HW-9 Receiver Sensitivity?

[Dick Dillman]

On Sat, 5 Apr 1997 18:13:53 -0800,
Jim Lowman   <jmlowman at IX.NETCOM.COM> wrote:

>An OT and good friend, whose opinion I respect, commented that the receiver
>sensitivity of the HW-line was not too good.  This surprised me, when
>considering Heath's reputation in general, and the requirement of a good
>receiver for low-power work.
>
>He seemed to think that I'm better off with my Index Labs QRP+ in the long
>run.  Granted, we're talking about a 30-year difference in technology.

Greetings, Jim.  I've just obtained a HW-9.  While I haven't used it
on the air yet but I hooked a 50ft. wire to it to listen
around.  By entirely subjective measure (S/N ratio measured by ear) my
immediate impression was that the receiver was not very hot.  I could
hear plenty of signals, mind.  It's just that my gut feeling was that
the receiver was no great shakes on the sensitivity scale.

There is a book of HW-7/8/9 mods available for $11.  Don't know if it
addresses the sensitivity "problem" but I thought I might pick it up
anyway.

As to the modern QRP rigs, I've seen these only at swapmeets... and I
was impressed.  The things that prevented me from going this route
were cost, single band capability (for most) and difficulty of
building.  The QRP list is loaded with guys with problems building
various models.

I'd be interested in the opinion of others regarding the HW-9 receiver.

73,

Dick

                             Dick Dillman
                             WPE2VT W6AWO
                        <ddillman at igc.apc.org>
                       Collector of Heavy Metal:
                 Harleys, Willys and Radios Over 100lbs.