Posted on 01/11/2013 3:10:42 PM PST by virgil283
"In 1967, Radio Shack introduced the DX-150 general coverage ...Over the next few years, this line underwent several improvements.. . In 1975 the DX-160 was introduced with the most noticeable change being the addition of a LW band (150-400 kHz). This family of radios was made for Radio Shack by General Research of Electronics, Inc. of Japan....My impressions? This is as solid a radio as I could ask for given its age and simplicity of design. It has reasonably good selectivity and you have to be careful to tune it slowly or you'll miss the station you're looking for. The external speaker gives good quality audio. And--well, what else can I say--it just looks like a radio is supposed to look.
It's big --and add another 3" for the external speaker), solid (weighing in at about 15 pounds), seven knobs, four switches, and a pleasant glowing face. I can't imagine the shack without one of these types of radio in it. Until I got the DX-160 I had my Heathkit SW-717 on the bench. There is no comparison in their performance
(Excerpt) Read more at hamuniverse.com ...
I was just about to tune up WBCQ 7490 on the Grundig Satellit 800.
The first short wave radio that I listened to was a buddy’s Hallicraters S-38 when I was in junior high. That started my interest in ham radio, but it was several years later when I got my ticket in 1963 and I am still active today both mobile and fixed operation on all bands. Have operated many different modes including ATV, packet and satellite.
73 de W5HJ
Can find it in reasonable cosmetic / good working condition at most local Hamfests for under $40.
Now that R7100 is a heck of a receiver!
Absolutely fantastic radio, one I cut my SWL teeth on. In service here since 1971, right next to my beloved Zenith Trans-Oceanic (1950), which had to be restored twice.
“Had my DX-440 now for about 25 years....still works like a charm. “
Did you do the “Anti chuff” mod to it?
I am the guy who originally came up with that and posted it on the old GEnie network back in the bad old days before we were all on the internet. It became a common and well known mod for that radio.
“My favorite-the Panasonic RF-2200”
Mine too. If I could find a carry strap for it mine would be complete.
Best AM band performance of any radio I have ever used. Period.
“Have been hamming/swling since, umm, 1958.”
__________________________________________
That is when I was first licensed as K4ZKZ.
I later became W4EX, obtaining the call of my good friend and
top DXer in the world. He became an SK in the 90s, but his widow requested that the FCC let me have his call. I always hated my original call, haha.
Chasing DX was my passion, making it to the DXCC Top of the Honor Roll group, but I am now inactive since becoming an Expat starting in 2000.
Alex:
I have followed your posts for some time. Touching story that you picked up a silent key. That is really neat.
My understanding is that you are in the Phillipines. I can sympathize with the need to jump clear of an impending tyranny and disintegrating republic on the threshold of Balkanization. Our family is resolved to stay in the CONUS and press the good constitutional fight, but am curious if there is really anywhere else to go?
I am going to re-activate my K4SYA. If you get back on the air, Freepmail me and we can meet on 20 m CW. The time may be shorter than we think.
Shalom
I inherited a DX440 from my dad twenty some odd years ago... I agree! It’s a keeper!
I built my first in 67’. Fond memories. I got my first QSL from Radio Moscow and my Dad thought I was a Communist sympathizer. I have another sitting downstairs in need of a replacement for the tuning string.
“I loved my DX-160....I miss shortwave...sure you can get everything now on the Internet, but it just isn’t the same.”
It’s that sense of the mysterious that you got when you were trying to tune in a station late at night.
My favorite moment was listening to Radio Beijing on June 3, 1989, when the crackdown occurred, and the announcer bravely told what was happening.......only soon to be replaced by another announcer who towed the Party Line.
When I got my QSL from Radio Havana Cuba, I’m sure the CIA put me on a list.
It sits on my nightstand(a big desk) attached to a discone in the attic. I bought it in 1994 before they banned the cellular frequencies. It gets it all...non encrypted that is ;-)
Every once in awhile I'll run across one of those DX-160's at a hamfest. Last one I saw was at a Hamfesters local hamfest in Peotone, IL. Looked to be in mint condition, asked it it worked - was told it did. Seller wanted $75 for it. Almost went for it. I think if I bring another radio home and the XYL catches me, the defacation will hit the high speed rotary oscillator.
I picked up a Satellit 800 at a yard sale last fall for $5.00 as well as a Meade 10” reflector for $25.00. The Grundig works like a champ. Things like that just make my day.
I sent my 440 to a guy in FL who modded it to improve the ssb performance. Work like a charm. What I never liked about those radios is their tendancy to unexpectedly “skip” a few khz when tuning manually. I have a 394 that does the same thing.
“My favorite moment was listening to Radio Beijing on June 3, 1989, when the crackdown occurred, and the announcer bravely told what was happening.......only soon to be replaced by another announcer who towed the Party Line.”
I got a QSL from them right after we ‘normalized’ relations with them. They also included a whole package of cultural stuff and a bunch of advertisements trying to sell me machine tools.
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