The HQ-170 was the packaging of the HQ-110 and the HC-10. The HQ-110 was a
rather ordinary, but small and compact, amateur band only receiver. The
HC-10 is a nice if adapter that converts the normal 455 kHz if to a much
lower frequency, then adds a product detector. The HC-10 is highly sought
after. Selectivity can be quite narrow, and it has a product detector,
which a number of other old boatanchors do not have.

The main limitations of the HQ-170 would be stability and frequency readout
on 10 and 15 meters. Since the high frequency oscillator is close to the
ham band, drift is more of a problem than with the receivers that have a
crystal controlled front end. But, on 80 or 40 or 160, who cares.
Stability is ok there.

IF bandwidth is wide enough for good am, but some audio engineer came up
with the bizarre idea to vary the fidelity of the audio output depending
upon the avc voltage. It was called "Auto-Response" and assured distortion
when there was qsb. The fact that they promoted it rather than hiding it
never did make sense.

My neighbor had one and worked a hundred countries on sideband with it and
probably 50 countries on 6 meters am, so it was good enough.

Each of these old receivers has their qualities and quirks - which makes
them almost human.

73, Colin K7FM