This sale is for a nice Europa version of the Lowe HF-225 shortwave communications receiver (HF-225E) that was manufactured in England from 1991 - 1997. The Europa enhanced version of the HF-225 is actually very uncommon. We have sold about 3 dozen of the HF-225\'s here on , but this is only the second of the enhanced Europa. Most serious users and collectors do not sell the receiver, opting to hold onto it, making it\'s availability even more scarce.

Designed by the legendary shortwave design guru, John Thorpe, this Lowe represents a wonderful value in the category of DX receivers. Thorpe has gained quite a following over the years with his influence on a few well designed receivers that have enthralled shortwave enthusiasts.

This receiver should really appeal to both shortwave enthusiasts and preppers and the Lowe name carries a lot of respect among shortwave enthusiasts. The receiver operates off of 12 VDC and so can be used for connection to any 12 VDC power supply such as an auto battery. In addition, it\'s small size and footprint enable it to be transported to remote locations....or to be used within an auto, RV, or on a boat for marine applications.

Cosmetically, the receiver isin good condition overall, but the receiver does show some minor marks on the covers. Please look at the pictures to get specific detail on cosmetics.

Electronically, the Lowe has been fully tested and performs just beautifully. I was able to tune through the various shortwave and amateur bands and get excellent signals as the unit displayed wonderful sensitivity. There are no operational defects or shortcomings noted during testing and operation. It is my opinion that the HF-225E will provide the new owner many years of trouble-free listening.

This particular HF-225E comes with:

• an AC adapter

• original user manual (has some wear and a tear at the spine)

• copy of the less common technical manual (service manual)

• copy of the scarce Lowe Listener Guide (that gives tons of shortwave listening pointers and tips)

• Lowe Europa HF-225 review by Proceedings

• Europa HF-225 spec sheet

• Medium Wave Circle review

• Radio Netherlands review

• Passport review 1991 (Passport to World Band Radio)

• Passport review 1995

• WRTH review 1990 (World Radio & Television Handbook)

• Proceedings review (serious hobbyist newsletter)

• Advertisement #1 (color)

• Advertisement #2 (color)

• EEB catalog advertisement 1994 (Electronic Equipment Bank)

• EEB catalog page 1993

• Advertisement Passport 1991

• HF-225 Brochure (4 page color)

• Lowe info flyer

• Lowe product flyer

• Lowe receivers - Universal Radio catalog page

• CD containing nice files including the manual, technical manual, mods, schematics, and Lowe Listener Guide. This CD is not sold as it\'s contents were provided to hobbyists and collectors for their enjoyment and needs.

Background on the Europa receiver:

The success of the HF-225 provoked many European DXers to request custom modifications for this dependable receiver. The DX Club of Finland petitioned Lowe with a number of mods to fit their specific needs. Lowe agreed to modify the club\'s receivers and dubbed the project \"Finlandia\" in honor of their northern DX customers. Although the circuit changes were costly, the transformed receiver satisfied the members. Lowe was recognized for their enhanced 225 when the \"Finlandia\" was proclaimed as the \"Best DX Receiver of The Year\" by the European DX Council in 1992. Other receivers tested included the JRC NRD*535 and the Icom R*72E. News of this special edition circulated around Europe, and because of this extensive interest, Lowe decided to produce a special edition of the HF-225 called the \"Europa\".

So what were the differences? Well, the wide 10 KHz filter was replaced with a more versatile 3.3 KHz filter giving the 225 and additional choice to control side channel interference and to enable the receiver to operate in ECSS in wide sideband, as required. In addition, all filter chokes were replaced by high quality magnetic chokes in order to prevent unwanted leakage across the filters. Filter decoupling capacitors were bypassed with new chip capacitors. Additionally, filter selection diodes were replaced by low capacitance switching diodes. According to Lowe, the effect of these changes was to render a noticeable improvement in skirt selectivity and residual noise performance of the receiver. In short, you had better filters and lower circuit noise which enabled better DXing.

Additional improvements in the Europa included making the optional synchronous detector as standard and also including the optional keypad as standard.

Let me now provide a little information about this Lowe receiver. The stock HF-225 is a highly stable (30 Hz drift after 1 hr) double conversion superhet that operates on less than 300ma of power. It is supplied with 4 bandwidth filters that give the user a nice selection to use for both AM and SSB and filters have excellent shape factors. The receiver has good image rejection of all tuned frequencies in the HF bands so if you live in a high RF environment, this may be helpful for you.

When evaluating this receiver, it becomes obvious that this is not your standard desktop receiver. First of all, there are only a total of 9 controls on the front panel eliminating clutter and placing most needed controls at the user\'s fingertips. Despite this scant number of controls, the HF-225 offers the user some outstanding reception. The main tuning dial and S-meter are illuminated with light green color and the readout gives the user tuning information in 1 KHz increments. However, tuning is much finer than the display indicates as tuning resolution ranges from 50-500 Hz in AM and 8-250 Hz in SSB. As you tune the display faster, the encoder will speed up tuning so that you can move through the band more quickly. But if the need for fine tuning is dictated, the receiver is capable of delivering this precision which is especially important when clarifying the signal on sideband.

For the price of this receiver, most manufacturers offer two bandwidths. The fact that this Lowe offers 4 of them is helpful especially to the program listener and as mentioned. The total audio distortion is remarkably less than .5% and can only be fully appreciated with an outboard speaker or connection to either an amplified speaker or home stereo system. If this is done and the signal is strong, the user will be treated to uncharacteristically pleasant sound on the AM commercial and shortwave bands.

Here are some features found on this HF-225 receiver:

Coverage from 30 KHz to 30 MHz

Sync detector (optional and installed)

Whip Preamp (optional and not installed)

4 bandwidths of 2.2, 3.5, 4.5, and 7.0 KHz

S-meter

Backlit LCD

Built-in speaker

30 Memories

Dual VFOs

1/4\" Headphone jack

External speaker jack

Tone control

Record jack

Attenuator -20dB

Front tilt feet

Modes of AM / LSB / USB / CW

Stability of <30 Hz / hr

200 Hz CW filter

Speed sensitive tuning

Low Distortion (THD less than .5%)

AGC (automatic gain control)

Heavy duty construction

Operates off of 12 VDC

The HF-225 is easy to use and should appeal to beginning DXers. It\'s features will be attractive to more advanced shortwave listeners as it is capable of delivering top notch performance during program listening. While the Lowe does not have all the frills as other receivers, it is competitively priced and delivers outstanding performance. Passport to World Band Radio 1990 describes the HF-225 thusly:

\"Overall the \'225 performs very well and sounds unusually good\"

Lastly, one thing that I want to mention is that this receiver operates on a lot less power than other tabletop units. The importance of this is that the HF-225 can listen for a long duration using 12 volts DC. This would be important during a time of crisis when operating power may be in short supply. Because the receiver can utilize 12 VDC externally (via the rear input jack), it would be easy to concoct a cigarette plug for use in an automobile. I listen to a shortwave receiver daily in my vehicle and utilize an amateur radio 2 meter antenna with very good results. You would not use such an antenna for DXing, but this arrangement offers surprisingly good results and serves as a backup listening plan during a power outage or emergency. The Lowe would be more thrifty on power than most other comparable receivers as it operates on 1/2 to 1/3 the power and this should appeal to preppers.

If you would like to read more about this fine receiver, here is an especially good page filled with info:

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We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

If you live in the USA, you may use the shipping calculator to determine your shipping price. This cost considers money for shipping plus insurance against loss.

If you live outside the USA, we are very happy to ship this receiver to you. During the past few years, we have shipped to 88 countries with excellent results. If you do not need the 12 VDC power supply that works with 120 volts, we can substitute a 230 VAC version. You would use the shipping calculator to determine your shipping cost, but please keep in mind that this cost does not include any import, duty, customs, or VAT fees. If your postal system charges these fees, you will need to be aware of this upon delivery of the receiver. Thank you for understanding!

Payment is to be via Paypal and is expected within 3 days after purchase. does not permit sellers to offer payment alternatives and we will refrain from doing so as we do not want our listing removed as is the policy. Please email if you have any questions.

Penna residents are reminded that they are responsible for the 6% state sales tax.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to look at our items!