David Knepper wrote:
>The best receiver, in my opinion, continues to be the 75A-4. OK, now let'er
>rip!
>
David,
I would tend to agree with you although I have not tried a Yaesu FT-1000
series nor done any A/B comparisons. The 75A4 in the 60's was certainly
the best there was on top band. By using single conversion it avoided
some problems that were inherent in more modern radios to follow. The
idea of PBT by shifting the signal around the pass band with a strap
rocking the PTO was unique. Of course the 500 Hz or 250 hz Collins
filters were works of art. (No pun intended.) With the filters one
could literally create a deep tunnel effect dropping unwanted signals
disappearing into the crevasse while retaining the weak signal
resolution on a ledge. This worked especially well with a 250 to 350
cps CW note. The only drawback on top band that I recall was that the
dial tune backward on 160 and that you tuned to PTO to the left to go
lower in frequency.
I have been looking for an 75A-4 primarily for nostalgia purposes. (
Most of my youth I lived 25 miles from the plant and later went to work
Collins, although as a sales rep in the broadcast division.)
I just checked e-Bay and found the following: There is a 75A-4
available but the bids are presently at $1076! Recently a 75A1 went for
$550, a 75A2 for $659, and a 51J4 for $600. A 75A-4 noise blanker alone
is over $300. The only bargain was a 75A3 that sold for $332.
I think since they are becoming collector's items and over 50 years
old, if you can find one at a hamfest, buy it. If you decide you don't
want it some day I will gladly cover the cost and provide a 2 week
vacation at a B&B in the VI with a 160 meter station.
I have wished that some solid state copy of this receiver would be
manufactured today as the schematic, apart from the PTO, is simple and
straight forward. Good filters are available although the plug in
mechanical are very expensive. Maybe the closest thing available today
is the Elcraft K-2 but I am waiting for Earl's (K6SE) comparative report
if he can find a 75A-4 to try on the west coast.
73
Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
Just a thought.
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