[ARC5] Halli receivers and instability - OT.

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 13 Nov 2015 at 15:28, Phillip Carpenter wrote:

> Ken,
> 
> Are you implying that all Hallicrafters receivers after the SX-28 and up to the
> SX-101 are inherently unstable?

I'm implying nothing, Phillip: I am flatly stating that any Halli receiver after the 
SX-28 and up to the SX-115, at least all those I've ever used, were inherently 
unstable, and that I could never understand that since the VFOs in their 
transmitters, including that in the BC-610, were very stable.

They were mechanically unstable: as if the VFO coil or other components 
were floating in mid-air with "no visible means of support". Tapping on the 
case, bumping the table, breathing hard on the receiver, resulted in 
sometimes wobbling completely off the frequency you were tuned to.

I put it down to the SX-28 being REQUIRED to be stable by the U.S. 
Gummint, who wouldn't buy it unless it was.

No receiver should give any indication at all that it has been bumped...or 
even dropped from a considerable height. It is just plain disgusting. Put one 
in a mobile rig. What fun! :-(

> I agree regarding the S-38 but what about the S-40A, SX-42, SX-43, or even the
> SX-73/R-274D FFR?

I know the S-40 was unstable. I don't know about the SX-42 or 43, but I'd bet 
they weren't as stable as other makers' in the same price range.

As for the SX-73/R-274D, that was designed, again, to military specs, 
therefore it HAD to be stable. I did get a chance to use one of those many 
years ago, and was pleasantly surprised at how stable and 
"un-Hallicrafters-like" it was. 

That confirmed my opinion that the only reason the SX-28 was stable was 
because it was built to military specs.

It was a standing joke amongst us for many years that they were 
Halli-Crappers. We only used one when we had nothing else we could use.

Ken W7EKB