Realistic DX-150 Shortwave Receiver

In 1967, Radio Shack introduced the DX-150 general coverage (535 kHz to 30 MHz) receiver. Over the next few years, this product underwent several improvements (the DX-150A and DX-150B). In 1975 the DX-160 was introduced with the most noticeable change being the addition of a LW band (150-400 kHZ). This family of radios was made for Radio Shack by General Research of Electronics, Inc. (GRE) out of Japan. Shortwave receivers continued to evolve and the DX-160 was discontinued in 1980.

It's big (14.5 inches wide, 6 inches tall, and 9 inches deep - and add another 3 inches for the external speaker), solid (weighing in at about 15 pounds), seven knobs, four switches, and a pleasant glowing face.

It was my first shortwave receiver back in the early 1970's. I didn't have the optional speaker.

GRE has a page here that describes the DX-150 and DX-160 models.

PUBLICATIONS

DX-150

You can download a PDF of the DX-150 Owners' Manual by clicking here.
You can download a PDF of a schematic for the DX-150 by clicking here.

DX-150A

You can view scans of a DX-150A Owners' Manual by clicking here.

DX-150B

You can download a copy of the Service Manual for the DX-150B in PDF by clicking here.

DX-160

You can download a copy of the Owners Manual for the DX-160 in PDF by clicking here.
You can download a copy of the Service Manual for the DX-160 in PDF by clicking here.

COMPARISON

Receiver Manufacture
Dates Comments

DX-150 1967 - 1969 30 semiconductors; internal speaker
DX-150A 1969 - 1971 FET front-end; internal speaker

DX-150B 1972 - 1974 Five FETs, mechanical filter

DX-160 1975 - 1980 One integrated circuit

RECEIVERS FOUND

At the 2000 Dayton hamfest I met a very nice man from Wisconsin who was selling a DX-150 and a DX-160. After the obligatory negotiation over price, I bought the DX-150. Thanks, Mike!

At the 2001 Dayton hamfest I bought another DX-150, this time with an external speaker. More importantly, it came with an Owner's Manual and a Service Manual. The service manual is for a DX-150B -- if anyone has a service manual for the DX-150 (the original model), I'd love to get a copy!

In 2004 I won a DX-150 in somewhat rough shape at a hamfest in Maryland.

In 2004 I bought a DX-160 at a hamfest in Illinois.

In 2005 I bought a DX-160 at a hamfest in Pennsylvania.

In 2005 I bought a DX-150 at the Dayton Hamvention from a friendly older gentleman who had emigrated from Poland.
In 2016 I bought a DX-150 at a hamfest from a club table.
In 2024 I bought two Realistic speakers, new in boxes, that match this product line.

OTHER RESOURCES

Improving the audio response of the DX-160:

C54 - 22 mfd 50V (If any instability is observed such as excessive time before hearing any sound when powering up, change this capacitor to 10mfd 50V)
C56 - 220mfd 16V
C58 - 10 mfd 35V or greater
C63 - 1000 mfd 16V or greater
C64 - Remove this capacitor as this will limit top end response

Comments to Dan Veeneman

Updated May 24, 2024