[Hallicrafters] Re SX-71 Observations by KO6BB

[k0myw at att.net]

I certainly enjoyed Phil Atchley's knowledgeable discussion of the SX-71 
circuitry.

However, I doubt that Hallicrafters intentionally crippled the SX-71's 
performance so that it didn't rival "their top line models that sold at higher 
prices." Fact is, for the ham market at the time the SX-71 was introduced, the 
SX-71 was the top-of-the-line Hallicrafters receiver (unless you count the SX-
62, which really was aimed at SWLs, or the military SX-73, which came along 
about a year later but at a staggering price of almost $1,000, far beyond the 
reach of most hams).

It's been my understanding that the SX-71 and S-76, both introduced in 1950,  
were Hallicrafters' way of exploring new dual-conversion circuitry and doing 
some real-world market research at the same time. Then in the mid-1950s, they 
combined the best of the SX-71 and S-76 -- most obviously, the SX-71's twin-
dial layout and the S-76's 50-KC IF scheme.

You can see the lessons learned with the SX-71 and S-76 in the fabulous SX-88, 
then the SX-96 and finally (and most successfully, in terms of sales and 
longevity) in the SX-100.

Thanks again for Phil's enlightening discussion...

73,
Mike, KØMYW


  
> KO6BB WROTE:
> I 'think' that I figured out Hallicrafters strategy in the design of this
> receiver and probably others in their lineup.  They wanted to market a
> double conversion set. The SX-71 is claimed to be about the first double
> conversion set on the market.  They also wanted the selectivity and
> perhaps a 'little' extra gain that an extra IF amplifier gave them.
> However, they probably "did not" want to market a set that performed
> better, or as good as their top line models that sold at higher prices!
> I could be wrong in that but it is the only reason that I can think of to
> explain why the set would be purposely 'tamed down' by crippling the 3rd
> IF and putting coils that are sub par for the BCB band in an otherwise
> hot set.
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