National NC-300
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| Frequency | RX: 160–10 m (ham bands), 6/2/1.25 m via converters |
| Bands | 160m-10m (ham bands) |
| Power | Receiver only |
| Modes | AM, CW, SSB |
| Weight | 25.9 kg (57.1 lb) |
| Connector | 50-ohm antenna input |
| Year | 1955 |
| antenna | 50-ohm antenna input |
Estimated (unverified): Weight is ~25.9 kg (57 lb); cabinet ~495 x 286 x 381 mm. The antenna input is 50 ohm; the exact connector (SO-239 vs terminals) is not confirmed on the primary spec sheet.
National's top ham-band receiver of the mid-1950s, nicknamed the 'dream machine.' A roomy slide-rule dial with three scales and CAL-SET calibration, calibrated bandspread, a crystal filter, double conversion (IFs 2215/80 kHz), and SSB capability, covering 160 through 10 meters with plug-in converters for 6, 2 and 1.25 meters.
About 57 lb and physically large - its size worked against it as buyers moved toward smaller receivers. It has no built-in speaker. AM, CW and SSB only. National's amateur-radio business declined in the years that followed, and parts can take effort to find.
The NC-300 was National's flagship amateur receiver of the mid-1950s, the product of a publicized 'Dream Receiver' design contest. It covers 160 through 10 meters with double conversion and SSB capability, and plug-in converters extend it to 6, 2 and 1.25 meters. National refined the design into the NC-303 and NC-400 that followed, and a clean NC-300 remains a handsome, capable station receiver.
The National NC-300 is a premium ham-band communications receiver from the mid-1950s - nicknamed the 'dream machine' after the publicized 'Dream Receiver' design contest that preceded its launch. It covers the amateur allocations from 160 through 10 meters natively and is set up to reach 6, 2 and 1.25 meters with plug-in converters, receiving AM, CW and single sideband with generous bandspread for precise tuning where hams operate. It is a double-conversion design (first IF 2215 kHz, second 80 kHz).
It was a sophisticated, good-looking receiver with a distinctive sloped front panel and a roomy slide-rule dial that many found easier to read than a circular dial, along with the selectivity and stability the serious operator wanted as single sideband took hold. It has no built-in speaker, so an external one is needed. Aimed squarely at the amateur rather than the general-coverage listener, the NC-300 was refined into the NC-303 and NC-400 that followed.
It remains a respected and handsome vintage receiver, often paired with a separate transmitter for a classic 1950s-60s station. It is a discontinued classic. See the flagship HRO-60 and the ham-band Hammarlund HQ-170.