[Hallicrafters] SX-28 competitors in the 1940's

[Rich Oliver]

Eugene Rippen wrote:

>I am suspecting that more SX-28s were sold civilian than you believe.
>I have probably seen 30 - 40 in my life, and I believe that I only saw one
>with any military markings.  Yes, the depression was still on, but these
>were high priced, thus only the more wealthy could afford them, and they
>were the least affected by the depression.
>Besides, weren't they still offered for sale until some time after 12/7/41?
>
>Gene
>
Gene,

You know, I don't think I've ever seen military markings on an SX-28. 
 It might be fun to poll the group and see about what percentage of 
SX-28's are so marked and what those markings look like.  I have ben 
told that the massive production started when the War Department rang up 
Bill Halligan and said something like "start building SX-28's as fast as 
you can, we'll tell you when to stop".  I just supposed that they 
weren't willing to slow things down by insisting on military tags.

At the outset of the war the Army asked hams to loan them their 
receivers for the war effort and many did.  There were numerous stories 
of hams who enlisted only to find themselves sitting in front of their 
own "borrowed" radios.  I have to believe that this degree of pragmatism 
resulted in a significant number of radios serving in their "civies".

I don't think there is much doubt about who paid for most of those 
50,000 SX-28's.

73, Rich