[ARC5] Off Topic, Hallicrafters SX-38

[D C *Mac* Macdonald]

When the single 6SN7GT in my Walter Ashe regen receiver 
went south back in 1954, I borrowed an S-38 from a guy 
who NEVER got his code to 5 wpm. The hallikrapper was 
so inferior in performance to that little regen I could 
hardly wait to save up the 3 or 4 dollars to buy a new 
6SN7GT! 
 
I had a friend, KN2ESQ who had a National SW-54 for 
his receiver. Even worse! 
 
What an improvement when I saved up enough to buy a used 
National NC-33 for $35 from a med student in Brooklyn, NY 
from a QST ham ad! I think I sold it for $30 in 1959 and 
I think it went through at least 2 more users after that! 
 
I took out 2/3 of the rotor plates of the bandspread cap 
and got LOTS of bandspread! 
 
* * * * * * * * * * * 
* 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 * 
* (Since 30 Nov 53) * 
* k2gkk at hotmail.com *  
* Oklahoma City, OK * 
* USAF, Ret (61-81) * 
* * * * * * * * * * * 
 
 
 

 

> From: scottjohnson1 at cox.net
> To: geoffrey at jeremy.mv.com; vk2bcu at operamail.com; arc5 at mailman.qth.net
> Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2012 17:36:00 -0700
> Subject: Re: [ARC5] Off Topic, Hallicrafters SX-38
> 
> There was a S-38 with a crystal filter?
> 
> Scott W7SVJ
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
> Behalf Of Geoff
> Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 5:32 PM
> To: Leslie Smith; ARC-5 List
> Subject: Re: [ARC5] Off Topic, Hallicrafters SX-38
> 
> After using it you will wonder how users in the 50's managed any contacts
> which may be a good reason why so many Novices never progressed after their
> one year license expired. It happened to several friends.
> 
> I managed with a bandspreaded BC-454 and 455 for several months before
> saving enough newspaper delivery and birthday money to buy a used HQ-129X.
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Leslie Smith" <vk2bcu at operamail.com>
> To: "ARC-5 List" <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 8:24 PM
> Subject: [ARC5] Off Topic, Hallicrafters SX-38
> 
> 
> > G'day list members:
> > I am considering the possibility of acquiring (and using) one of the
> > early "octal" GP sets, eg Hallicrafters SX-38C. I will have a minor
> > role on 80m as an evening "Ham" set, alongside a home-brew SSB
> > transmitter.
> >
> > Can list members comment on the performance of this set on 80m, in terms
> > of stability, and general "evening" QSO work. Speaking generally, here
> > in Australia I could "blaze away" down the middle of the 80m band during
> > the week and hit not a thing. Selectivity (generally speaking) won't
> > be a problem.
> >
> > I have read various postings from e-ham, that describe the S-38 as "a
> > horrid little set", to basic but useful.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > -- 
> > http://www.fastmail.fm - Accessible with your email software
> > or over the web
> >> >
> >
> > -- 
> > Leslie Smith
> > vk2bcu at operamail.com