[Hallicrafters] Alignment

[TC Dailey]

Ahhh, yes.  Ted Crosby (W6TC) of HBR receiver fame (QST '63-'64) once said
it very well "No one thing appears to frighten the average ham more than the
word ALIGNMENT".  It's really not so hard - yes, a GOOD generator is a very
nice thing, as you can control the signal level, but I did many alignments,
using an old Triplett RF generator which I ran through a cable-tv attenuator
switchbox.  If you follow the SIMPLE directions in the manuals, it's almost
a slam dunk.  Try it - you'll like it.  Yeah, I'm using an HP-606A plus a
Motorola T-1035A for generators these days.  I also recommend a good old
fashioned NEEDLE-type VTVM, as it's sure easier to watch a needle peak, than
it is to keep track of numbers on a DVM.

Don't have a frequency counter?  Do you have a fancy-schmanzy new
digital-readout receiver or transceiver?  Use THAT for verification of
frequency - the few cycles of drift really won't make much difference in
most of these old critters, but you WILL know where your generator is.

The SX-62 & 62A weighs 55 lbs (I have two of 'em).  They're marginally
lighter OUT of the box, but are quite easy to align.  Remember that the
alignment and dial tracking may change slightly when you put it back in the
case, as the metallic bottom does affect the tuning - if it R E A L L Y
bothers you, you can test it by holding a metal plate near the bottom to see
where it ends up - I've found that it really doesn't make a noticible
difference, especially on the '62 or '62A.

There is great satisfaction when you peak up an IF strip, and you hear the
improvement - then you're hooked.

Tom - WØEAJ