Topband: Receivers

[John Harden]

Dear Top-Banders,
 
I read AA7JV's article on transceivers. It was most interesting to see
his comments. I am not surprised to see that he thinks that the K3 is
the best of the lot he has tried.
 
I have always said that there is no way that I would spend $10,000 on a
"rice box". The payout on your money is not there for many reasons. The
hottest receiver in my shack is a Collins KWM-2A that was reworked for
me by a former Collins employee who is hands down the best Collins
technician in the USA. He optimized all circuits using a spectrum
analyzer as he test selected components. And this rig uses vacuum tubes.
 
My Orion I is a superior receiver as is substantiated by W8JI's test
data. I use it most of the time. But, it is NOT as sensitive as the
KWM-2A based on what I can hear and not hear. Of course the KWM-2A has
no bells & whistles.
 
If I were to purchase a new transceiver it would be an ORION II or a K-3
hands down. This is based on the ability to hear the weak ones. If you
are talking about support Elecraft and Ten-Tec have no peers.
 
73,
 
John, W4NU