[ARC5] Off Topic, Hallicrafters SX-38

[Bill Fuqua]

    I will have to say that there is  no comparison between an
S38 and a single tube regenerative set. In fact, I had a S38E, the last of the
series, which used a regenerative IF for a BFO. I found that I could use the
pot ,called a ratio pot,  on the back panel to adjust the regeneration of 
the IF and modify its
bandwidth as if I had a Q multiplier. Earlier S38Es had just gimick 
capacitors you had to adjust
to get the feedback just right. This pot made the BFO feedback adjustment 
much easier.
This is where I got the idea of  using regeneration in my 40 Meter ARC 5 to 
improve it's bandwidth.
   The real prize in the S38 line is the first one. It actually had a
BFO tube.
    I can't see any reason why someone would think a Regenerative
detector would be superior to a Superheterodyne. Both were inveneted
by Edwin Armstong.
73
bill wa4lav



At 08:31 PM 7/5/2012 -0500, D C *Mac* Macdonald wrote:

>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
>
>______________________________________________________________
>ARC5 mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/arc5
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:ARC5 at mailman.qth.net
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html