Best ham-band-only communications receiver

[N8YX]

Let's hear about your favorite - and why you feel it's the best.

Keep this thread to receivers only - no transceivers - and limited to those models which weren't ostensibly marketed as general coverage rigs.

My two are the Drake R7 and the Kenwood R-820. Not too many examples of the latter receiver were built, but it debuted a number of interference-fighting features which eventually made their way into such classics as the TS-830S.

The R7 is a flexible setup where IF filtering is concerned. At least a dozen different filter bandwidths were offered by both Drake and the aftermarket for the 5 and 7-line rigs, and you could install up to four accessory filters in the R7.

It goes without saying that both of these rigs drift a bit. N4YG offers a DDS unit for the R7 and similar rigs which might also be fitted to the 820 series Kenwoods.

[kb2vxa]

I miss my National Radio NC-303 with modified AGC, matching speaker and converter cabinet with 6M, 2M, and 1.25M converters. It was adequate for my needs, served well, was easy to repair but never needed it and I like boat anchors. I had to sell my shack warmers when I moved and downsized to "pocket sized" rigs but that's life, you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you get what you need (when you're a rolling stone).

[WØTKX]

I had a Hammarlund SuperPro when I was a kid, and with some minor mods it was pretty damn good.
Specifically, the addition of a preamp for the upper frequencies and an outboard Q-Multiplier.

Based on my experience with the Flex 3000, I'd go for an SDR RX these days.

The QS1R looks pretty decent. They have an exciter board add on now as well.

http://www.software-radio-laboratory.com/

[K0RGR]

R4C - just because I own one, and in spite of it's age, it's very competitive with modern radios.

[X-Rated]

The Hammarlund HQ-215 is awesome.

[NY4Q]

Sadly, I don't have enough experience with these babies to even toss in a favorite.

[NQ6U]

Swan 350. Best ever.

[WX7P]

Swan 350. Best ever.

HEY, No transceivers....

[K7SGJ]

HEY, No transceivers....

It wasn't really a transceiver once the transmitter section drifted out of the case.

[NQ6U]

It wasn't really a transceiver once the transmitter section drifted out of the case.

And down the block, to be lost in a storm drain and float out to sea.