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Reviews For: Swan HF-700S SSB Special

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Swan HF-700S SSB Special
	Reviews: 1	MSRP: Unk
	Description: 10-80 Meter HF SSB transceiver. Unlike previous SWAN dual PA tube models, this one uses Integrated Circuits in the Balanced Modulator, 25/100KHz Calibrator, and the CW Filter. Approximately 550 Watts input on SSB. Uses 6LQ6 tubes for outputs.
	Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days	Avg. Rating last 180 days	Total reviews	Avg. overall rating
0	0	1	4

W3AFC	Rating:	2013-05-15
Solid classic rig!			Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
According to the Swan Radio Compendium, this was the last of the dual-PA tube Swan radios, and only about 950 were made before the line was discontinued. Unlike the 700CX ("Champion") models, this one uses a 9-pin 6BQ6/6MJ6 sweep tube design, as opposed to the 12-pin Compactron setup used in the 700CX's. However, a web search indicates that there are some 8950 tube versions of this radio out there, so there must have been a mod for that. Mine is the 9-pin "SSB Special" version with 6LQ6 tubes in the PA. I gave this a 4 instead of a 5 because it's not quite as well made physically as the 700CX SSB Special. In particular, the knobs are cheap by comparison. That having been said, this rig has a lot going for it. Despite criticism by some of the use of an integrated-circuit in the Balanced Modulator, I get great audio reports, and some rag chewers prefer it to the sound of my TS-830S. I get a shade over 300W PEP on 20-80 meters, 175W on 15M, and 150 on 10. Tune-up is identical to the 700CX SSB Special, and this rig works great with the 117XC power supply that is normally used with the CX series. Interestingly, both the 700S, and the 700CX series can run from home made power supplies with PA bias levels as high as 1200 volts! Overall, this is one of my favorite rigs. The built-in, integrated-circuit CW filter works well, and it's very helpful with SSB voice when the bands are noisy. Using a simple 87-ft end-fed wire & Balun antenna, I get right through pileups from Ireland to Australia, and everyone comments on how clean the audio sounds. I haven't had any issues with drift, either. Add to that the fact that this is an easy rig to align and repair yourself, and you have the ideal basic HF rig. The only downside is that, like the other Swans, turning the bandswitch on a daily basis will give you forearms like a sailor. If you check my QRZ page, you will see what my 700S looks like with a 700CX VFO knob assembly on it. Not only does it look better, it makes the rig easier to use.

Category:

Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

Product:

Swan HF-700S SSB Special

Summary:

Rating:	Time Owned:
Great! Good OK Needs Help Poor Awful!	0 - 3 Months 3 - 6 Months 6 - 12 Months More than 12 Months

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