[Hallicrafters] SX25 mods

Fri Nov 26 12:11:34 EST 2004

Peter, I agree with you 99%. Original is good, but working is better, 
unless you want to sit it on a shelf
and talk about how its all original. I have a few radios that to the best 
of my knowledge are  pure original, and working fine. How original they 
will remain when something lets loose is yet to be seen. For my money I 
like to use them when I can. Resale value on a lot of BAs is laughable. 
What I see is many  TXs / RXs that cost in the $400+,  ++, range in the 50s 
and 60s that sell for a song today. If they are original, (caps, etc) 
chances are they are not working well and I would pay less. I'm using an 
HT-37, SX-101A all original, and in great condition, that I got REAL cheap. 
I also have an HT-37 (very modded) and an original SX-111 that cost me 
$300. I have a lot of my time in them but little extra cost. I got my 
SR-2000 as a parts rig/ fixer upper. Not having one that needed parts I 
went with the latter. It has a few mods that it would still be a parts rig 
without. ie: The ps screen choke was fried. I could not afford to have it 
replaced with a Dahl or have it rewound. Finding what I needed in that 
small package was a challenge. Three cheers for Antique Electronics Supply. 
Now it has 15H, 75ma, 400V Hammond choke installed. I changed it to 
negative side filtering and it works just fine. A purist would cringe. 
Point is I'm using a 2000 that I never could have bought if it was working. 
If it explodes I still have a parts rig I can sell for what I paid. If I 
was wealthy I might collect classic radios to sit on a shelf and classic 
cars to line up in the garage. Both are a lot more fun to use than admire. 
For my .02 do what it takes to keep them in use. I'm planning on using a 
few of those copper top rectifiers in a few rigs when I get around to 
ordering them. Ouch. Original is good, but working is better. Keep them BAs 
warming up the room. Happy Holidays, 73 George KB2Z
ps Many thanks to all on the list who have tolerated my many questions in 
the past. Some of you have more to do with my rigs working than I do.

At 09:54 PM 11/26/04 +0800, you wrote:

>I have both 5Y3Gs and 80s here, they both look the same once socketed in the
>set.
>Later 80s were also available in the GT size over here in the land of Oz, I
>dont know about the States.
>It's always good to make the set original if you can.
>But how far can or should you go? Where do you get .05 mfd caps these days?
>Everyone uses .047 mfd greencaps, so it is not original.
>Sometimes a modification is kept because the set is made more functional or
>practical as well. I'm not endorsing making hybrid solid state rectifier
>set-upps either although I've seen this in some sets from govt departments.
>
>I have an Airzone AC/DC console radio here that has been rewired with side
>contact dutch Philips valves.
>Why is it so? I hear you ask (apologies to Professor Julius Sumner Miller).
>
>During WW2, there was a shortage of all US numbered valves (tubes) used in
>allied radio equipment, the services did not use the side contact valves (O
>series and A series) so this Airzone set was completely rewired using the
>Philips valves because of practicality and availability, it's a real curio!
>
>Most collectors hate Philips side contact "P base" tubes, I know I do! Some
>people say "put the set back to original".
>
>That's a lot of work, it would still sound the same and then it would'nt
>have an interesting story attached to it!
>
>
>
>Regards
>Peter
>http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Network/9166/junkbox.html
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <johnph3 at juno.com>
>To: <peter_may at optusnet.com.au>
>Cc: <chandler2 at aol.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 10:57 PM
>Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] SX25 mods
>
>
> > Yes it is true the 5Y3 is the same as an 80 except the base style, but in
> > the interest of keeping one original I would prefer using
> > an 80. They are not that hard to find. And an older style 80 looks
> > impressive in the radio. I guess only if your interested in
> > the nostalgia of it.
> > John
> > On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 16:36:22 +1100 peter_may at optusnet.com.au writes:
> > > I think the 80 and the 5Y3 are the same electrically.
> > > >From memory the main difference was the 80 had a 4 pin base and the
> > > 5Y3 had an
> > > octal. It was probably quite a practical upgrade.
> > >
> > > Regards
> > > Peter May
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > chandlerh2 at aol.com wrote:
> > > >
> > > > hello to all this is my 1st post here and i am somewhat of a
> > > novice
> > > > working
> > > > on these radios  but i do know enough to work on them . i love
> > > > hallicrafters
> > > > and have about 8 of them now all in working order including a mint
> > > SX24
> > > > and
> > > > SX25. i have completely recapped my SX25 and one shematic i have
> > > shows
> > > > to use a
> > > > 6AB7 in the 1st RF stage and also a 5Y3 rectifier tube instead of
> > > an 80
> > > > . are
> > > > any mods necessary to use the 6AB7  and would i see any
> > > preformance
> > > > gains ???
> > > > any info would be appreciated
> > > > thanks  steve
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