[Boatanchors] HQ-120

[Larry Kirkland]

I have just completed restoring a Hammarlund HQ-120.  It is circa late 
30's - early 40's.  It was in beautiful cosmetic condition when I 
started, so there wasn't much work to be done to "pretty it up".  The 
only thing non-standard that I could find was the addition on the rear 
apron of an octal accessory socket and a blanked off hole for a SO-239.  
All the paper caps and electrolytics were replaced.  Most resistors were 
close enough.

What I am writing this for is to express my pleasant surprise at how 
well this thing is constructed.  The tuning is like velvet with 
absolutely no backlash.  It is very stable and non-microphonic.  The 
xtal filter is amazingly sharp.  It is surprisingly sensitive 
considering the type of tubes used (1st generation octal with grid caps 
on top).  It is not lacking on the higher bands as some boatanchor 
receivers I have owned.

I once owned a BC-779 Super Pro - I think it was an SP-200.  It was 
modeled on the HQ-120 I suppose as the two look and act very similar.  I 
guess the main difference is that the Super Pro has an external power 
supply.

Anyway, just my two cents worth.  If you ever have a chance to pick up 
one of these, don't pass it by - It is a "keeper".

73's
Larry W4LK