I'd like to build a 50s-style station around a Viking Valiant that I hope to get restored and running between honeydews. I have several boat anchor receivers sitting in storage waiting to be restored and used, and would like to select one age-appropriate receiver to pair with the Valiant in a retro CW/AM station. Among the candidate receivers are: Hammarlund SP600, HQ-180A, HQ-170, Hallicrafters R-274/FRR, SX-42, SX-43, SX-96, Knight R-100A, National NC-125, Heathkit RX-1, etc. etc. I'm leaning toward the SP-600 or the Halli R-274/FRR - they need work...but the Knight, National and Heathkit are working now and might need just an alignment tweak to peak their performance. I'm curious to hear what the community would suggest as the best receiver from the one's that I've listed above. When active some decades ago on a few CW nets, I used a 40s-vintage surplus Navy RBC receiver and a AN/GRC-9 transmitter...twas a lot of fun, but it's time to move on up and get back on the air with a little more power and a lot more signal quality donchano.
Thanks!