RETRO RECEIVER #5: REALISTIC DX160

RETRO RECEIVER REVIEW #5
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REALISTIC DX 160
(a.k.a. Radio Shack DX160)
by Craig Seager VK2HBT

ROB'S NOTE: 
Many people, especially in the USA are still using the Realistic DX160 receiver on a daily basis for their shortwave listening. Some people hate this receiver....some people love it! This month's Retro Receiver Review could possibly be the most controversial review we've published so far! Read on.....
Question:  How can one of the worst ever pieces of communications receiver engineering sell in the zillions and become forever a part of DXing folklore?

Answer:  It beats me, but Realistic’s DX-160 and other sets of the same marque have achieved just that, underlining the unfortunate maxim of our society that mediocrity coupled with a successful marketing strategy will always triumph.

This entry level set copped a universal hammering from 1970s reviewers, to the point where there was almost a stigma attached to owning one….but as a 13 year old aspiring DXer, accustomed only to the single shortwave band offered by the family’s discarded radiogram, oh how I wanted one!

The key to the successful proliferation of the DX-160 is best summed up in one word: accessibility. Realistic was a trademark of Tandy Corporation, and in just about any large town you could walk in to the local Tandy store (aka “Radio Shack” in the U.S) and see a shiny DX-160 sitting resplendent on the shelf, with a price tag that was not too far out of reach. Other alternatives offered by the same chain store at this time were somewhat less appealing. I recall something called a “Globe Patrol”, a regenerative design which I think had to be made up from a kit. There was also a multiband portable, which had some sort of direction finding device on top – intended for the airband portion of its coverage – and possibly more aesthetic than functional.

The DX-160 was not Tandy/Radio Shack’s first foray into the communications receiver market.  The DX-150 (including the “A” and “B” versions) were available for some years prior, and the company had also inherited the design for the AX190 (amateur band only) and SX190 (general coverage) sets from Allied Corporation, which it had recently swallowed up. The latter were pretty reasonable performers for the era, but suffered from quality control problems and had significant coverage gaps. Used examples are readily found at flea markets and dusty corners of second-hand stores, and may bear either the Allied or Realistic badges.  Fred Osterman’s book (“Shortwave Receivers, Past and Present”) also lists a DX-120 “Star Patrol”, circa 1970/1971, but I have no specific personal recollection of this model. 


The Realistic DX-160 is a general coverage communications receiver, tuning 150-30000 kHz in 5 bands.  There was a gap from 400-535 kHz, presumably associated with the 455 kHz I.F. A single conversion design, the receiver shipped with a reasonable external speaker, matching the DX-160’s aluminium housing.   DC operation was optional via 8 “D” cells.

The front panel is dominated by a conventional (but multi-coloured) slide rule tuning dial, with separate bandspread markings for the main amateur bands displayed in a small window to the left. Underneath, nicely sized knobs control the tuning, BFO pitch, volume, antenna trimmer, band selection, RF and RF gain.  Four slider switches select noise limiter, mode, AVC and stand-by functions. A ¼” headphone jack and S-meter complete the fascia.

The DX-160 was manufactured for Realistic by G.R.E (General Research of Electronics) Inc. of Japan, which also designed the earlier DX-150 and variants, almost identical in appearance and performance. G.R.E. proudly displayed these (and other) sets on its own website, together with specifications (some of which, in this writer’s opinion, seem to err on the generous side). (Editor's note: G.R.E. Inc. is no longer in business.)

In the 21st century we have the luxury of some very nice receiver technology, and it is all too easy to assess the models of yesteryear with 20/20 hindsight. That said, intending buyers of used DX-160s should be aware of its inherent instability, dial backlash, poor selectivity and highly inaccurate frequency readout. You are also likely to find more birdies than reside in the aviary at Taronga Park Zoo, plus sundry double-spotting. If a would-be seller tries to charge you more than (AUD) $100, (US$75.00) then consider him a confidence trickster! $70-$90 (US$55-70) is probably more realistic (excuse the pun).

As we know, Realistic/Radio Shack went onto further dubious pursuits, such as the DX-100, 200, 300 and (digital) 302.  The last two were an unmitigated disaster, with many early versions apparently misaligned at purchase. The DX-300’s “bandwidth” switch has absolutely nothing to do with I.F. filtering; it merely adjusts the audio! The DX-394 is probably the pick of the bunch, though the company eventually found its best niche selling re-badged Sangean portable receivers. As for the DX-160, well it won’t win too many excellence awards, but nobody can deny its longevity.

ROB'S 2ND NOTE!
It is interesting to read the many reviews of the DX160 at eham.net. Look under Receivers: General Coverage for listings as both Radio Shack DX160 and Realistic DX160. Obviously, some owners enjoy the 160 and it picks up a few points for its cool looks. Other users condemn it for its appalling audio quality (can be partly corrected by using better speakers), poor sensitivity, very average selectivity, and bad frequency drift. Many of these receivers left the factory poorly aligned....and have stayed that way all these years!

 If you have the time and patience, you could probably bring this radio somewhat up to speed by replacing leaky capacitors (these deteriorate over the years), do a proper alignment, and resolder any cold-solder joints. There are some modifications available on the Internet for for this receiver, too. But the single conversion design means that images and birdies can never be cured.

 Those DXers still with these receivers but don't have an owners manual can download one from: https://www.manualslib.com/download/947688/Realistic-Dx-160.html





Feel like having a go at "renovating" this receiver?
Here's a link to the DX160 Service Manual. :
https://www.manualslib.com/download/744452/Realistic-Dx-160.html
Once again, thanks to Craig for his review of the DX160 receiver.





Missed the other Retro Reviews? Check them all out by clicking below:

Retro Receiver Review # 1 - The DANSK RX4000

Retro Receiver Review # 2 - The HITACHI KH-3800W
  
Retro Receiver Review # 3 - The SCHAUB LORENZ ITT TOURING T104A RECEIVER

Retro Receiver Review # 4 - The RACAL RA6790/GM

Retro Receiver Review # 5 - The REALISTIC (RADIO SHACK) DX160

Retro Receiver Review # 6 - The KENWOOD QR 666

Retro Receiver Review # 7 - The RODHE & SCHWARZ EK890

Retro Receiver Review # 8 - The YAESU FR101S

Retro Receiver Review # 9 - The SELENA VEGA B206

Retro Receiver Review # 10 - The DRAKE SPR-4


Retro Receiver Review # 11 - The NATIONAL RF-5000

Retro Receiver Review # 12 - The YAESU FRG-100 

Retro Receiver Review # 13 - The MARC NR-82 F1

Retro Receiver Review # 14 - The MURPHY B40

Retro Receiver Review # 15 - The STROMBERG CARLSON AWP-8












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© Rob Wagner, Mount Evelyn DX Report, and contributors 2012-2023

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 11, 2016 at 10:31 PM

    I purchased a DX-160 in 1975. It was within my budget. It looked like the real deal. It had BFO, fine tuning, etc. And yes, it did drift slightly, needed to be calibrated a tad, but it pulled in a good many stations and any antenna worked without overloading. It was especially good at catching many MW stations across the Americas. From Denver, I could hear stations in much of western and central Canada, coast-to-coast stations in the US, powerhouse stations in Mexico and even TWR in Bonaire. On SW, I logged Radio Lebanon, ELWA in Liberia, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, FEBA in Seychelles, Radio Malaysia (Penang), NBC in Port Moresby, Radio Taihiti, Yugoslavia, Finland, Norway and many long forgotten stations around the world. I loved the receiver, and never parted with it. I still own it, although it stayed behind in Denver.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob WagnerMarch 13, 2016 at 7:57 AM

      Thanks for your comments on the DX160. Quality seemed to vary considerably, so sounds like you got a good one!

      Delete
  2. GhoseCoyMarch 12, 2016 at 6:51 PM

    One of my friends in VU Land obtained it from a marines visiting. We, the friends, drooled over it mainly because of its coverage which was not available in the domestic receivers. Another friend then brought components from Dick Smith in Down Under and a digital display was assembled by homebrewing a PCB. Later the bandswitch malfunctioned. Somebody then took it away on the pretext of repairing never to return to the owner. 73 de VU2UT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob WagnerMarch 13, 2016 at 7:58 AM

      Thanks for the entertaining little story there!! :-)

      Delete
  3. dxace1March 13, 2016 at 2:23 AM

    You're right about the overall performance of the DX-160. It definitely was a looker though. However, last year I performed a test -- I took the DX-160 I had obtained, which was brand new in the box and never used, and tuned it to 11,735 khz Zanzibar just to see how well it did. The result can be viewed at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZgCDQffP5k

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob WagnerMarch 13, 2016 at 7:59 AM

      You were very lucky to obtain one of these old sets in new condition! Thanks for the YouTube video link.

      Delete
  4. UnknownMarch 13, 2016 at 9:51 PM

    I should disclose that since writing this piece many months ago, which was largely based on (long repressed) memories of early encounters with the DX160, I went and bought another one. Talk about a sucker for punishment! It has the matching speaker and is in almost pristine condition. These sets were (and are) so ubiqitous that not having one in my collection seemed like ignoring part of radio history. I don't DX with it, but the comments of others about the nice appearance are right on the money. Some things are worth having just to look at!

    Craig, VK2HBT

    ReplyDelete
  5. peppermint loungerMarch 14, 2016 at 11:16 PM

    My father still has his and it was my entry into shortwave listening and dxing when I was about 13 yo. It seemed pretty drifty as I recall but I heard lots of stations and hams at the time. I loved listening to the old hams on 80m. Perhaps it wasn't so good as I gave the hobby up until I was 50. Phil from Darwin.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownFebruary 26, 2018 at 3:57 PM

    Every one of the links about to the manuals do not work...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob WagnerFebruary 26, 2018 at 8:07 PM

      Thanks for the heads-up on the problem links. This blog post was published two years ago, so it seems that in that time the old links have been removed from their original server. Of course, I have no control over external links. However, I have just done a quick search and found both the owners manual and service manual as still available free-of-charge. The links in the article have now been updated. I hope that helps you. Regards, Rob VK3BVW

      Delete
  7. dbhSeptember 6, 2018 at 6:29 AM

    Like many, I too lusted after a DX-160 as a young man. It really looked like a real radio! Here we are decades later and I have bought, sold & traded several of them.

    I don't think that it is such a bad receiver, and in fact most of the ones which I've used worked well after alignment. A nice thing about these is that they feature a Product Detector - yep, look in there - all (4) diodes of it - and so SSB reception is very good compared to just a diode detector with BFO.

    I think that by super modifying these and trying to get modern performance, some owners are missing the point of using one, which for me is to feel and experience the same that my 1975 self would have had he bought and used one when they were new. And despite what some say, truth is that the DX-160 really isn't a horrible performer at all. If I need better performance i.e. filters, noise reduction etc., no worries. I have state-of-the-art SDR receivers for that.

    So if you buy one of these, then align it and simply enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob WagnerSeptember 7, 2018 at 6:32 PM

      Great comments, Darrell! You are correct. A few people have worked on aligning and modifying their DX160s and have found that the mods have been quite successful. Unfortunately, not every shortwave listener is going to have the equipment not expertise to perform these mods. Thanks for you feedback. Rob VK3BVW

      Delete
  8. poikaaMarch 1, 2020 at 5:31 PM

    I found one of these in a dumpster, it was hit hard, hard enough to break one knob off with part of the shaft of the pot with it. It is the RF gain pot but the unit still works fine. I also found the knob and broken shaft, a few other surface scratched but it is a keeper!

    poikaa

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMarch 25, 2021 at 5:05 AM

    I have a bunch of radios including Drake, Belka DX and an RSP1a, but I saw a DX-160 on Goodwill this year for a good price and I have to say how much fun it has been to play with. Messing with the band spread knob is a blast. Hears lots on a ball of wire tossed out the window. Baltimore MD USA

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousJuly 30, 2023 at 9:47 AM

    It's funny how the DX-300 is almost universally condemned for having a tone switch labeled "Wide-Normal-Narrow", but so did the much-loved FRG-7, which was also a Wadley Loop design.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Matthew PaineAugust 11, 2024 at 10:19 PM

    I found my old one stashed in my exs shed. Still worth listening to?

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousApril 3, 2026 at 7:36 PM

    I have this beautiful radio for a very long time. I have a few good quality receivers (Kenwood qr666 and 1000, Weiland BC1, Yaesufrg7700 (2x)) and this DX 160 receive the same strength of signals. lol. I have made an extern digital display on it and he is precice as an atomic clock. No caps refreshed, just a good allignment. Installed a home made audio bandwicht/freq filter and I can filter unwanted morse signals out. Great receiver with very great blingbling looks.

    ReplyDelete

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