[Hallicrafters] Hallicrafters S-37.5

[Tom Burke]

I've worked an additional month on my S-38 and about to initiate Plan B.
Are there any S-38 Experts out there than understand there may be an
older version of the S-38?  Not the A, B or C version, but one before
the A version.

Here is what I think is going on:  I have an odd S-38.   In my model
(let's call it an S-37.5 early model)my oscillator 12SQ7 is right behind
the BFO slug trimmer #7.  So the two tubes that are in the front of the
chassis next to the tuning pots are the 12SQ7 and the 12SA7.  In my two
other S-38's the BFO oscillator is on the opposite side of the chassis
and the two tubes in the front are the 35Z5 and the 12SA7.  

And there are a number of other differences.  My S-37.5 doesn't have the
two trimmers that are between the two front tubes (trimmers #5 and #6).
Instead, there is one mica trimmer under the chassis.  Also, the leads
coming from the oscillator coil to the 12SQ7 are not sheilded.  There is
more, also.  

I have oscillation, just not enough to clarify SSB.  

Unless I can get a print of this early model, I may need to rebuild
another true S-38 from the correct chassis that matches the BAMA
schematics.  I have plenty of spare chassis here, it's just that this
radio is completely re-capped and aligned.  It just has a lousy BFO.

Has anyone run into anything like this before?  Would anyone happen to
have an early S-38 print that has the 12SQ7 within inches of the BFO
Trimmer?   It is possible that the early S-37.5 was changed early in the
manufacturing at Hallicrafters because it had a bad layout?  It might be
that the BFO will not perform well with the existing layout.  

I would like to find an early print before I go to Plan-B.

Thanks....


Tom Burke