[Hallicrafters] S-38 Reception

[Patrick A. Thompson Sr.]

If we are talking about AC hum you might try substituting or testing the
audio (50L6? and 12SQ7?) tubes to see if there is heater/cathode leakage. I
have an S-38E, not sure of the exact tube line-up in the S-38.

The behavior of the pilot lamp is normal. The lamp is across a section of
the rectifier's heater so the voltage drop varies as the tube warms.  By the
way, if you notice the pilot lamp burned out at some time in the future,
stop using the radio until you can replace the lamp. The lamp shunts some of
the current away from the rectifier's heater.

The isolation transformer is a very good idea to keep you safe. I turn my
radio's isolation transformer on from a power strip so the transformer and
the radio come on at the same time.

The improved reception when touching the case means that a ground connection
would improve reception.

Manuals are available at Bama. http://bama.sbc.edu/

There is a very good tutorial on All American Five radio at...
http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/funwithtubes/AA5-1.html

Also, look at wa2ise's site for lots of AA5 information.

And if you identify the source of the hum, let the group know what it was.

Good Luck!
Pat
wa4tuk

> -----Original Message-----
> From: hallicrafters-admin at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:hallicrafters-admin at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of David Harms
> Sent: Monday, June 02, 2003 2:04 PM
> To: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Hallicrafters] S-38 Reception
>
>
> I have just finished restoring my Hallicrafters S-38 and except
> for the buzz
> from the speaker everything seems to be working fine.   I have
> replaced all
> of the caps and all of the tubes,  a lot of the wiring, and checked and
> rechecked to make sure there were no wires touching where they
> shouldn't,
> but still have the buzz.  Volume control has no effect on the
> buzz.   I am
> even running the radio through an isolation transformer.   Not sure what
> else to check.    When I first turn the radio on,  the little light that
> lights up the dials is very very dim,  and as the tubes warm up the light
> gets very bright and the buzz starts.   Does this mean anything?
>
> On another subject,   when I have the radio tuned in to a station
> it sounds
> pretty good.  If I touch the case with my hand the reception gets
> better and
> the volume is much better!  Does this mean my body is a better
> antenna than
> the one I am using or do I need to attach a ground wire somewhere??
>
> Sorry for all the questions but I am such a novice that I don't
> know where
> to start with the trouble shooting.   Thanks for any help you can provide!
>
> Dave
>
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