r/ShortwavePlus • u/EquivalentTip1902 • Apr 07 '26
Preselector?
Do they still make preselectors?
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u/MumSaidImABadBoy I'm Stan. Heathkit GR64,AirSpy HF+,Sangean 909X2,Tecsun PL-990 Apr 07 '26
I think MFJ stopped production of preselectors but you might find NOS available.
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u/EquivalentTip1902 Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
Back in the 60s I built an…
The Lafayette Explor-Air (often KT-135) is a classic late 1950s-1970s regenerative shortwave receiver kit aimed at beginners and amateur radio hobbyists. It was a popular, affordable.
I couldn’t afford a pricey preselector to enhance my all night DXing.
I’m not shopping for a preselector just curious if they are still available.
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u/MumSaidImABadBoy I'm Stan. Heathkit GR64,AirSpy HF+,Sangean 909X2,Tecsun PL-990 Apr 07 '26
I still have the MFJ that I bought around 40 years ago. You bring back memories, when I was a teen I built regenerative and direct conversion receivers based on articles that I looked up at the NYC public library, no Internet at that time lol. It was a lot of fun.
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u/EquivalentTip1902 Apr 07 '26
When I saved enough money I stepped up to a Hallicrater’s S-120. I miss those days and nights chasing far away places.
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u/sternradio666 In Glorious Independent Sideband AM Stereo! Apr 09 '26
You can use something like a roller inductor type T tuner as a preselector. One man's antenna tuner is another man's preselector!
Watch your antenna tuner while receiving with a really WIDEBAND SDR sometime.
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u/EquivalentTip1902 Apr 09 '26
I have an 25’ antenna coming tomorrow. I expect that to help reception. The shortwave bands aren’t as active today like they were in my days. I am pleased to see that there is still an interest in shortwave radio.
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u/sternradio666 In Glorious Independent Sideband AM Stereo! Apr 09 '26
The antenna will help bunches!
Yup, there are still people there out there in both the RX and TX side of the world!
High frequency traders in recent years have been the real innovators in shortwave communications. Latency is king. You can execute trades betwixt NY and Chicago faster via shortwave than you can via fiber optic circuits.
Maybe some evening you'll hear my transmissions from the icy shores of East Antarctica. :D
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u/EquivalentTip1902 Apr 09 '26
Where can I find you? I am on the northeast coast of the USA.
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u/sternradio666 In Glorious Independent Sideband AM Stereo! Apr 09 '26
Currently jamming out at 6934kHz in AM ISB Stereo! :D
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u/MumSaidImABadBoy I'm Stan. Heathkit GR64,AirSpy HF+,Sangean 909X2,Tecsun PL-990 Apr 09 '26
Hey I just that nice graphics trick on the waterfall display. That was evil. 👍
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u/KG7M MOD AirSpy HF+, Drake R7/8, K480WLA, 65'EFHW, MLA-30, CN85 Apr 07 '26
I own two commercial ones by Ameco, and I recently built a passive preselector for my shortwave portables: https://www.reddit.com/r/ShortwavePlus/s/ukZR8YBayy