[Lowfer] National RBL Lowfer receiver

[lowfer@mailman.qth.net]

In a message dated 05/19/2002 7:04:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
fmooney@sprintmail.com writes:

> 
>  My question is, does anyone else use a receiver of this type?  I bought it 
> because I was never satisfied with the low-band reception on my ICOM R-70 (
> and because it looks so cool).  Can I expect better performance than my 
R-70?
>  
I used one about ten years ago to log several hundred beacons, monitor WWVL, 
and Omega signals, even some cw below 50KHz.  The broad bandwidth made it 
possible to hear several beacons at a time, but determining frequency was a 
challenge.  The beacon guide was essential, but some beacons with the same 
identifiers were within the bandwidth of the RBL.

After replacing all of the paper capacitors, I found that it was the molded 
"mica" units that were leaky and needed replacement.  I found from an item in 
a contemporary "Electronics" magazine that during W.W.II the micas were 
actually made with paper because of supply problems.

I have three BLS now, but making them operational is likely to be a major 
rebuilding project.  They are fun to use though, after you get used to 
regenerative receiver operation.

Mike Csontos.