[Spooks] equipment

[Milspec390 at aol.com]

Yes,

  Messed with R-71A some years ago, fine receiver.  FRR-60 worth a look, if 
one can locate a specimen and carry it in to the shack,  full rack size 
receiver by TMC.  Earlier Racal 6772, not the -E, very high narrow dynamic range, 
about -134 db or some otherworldly figure.  -E is a set-and-forget beauty, for 
search receiver, try its early-80's vintage cousin, Racal 6778. Yes, enjoyed 
using NRD-525,  et sequelae, all beautiful. And yes, a Sony ICF-2001 ca. 1982 
will give years of pleasure, batteries or ac, even has antenna trimmer. Will 
indeed receive spy stations as well as SSB and RATT. All sets mentioned pull 1 Kw. 
local Cuban AM Broadcast stations three hundred fifty miles distant, within 
ten KHz of local flamethrowers, using simple strung-to-tree wire antenna.

  N.B., spook sigs designed to be received on simple, cheap-o receiver, one 
which wouldn't rate a second look in hostile country. Many nations still have 
idiotic laws banning certain receivers, outlaw listening to portions of HF 
spectrum, reqiure licensing radios. That's for general public, sanctions slightly 
higher for those in espionage racket. Thus, spy transmissions historically 
easily readable by agent in hotel room with simple radio, no outside antenna, 
lowest profile to avoid detection, capture, spending next thirty years eating 
fish-eye soup in Lubyanka Prison, pleasantly interspersed with having one's 
extremities gently massaged, with a ball-peen hammer. Now all different, of course. 
Sharing, caring, sensitive.

                                                                              
            Massagingly,

                                                                              
          Paul V. Zecchino

Englewood, FL