[Boatanchors] Hq-170 & "The Classics" Myth

[bavarianradio at comcast.net]

Here's my $.02, I haven't had a 170 in my hands for many years, but I have a friend nearby who has restored a few. The recurring problem he had was drifty IF transformers. The 170 and it's contemporaries used the small IF transformers with the sandwiched riveted silver mica caps in them. These have been a problem in almost every radio that uses them. Maybe some of the instability is being caused by shifting IFpeaks rather than unstable oscillators(?) I had a German Blaupunkt radio with similar IF cans and while listening, I would have to re tune the station selector numerous times in a 30 minute period. Tapping the IF cans would actually cause the radio to shift frequency. Rebuilding the IF cans (per an article in antique radio classified about 10 years ago)  will remedy this problem. Good Luck!!!Ross

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "EP Swynar" <gswynar at durham.net> 

> Neil wrote, 
> 
> "...OK... I cried as I read the blasts against the 170. That because I hated 
> to see a receiver that I had put on 
> a pedestal tumble down. I didn't know of it's flaws..." 
> 
> ****************************************** 
> 
> Hi Neil, 
> 
> Save those tears of yours...! The receiver hasn't been built yet that 
> DOESN'T have SOMETHING inherently wrong with it, believe me... 
> 
> Even the much vaunted Collins 75A4 is NOT without its detractors --- I was 
> thumbing through some old copies of HAM RADIO magazine here the other day & 
> stumbled upon several PAGES of improvements for that most "perfect" 
> rig...and I once had occasion to speak with a long-time owner of the 
> legendary Hallicrafters SX-88 receiver about HIS impressions of this utopian 
> model... 
> 
> His shrugged shoulders said it all. 
> 
> So you see, Neil, it's all relative and personal...and just like the owner 
> of a $70 thousand Mercedes-Benz would NEVER admit to there being any flaws 
> with the car of his choice, so too do most of the owners of "classic" rigs 
> keep THEIR cards of criticism close to their chest. 
> 
> To publicly berate the wisdom of their pricey purchase not only denigrates 
> the potential re-sale value of the rig, it also might reflect poorly upon 
> their own personal choices... 
> 
> ~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________