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

[David Hollander]

Hi Ed - very interesting story Ed. Found the part about the broadcast
stations from the USA  being copied especially interesting. Sounds like
you were experiencing gray line which is when the stations are at both
ends of the terminator. The gray line is a band around the Earth that
separates daylight from darkness. This is when one station is at sunrise
and the other is at sunset and the radio signal is following the
terminator. This is usually long path. never knew it went that low in
frequency however. I have worked long path many times on 75 meter phone.
Most of it is in November through the end of January and you can work
from the west coast (including Arizona) into northern Europe,
particularly Finland and Sweden. Archangel is in the same vicinity so
sounds like you were experiencing the same propagation. Curious if this
was in deep winter. You generally need a directional antenna on 75 to
work long path. I had phased 1/4 wave verticals. occasionally the
signals are loud enough that you can work them with a low dipole or
single vertical. the path however usually is open for about 30 minutes
before sunrise and the signals fad out at sunrise. This is the same type
of long path that happens on 20, 30 and 40 meters, however it is a bit
neater doing it on 75/80. Think about it. Phoenix to Helsinki on the
gray line is around 15, 000 miles. And most thought you could work only
work Chicago  on 75 on a good winter night. Here is a link to a map
showing the gray line for those interested.
http://dx.qsl.net/propagation/greyline.html

For more info on gray line do a search on google on "gray line
propagation"

I recently acquired a Scott SLR-12-B and factory speaker a few weeks
ago. Have not had a chance to fire it up yet. I understand this was one
of the shipboard entertainment receivers. I was really surprised to see
that it does not have a BFO. Anyone familiar with this model or can
comment on it (besides it 's weight)? It is so heavy it makes an SX-28
seem like an S-38 in comparison. I have not been able to find any info
on the web. I have attached a couple of links to photos of this radio.

http://members.cox.net/n7rk/slr12f3.jpg

http://members.cox.net/n7rk/slr12f4.jpg

http://members.cox.net/n7rk/slr12f5.jpg

Thanks for any info and thanks everyone for sharing your stories,

Dave N7RK

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Dave  N7RK                  http://members.cox.net/n7rk
Phoenix, Arizona         *DXCC Honor Roll*    *WAZ#23 - 75 Meter SSB*

            ex-XE2/N7RK, N7RK/ZB2, VK2ERK, ZM0AJN, WB6NRK, WN6IWX

Boatanchor Collector Extraordinaire preferring Hallicrafters, National
and what ever else looks interesting!