[Hallicrafters] SX-117 or Not!

[WF2U]

I love my SX-117/HT-44 combo. As far as receivers go, the '117 is up there
with the best of them (in the ham-band only category). It's very quiet with
no signal, comparing to many other receivers, the audio is excellent. The CW
performance is excellent. I'd put it in the Collins S-line category
performance-wise, except the audio is much more pleasant than from any of
the Collins receivers. Of course the dial calibration is not as accurate and
fine resolution as the S-line, but other features make up for it.

In spite what Al says regarding his SX-117 inferiority, (something must be
wrong with his...) the SX-117 is very close to the  SX-115 in performance.
All the RF/IF circuitry is identical to that of the SX-115, except some
additional circuits and tubes in the latter around the AGC and detector
stages, plus heavier chassis.

I also have an SX-101A/HT-32 combo. The SX-117 is better than the SX-101A. I
can really judge and compare the performance of a receiver - I have a
collection of over 100 ham and professional receivers from the tube era.
I even run the Hallicrafters SR-150 transceiver (similar in appearance to
the SX-117/HT-44) side by side with the Collins KWM-2 and guess what - I
prefer the SR-150 audio.

I'd say wholeheartedly to go for it!

BTW does anyone have a parts SR-150 or SR-160 with the meter or just the
meter? I got mine with a meter with a completely broken and non-repairable
movement and substituted a similar but not identical 1 ma meter but I can't
switch the scales so it just doesn't look right.

73, Meir WF2U
Landrum, SC


> -----Original Message-----
> From: hallicrafters-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:hallicrafters-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Chris Kepus
> Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 1:46 AM
> To: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Hallicrafters] SX-117 or Not!
>
>
> 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
>
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