The HQ-180 is a very nice radio and they work quite well if you keep the circuits
aligned properly. Depending upon the production number some will have vernier
tuning (mine doesn't) and there was an IF noise immunizer acessory (I don't have
it). My 4 main receivers are the Drake R-8B, HQ-180C, SP-600 and R-390A and they
all see a fair bit of use. The biggest problem with "boatanchors" is that they
often need to be recapped due to some of the capacitors getting leaky and sometimes
it is just a good preventative measure (especially with the R-390A). If you get a
chance to play around with one sit back and enjoy!

73

John Barnard

Kachina 78 wrote:

Leonard, It has many more good points vs. bad points. My favorite feature, is
the Slot Frequency control, which really comes in handy when you encounter the
need to eliminate adjacent or co-channel interference. The receiver has a low
noise floor, and a great noise limiter circuit, to knock out man-made hash. The
smooth bandspread tuning capacitor, is a pleasure to use, and it also helps
when you're trying to pull a weak signal out of the muck. Some may consider
it's size and weight a bad point, but if you have the room and a sturdy bench
in the shack, it's not a problem. Main tuning dial calibration can be a
problem, but the crystal oscillator helps to establish reference points on each
band, so you know what frequency you're tuned into. Some may grow weary of the
need to peak the antenna trimmer for each band, but I've allways liked this
feature in a receiver. My HQ-180 often outperforms my JRC NRD-535D, which sits
next to it, and that says a lot in itself. If you have any questions about the
HQ-180, send me an e-mail, and I'll try to answer them. Good DXing to you, Gary