Communications receiver

The National HRO, a classic communications receiver circa 1930s.

A communications receiver is a type of radio receiver used as a component of a radio communication link.

Features

Commercial communications receivers are characterised by high stability and reliability of performance, and are generally adapted for remote control and monitoring. For marketing purposes, almost any hobby-type receiver is advertised as a "communications receiver" although none are suited for heavy-duty, reliable 24-hour use as the primary form of communication for an isolated station.

Typically, a communications receiver is of the superheterodyne type in double, triple or, more rarely, quad conversion. It features multiple RF and IF amplification stages and may have at least one IF stage that is crystal controlled. It usually has a BFO and a product detector for SSB and CW reception. The frequency coverage of receivers of this type is typically in the range of 500 kHz to 30 MHz. Communication receivers are suited for operation near powerful transmitting facilities and so must have good internal shielding, filtering, and other design features to provide high selectivity and stability. Rejection of interfering signals will typically be much greater than a consumer-type general coverage or broadcast receiver.

The front panel controls are typically more comprehensive than those on a broadcasting receiver. Usual features include: signal strength meter; RF gain control; AVC/AGC adjustments; antenna tuner; bandwidth filters; BFO tuning; audio limiters or attenuators. Frequency display dials may either be analog (typically marked to fine increments for accuracy) or digital.

The older generation of tube-based communications receivers are affectionately known as boatanchors for their large size and weight. Such receivers include the Collins R-390 and R-390A, the RCA AR-88, the Racal RA-17L and the Marconi Electra. However, even modern solid-state receivers can be very large and heavy, such as the Plessey PR2250, the Redifon R551 or the Rohde & Schwarz EK070/D2-80.^[1]

Photo gallery

• 

  BC-224-D, U.S. military variant of BC-348, circa 1940s

• 

  Eddystone EC10, circa 1950s

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  Icom IC R-71R, circa 1980s

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  AKD Target HF-4E, circa 1980s

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  Drake 2B, circa 1960s

• 

  Drake R4B, circa 1971

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  Collins Radio R-390A, circa 1950s

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  Hallicrafters SX-28 Super Skyrider receiver, circa 1940s

• 

  Hallicrafters SX-115, circa 1960s

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  Hallicrafters SX-117, circa 1960s

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  Icom RC-9500, 2000s

References

1. ^ Shortwave Receivers Past and Present: Communications Receivers, 1942-1997, by Fred Osterman. Published by Universal Radio Research, 1998. ISBN 1882123077, ISBN 9781882123070

See also

• Amateur radio
• Scanner
• Shortwave listening
• Shortwave radio
• Traffic analysis
• Wadley Loop

Further reading

Osterman, Fred (1998). Shortwave Receivers Past & Present: Communications Receivers 1942-1997. Universal Radio Research, Reynoldsburg (USA). 

Ulrich L. Rohde, Jerry Whitaker. Communications Receivers, Third Edition. McGraw Hill, New York, NY, 2001. ISBN 0-07-136121-9. 

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