[Hallicrafters] SX-62 is playin' the oldies!

[Barry Hauser]

Al wrote:

>  Question for you, is the SX-62 easier to work on than the SX-42? 
>  I have an opportunity to get an SX-62, and know the ckt is much the
same as 
> the SX-42.  Is it mechanically any easier?  I know you've changed a lot

> of resistors as well as the usual capacitors, + a few micas.  I've 
> still got another SX-42 + an SX-28A on the project shelf, should I add
another 
> big job?

The two are mostly the same electronically, with some "buts".

The '62 is simpler in that there's no bandspread, but adds the
calibrator.  There's a bfo, but it's not tunable as with the SX-42, so
not as practical for sideband.

The SX-42 has a more complicated tuning/bandspread mechanism with the
small knob clutch thing which usually needs some work, brake reline, etc.
 (Never force the small changeover knob -- the threaded end of the thin
brass shaft will shear off.)

Apparently the '62 was manufactured over a longer time span with gradual
changes in tube lineup and some other things, like the gauge of aluminum
used for the large bezel.  Some had the square cover on the transformer
(with the "H" logo) and some didn't.  Later ones had a fuse near the
transformer.  Some had a voltage changeover switch on the "H" cover. 
Earlier units had a bunch of loktal tubes in the IF which were later
replaced with octals.  Last version I've seen had only one loktal
remaining in the RF stage (7A7 or 7F7?).  So, they can be more
complicated in the sense of matching up manuals and schematics to the
exact version you wind up with.

Difficulty of recapping/re-resistoring is about the same -- tough in some
places -- around the bandswitch, (but both have a side panel) and among
the coils.  It appears that some of the circuits were wired before the
chassis were assembled, with large wax caps buried where they can't be
removed unless chopped up in place.  You have the SX-42, so you know what
that looks like.  That aspect is pretty much the same.

Thing to watch for -- peeling of that big inner dial glass.  It's paint
or decal on the inside surface.  Some are still in good shape, some
starting to peel, and I have one with most of the dial is missing.  You
have to be careful if the unit is shipped.  Both inner and outer dial
glass are held with small brass clips with rubber channelling.  The good
news is that the rubber is of a type that has not disintegrated. 
However, if the clips are loose, the glass can jog, hit something and
break.  Should be checked before shipping, or even upending the radio. 
The good news is that there are at least two sources of repro dial
glasses.  Oh, yeah, there's supposed to be a thin sheet metal dust cover
over the dial area that's often missing.  I suspect these were removed
because they partly cover the four tubes up front -- including the 6V6's,
so a nuisance and possible heat retention source.

Another mystery of sorts is the knob styles on the SX-62's.  Fairly
consistent at the beginning, but then changed.  I'd thought I'd seen them
all until recently.

When you take an SX-62 out of it's cabinet (same as an SX-42), be sure to
move the dial calibrator -- small knob upper left -- to pull in the
mechanism, or it will catch on the case.

Hope this helps.

Barry

________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!