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Author Topic: Best Receiver To Accompany Viking Valiant In A Vintage Station  (Read 1026 times)

WA6III

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Re: Best Receiver To Accompany Viking Valiant In A Vintage Station
« Reply #30 on: January 27, 2022, 10:26:57 AM »

Another excellent receiver, and I think probably my favorite, would be the Hallicrafters SX-101. 
That said, I agree with those who say, pick your favorite and run with it.

Some also mentioned the Drake 2-A/B/C receivers too.

While the SX-101 is a great receiver, and since the Valiant has 160, my choice wouldn't include Drake 2-X at all (no 160)

I do have an SX-101 Mark III (with 160) sitting next to my Valiant. 

It's a great choice and balances the desk quite nicely since it weighs almost as much as the Valiant!!

« Last Edit: January 27, 2022, 10:39:29 AM by W7IMM »
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K3XR

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Re: Best Receiver To Accompany Viking Valiant In A Vintage Station
« Reply #31 on: January 27, 2022, 11:37:57 AM »

Had 3 different versions of the SX-101A at one time and enjoyed using them with the Valiant and the Valiant II on AM. (also CW).  Others have been mentioned from brands like Hammarlund and National which are also good choices. Another favorite of mine was the Swan R-600.
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N8FVJ

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Re: Best Receiver To Accompany Viking Valiant In A Vintage Station
« Reply #32 on: January 29, 2022, 07:03:15 AM »

Another candidate is the selective and sensitive Hallicrafters SX-122. Very little drift on SSB, on AM drift is not an issue at all. IMO it outperforms other Hallicrafters receivers. It is also as good as the NC-303.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2022, 07:07:35 AM by N8FVJ »
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N2EY

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Re: Best Receiver To Accompany Viking Valiant In A Vintage Station
« Reply #33 on: February 08, 2022, 08:03:42 AM »

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.

Let's consider each one:

SP600 - great top-level general coverage receiver.
HQ-180A - Good general-coverage receiver.
HQ-170 - Similar to HQ-180 but amateur-bands-only. I'd prefer it over the '180 due to the better tuning rate and amateur-band focus.
R-274/FRR - Hallicrafters' version of the SP-600. Nice to look at but IMHO not the best for CW.
SX-42 - Good general coverage receiver from the late 1940s, but not my first choice, given the other options.
SX-43 - Lower-cost version of the SX-42 - same vintage.
SX-96 - Predecessor of the SX-100. Best choice of the Hallicrafters listed.
Knight R-100A - Bargain-basement general coverage receiver; nowhere close to the above.
National NC-125 - Mid-line receiver from the early 1950s, just above the R-100A
Heathkit RX-1 - very good, a top choice.

Looking over the options, to me, it would be either the HQ-170 or the RX-1, due to performance, features, and vintage.

73 de Jim, N2EY
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