[Hallicrafters] S-40A question and info

Tue Feb 15 04:30:59 EST 2005

>From: hallicrafters-request at mailman.qth.net
>Reply-To: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
>To: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: Hallicrafters Digest, Vol 13, Issue 16
>Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 04:00:15 -0500 (EST)
>
>Send Hallicrafters mailing list submissions to
>	hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
>
>To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>	http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hallicrafters
>or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>	hallicrafters-request at mailman.qth.net
>
>You can reach the person managing the list at
>	hallicrafters-owner at mailman.qth.net
>
>When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>than "Re: Contents of Hallicrafters digest..."
>
>
>Today's Topics:
>
>    1. New Hallicrafters Group (Bill Gerhold)
>    2. Re: New Hallicrafters Group (peter markavage)
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message: 1
>Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 16:58:57 -0500
>From: Bill Gerhold <k2wh at optonline.net>
>Subject: [Hallicrafters] New Hallicrafters Group
>To: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
>Message-ID: <0IBV0044ZEBRDP at mta6.srv.hcvlny.cv.net>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
>If anyone is interested, I have started a Hallicrafters reflector group
>using the free Yahoo Groups.  Currently there are (3) members.  If you care
>to join this group just go to this site.
>
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HallicraftersRadios/
>
>Thanks,
>................... Bill (K2WH) ..........................
>
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 2
>Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 17:50:30 -0500
>From: peter markavage <manualman at juno.com>
>Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] New Hallicrafters Group
>To: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
>Message-ID: <20050213.175030.2392.10.manualman at juno.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
>Ah, terrific, another Hallicrafters group with ugly ads et al; makes 3 or
>4. Just like flies.
>
>I'm unhappy(nice word); start another group.
>
>Pete, wa2cwa
>
>On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 16:58:57 -0500 Bill Gerhold <k2wh at optonline.net>
>writes:
> > If anyone is interested, I have started a Hallicrafters reflector
> > group
> > using the free Yahoo Groups.  Currently there are (3) members.  If
> > you care
> > to join this group just go to this site.
> >
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HallicraftersRadios/
> >
> > Thanks,
> > ................... Bill (K2WH) ..........................
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>______________________________________________________________
>Hallicrafters mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hallicrafters
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html
>Post: mailto:Hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
>
>
>End of Hallicrafters Digest, Vol 13, Issue 16
>*********************************************

Hello, my name is Scott. I'm working on restoring an S-40A. I have a 
question and some info on my restoration.

Question: I want to add a fuse to the power cord inside the unit. I have an 
old style bakelite and copper fuse holder that will look nice inside but 
what amperage do I use (2 amp?) and which side of the transformer do I put 
the fuse on? The heavy black line coming out of the transformer or the 
smaller one running to the power switch?

I figure adding a fuse is good insurance to at least have some form of line 
protection. I have much common sense in working on circuits and electrical 
stuff but I lack the in-depth technical skills. I can solder and test and 
clean and everything else no problem but when it comes to figuring technical 
electrical equations out: forget it. So I thought I would ask one of you for 
help.

My S-40A is coming along nicely. I was lucky to get one in really good shape 
to start with but it still needed re-capping (done) and cleaning and 
repainting. I've removed all paint and rust from the top and the lower case 
itself and i'm working on paint matching now. The faceplate is in excellent 
shape so I won't try re-painting it since the lettering is in great shape. 
The dial cord isn't brittle so I left it alone. Both 44 bulbs work and the 
green dials and windows I washed with water only. I lubed all bearings and 
shafts with a touch of light oil after using tuner cleaner on the switches 
and the tuning capacitor and all the pots.

After cleaning a light cleaning of the chassis with triple 000 steel wool 
and changing all the paper caps out with new 630 volt film caps I fired the 
radio up and all I got was BOOOOO from the speaker but thankfully no smoke 
from anywhere. I had read previously about the possibility of this happening 
so I decided I needed to change the big 3 stage capacitor up top. I wasn't 
sure exactly how to go about it since it is a 3 stager and all I had were 3 
electrolytics in a kit I bought. I also wanted to maintain the original 
appearance so after studying the sams photofact schematic I marked each 
connection and the wires coming from them and then I attached all 3 
electrolytic negative leads to one ground connection and the positive leads 
to their respective wires/connections. I then turned the radio back on with 
a random length of wire attached to the antenna terminal and one of the 
local AM broadcast stations came right in after a quick spin of the dial. 
Whew, what a relief! I thought about putting the three caps inside the old 
silver can but that job is better left to someone with more experience.

This receiver seems to be tuned fairly well as far as I can tell since I was 
able to receive stations on all 4 bands in their respective frequencies with 
side rejection as best as can be expected from a 55+ year old radio. I don't 
have the equipment to properly align it so no attempt will be made. I'm not 
real sure the BFO is working like it should but this seems to be a common 
problem that i've read about. Hopefully the next owner is technically minded 
and can bring it right up to par.

The speaker paper looks good and appears to be original. I've been going 
through and checking/re-soldering most all the connections except the ones 
around the tuning cans underneath since I read that messing around there 
could possibly ruin the phenolic material or detune something. After each 
solder check/re-heat I turned the radio back on to make sure nothing 
changed. Still works so I feel i've done ok there. All resistors checked 
good within 10 to 20 percent. The tubes all light up nicely and none appear 
gassy or too bright.

I also removed the transformer top and polished up the brass nuts and the 
bolt tops and gave it a de-rusting and flat black paint job. All the knobs 
on the front cleaned up well with just windex and regular dish soap. Though 
the two main tuning knobs have the typical crack along the edge below the 
metal rings so i'm going to superglue each one very carefully with a fine 
sewing needle to protect the edge from further cracking. I'm trying to do 
minimal obvious repairs to this radio so it appears as original as possible. 
I'm worried about the paint being perfect on the case but I figure as long 
as I come close to matching it then thats the best I can do.

Thank you and I do appreciate this opportunity to post. Scott, KC7KOJ

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! 
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/