[Milsurplus] Boulevard Receiver

[wf2u at ws19ops.com]

I also agree with Richard.

I use my AR-8506B (made for the Maritime Commission in 1944) quite  
often, as it is the system receiver in the Federal FT-102 Victory Ship  
radio console, (system transmitter in the console is the Mackay 167-BY).
The receiver is surprisingly quiet, sensitive and stable, the only  
thing that the receiver requires is a bit of help in selectivity on  
the crowded 80 and 40 M ham bands. I use an outboard audio filter in  
line with my headset and it makes CW operation much easier.
I have no complaints regarding receiving QRP signals.
I use the FT-102 console many times on the Wireless Set 19 Net where  
the QRP 19 sets (around 15 W) are quite  auidible here on 80 M, from  
Canada, New England, Arizona and Ohio. I also use it sometimes to work  
Europe, and heard a 19 Set from the UK in one of our Trans-Atlantic 19  
Set trials in February. Unfortunately due to local QRM there, he  
didn't copy my 350W out of the Mackay...

Then there is my later model triple-conversion RMCA AR-8516 marine  
receiver with Collins mechanical filters (1950's) which is an AC/DC  
receiver. It's one of the best receivers in my collection.
The British Marconi Atalanta marine receiver (double conversion,  
1960's) is an AC/DC receiver as well. There is an optional factory  
power supply installed in mine, but it just provides isolation from  
the line and rectifies the AC.
It is also an excellent professional receiver.

73, Meir WF2U,
Landrum, SC


Quoting Robert Nickels <w9ran at oneradio.net>:

> Richard Brunner wrote:
>>
>> Don't be too quick to condemn ac/dc receivers.  I have an RMCA   
>> AR-8506-B which works very well.  It was RCA's main maritime   
>> receiver from about 1940 through the 1960's.
> Agree, Richard.  I was just listening to my AR-8506-B tonight and was
> thinking it was quite similar to the Boulevard in frequency coverage
> and overall design.  Actually the Boulevard has a little more
> bandspread in the tuning mechanism ratio, but the RCA tunes very nicely
> on AM, and as you say is a quiet receiver.  I'll give the RCA the edge
> in construction quality, but then it wasn't a $60 kit, either.
>
> 73, Bob W9RAN
> ______________________________________________________________
>