[Hallicrafters] Hallicrafter's TW-1000A Portable Eight Band Receiver

[Bob Scupp]

I purchased a Hallicrafter’s TW-1000A at the Socorro,
New Mexico Hamfest (about 100 South of Albuquerque on
I-25) from Robert W6RQR for $75.00 during late
October, 2005. I found out later that the TW-1000A had
the AM loopstick antenna mounted above the chassis
which this one did. The TW-1000 had the AM loopstick
antenna built into the front cover. Physically, the
exterior is in good condition. Upon opening the back
panel I found the interior including radio chassis to
be in near new condition. The built in telescoping
antenna is intact and unbent. It also has the original
Skyrider loopstick external antenna for AM and LW
reception.  Initially, it did not receive on any
bands. After replacing the 1U5(Detector), which had an
open circuit pentode section, it still did not receive
on any bands. During an annual antique radio clinic, a
member of our New Mexico Radio Collector’s Club; Chuck
Burch one of our members worked on it. After working
the bandswitch many times, the years of oxidation
began breaking up on the switch contacts. Finally the
AM broadcast band began receiving quite well. I used
two applications of WD-40 on the bandswitch at home.
It then began receiving well on all bands.

I have researched this receiver and found there are
three models manufactured from 1952 until 1956,
TW-1000, 1000A and 2000. I did purchase an excellent
reprint of the original service instruction manual on
E-Bay.  However I have several questions:

1) When I set it to the AM broadcast band and change
bands to the last position I receive nothing? I am
assuming this is because I have switch to the LW or
old  
Loran navigational band from 180 through 400 Kcs and
there is nothing in New Mexico to receive?
2) This receiver was in direct competition with the
Zenith Trans-Oceanic as were many other manufacturers
such as GE, Philco, Stromberg Carlson and RCA. Was
this model low production with Hallicrafter’s? If so
are there any documented records as to how many of the
TW-1000/1000A/2000’s were manufactured?


Thanks!


73's, 

Bob K5SEP 
Life Member QCWA and ARRL 
Member - Antique Wireless Association 
Life Member - New Mexico Radio Collectors Club

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