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Reviews For: Collins 51S-1

Category: Receivers: Amateur Radio

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Review Summary For : Collins 51S-1
Reviews: 2MSRP: $1828
Description:
THE COLLINS 51S-1 RECEIVER

51S-1/1A/1F/1AF/1B RECEIVER

The 51S-1/1A/1F/1AF/1B Receiver receives USB, LSB, AM, and CW signals in the range of 0.2 to 30.0 MHz. Coverage is continuous in thirty 1-megahertz bands. The model 51S-1 is mounted in a perforated wrap-around cabinet and equipped with an ac power supply capable of 115- or 230-volt, single-phase, 50-to 400-Hz operation. The 51S-1A is similar, except that it is fitted with a 28-volt dc transistorized power supply. The rack-mounted ac version is model 51S-1F, while the rack-mounted dc version is model 51S-1AF. The 51S-1B is similar to the 51S-1, but it has a rear-mounted junction box that provides military-type connectors for power, control, audio, and antenna lines.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.collinsradio.org/html/51s-1.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0024.5
K2II Rating: 2015-07-09
State of the art but still amazing Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It is not a Z0-6 Vette but it was the L-88 receiving giant of its day. It was in production as late as 1988. Every global U.S. military base and every U.S. foreign embassy had one of these masterpieces for over 30 years! People's very safety and their lives depended on reliable military and state communication and the Collins always came through. This is genuine military grade equipment. When(if) the A bombs go off with the resulting EMP, all the Icoms, Yaesus, TenTecs and Kenwoods will be instantly rendered as useless junk. But the Collins gear will be ready and able to do the job. It receives from .2MHz to 29.99MHz. And it still will take your breath way every time you have the opportunity to enjoy it.
Sensitivity is still comparable to today's latest receivers. The audio is remarkably smooth and pleasant to listen to. It possesses rock solid stability. As factory standard, it has bandwidth filters for AM, LSB, USB and CW. The 51S-1 has effective rejection tuning as well. It processes the classic design and enduring beauty of the Collins S-Line and gives its owner a huge sense of pride of ownership of using the 'best.'
PY2KO Rating: 2008-03-31
nice oldie Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A beautiful receiver, S-line faced and nice mechanics, straight forward controls, very precise and stable. But has a weak front end, practically useless in .2-2MHz bands without pre-selector.
The 28V version shows an annoying 400Hz noise, it´s better to find one with a 110/220 VAC power supply. An expensive radio when fabricated, still high priced now.