[Hallicrafters] Re: SX-117 or Not!

[Ken Kaplan]

Chris,

You'll probably get lots of differing opinions but here's mine. If haming is your main 
goal and you already have plenty of everything (general coverage & ham), fix up the 
SX-117 and use it. I've never owned one but it is a nice looking receiver and looks 
good on paper too. I own a nice SX-28A and SX-100 but wouldn't use them as my 
first choice for ham comms. Oh I've listened to SSB on the SX-28 plenty of times but 
it is a chore. The SX-100 is better. Neither receivers have product detectors. That 
SX28 sure is a pleasure to band cruise with and the audio is impressive. Both the 
SX-28 and SX-100 are good lookers.

Of course you should realize that your question has little meaning on this list as most 
here have solved your "quandary" problem the only real way possible.

73 Ken kb7rg

> 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