[Boatanchors] National SW=54 Question

[Richard Knoppow]

     I have never had a National SW-54 and am curious about the 
tuning mechanism. Not made clear in the handbooks or descriptions 
so I thought I would ask. According to what I read there is only 
a large band spread dial connected to the main tuning shaft via a 
friction coupling. No slow motion mechanism of any sort so 
whatever fine tuning advantage there is comes from just having 
effectively a large knob (the band spread disc itself).  Again, 
if I read right, the band spread dial can be slipped on the main 
shaft by holding the main tuning knob and turning it to wherever 
one wants, then using it to tune the receiver. It appears that 
the logging provided is only a one-turn marking on the large 
disc. One sets the main tuning at some reference and then slips 
the band spread until it reads 1 and then tunes. If it doesn't 
slip during tuning it will give some sort of reference of its 
position.
     Am I correct in my understanding of how this works?
     Secondly, the SW-54 and the Hallicrafters S-38 are obviously 
aimed at the same market and the same price point. Both are 
gussied up AA-5 circuits with the main difference being the use 
of miniature tubes in the National set and a slightly different 
regenerative IF to provide some additional selectivity and a BFO 
signal. What I wonder is what the difference in performance, if 
any, is. I grew up with an S-38B (still have most of it to 
restore) and am quite familiar with it. It was a surprisingly 
good receiver for what it was. If anyone on the list has 
experience with both sets please give us a brief (or not so 
brief) review.
-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL