[Boatanchors] got the HT-20

[The Pollacks]

Have been following this thread with interest, although I don't have an
HT20, and don't think I've ever even seen one, but have a couple of
comments:

The 1954 Clipperton Expedition, per July 1954 QST, did indeed use HT20
transmitters and SX88 receivers, and HT18 VFOs. I reread the article this
morning, and it makes reference to two of each, but the narrative seems to
indicate that only one was used. It's not too clear, but it seems that only
one setup was brought ashore. The second generator was brought ashore when
the first one failed.  1100 QSOs made in just a couple of days with one
station on the air, and a vertical and a wire antenna. Impressive. The
article is worth a read, and can be found on the ARRL website, I guess.  (I
have a copy of the QST).  Someone referred to a winch being used to haul the
equipment up, but the article says that it came in on a rubber raft.

Regarding the similarity to the Viking I:  I have one of those, with a
nearly identical tube lineup (6AQ5 instead of 6L6 driver, I think).  I've
never been able to get more than about 85 watts out of mine, with several
different finals, but I guess some people can!

I think the reason that the Viking far outsold the HT20 was simply cost.
The Viking I cost $209, I believe, but was a kit and did not include tubes.
The tubes were about another $70, and the VFO was about $40, for a total of
about $320.  The HT40 was $450, plus $110 for the VFO, or $560 total.  Even
though the Vikings were kits, they were not complex kits, and 100 Watts is
100 Watts, no matter which transmitter it comes out of!  Spending an extra
$240 on a better receiver is a bigger difference than spending that same
extra money on a transmitter! During the run of the HT20, the Viking I was
replaced with the Viking II, which had better TVI protection and the
advantage of 6146s instead of the expensive 4D32.  (An inexpensive TVI kit
was offered for the Viking I) Still, I'd love to have an HT20, too!  My
Viking I gets great audio reports on AM, but I use it mostly on CW, where
most people are amazed that they're not hearing a modern rig!

Ron K2RP


-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Brian Harris
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2010 10:54 AM
To: Hallicrafters; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Boatanchors] got the HT-20

Well, I bought the HT-20 this morning.  The front panel paint is a real mess
but I'll have Bob W0VYA redo it for me when I get it off.  I was
disappointed to see that the bezel is a mess.  I don't know what it's made
of but it's cracked on the inside edge of the RHS of the bezel and some
other edges are a little wavy.  I wonder if the much touted SX-88 has the
same cheesy bezel.  Shame on Hallicrafters if the answer is yes.  I wish
they had used a better material, like cast aluminum.  I think a friend of
mine can cast a new bezel using resin but it will be a lot of work and he
may or may not be able to achieve the textured look, which, IMHO, I think
doesn't look good in the first place.

The good news is that all the shielding is in place and the rear apron
 looks original and in good shape plus all the front panel controls move
smoothly.  I don't much like the
 screen over the meter/dial so I think that will be removed during
restoration.  I have put a couple of pictures on the website below for your
perusal.

So, now I am looking for a cabinet (HT-20, HT-31, SX-73) and a bezel.  Let's
hope there are some parts rigs out there. 

Happy Father's Day and 73,

Brian Harris, WA5UEK

phone 214-763-5977

email cosmophone at yahoo.com

website www.myhamshack.com/wa5uek



When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to
answer "present" or "not guilty."  Theodore Roosevelt


      
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