[Boatanchors] Stiff Heath HX 20 dial drive

[WQ9E at btsnetworks.net]

John,

It shouldn't be that stiff although it was designed for mobile use and it shouldn't spin as freely as some of the better desk top receivers since you don't want it changing frequency by itself due to vibration.  I have a HR-20/HX-20 pair and they both turn smoothly.  I did have to clean up the plate the dial indicator slides on.  

Cleaning and lubrication is probably necessary and since the assembly was built as part of the kit process you may need to loosen and then re-tighten the screws that hold the two plates together that sandwich the gear drive assembly to make sure the parts are aligned properly and not skewed.  The VFO capacitor itself may also need lubrication, the thrust bearing grease often dries out with age and after cleaning/lubrication tighten the capacitor thrust bearing only enough to recenter the rotor plates within the stator plates.  I believe one or more of the gears are nylon so don't get any lubricant on them.

My earlier MT-1/MR-1 pair is noticeably smoother but I don't know if they use the same gear mechanism because I have never had the covers off.  My RA-1, UK version of the HR-10, is my favorite of the smaller Heathkit receivers in terms of tuning feel.  It has a dual speed knob that provides a few degrees of very slow tuning which makes fine tuning very simple.  The RA-1 also covers 160 unlike its U.S. counterpart.

Rodger WQ9E

-------- Original Message --------
> From: John King <k5pgw at yahoo.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 8:50 PM
> To: "boatanchors at mailman.qth.net" <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [Boatanchors] Stiff Heath HX 20 dial drive
> 
> The Heath HX 20 transmitter, I have , has a very stiff VFO knob and dial drive. I had one that I built about 50 years ago from a kit and I don't remember the dial and VFO drive on that one being as stiff as this one is. Has anyone worked with the HX 20 VFO and dial drive to make it smooth and easy to turn. I don't want to attempt to lubricate it and free it up until I get the benefit of the input of other operators with knowledge and experience with the HX 20 BFO knob and drive assembly.     If you have any input please share it with me. Thanks and 73, John, K5PGW
> ______________________________________________________________
> Boatanchors mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> 
> List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
> ** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **
> 
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html