Hi Mike and all,
These guys pretty much have all the bases covered, so just to tie the ribbon on our little part of it;
"It's a matter of skill and knowledge..."
Mostly, but that can't be aquired using some POS radio, all that gives is a load of frustration and wondering WHY the results are less than pleasing. Such dissatisfaction quickly leads to lack of interest in persuing it any further and learning nothing about RF communications and such a wonderful hobby that often leads to promising professional careers.
"...having a 'professional' receiver might help some..."
Actually it helps a LOT simply because of it's capabilities and ease of operation as opposed to a "noise box" that's hard to tune in and the slightest sideways glance knocks it off frequency. I belive that has something to do with the tuning ratio but I could be wrong. (;->)
"...but if you don't understand it or know about what makes HF work, it won't do you - or anyone else - any good."
Well, reading the manual sure helps one understand how the radio works. (;->) Of course studying a bit of electrical theory helps one understand WHY it works the way it does. As for what makes >HF< work studying propagation theory will clear up the mystery as to why communications are carried on at a particular time of day and season on which bands. It sure helps to know how they get signals from A to B so one can be in the right place at the right time on the right frequency.
As for the finer points like antennas and transmission lines, all things come in time. I started out with a radio chassis removed from a defunct console TV, radio and record player combo and a 50' wire strung through trees in the back yard, burnt my fingers when pulling a hot tube out of it's socket while I was at it too. It took years of aquisition (radios and knowledge) to get where I am now and like everybody else am still learning and upgrading equipment as I can.
I figure that we can save the noobs all that trouble by explaining that starting out with better equipment better suited to the purpose saves a lot of head scratching over that chicken squawk that can be tuned in by the flip of a switch and the turn of a dial. I hope they never find out what a pain it is to listen to SSB on my old National NC-173 that had a BFO only as an afterthought when the Icom 706 has selectable sideband, 10Hz incremental tuning, DAGC and a product detector. (;->)
"Although if you go to Iraq with a conventional scanner
go and scan the FRS/GMRS freqs you would be surprised at the stuff you pick up in the clear."
Fine if you understand Arabic and it's several dielects. How long you'd be listening before something war related catches up with you is another matter. Hmmm, I can see you now on Al Quida Television down on your knees with a swarthy looking gentleman standing over you with your scanner in one hand and an AK in the other. (;->)