{"id":31689,"date":"2018-04-20T08:29:50","date_gmt":"2018-04-20T12:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=31689"},"modified":"2018-04-20T09:19:31","modified_gmt":"2018-04-20T13:19:31","slug":"guest-post-the-prof-finds-a-nova-tech-pilot-ii-rdf-receiver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/guest-post-the-prof-finds-a-nova-tech-pilot-ii-rdf-receiver\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Post: The Prof finds a Nova Tech Pilot II RDF receiver"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, The Professor<\/a>, who shares the following guest post:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

A 1960s Signal Sniffer<\/h2>\n

by The Professor<\/strong><\/p>\n

I just recently purchased a radio that on eBay that looks very intriguing<\/a>, especially if you happen to DX AM Radio. It’s a mid-60s portable made in Japan – a Nova Tech Pilot II<\/a> . However, wasn’t just a grab \u00ebn go to the beach kind of transistor set. This radio has a serious side. It’s actually an RDF – a “radio direction finder<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

I have seen these kinds of radios before, somewhere. Only the ones I’ve noticed were older and had more of a military look. Although I’ve never actually attended a hamfest, I’m sure these types of receivers might be found at a gathering like that.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

But this is a smaller and frankly more stylish version of RDF<\/a>. Not to go into too much detail about something<\/a> I know little about, but before GPS became ubiquitous, devices like this would commonly assist in the navigation of ships and aircraft by pinpointing “beacon” transmitters at specific known locations.<\/p>\n

As you might imagine, this type of technology was (and probably still is) a strategic tool for military purposes. In fact, one of more “infamous” incidents of using radio direction finders was when they were utilized by the Japanese in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Their bombers just honed in on the signal of a Honolulu AM station (KGU<\/a> at 760kHz) as their beacon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

So, this radio has three bands which were traditionally used by beacon transmitters. Besides the medium wave band, it also has a section of the longwave spectrum, and the VHF airband. Other models<\/a> included the old marine band (around 3 to 5MHz). A later model also included the CB frequencies, and another included a VHF police band (called the Nova Tech Action!!<\/a>).<\/p>\n

So, no shortwave on this one. No FM either, but I have plenty of radios with those bands (like almost all of them). Of course, there’s not much to find on this side of the world on longwave these days, and listening to aircraft communications has its fans but it’s not something I’ve done much. But this thing has a unique toolset for medium wave DXing. And after doing a little research online I’ve discovered that the big rotating double ferrite on top is only one of the attributes it offers for AM DXing purposes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For one, it has an RF amplifier in the front end to help pull those weak signals up out of the noise floor. For another, it has a pure RF gain function called “DF” (direction finder), which when turned on shuts down the AGC (automatic gain control) and allows you to tweak the RF gain any way you like. And it also has a very accurate tuning meter. That all sounds good to me.<\/p>\n

So, I haven’t actually seen my Nova Tech in the flesh yet, and it will be probably a couple of weeks before I get a chance to give it a test drive. But I’m pretty confident in my purchase at this point. More than a few people<\/a> have spoken glowingly<\/a> of the AM DXing capabilities of this set. But one of the reasons I decided to go ahead and bid on this device was that not only did the dealer have an excellent eBay rating, but he says he also fully serviced the radio electronically and physically restored most of its original beauty. Apparently, it was cleaned up, recapped, and even a transistor was replaced. And he also aligned the AM band IF and re-peaked the antenna trim for AM and the airband.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Although this radio is still a twinkle in my eye at this point, I thought I’d mention it here in hopes some of the fine readers of this blog might have something to say about DXing with direction finding radios. And I was especially hoping that a few people might have personal experience with these 60s era Nova Tech receivers. I also noticed online that there are U.K. versions of these RDFs that were branded as “Bendix” radios.<\/p>\n

All insights offered as comments are appreciated, and once I spend some time with this radio I’ll be sure to offer some of my own.<\/p>\n

I always find it so much fun to await the arrival of an interesting old radio I’ve purchased on eBay, especially one that I’d never heard of before.<\/p>\n

\n

Thanks for sharing your find, Professor! I was not at all familiar with the Nova Tech Pilot II. I love the Transoceanicesque design! No doubt, it’ll be a handsome addition to your collection, and I’m willing to bet a MW DX machine as well!\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, The Professor, who shares the following guest post: A 1960s Signal Sniffer by The Professor I just recently purchased a radio that on eBay that looks very intriguing, especially if you happen to DX AM Radio. It’s a mid-60s portable made in Japan – a Nova Tech Pilot II […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[373,3194,433,3,26,4796],"tags":[4342,6989,6988,6987,1294],"class_list":["post-31689","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-guest-posts","category-mediumwave","category-news","category-radios","category-vintage-radio","tag-guest-posts","tag-nova-tech-pilot-ii","tag-radio-direction-finder","tag-rdf","tag-the-professor"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-8f7","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":38594,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/bills-njarc-swap-meet-deal-and-some-tailgate-photos\/","url_meta":{"origin":31689,"position":0},"title":"Bill’s NJARC swap meet deal and some tailgate photos","author":"Thomas","date":"July 21, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Hemphill (WD9EQD), who writes: This morning (Saturday July 20), I went to the New Jersey Antique Radio Club (NJARC) Summer Swap Meet. They typically hold three Swap Meets each year at various locations This time it was at the InfoAge Science History Learning\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Nova-Tech-Pilot-II.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Nova-Tech-Pilot-II.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Nova-Tech-Pilot-II.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22477,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/radios-with-rotatable-am-antennas\/","url_meta":{"origin":31689,"position":1},"title":"Radios With Rotatable AM Antennas?","author":"Thomas","date":"November 29, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes: With your broad knowledge of radios, wondering if you can add anything to this list of portable radios, past and present, that have 360 degree rotatable directional AM ferrite antennas. Reason is I am looking for an AM portable for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Panasonic RF-2200 sports a rotatable AM\/MW antenna","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Panasonic-RF2200-MtMitchell-3-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Panasonic-RF2200-MtMitchell-3-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Panasonic-RF2200-MtMitchell-3-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8930,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/03\/this-panasonic-rf-2200-will-help-you-weather-a-storm\/","url_meta":{"origin":31689,"position":2},"title":"This Panasonic RF-2200 will help you weather a storm","author":"Thomas","date":"March 22, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"While looking through a number of photos Flickr user vency1 posted, I noticed an interesting story behind his trusty Panasonic RF-2200. He describes his radio thus: \"A very good performing receiver. I've had great listening adventures with this on AM and shortwave. This once served as an RDF (radio direction\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"(Photo: vency1 on flickr)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/PanaSonic.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/PanaSonic.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/PanaSonic.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/PanaSonic.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52474,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/04\/wwii-radio-letters-a-real-life-shortwave-story\/","url_meta":{"origin":31689,"position":3},"title":"WWII Radio Letters: A real-life shortwave story","author":"Thomas","date":"April 17, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor,\u00a0Jock Elliott, who shares the following guest post: A real-life shortwave story By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM On July 25, 1943, a Royal Canadian Air Force Wellington bomber took off from England to fly a mission over Nazi-held territory in Europe. It never returned to base. On board\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Guest Posts"","block_context":{"text":"Guest Posts","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/guest-posts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/TG6-shortwave-story-pix-002-001.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/TG6-shortwave-story-pix-002-001.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/TG6-shortwave-story-pix-002-001.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/TG6-shortwave-story-pix-002-001.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/TG6-shortwave-story-pix-002-001.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25251,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/photos-of-a-b-17g-radio-operator-position\/","url_meta":{"origin":31689,"position":4},"title":"Photos of a B-17G Radio Operator Position","author":"Eric","date":"April 16, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"I had the pleasure of visiting the Champaign Aviation Museum\u00a0recently\u00a0and examining their under-restoration B-17G, \"Champaign Lady\". Actually, the term \"under-restoration\" is incorrect. In actuality, the Champaign Aviation Museum is effectively building their B-17G nearly from scratch\u2014quite an undertaking but one that the volunteers are performing skillfully and enthusiastically. Being an\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Aviation"","block_context":{"text":"Aviation","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/aviation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"\"Champaign Lady\" radio operator position","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/b17g_champaign_lady_radio_psn_01.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/b17g_champaign_lady_radio_psn_01.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/b17g_champaign_lady_radio_psn_01.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/b17g_champaign_lady_radio_psn_01.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15755,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/guest-post-trip-down-shortwave-memory-lane-via-vintage-radioshack-catalogs\/","url_meta":{"origin":31689,"position":5},"title":"Guest post: Trip Down Shortwave Memory Lane via Vintage RadioShack Catalogs","author":"Thomas","date":"November 23, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario\u00a0Filippi (N2HUN), for the\u00a0following guest post: Trip Down Shortwave Memory Lane via Vintage RS Catalogs -Mario Filippi (N2HUN) Attached is a wonderful website containing archived Radio Shack catalogs and sales flyers going back to 1939, surely of interest to SWLs, hams, and other electronics\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RadioShack-Catalog","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/RadioShack-Catalog.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/RadioShack-Catalog.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/RadioShack-Catalog.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31689","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31689"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31689\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}