[Boatanchors] Always wanted a S-42 so it was time

[w5jo at brightok.net]

>From what I can glean from the internet and talking to people, it is not the most  common problem to have band switch trouble, but when you do, you are faced with an almost insurmountable problem.  In talking to people who have seen  several sets, they have found them without that side panel indicating they have a problem in the front end, gave up and did not reassemble it.

There are two different versions of the band switch.  In the early production versions Hallicrafter’s used wafers that were riveted and porous.   People would use liberal amounts of cleaner, the wafer would absorb the stuff then short between rivets on the wafers.  Some of those wafers switch HV so you develop a carbon track .  I spend hours trying to decipher how that switch was installed and the connections were made but finally gave up, I began to worry that I might die first with other things unaccomplished.  

They have, most likely, the best sound of any set I have ever used, especially with the “Reproducer” speaker.  I sure wish I could get this one going again, but my hands and arms has developed such bad shakes it will be next to impossible..

Jim 
W5JO

From: Joe Connor 

What's cool about the SX-42 is the coverage. As far as I know, the only two boatanchors that cover the AM BCB, the SW bands and the FM BCB are the SX-42 and the SX-62. Of the two, the SX-42 is far superior for SWLing or ham use. Because of the wide coverage, the SX-42 makes a nice receiver for your study or office. 

How common is the bandswitch issue? I've worked on two of them and didn't encounter that problem on either one. If I remember correctly, the key to restoration is removing the side panel to gain access to some of the caps in the RF section. I also remember a lot of our-of-spec resistors. 

                        Joe Connor



On Saturday, July 21, 2018, 1:28:02 AM EDT, Bob Groh <bob.groh at gmail.com> wrote: 


There are quite a few web links that pop up when you do a search for "hallicrafters SX-42 restoration" and coping with a bad bandswitch is apparently a real struggle.  But it certainly seems that this is one fine radio and if we don't dig in and restore them then who will?  This from a guy who hasn't even looked at his for 20 years! 

Bob Groh, WA2CKY


On Fri, Jul 20, 2018 at 8:56 PM, <w5jo at brightok.net> wrote:

  I don't know Joe, having been there with both the SX-42 band switch whipped me.  With the SX 28 I could remove the side panel of the box shielding the band switch, remove the shaft and move the wafers a bit to replace caps and resistors.

  I have a very nice SX 42 that must have a band switch problem and I won't tackle it because of the location.    The story is, be very careful with your rebuild of the RF and mixer stage Bob.  If that switch is good, then you will be ok, if there is a problem somewhere then good luck.

  Jim
  W5JO

  -----Original Message----- they're much easier to rebuild than an SX-28. Watch the audio transformer. 

                               Joe Connor    On Friday, July 20, 2018, 6:47:22 PM EDT, Bob Groh <bob.groh at gmail.com> wrote: