Just realized the ADF receivers from the 80s still outperform some new digital stuff

Found an old technical bulletin from 1985 in the shop archives last week. It had the sensitivity specs for the Collins ADF-462. Thing pulled in signals at 2 microvolts. Makes me wonder, I just checked the data sheet on a new digital receiver we installed in a King Air 6 months ago and its sensitivity is only 5 microvolts. Old analog gear was just built different. Plus the analog filters had a warmth on weak signals that the digital ones just don't capture. The bulletin even mentioned a field mod to reduce noise floor by 1.5 dB with a simple ground strap change. My old lead tech, Gary, used to swear by those old units. He retired in 2018 but I bet he'd get a kick out of this. Anyone else find old service bulletins that made you rethink new gear?

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coleman.christopher7d ago

Guess my old ears are analog too since they still prefer the crackly stuff over the clean digital silence.