Lowe Electronics - The HF225

The Lowe HF-225 is a double conversion superhetrodyne receiver that provides AM, SSB and CW reception from 30 kHz to 29.999 MHz in 7.8 hertz steps.

Selectivity is supplied by ceramic filters in bandwidths if 10, 8.8 and 2.2 kHz. There's a 200 Hz audio filter, centred to 800 Hz, for CW reception. Frequency readout is to the nearest kilohertz. There are two VFOs and 30 memories in the receiver to store favourite frequencies. Modes are not stored. A noise blanker is included, always on and it's not adjustable.

Lowe offers two options for the HF-225: external keypad for easy tuning and a PLL synchronous detector for AM. The AMS detector has drawbacks, but its benefits far outweigh its shortcomings. The same board is used for narrow band FM reception. When the AMS mode is in use the 10 kHz bandwidth becomes 12 kHz suitable only for local broadcasts or the clearest shortwave signals.

The HF-225 is housed in an aluminium box measuring 10 x 7 x 4.25 inches and it's built like a tank. The radio is tough, especially when fitted with the optional leather carrying case. It can be fitted with an optional NiCd battery pack and a whip antenna and impedance-matching amplifier for portable operations. The radio is powered from an external 12 volt power pack.

The HF-225 has a bank of 30 memories. The contents of any memory can be reviewed at any time without changing frequency. To transfer the memory contents to the main display, a single press of the Recall button will do just that.

In Channel mode the memories can be scanned using the main tuning knob, with the receiver tuning to each memorised frequency as it appears on the display. Extremely versatile in use, and an example of the thought which has gone into the HF-225.

All frequency information, together with the filter status, attenuator status, memory channel contents, and in-lock indication for the synchronous AM detector is shown on the main display. This is a high contrast back illuminated liquid crystal type, which gives totally unambiguous readout.

Tuning the receiver is by the well-placed tuning knob, together with the Up/Down buttons which step the HF-225 up or down in 1MHz increments. An optional keypad (KPAD-1) simply plugs into a jack on the rear of the panel and allows direct entry of any frequency from a telephone keypad layout. This is a listeners dream.

The HF-225 operates from 12VDC, and a mains power unit is included in the basic price. You can equally well run it from a vehicle battery or using the optional internally fitted B-225 battery pack you can carry the receiver around. Charging of the batteries is carried out automatically when the receiver is connected to its power supply.

If portable operation appeals, a further option available is an active whip aerial, the W-225; the pre-amplifier fitting inside the receiver, and the telescopic whip connecting to the coaxial aerial socket on the rear panel. The whip amplifier can also be used as a pre-amplifier for short wire aerials in difficult locations.

The HF-225's front panel is simple, with four knobs (volume, tone, mode and tuning) and five pushbuttons which serve multiple purposes. The frequency display is in the centre and there's a small S-meter illuminated by three green LEDs which are on whenever the radio's on. There's also a 1/4 inch jack for monaural or stereo headphones.

The set's rear panel contains an SO239 coax connector for a 50 ohm antenna, compression type connectors for a high impedance antenna, a three position antenna selection switch (Lo-Z, Hi-Z/Whip) a squelch control for NBFM, a centre positive concentric socket for the power supply and RECORD jack. Simply the best...