[Hallicrafters] 120 vs 125

[V.A. Weiss]

Hi John and fellow Halligan-crafters,

     There were BIG differences between the S-120 and the S-125. The most 
pronounced difference was that the S-120 was a tube version and the S-125 
was all solid state.
     I owned both at one time.
     The S-120 was more or less the "Knight Star Roamer" of the 
Hallicrafters fleet...entry level, suitable for picking up higher quantities 
of microvolts per meter (strong stations) but it was fairly stable and the 
sound quality was good.
     The S-125 was a mess. It was drifty and full of intermod and spurs. It 
did have crisp audio and lots of it but overall the S-120 (in my opinion) 
was a better receiver, lacking as it was in sensitivity.
     The S-120 had that sleek, low-profile look of 1960s gear whereas the 
S-125 took on that stupid Nissan look of cheap Radio Shack gear.
     By the way, the S-125 was near identical to the S-120A. When 
Hallicrafters ended production on their S-120 and introduced its solid state 
replacement they simply added the letter, "A" to S-120. In my opinion this 
is as much of a sacrilege as naming some of today's junk GM cars after their 
venerable 1950s predecessors.
     Finally, the S-120 was the receiver Hallicrafters launched their 
"discover the world of SWLing" campaign around. Throughout the early 1960s 
if you sent them $1 they would send you a great 45 RPM record called "The 
Amazing World of Shorwave Listening" narrated by the late, great Chicago 
(WBKB-TV Channel 7...now WLS-TV) newscaster Alex Drier as well as a little 
bound book on shortwave listening. With this came lots of advertising 
including a full-sized picture of the S-120 that every boy of my age could 
tape to his wall and dream of one day owning! ($But $69 was a lot of lawns 
to mow in those days!).
     Hope this answers your question.

     All my best,

     Vern Weiss, W9STB / WPE9GHF




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