National NC-173
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| Frequency | RX: 0.54–31 MHz + 48–56 MHz (6 m) |
| Power | Receiver only |
| Modes | AM, CW |
| Weight | 20.7 kg (45.6 lb) |
| Connector | binding-posts |
| Year | 1947 |
| antenna | binding-posts |
Estimated (unverified): Weight ~20.7 kg (45 lb 9.5 oz) is the net weight of the rack version per the National catalog; the table-cabinet model is similar. Antenna connection is via terminal/binding posts (era-typical).
National's post-war mid-range communications receiver, introduced in May 1947 at $179. The NC-173 shares mechanical and circuit elements with the costlier NC-183, in a simpler form with a single RF stage. It covers the broadcast band through 31 MHz plus the 48-56 MHz VHF range (6 meters), receives AM and CW, and includes National's Select-o-ject tunable audio filter.
It receives AM and CW only (BFO for CW), with no product detector for single sideband. National receivers turn up less often than some contemporaries, so parts and documentation can take more effort to find. It is a heavy boatanchor at about 45 lb (rack version).
A solid post-war receiver from the company that made the HRO. The NC-173 brought general coverage, a slice of the new 6-meter band, and the Select-o-ject audio filter to a mid-range price, sharing much of its design with the premium NC-183. It remains a popular, approachable classic for collectors of classic American gear.
The National NC-173 is a post-war general-coverage communications receiver, introduced in May 1947, that gave the amateur and shortwave listener broad coverage plus a slice of the new 6-meter band. It covers 540 kHz to 31 MHz and the 48 to 56 MHz VHF range, receiving AM and CW (with its beat-frequency oscillator), and includes National's Select-o-ject - a tunable audio filter that can notch out an interfering tone or peak a desired signal.
It shares much of its design with the premium NC-183 but in a simpler, more affordable form, with a single RF stage and single-ended audio. At $179 (or $189.50 with the matching speaker) it was a capable, good-value receiver for the post-war boom in amateur radio, with the smooth tuning and solid construction National was known for.
The NC-173 has a small place in exploration history: one sailed with Thor Heyerdahl's 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition, and in his book Heyerdahl described the crew nursing the water-soaked receiver back to life, listening as it gradually recovered the higher frequencies until they could finally make contact. It is a discontinued classic - see the premium NC-183 and the flagship HRO-60.