R1155

[Michaelr]

Just a quickie from me following on from Lawrence's comment about the various types of comms. receivers that are typically available on the S/H market.

IMHO and experience, generally speaking, the USA made kit, especially Collins gear, is a good as it is theoretically possible to produce - and that is reflected in the price. Outside of that bracket, for general coverage, a RA-17 - provided it is in good order - takes a lot of beating. However, if it's the Amateur Bands only that are of interest, I'll go for Eddystone products. The EA12 is the classic choice of course, but the 830/7 is a good choice too. Unfortunately, each of these change hands for very large amounts of money. OTOH, the 888 and its later derivative, the 888A, are very good performers - and usually go for a good deal less cash than the two aforementioned. In my shack, in regular use, is an early RA-17 and an 888A; I've owned both for many years. In particular, the Eddy. has required absolutely minimal maintenance during that time; the Racal . . . just a bit more. And this is in a draughty, unheated shack, too!

P.S. Current project is the overhaul of an AR88D . . . with a sad-looking CR.100 watching this, enviously!

Al.

Interesting thoughts Al for what it is worth in my opinion for Amateur bands only, the RA17 will significantly outperform any Eddystone receiver including the EA12 . The RA17 is broadband coverage so all the latest bands and the upcoming experimental bands such as 5 mhz are available , you have access to anything upto 30 mhz.There is no product detector but the quality of the design is such that good enough reception of SSb is easy to achieve and if you really want you can always use an external product detector anyway. You are restircted to the HAM bands of the 1960's with the Eddy's.

I totally agree with your observations about the build quality of the US stuff, one can only describe it as "work of art" . The mechanical design is first class and well executed ( now there is a term oft used today ! :s ) and maintenance is much easier .When you look at the stability and performance achieved by the HRO with its quite straightforward 75 year old electronic design but quirky mechanical design you can see just what can be achieved by getting rid of in built bandswitching and power supplies.

It would be interesting to see exactly what the Russian or Eastern Block radio stuff is like for build quality and design, I suspect it will be very good and similar to the Yanks. The Russians are excellent Engineers and had very High grade Technicians.I suppose nothing focuses the mind more on achieveing the goals with some excellence than Stalin's gun to your head :omg:

We may not compare very well overall but let us put things in context and remember that We as a Nation were and still are the very small "David" compared to the "Goliaths" of the Yanks and the Russians.


Good Luck with your AR88 restore I am keen to hear your thoughts on its perfomance , I think you already know mine from previous discussions.Still worth the work and effort .....


Mike