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Reviews For: Signal One CX7A

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

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Review Summary For : Signal One CX7A
Reviews: 5MSRP: $2,395 (1972 dollars)
Description:
High Performance Transceiver 160-10 meters. Solid state except 8072 final tube (Conduction Cooled) Dual VFOs, dual receive, built in keyer, digital readout. High State of the Art in 1972
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0054.8
N6YW Rating: 2012-11-15
Excellent and useable vintage rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Ever since my first days of being bitten by amateur radio and seeing my first Collins S-Line at a friends house, I have always had a deep respect for and ambition to own, the very best equipment ever made. I saw my first glimpse of Signal One products on a QSL card by the late W0RN, Harry Snyder who had retired to Carefree AZ. He was a noted engineer and collector of the top shelf equipment and owned several as I recall. Ever since then, I wanted to own at least one. Last year I finally acquired my first CX7-A. It was a "stepping stone" moment for me as I felt I had arrived at a place in my radio collecting that was special. I am the second owner of this radio and it has required an extensive series of updates and repair to get it back to proper operational status. It was worth the effort and every bit the radio it's been touted as being. However, I should caution those who may be interested in owning one of these fine radios. They can be frustrating for those who are not technically sound in electronics, period. These were made in an age where technical understanding and prowess were a mainstay of Amateur Radio and this one in particular is no exception. The technology present in the CX7-A is somewhat obsolete and some parts are a real challenge to source. some of the post 50's equipment where converging technology collided are suffering from this reality. So, it is fair to say that having the understanding and ability to repair and maintain the CX7-A is a mandatory requirement in order to fully enjoy owning one. Operationally, it is a very good transceiver with lots of audio punch. The receiver is also quite sensitive and rivals many other high performance transceivers. When you come on the air and announce what you're using, many will not know what you're talking about but one thing is for certain, they'll never forget your signal! It has it's own unique quality and owning one is also on the same level. If you're serious about collecting fine vintage equipment, this one certainly should be on your short list.
73 de Billy N6YW
Venice Ca.
W8IDL Rating: 2010-07-29
Excellent Blast from the Past! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The CX-7A was the most state-of-the-art transceiver of its day, with many of its new features being are still used on the super-rigs of today. I bought mine new in 1971. It has a very sensitive "up-conversion" receiver, and the punch and audio quality of the transmitter speech processor are still unequaled. The power supply can be troublesome, though, as well as the broadband transmitter output networks. It is a good thing W8ZO will still do service work on these radios as they are *very* complex and difficult to repair. I would give it a 5 on its ambitious features, but given the service problems, a 4 seems more in line with my overall long-term experience.
K5SBU Rating: 2009-11-28
Purchased new in 1970, still on the air Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Briefly stated, if you have an interest in this radio go to www.k5og.com and link to the Signal One Users Group. Fred has created a currently maintained inventory of all Signal Ones by user and serial number. I have owned two which were among the first twenty-five prototypes. I owned the first prototype and then the twenty-fifth [serial number 125] which I purchased new in 1970 from Douglas Electronics in Corpus Christi, Texas. Number 125 has been on the air continuously since. In the data base it is the oldest radio still on the air. The earlier radio I purchased from the same dealer as its original owner but it was damaged and eventually went out as a parts radio and ended up back in Corpus Christi as parts in the hands of K5OG FRED.

I run my CX7B daily and use a Neuman U87 Microphone for exceptional audio reports. The CX7 has shaped transmit audio using crystal lattice filters thus presents the very best SSB audio using studio microphones. Original recommendations were for reasonably priced ElectroVoice broadcast studio mics. The Neuman is a world class mic. Another feature of the CX7 is the RF transmit clipping circuit which if run at about 12 db will bust most CX pileups.

It is remarkable that this system stands well against current equipment, particularly in transmit mode. The receiver has intuitive well controlled receiving features including two same-band simultaneously monitored frequencies created by two independent discrete frequency determining systems. VFO A and VFO B are independently controlled with two tuning knobs and a mixer between the two so as to place one in the background for schedule calls and net starts while rag chewing on another frequency in the same band. The two features also allows split ops for DX but not cross band.

The CX7 is a perfect example of American engineering for American mentality use. We are genetically unique and there has been and is not any Asian radio that comes close to matching this concept, while they have their place. There are good solid reasons to buy American then and now.

American engineering is the best, unique and perfect for Americans. Support it because it is exceptional and because American manufacturing is the basis of the success of our capitalist economy.

As an engineer, an almost thirty year owner of a CX7 and licensed now for over fifty years I can say American engineers make the best radios for all the reasons. This one is a monument to the achievements to applied science of the world.

73,
K5SittingBullsUncle
RIK on CW
KZ9G Rating: 2002-09-28
Really Miss the Old Beast Time Owned: more than 12 months.
While on active duty as a radio tech in the Air Force in the early ninties, I was fortunate enough to find one for $250! It just needed to be cleaned up and realigned. Luckily, I had access to top notch test equipment, and followed the alignment procedures - which happened to be laid in government technical order fashion. The receiver performance of this rig was on par with my TS-830S at the time, while the the transmitter in the CX-7A was the clear winner with it's 16 poles of effective RF speech processing and 8072 conduction cooled tetrode as a final amp. I still wish I hadn't sold it to my brother in-law... Wonderful engineering - a radio classic! I wonder how many are left? If you have a nice one you're willing to part with, e-mail me! 73.
W2AGN Rating: 2002-07-29
Great Rig even in 2002! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was fortunate to obtain a completely restored CX7A, in perfect condition, with CW filter. Even on todays bands, this rig performs with the best. Output (max) varies from 140 watts on 10 to 190 watts on 40. I usually crank back the output control, so save the somewhat expensive 8072 output tube. The receiver is superb, with IF shift, and excellent filters. QSK is almost equal to Ten Tec.

Only negative. Manual tuning requires some care. My "Broadband tuning" was set to SSB segmenst, and I can ahppily bandswitch from one to another with no tuning. For CW, I use manual tuning, and watch the screen grid current.

SUPER Rig!