[Hallicrafters] 5R10A finished! (finally)

[Phil Atchley]

Hello all
Well today I did the last step on the electrical refurbishing of this (nice)
5R10A.  I had re-capped it earlier, restrung the dial cords, replaced the
funky power cord with a polarized cord, rewired it so the power switch was
in the hot lead AND replaced the speaker.  The only thing it was waiting for
was new 'lytics that had been on backorder down at the shop I work at.
Those were installed today and the audio is GREATLY improved!  Before, it
had just barely noticable hum (well within what I consider normal specs for
an antique).

Specific Notes:

1.  This particular radio was built in Nov 1953 (date stamped in unit).  It
seems to have been built extremely well for an entry level set as all paper
caps etc were rated 600VDC rather than the 200 Volt units you typically see
in AC/DC sets of the day.  (I replaced them all with orange drops)

2.  The multi section 'lytic cap that was in the radio was an ORIGINAL
(rivited in) unit with a Hallicrafters P/N.  After replacing the 'lytic I
checked the one I removed.  The first section (60uF 150V) was open as was
the 20uF 25 Volt section for the cathode bypass.  The two 40uF 150 Volt
sections checked good.  It is really surprising that the original lasted so
long and that the set didn't have more hum than it did.

3.  The speaker, which faces up had a missing felt voice coil cover and so
rubbed and was very buzzy from debris falling in it (I presume).  I couldn't
find the "correct" speaker for this set and as the two mounting studs are
part of the cabinet I DID NOT want to drill new holes.  BUT as I scrounged
around the shop where I work, which has been there for 45+ years I did find
a very good replacement, exactly the right size.  It was a mid range unit
(squacker) that had been pulled from "something".  A British speaker it was
5.5 Ohms instead of the needed 4 Ohms, but close enough for the set.  AND it
looks antique, like it belongs.  Not like you stuck a cheap Asian speaker in
it.  Sounds good and clear, probably as good or better than when the set was
new (as I think it now has a better speaker). And the set looks good with
it's nearly perfect front panel printing and nice large chrome bezel.

4.  Incidently,  ALL the tubes except for the 35Z5 rectifier are original
Hallicrafters tubes.  It looks like Halligan built things to last!


YES, this was a lot of work to restore what is basically an old All American
Five Radio.  It's a good thing I do this for the love of old radios and not
for a living  as I'd certainly go hungry ;-)

73 de Phil  KO6BB
Loving home provided for wayward Boatanchor Receivers
ko6bb at elite.net
Merced, Central California
37.18N 120.29W CM97sh




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