[R-390] OT: Other Radios You Like

[2002tii]

>I had considered an R8[B] as well.  I've never had a radio with synch
>detection and would like to see how that plays; however, I still have a soft
>spot for the tube gear...

If you listen at all to AM, once you have tried a radio with good 
selectable-sideband synchronous detection, passband shift, and a 
proper notch filter, you will never look back, no matter how much you 
love boatanchors.  The same is true of the passband shift and notch 
filter for SSB and CW reception.  It is also incredibly convenient to 
step through broadcast bands in 5 kHz (SW) or 9/10 kHz (MW) steps, 
and to jump to any frequency you want with the keypad.  It's great to 
have the tube stuff for when I'm feeling nostalgic, but when I just 
want to operate, give me the best tool in the box -- the R8B.

FWIW, I believe I have played with all of the serious radios with SAM 
(including both the old and newer Sherwood boxes used with various 
boatanchors), and the R8B is the best of the bunch.  (The Drake SW8 
is the second-best, IMO, then there is a huge gap to everything else.)

Best regards,

Don