[Hallicrafters] SX-88 report, was: Need (h) Button for S-Meter

[kiyoinc at attglobal.net]

** Reply to note from ad6pq Tue, 22 Jun 2004 04:00:04 -0400
(EDT)

> I'm about to start restoration of a fairly clean (arrived home playing)  
> SX-88 (S/N 150, mentioned here before); planning to re-belt the  
> bandswitch-to-dial-masks (thanks to Andy), re-cap all the Black  
> Beauty/Bumblebee paper caps (anybody want some NOS BBs?), check the  
> resistor values, clean the chassis, probably re-paint and re-screen the  
> front panel while it's off, re-mark the tube placements, etc. etc.

This Sunday, they auctioned off an SX-88 at the Frederick,
Maryland hamfest.  This was an unrestored radio. It seemed to
be all there and unbroken except it was missing the top plate
of the tuning capacitor box.

When I left, the bidding was up to $2,501.  I should have
looked for the serial number but didn't think to do that. 

Given the relatively small turn out at local hamfest, probably
under 500. This aucton didn't have the benefit of a wide range
of bidders. 

I heard comments, "could that $2,500 be a mistake?"  and "wow,
that's a lot for that old radio."  The bidding started with 50,
there were 2 other lowball bids and then the $2,500 followed
by a $2,501. 

Given that only about 100 SX-88's were made, I feel fortunate
to have seen one.  

I'm guessing that that SX-88 will end up on eBay but perhaps
not.  Perhaps it will vanish into a private collection. 

de ah6gi/4