[Hallicrafters] SX-117 Crystal Osc Problem suggestions needed.

[Waldo Magnuson]

    About a week ago I ran into a problem trying to align the IF section 
in my SX-117.  I got a few suggestions on what to try but Mike (KL7CD) 
stepped in and guided me through a lot of testing with his very helpful 
suggestion.  Thank you Mike.
    However we have NOT entirely solved the problem.  The IF alignment 
was solved by backing up a stage with the signal generator, aligning 
that stage and then moving forward.  The rest of the alignment went 
without a hitch - the 50.75 KC, the 1650 KC, the 6.050 MC, and the 6.45 
MC.  Next in the procedure comes the Adjustment of the Crystal 
Controlled First Conversion Oscillator and the road got bumpy.  The 
procedure for adjusting the Xtal Osc connects a VTVM to TP1 and then 
adjusting the WWV, 80M, 40M, 20M, 15M, and 10M coils.  The VTVM should 
read a negative few volts ( -2 or -3 to -6 to -10volts).  I had 
readings on WWV, 40M, 15M, and 10M (10-1 and 10-3) But no TP1 readings 
on 80M, 20M, and 10-2 and 10-4.  Why no readings on every other band 
lead to measuring pin voltages on pertinent tubes, measuring resistor 
values, cleaning and inspecting the switches, cleaning crystal 
contacts, substituting tubes, bypassing the switches, replacing 
crystals from my HT-44.  I am able to peak all of the crystal 
oscillator coils by connecting my scope to the xtal osc output and 
observing the waveforms but the TP1 output is as described above.
    I have ordered 9.5 MC and 18.0 MC so I can align the Preselector.  I 
have aligned the IF trap, done the VFO calibration alignment and then 
tried adjusting the s-meter gain control (Sec. 6-10).  I have a dead 
crystal in the 20 meter band (which I have also ordered) but was able 
to do the s-meter adjustment on the 40 meter.  The sensitivity is low 
however I only get S9 at 100 uv instead of at 50 uv the manual calls 
for.  I also adjusted the BFO frequency (Sec. 6-11) but have not done 
Sections 6-12 and 6-13.
    So the Big problem remains - why the xtal oscillator problem.   And 
the secondary problem why the lower sensitivity but this might go away 
when the oscillator problem is fixed.
    If anyone has had the same xtal osc problem and can pinpoint the 
problem or if someone is willing to study the schematic and offer 
suggestion I would be very pleased.
    Finally, trying to find the solution to problems like this would be 
very frustrating without the expert help and guidance of guys like Mike 
who has really stepped in with assistance.  It makes the effort 
enjoyable.  Thanks.
73,  Skip  W7WGM