Hi Paul/all:

I agree - when you change the antenna, filtering, etc., you have a different radio. Many cannot leave well enough alone and (like me) choose to add or augment with filters, antennas and other gear. For purposes of daily reception posts here on the Group, I think there is generally a mix of DXers using both stock and modified equipment, and folks are pretty good about mentioning what equipment they're using.

A clear distinction is made, however, for purposes of records and contests, where there are two categories: stock/barefoot and unlimited (the latter encompassing all the modifications/augmentations that DXers do to/for their receivers). The distinction between stock and unlimited does not get talked about much since new records are much less frequent than before, and the contests that John Bryant so ably ran have unfortunately not yet recommenced. For the unlimited class, though, the basic receiver has to have started out in life as an approved ULR - after that, it's a tinkerer's paradise.

Thanks - Kevin S