[Hallicrafters] Opinions on the SR 150

[JC Quinn]

Hello Dave:

I am a rabid SR-150 fan.  I have two and am extremely pleased with them.  As
you say, they are available fairly cheap.  I paid $300 for one of mine with
the power supply and the other was given to me not working.  The receiver
section of the SR150 is one of the best I've ever owned.  It is
exceptionally quite, the signal to noise ratio is amazing.  In adverse band
conditions, it out shines many modern rigs.  Stability is good after initial
warm-up,  there is a bit of drift but you won't be forever retuning during a
ragchew.  I have used mine to call the Alabama Traffic Net and noticed no
movement during a 45 minute net.  Many times during summertime static
conditions on 75 meters, I have found the noise too much to listen to on a
KW TS570 and a TenTec Pegasus but had comfortable armchair copy with the
150.
These rigs are tough, if someone hasn't butchered it already, they won't
require much maintenance.  I haven't run into any parts that have been hard
to find.  Antique Radio has the caps for the Power Supply and any tubes you
might need.  Finals are dirt cheap, I just bought a spare set for $11.10
each.
Bad points?  No provision for a CW filter, if you re into CW, nor a narrow
SSB filter.  The stock filter is 2.1kc (I think) and works well for most
use.   These rigs came with a RCA style plug for the antenna jack, many have
been converted to So239s with varying degrees of skill. To key an amp, you
have to install a pigtail in the PS Jones plug if it doesn't already have
one. (Like on some of the earlier Drakes using the AC3 supply)  Also there
is no provision for an external VFO, but they do have RIT. (one of, if not
the first rigs to have RIT)  No notch filter, No bandpass tuning. Most rigs
with have a lot of paint chips on the case, the case is aluminum and the
paint didn't stick too well. (Ace Hardware's #00062 Stone Gray Satin is a
close match)
All in all, a GREAT older rig,   better IMHO than the Drake TR3 and TR4,
darn close to a KWM 2 but  lot cheaper.  Probably the best transceiver
Hallicrafters ever built,  the SR400 is basically the same except for higher
power and more money, ditto the SR2000.  If you can find pretty good one, go
for it.  You'll be well pleased with it.
73
Jim  kc4ee at sonet.net
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Drake" <drake at fullnet.com>
To: <hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2003 07:47 AM
Subject: [Hallicrafters] Opinions on the SR 150


> I have seen a number of SR-150 transceivers for sale lately at cheap
prices.  How good were they?  How restorable are they?  Are most parts still
available?  What were the shortcomings of the radio?
>
> Thanks, David Drake, WD9CMD (PS: No relation to R.L.)
>
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