[Hallicrafters] HT-44 Balanced Modulator Observation and Other Musings

[Harry Vaught, KT4AE]

Scott,

Interesting about the mike gain.  If I put a barefoot crystal mike on my 
HT-44, I have to turn the gain up to 6 or 7 and then it's noisy.  This 
must be a common problem.  Maybe someone else has solved it.

I haven't been able to find where the loss of gain is.  In the alignment 
instructions, they have you detune T2 (I think) which couples the 
modulator to the RF chain, so that you don't overload.  I've had to tune 
mine for maximum gain.  Also, I found that the AALC was generating a 
negative voltage with any audio, not just when there was grid current. 
I disconnected the AALC and it helped some.

I've swapped tubes and the resistances and voltages are within spec. 
There's gain at every audio stage.

I got tired of fooling with it since it works fine with the D-104, but 
any hints from the group would be helpful.

I have one of those Mouser elements in an old Astatic 200S shell.  IT 
sounds fine on a monitor receiver, but I don't have an air check yet.

Harry Vaught, KT4AE
Maryville, Tennessee