bcdlr wrote:

But that still doesn't solve my need for a ham band(s) receiver - to
use as a receiver and as a necessary piece of test equipment.
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And a related question: Folks made a lot of useful comments about
hardware-defined receivers last round, but no one has mentioned
software-defined ones. Are there any SDR's in existence that rival the
best HDRs?

I know that the Drake 2b is good.
Well, I used to have one and didn't think it was wonderful. The 4C is
good, but now you're talking s-line money. Besides, as a lab instrument
I'd have thought you'd want a receiver with accurate frequency
read-out.

Cheers!
Jim, N5JRS (was K5YUT)