bcdlr wrote:
Guys that was a great discussion...
But I still have a question or two. Well actually a lot more than that
but we can't answer them all.
---
I know I'm not ready to build my own receiver, unless I went the micro
R2 route (I'm going to build one some day).
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.
---
I know that the Drake 2b is good. But how easy (and cheap) is it to get
one? Are most "wore" out?
I've heard that a common ailment is that the mechanical filter will be
screwed up.
What are some receivers to look for (don't say the Collins - I don't
have enough money)?

You already know the names to look for: Kenwood, Icom,
Yaesu. Most names from the past are either junk by
modern standards, or are expensive collectors items.
You're already on the air, so *talk* to people. Hell, maybe
somebody has an old but still useful radio they're not
using. You'll never know if you don't ask.

There are indeed used professional receivers out there.
You will get an astonishing radio if it has a name on it like
Watkins-Johnson or Harris (two names that have shown
up in this thread), but just because they're less than
they were new doesn't mean they're cheap.

My advice: buy something decent, but don't fret too
much over just what it is. Once you have some
experience with whatever you end up buying, you'll
have a standard for comparison, and will know what
to look for.

You asked about software radios? (I abhor the term
SDR) Buzzword city, ultra-trendy, but I'd be surprised
if 1 ham in 100 really knew how they worked. Get it
right, though, and a software radio can do things no
hardware radio could dream of doing.

Laura Halliday VE7LDH "That's a totally illegal,
Grid: CN89mg madcap scheme. I like it!"
ICBM: 49 16.05 N 122 56.92 W - H. Pearce