Can someone tell me how to set up the tuning (dials) for listening to something on the HQ170 series? Does bandspread get set to one end or the other and then the main dial set to frequency?
There is no bandspread dial on the HQ-170 since the radio covers only the ham bands. The left dial is calibrated for some bands, the right, for others ( I don't recall off the top of my head which bands are on which side). The main tuning (left tuning knob) turns both dials. The "vernier" tuning is where the band spread control would normally be. Set it to zero (mid-scale) — unless you need to fine-tune a sideband or CW station.
The HQ-180/A does have both main tuning and band spread since it is a general coverage receiver. How you adjust them depends on what it is you want to listen to — general shortwave or ham bands.