite potential.
> Hallicrafters S-38 and S-120.  5-tube radio little better than an All-American 5 clock radio.  Cute to put on the shelf but worthless for ham use.  There are many other receivers in this class including many Heathkits, Nationals, etc.
> Hammarlund HQ-170/180.  My personal prejudices at work here; many guys love theirs.  Incredibly distorted audio with a real JS audio feedback network.  Ugly.  The BFO and notch filter coils prone to breakage.  Chassis prone to corrosion.  It is a pretty decent battle-mode receiver with selectable sideband and an effective notch filter.
> Collins 75A-4.  The most over-rated receiver ever.  A pretty decent radio for SSB, the audio is restricted and distorted.   Front end design not commensurate with Collins reputation for high performance.  The huge number of modifications out there are testimony to the weaknesses of the stock radio.  Extraordinarily expensive for what you get.
> Collins 51S-1.  Another over-rated receiver.  Matches the Collins ?S? line.  Again, this radio is pretty decent for SSB if you don?t connect it to an effective antenna.  Otherwise you?ll find Deutche Welle and Radio Havana all over the place.  Very poor front-end performance.
> Icom R-71A.  Noisy synthesizer, not very reliable and difficult to fix. 
> Hammarlund HQ-100/105/110.  Poor performance coupled with awful audio.  Small and cute; decent backup receivers, but don?t buy one for the primary station receiver.
> Hallicrafters S-85, SX-99, SX-110, S-105.  All pretty much the same radio in different cabinets and slightly different features.  Not truly awful but frustrating to chase a signal around due to the drift.
> Hallicrafters S-20R ?Champion of the Sky?.  Sounds better listening on an outside speaker ? like a PA horn.
> Realistic DX-300/DX-302.  Synthesized receivers that seemingly have potential, but lack any sensitivity whatsoever.  Noisy and prone to overload.  Their only saving grace is they?re cheap.
>  
>  
> 
> You can see the whole write-up by clicking onto: http://amfone.net/ECSound/JNRECS.html
> 
> ...And no, the SB-301 goes completely unmentioned therein...!   :o)
> 
> ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if it is wrong. 

Bill - K5MIL