Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Collins 51S1 Receiver

Category: Receivers: General Coverage

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Collins 51S1 Receiver
Reviews: 6MSRP: 1828
Description:
.1 to 30mhz general coverage receiver matching style and vintage of Collins S/line
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0064.7
K5WG Rating: 2018-12-27
A great shortwave receiver! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned several of these, and, although they were not designed for amateur service, they are an outstanding short wave receiver. It was the receiver of choice for embassies, the intelligence community, and U.S. and foreign government agencies, including the U.S. military. I first used one when I was in the Air Force in the in the 1960s, and fell in love with it. They were state of the art and expensive when first produced in the early 1960s, and are still very desirable collectors items today. Its performance is still good, it has a beautiful classic look, and outstanding, classic audio. Get one if you can. It makes an outstanding addition to any ham shack!
W7MBR Rating: 2014-11-14
It's a 5 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This classic Collins receiver is a 5 even though it may have some front end issues. Put on even a passive preselector and it will shine with the best of them!
K6LQ Rating: 2011-08-22
Looks GREAT, but does not really deliver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am a long time Collins user, and a S-Line owner for over 30 years now. There are few vintage stations that are more rewarding to use, or as pleasant to look at than a complete S-Line all spread out on a 1960's battleship gray metal office desk. For some time I have coveted the 51S-1 general coverage receiver to help complete my station. Although I have had the chance to casually use the receiver in the past, recently I had the opportunity to really wring one out for an extended period of hours at a ship-to-shore CW special event station here on the West Coast. I must say that it was an honor and a priviledge to sit and key a complete vintage commercial station. However, the 51S-1 with its clean audio, smooth operation and smart looks, without modifications, really has very few tools to fight QRM/N with. I much prefer my Collins 75S-3C (xtaled up), R-390A or even 51J-4 to do day-to-day battle. To me, the high asking prices that continue today for this rig reflect handsome looks and collectability rather than usable performance. And, there is nothing wrong with that - just do not expect performance commensurate with price......
F6CER Rating: 2010-11-13
splendid Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have a very old one since years (S/N 370 and 6U8 mixers )I am always amazed by the stability and very sophisticated mechanical design in pure Collins tradition
mine has a 300 Hz CW filter and I made the AM machanical filter modification (filter borrowed from a defunct 618-T transceiver)
The thing is not really in par with actual equipment if you consider dynamic range , but what a pleasure for an almost 50 years old radio !
Below 2 MHz , I use a preselector from a defunct Drake MSR2 with good results .
HB9RUZ Rating: 2010-06-20
shines above 2 MHz, sucks below Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
IM products below 2 MHz can suppressed by using a set of properly designed front end filters.
Even reception of SAQ on 17,2 kHz is then possible. Collins knew about that flaw, but their optional preselector does not cover 0-200 kHz and is an expensive collectors item.
Outstanding stability and frequency repeatability as
measured by its age. I hold the Collins engineers in high regard.
CHRISGM Rating: 2008-03-18
A Treasure! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Spent $1200 plus shipping for a very nice early 51S-1 with white meter face. Early S/N with white meter face. Arrived very deaf, and was sent off for repairs at a cost of $1100. Now a true treasure, excellent coverage and performance, for a tube set. I just love these old S-lines when peaked to their max. A true investment, but expect to pay for service when buying one as they are getting long in the tooth, unless recently serviced.