[Lowfer] Selective level rcvr VS receive converter???

[Dexter McIntyre W4DEX]

Selective level meters work great for beacon monitoring and QRSS
receiving but they don't replace a good receiver for SWL or BC
listening.  Most level meters are designed for testing on broad band
analog communications facilities like coaxial cable and the baseband
freqs for microwave links.  They are not designed to be connected to an
antenna so they are easily overloaded by strong signals.  All level
meters I've seen have no AGC which is a must for listening to a signal
during QSB cycles.  Most do not have wide enough IF filtering for good
audio response and have small speakers with low power audio amps.  Only
the older ones I've seen have an AM mode.  Most have undesirable BFO
freqs.

But with a little selectivity in front of these units they are very
useable.  Most have oven controlled oscillators and are very stable
after warm up.  I use a HP3586B for QRSS receiving and believe it to be
the best of all receivers I own for that purpose.  Presently I use a
tuned balanced loop with K�LR's balanced pre amp design.  I've never had
a LF receiving system work as good as this combination.

If a level meter can be bought for a song I would say get it.  Otherwise
there are a lot of very good receivers and ham transceivers that will
work just as well and do a lot more.

Dexter, W4DEX