Realistic DX 160 Reciever - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

signpost · 5th Nov 2025, 8:49 pm

I wondeer if anyome can help,

I recently found my old DX 160 at the back of my garage, Now retired I decided to clean it up and switch it on.
To my surprise it lit up and worked altho no antenna fitted so i purchased an end fed long wire antenna got it up in the air connected and switched on.
Strong signals on all bands so my interest in radio was re-kindled.

I starting to read up on the radio and found out it would require re-aligning.
So if any one knows anyone who could perform this could you please point me in the right direction.
I have also recently noticed it drifts a little on SSB and the signals / audio sounds very clippy, I could usually tune in with the the BFO and it would be near perfect but not now.
Thanks in Advance.

Bazz4CQJ · 6th Nov 2025, 3:48 am

I have a DX160 here, which was given to me a long time ago, by forum member Hybrid Tellies (now sadly passed).

I have a soft spot for the 160, but I'm struggling at the moment to recall how many variants of the model were produced. I think the first version used only bipolar transistors, but the second version used a number of FET's and an IC for the audio output and that's the model which I have.

For the FET variant, there is a really good service manual available which tells you exactly how to do the alignment.

I don't think I can offer you any "hands on" help with your 160, but I'd be happy to help you sort out which version you have etc. I have some of the manuals, but they may be too big to upload on to the forum. I've only made one significant modification to mine, which added a separate voltage stabiliser specifically for the VFO and BFO; not hard to do and worth the effort to reduce drift.

B

5th Nov 2025, 8:49 pm	#1
signpost Diode Join Date: Nov 2025 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1	Realistic DX 160 Reciever I wondeer if anyome can help, I recently found my old DX 160 at the back of my garage, Now retired I decided to clean it up and switch it on. To my surprise it lit up and worked altho no antenna fitted so i purchased an end fed long wire antenna got it up in the air connected and switched on. Strong signals on all bands so my interest in radio was re-kindled. I starting to read up on the radio and found out it would require re-aligning. So if any one knows anyone who could perform this could you please point me in the right direction. I have also recently noticed it drifts a little on SSB and the signals / audio sounds very clippy, I could usually tune in with the the BFO and it would be near perfect but not now. Thanks in Advance.

6th Nov 2025, 3:48 am	#2
Bazz4CQJ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 5,371	Re: Realistic DX 160 Reciever I have a DX160 here, which was given to me a long time ago, by forum member Hybrid Tellies (now sadly passed). I have a soft spot for the 160, but I'm struggling at the moment to recall how many variants of the model were produced. I think the first version used only bipolar transistors, but the second version used a number of FET's and an IC for the audio output and that's the model which I have. For the FET variant, there is a really good service manual available which tells you exactly how to do the alignment. I don't think I can offer you any "hands on" help with your 160, but I'd be happy to help you sort out which version you have etc. I have some of the manuals, but they may be too big to upload on to the forum. I've only made one significant modification to mine, which added a separate voltage stabiliser specifically for the VFO and BFO; not hard to do and worth the effort to reduce drift. B __________________ Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch.