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| Reviews Summary for Hammarlund HQ-180(A) |
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Reviews: 11
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Average rating: 4.5/5
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MSRP: $443.00 (1963)
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Description: High Performance Tube Receiver
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the Hammarlund HQ-180(A).
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GW4PJQ
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Rating: 0/5
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Jan 5, 2008 15:57
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5/5 Come on!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I'm sorry! Have I missed something? The HQ 180A along with all except the SP600 Hamarlund radios are badly built, use poor quality components and for a tuning mechanism uses a pair of springy washers that grips (if you are lucky) the side of the plastic tuning scale giving less than TEN turns end to end band coverage. I have to concede looking at the circuit diagram; there is, (deep down) a good radio in there, but the compromises in the receiver’s build quality make finding that deep down good radio very difficult indeed. This is definitely one to avoid.
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AA0CX
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 23, 2006 04:41
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great!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Bought this boatanchor on e-Bay for slightly less than 500 bucks about four years ago. I have it mated with a Hallicrafters HT-32B transmitter -- and it is sooooo cool! CW is my mode --- it is very sensitive, and there's nothing like seeing that HQ-180 "S" meter swinging to the signal. AGC is excellent -- and Telechron 12-hour clock hasn't missed a beat!
If you're looking for a great boatanchor receiver; something that can dig deep for those distant CW signals; and with classic lines and a radio that does indeed "glow in the dark," you won't go wrong here!
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GW4JPC
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 15, 2006 15:34
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A true classic.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I acquired my HQ180 after it had been stored in a very damp shed for several years. I was aware that it is a very highly regarded triple superhet receiver, but this one was in such poor cosmetic condition I thought that I was taking on a long term restoration project. These radios are quite rare on this side of the pond, so I didn't mind this prospect! When I got it home I was in for a pleasant surprise, it worked just fine and was very sensitive. The sound quality through the Hammarlund speaker was quite acceptable. The clock had been disconnected at some time in the past, but everything else was in full working order.
This radio is just so well thought out. There is nothing on it that is surplus to requirements. No unnecesary bells and whistles. For searching around the SW broadcast and amateur bands it is superb. I have a couple of JRC receivers, the NRD525 and 535, but for general listening around the bands I turn on the HQ180. The tuning rate is just right for searching around the shortwave and the medium wave broadcast bands.
Stability after warm up is adequate. Signal to noise ratio is fine, better than the JRC NRD525.SSB operation is good,AM quality is a little restricted by the bandwidths available.Ergonomics are excellent, a few minutes of familiarisation with the control layout and you are away.
The HQ180 is like driving a classic car with a manual gearbox and no power stearing, you have to drive it. As compared to the JRC's which could be compared to a modern Lexus, all very nice but not in the least bit involving.
My problem will be having the heart to strip this radio down to clean it up and repaint it. I just enjoy using it too much, I don't want to have to take it out of service for a few weeks!
I can heartily recommend this receiver if you are feeling jaded and bored with modern radios.
If you grew up in the valve (tube) era the HQ180 will restore that warm glow of satisfaction when you listen to the bands.
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TUBESAREKING
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 11, 2005 08:40
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Simply the best!!!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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After spending big bucks and lots of time on my 1955 Collins R-390A and a handful of dollars and hours on my HQ-180 I have this to say: While a R-390A is potentially superior to an HQ-180, in practice the HQ-180 is a far better rig for most boatanchor enthusiasts most of the time.
The 180 is easy to restore. Built like a tank, although a lighter tank than Hammarlund's HQ-129-X which I also own and love. Easy to bring a Hammrlund in decent shape up to 100% and when you do, they are the best for MW and low frequency SW. Modern premium receivers shine on the higher frequencies and have precise frequency displays and rock solid stability. In all other ways - sensitivity, real world selectivity etc. the Hammarlunds shine.
The next time someone offers to trade their R-390A for an HQ-180 don't laugh. They just are smart and want to unload their underachieving R-390A for a real receiver. Sure, R-390As can really scream but they need a guru. You don't have to be a guru to bring an HQ-180 to good health.
So here I am in PEI, picking up a 1000 watt X-Band MW station at night from southern Texas, while my cute R-390A is happily bringing in 50 KWers from New York, Boston, Montreal and Toronto. My Drake R8 can bring it in the Texan and verify the frequency, 1700 KHz. But I can't read the station ID in the 1994 Drake. I can, clear as a bell on the 1962 HQ-180. Then, I discover I forgot to peak the antenna trim on the HQ-180!!! Even better now.
Yup, for the last few weeks Croatia on 1134 KHz clear as a bell nightly. So is Phil using a beveridge antenna? Naw, a 70 foot wire only 8 feet above ground. No fancy sloper either. Just ratshack 14 guage antenna wire.
Picked up Saudi Arabia on 1521 last evening. Sweet. Sure, WWKB owns 1520 and will come in ona 5 transistor radio, but the HQ-180 can split hairs and shove KB Radio out of the way. Give the Drake R8 credit though, its doing well on this too.
CHU on 3330 KHz like nothing else.
Don't like the Hammarlund variable response? Simple fix - use your 180 with a reasonably efficient speaker.
Crave a 180A but have a 180? Get a Weber Copper cap, the best way to solid state the rectifier. My HQ-180 runs pretty cool now.
Tired of the impressive power on thunk? Put in a CL-90 current inrush limiter. Easier on transformer, power supply filter caps, choke, tube filaments. Replace the 3 amp fuse with something appropriate, like 2 amps.
The best consumer grade premium general coverage tube receiver ever made.
A practical choice. Get one instead of a R-390A unless you can take apart old spring driven clocks and put them back together - all the gears - and they work!
Want a great MODERN general coveridge receiver? Guess you should have grabbed a Ten Tec RX-321 on eBay.
Guess you know why HQ-180s are not cheap! As Tony the Tiger says, their GGGGRRRReat!
Still want a R-390A? $600 for a checked unit from Fair Radio and then send it to Chuck, Rick or one of the other true masters and then you will have the ultimate when it comes back. the potential with the R-390A is there, but chances are you can't make the potential happen. You likely can bring an HQ-180 to its true potential if you have some experience working on tube gear.
Otherwise, get an HQ-180 and set it beside your R8, R-75, or other fine modern consumer grade receiver.
Phil
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SWL377
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 5, 2005 14:14
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Outstanding tube rcvr
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I was lucky enough to find a mint 180 (not A) last year at a local ham swap for $100. Why it was still available near closing at that price still baffles me but I bought it quick without asking any questions about how well it worked. I was lucky, it plugged and played. Even the clock worked. A couple of noisy pots were my only problems and spray cleaner made them noise free. This is one QUIET rcvr, sometimes I think it is dead then a signal pops out loud and clear. Like all analog rcvrs accurate tuning is harder than digital, but there are retrofit freq counters made for the 180 and I'll probably cheat and buy one. I'll hide it somewhere when the BA purist crowd drops by. Drift on the higher bands is tolerable, but noticeable... this is not a synth set and it lets you know with a bit of drift. Once warmed up the drift isnt too bad. It is VERY sensitive, better than my aligned and recapped Halli SX 100 in all respects except looks. SSB performance is really good and audio on AM is good too. It is not a Collins R 390 as far as performance goes, but it is a LOT easier to bandscan without wrist fatigue. I doubt if there is any signal that the R 390 could hear that you couldnt also hear on the 180. I am not crazy about the looks of the 180, I think the Halli SX 100 wins the beauty contest, but performance wise the only better non synth tube radios I have used are the Collins PTO family, R 390, and its rugged cousin, the R 392. My guess is that these sets will increase in value as more users experience their outstanding performance.
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N6KYR
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Rating: 5/5
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May 30, 2005 14:06
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Outstanding BA rx
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had two of these receivers. One (given to me in 1993 for free) and the other I most recently bought. The HQ-180 is probably by and large the "friendliest" BAham/gen coverage rx around. It's classic lines are timeless and performance is something that is excellent. While not on par with todays Yaekencom units, the old '180 can hold it's own with QRM and QRN fighting circuitry, easy to use analog readout, and rugged design. Needless to say, I believe I found my all around "boatanchor" rx. If I had to pick only one...the HQ-180 would be it. Teamed with a Johnson Ranger...that's all she wrote.
So, if you have a chance, get one of these babies right away! You won't regret it.
73
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KC0SHU
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 25, 2005 01:29
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One of the Greats
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Please keep in mind that boatanchors should be judged in context to their time and the technology of the day, not necessarily relative to today's science. The HQ-180 was very highly regarded during its time, with good reason, and has withstood the test of time as well as any equipment ever made. It is essentially a commercial/military grade receiver that was available for the higher end of the consumer market. It rated a "5" when new, and my staight early model 180 easily gets a "5" 45 years into its life. I use it on an almost daily basis for SSB and CW on all HF bands. It is also a superior AM reciever, though I prefer my Hammarlund HQ-140XA for the daily AM net because it has a wider passband (the 180 only opens to 3khz) and thus has better audio quality. Though the HQ-180 does not possess the QRM and noise fighting capability of today's DSP rigs, you can basically work anyone anywhere anytime, within reason. Between the noise limiter, selectivity and notch you can isolate weak signals, particularly CW, very well, and the front end is very hot. My 180's 45 year-old controls work flawlessly, both mechanically and electrically, and the audio quality in any mode is a pure joy to behold. Technology has not leapt forward so far in that regard since 1959. The workmanship and architecture were classic in their time and are even more impressive in today's "throw away" world. If you like vintage ham work or just SW listening, and you get a chance to acquire a Hammarlund 180 in good shape, grab it while you can. You'll never be disappointed, and you'll never let it go. It remains a technological standard for the golden age of amateur radio!
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BOBYOUNG
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 24, 2005 13:14
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excellent receiver
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Remarks: I totally agree with all the positive things said about this fine receiver in the preceding reviews. I have owned mine for about 8-9 months and am 100% satisfied with it. Mine is the HQ-180C, the 18 tube (recifier tube) model with the telechron clock. I bought it on ebay for about $450.00 with a Hammerlund Speaker after researching them. I have logged many hours on it so far, I'm primarily a medium wave DXer but have used it on shortwave a lot as well. All the controls are smooth, the tuning is weighted and very smooth and accurate. The ham bands have bandspread in correct kHz, and the tuning on the medium waves doesn't need it. It has excellent selectivity along with being very sensitive which is what I want in a medium wave DX machine. The crystal filters really work. I use it with a 4' tuned loop and it is plenty sensitive and selective enough to get and copy very weak signals adjacent to strong stations on medium wave and also is very good on the splits. When I tune up and down the bands on it it locks right on to the signals like a magnet.
I can only compare it to two communcations receivers, one was a National HRO-60, which I used extensively some years ago and was made concurrently with the 180, this is a much better radio in all respects. The other is a Radio Shack DX-394, that one was like a toy compared to the Hammerlund.
If you don't mind a big heavy boat anchor (I love them) this is one great radio, it will keep up with most of the best of today and is infinitely cooler and much cheaper. It is also an easy radio to work on, it's like an old Chevy, has plenty of room under the hood and is easy to take apart.
For what I paid for this I would only buy another one, the only other radio I would consider buying at this point would be a R390A and they are way more expensive usually and this would be in addition to the Hammerlund, not a replacement. I should point out that for $450.00 mine is both electrically and cosmetically excellent and although I don't have the S-200 speaker (have the S-100) I got a Hammerlund speaker with it. This radio is a bargain.
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W1BKZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 2, 2004 21:21
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51j-4, look to your laurels!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Other than the difficulty obtaining a 6BV8 triple triode, this receiver has given me no problems. If you come across one, I recommend going over it with a fine-tooth comb before judging its quality.
I have an "A" model and the clock DOES work!!! Some, I have heard, don't.
Technically, you can't ask for a better performer (for the money) for the period in which it was created. There are a lot of receivers out ,with state of the art circuitry (Icom R-75 for onr) that should outperform it and might, if only for some of the bells and whistles, such as passband tuning, etc. However, if you are an appreciator of equipment that glows in the dark, you will be hard pressed to find a better radio.
TNX de W1BKZ
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WB6MYL
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 8, 2002 23:54
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A Hidden Treasure
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Five to seven years ago, you would see a Hammarlund receiver at a swap meet and pass it up; you could pick up an SP-600 (with a truss) for $50 to $100 and an HQ-170 or 180 for $150 to $200 (with little takers). How times have changed; A lot of hams wanted Collins equipment that just priced themselves out of the budget of average hams and many started looking at these hidden treasures. I am restoring one now that needs vey little work. A great receiver! It is big but no bigger than a 75A4; what a nice experience to be able to use big knobs and look at the dial w/o "squinting". This is a general coverage receiver which has a bandspread covering the ham freqs; very sensitive; Fred Osterman describes the differences in the original and "A" model but they appear to be slight (the solid state rectifier in the "A" may explain lesser drift than the original). Probably not quite as sensitive as an R-390 but a pleasure and fun to use; well built and a pride of any shack; prices are around $500 to $1000; should of bought these instead of tech stocks for my 401K. Regards.
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