Posted by John Davis on September 14, 2024 at 17:49:12.

In Reply to: Cushman CE-24 posted by Tom on September 05, 2024 at 12:04:32.

Hi Tom. I don't have direct experience with the Cushman myself, but I know others have used it as a receiver with good results in the past. There was a time a few decades back when selective level meters were highly prized for their LF and VLF capabilities...broad tuning range, selectivity, relative freedom from spurious responses, and decent sensitivity provided that one takes the small bother to match the antenna to the unit's input impedance, via an L-C network, broadband transformer, or buffer amplifier. In the days before narrowband digital modes, RYCOM and Sierra analog tuned meters were very popular. The digital tuning of the Cushman CE-24 is very handy in many ways, and its ability to be powered from 12 V not only allows for easier field use, but also independence from AC mains power if powerline-conducted noise is a problem at home. However, there are also potential downsides to the digital tuning, such as generation of digital hash; and without practical experience of my own with the CE-24, I have no idea whether it tends to interfere with itself when using an antenna for off-air reception. Also, the rated frequency accuracy seems to be only around ±10 ppm, which is not tight enough for some of the more serious digital modes. Overall, however, the CE-24 strikes me as being well worth experimenting with. I'd like to have one of my own, even if I used it only as a lab instrument. It'd certainly be a lot easier to tote around than my old faithful Sierra 125 is for field strength measurements with my calibrated loop!

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