[Radio Wrangler]

No. it wasn't GEC's only attempt. They later did the RC410 transistorised, synthesised job which was much more of an epic.

The BRT400 is probably the last hurrah of the simple architecture of a down converter to a 450-odd kHz IF.

GEC threw a good bit more effort into the design of each stage and used expensive parts and expensive labour-costing construction methods. It is probably the best of its class, quite a bit better than the CR100, a bit better than the HRO and AR88.

But the writing was on the wall. Good image rejection needed multi-superhets and the appearance of SSB on the scene needed proper shaped multi-crystal filters. THe BRT400 sounded splendid on AM broadcasts and was useable on CW, but SSB left it behind.

Having and restoring or just keeping up with the maintenance demands of this hot-running beastie is something you'd do for historic reasons. If you need to ask about it, you probably aren't historically connected to it, and I'd say it probably isn't the right radio for you.

It's perhaps the best sounding set for MW/shortwave AM broadcasts, if they only still broadcast broadband AM. Sadly, thet went down the pan with the regularised 9kHz spacing bandplan.

If you want a high performance radio with valves, the Racal RA17/RA117 is far more complex, yet easier to maintain... but it's not good for SSB.

If you want SSB for the amateur bands and oceanic aviation, then the RA1772 is maybe the way to go. You lose the valves, but gain a fabulous receiver.

Given the difficulty and frequency of repair a BRT400 is not the right receiver to have if you want to use it.

It is the right receiver to have if you are attracted to the BRT400 specifically, maybe because of its BBC history?

David