[Hallicrafters] SX-117 or Not!

[Chris Kepus]

Hi folks,

 

I am in a quandary.  I have a very clean and very nice (cosmetically) SX-117
and HT-44 combo that I acquired from a ham that was shutting down.  I
finally had a chance to play with the SX-117 a bit.  Unfortunately, it is
going to need some work.  It is a bit deaf and the sideband selection
control only works for one sideband.

 

I have not attempted to fire up the HT-44 but it's specs are impressive
compared to early S-line transmitters.  True CW with break-in (yep, I do
CW), SSB and AM.

 

Anyway, the quandary.  I am not a Hallicrafters collector.  But I want
something Hallicrafters in the shack.  My inclination is to find a nice
SX-100 / R-46B combo.  I like the cool looks of the rx, it always gets
decent marks from users, it looks like it would be fun to listen to and
operate semi-seriously from time to time.

 

But..am I being short sighted? Is the SX-117 a diamond in the rough?  Is it
really a performer?  Is it an econo SX-115 like some claim?  And is the
combo, SX-117/HT-44 worth fixing and keeping to put on the air? Are they
stable and enjoyable to use?  To help you help me, you need to know  I have
plenty of general coverage radios and AM and SSB rigs so keeping the pair
would be more for the pleasure of operating from time to time, assuming I
could get them running up to spec.  Who among you loves the SX-117 more than
other Hallicrafters receivers (not including the SX-88 or115) and why?  Talk
to me.  I need a lot of help resolving this quandary and moving to other
decisions.  If you don't like the SX-117, tell me that, also, and why,
especially if you can make a comparison based on usage.  If you could only
have one Hallicrafters receiver ( again, not including the SX-88 or 115),
which would it be for pure listening pleasure and some semi-serious ham use?
If you think the SX-117 is the ticket, who is the one person you would send
it to for repair, alignment, with full confidence it will come back working
as good as or better than new?

 

Sorry for the long post.  I will appreciate your responses on the list or
off line.

 

Chris

W7JPG