[Boatanchors] HT-20

[D C *Mac* Macdonald]

If I remember correctly, HT-20 transmitters were what was taken
on the big (first?) DXpedition to FO8AJ, Clipperton Island back
in the mid-to-late 1950s.  Pics of the rigs MAY have been on the
cover issue of CQ magazine that covered that operation.
I have forgotten which Halli receiver was used, but it might have
been the SX-101 series.


* * * * * * * * * * *
* 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 *
* (Since 30 Nov 53) *
* Oklahoma City, OK *
* U.S.A.F., Retired *
* * * * * * * * * * *

 


Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:19:26 -0500
From: ranickel at comcast.net
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net; hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] HT-20

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On 6/18/2010 5:38 PM, Brian Harris wrote:

I have been offered an HT-20 that is minus the cabinet and has
front paint that's peeling. As I have never owned/used/seen
one before I am clueless as to its value or desireability.

Brian,

------------
 
They're fairly rare, and a very desirable transmitter in my opinion. 
Mine was in such bad shape due to years of storage in a humid area that 
not a single shaft could be turned, and I ended up having to drill out 
both setscrews in each knob! Before I committed to restoration I 
checked out all the iron, thinking that a bad transformer would be a 
deal-killer. But they all checked OK, and other than the normal R and C 
replacements, restoration went pretty well. I did end up having to 
replace the two variable caps in the driver stages due to excessive 
corrosion that resulted in arcing, but I thought this was a pretty good 
testimony to the quality of the design and construction, in light of the 
shape it was in when I got it. My front panel was redone by W3HM when 
WØYVA was restoring a couple of HT-20s and with the powder-coat finish 
it now looks better than new. I have it paired with an SX-88 and an 
HT-18 VFO and get excellent reports on the air and it's solid as a rock 
when putting out 120 watts of carrier.
 
I put a few pics up when I was working on it: 

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v652/ranickel/HT-20/

The HT-20 is basically Hallicrafters version of a Johnson Viking I, 
built to co-exist with TV-watching neighbors. Unless you find major 
problems I'd sure restore it!
 
73, Bob W9RAN