[Hallicrafters] SX-42 restoration update

[Craig Roberts]

Not bad. Not bad at all!

My SX-42 is humming along....  well, actually, it's NOT humming along, 
which is a good thing.  It HAD been humming along at one point, but now 
produces lovely sound with hardly a trace of currents alternating.

The final parts-replaced count is: 42 capacitors, 43 resistors, 1 dial 
lamp. Feeling a bit of restoration reverie, though, I cavalierly tossed 
in three other new dial lamps, just to equalize lumens and avoid a 
staggered replacement sequence later.

The electronic work was completed yesterday evening with no undue 
complications or great difficulties. Component replacement is a bit 
awkward in a few places, but the SX-42 is easier to work on by far than 
an SP-600 or R-390.  I was initially concerned about reaching a couple 
of the caps on the back wafers of the bandswitch, but they turned out to 
be very easy. I'll reveal the secret -- which involves no removal or 
unsoldering of other components -- to anyone who would like the information.

I spent the day today removing, washing, polishing and replacing bits 
with special attention to the front panel and its attachments. 
Fortunately, the panel was corrosion free, so all it took was a warm 
bath and gentle buffing with my very favorite front panel cleaner/polish 
-- Novus #2 plastic polish. 

(advertisement) Novus #2 plastic polish is a fantastic product for many 
of your radio restoration needs. It cleans away years of oil, grease, 
grime and nicotine in minutes while safely and gently polishing the 
surface. It'll make your metal front panel look like new.  When used on 
plastic dial covers and lenses, Novus #2 plastic polish leaves them 
scratch free, odor free and mmm-mmm- deee-licious! AND, when used with a 
light touch, Novus #2 plastic polish will not harm panel lettering. 
Novus #2 plastic polish -- pick up a bottle today. Just look for the 
distinctive red label.

Anyway, the radio looks very pretty and is playing very nicely on all 
bands. It's a better sideband and CW receiver than my SP-600 and its 
audio is just -- well -- lovely.

The job's not quite complete. The flu  grounded me  for a few days, so I 
never did get the cabinet over to the powder coating guy. I've been 
advised by a couple of fellas to paint it rather than powder coat it, 
anyway. One way or the other, I'll finish the cabinet this week. 

The front panel has one flaw. For reasons known only to himself and his 
god, a previous proprietor has removed the "MODEL SX-42" lettering from 
the top left hand corner, leaving behind some small but noticeable 
scarring.  I could replace the pale green lettering with custom, Pantone 
color matched dry transfer lettering from Letraset. However, their 
custom sheets cost $70.00 -- kinda rich for two words. I'll puzzle over 
that for awhile. 

Of course, the receiver needs to be aligned, too. It'll be interesting 
to see what improvements will be made in that process, considering the 
fine reception I'm getting now, as is.

Once the project is completed -- cabinet and all -- I'll prepare a 
detailed article with photos and post it on my website.

To those who've helped with documents and pictures and encouragement, 
thanks again!

73,

Craig
W3CRR