[Hallicrafters] SX-96? (SX-88)

[Mike Everette]

> 
> IOW they were the first truly new design since the SX-9.
> 
> Carl
> KM1H
> 

You're real close to right.

Probably the SX-71 was the first "truly new design" as it predates the SX-88 by four or five years (1949? 1950?).

The "lineage" of Halli designs is interesting, to say the least.  The SX-16 begat the SX-24 which begat the SX-99 which begat the SX-110.  It may go further forward and backward.  The S-20R begat the S-40 which begat the S-85 which begat the S-108, etc.  The S-19 did not beget the S-38; rather, it begat the S-53A which begat the S-107.  Very clever.  (The original S-53 was an exception, because it had the high frequency IF.)

If you look closely at the ad copy for the spreads on the S-40, from 1946, you'll notice how all the emphasis is on the styling.  Not a word about the circuitry being the same as the S-20R, except for a couple of tube updates (nothing substantive; sub a 6J5 for a 76 etc).  Makes one wonder how many bought a "brand new post-war" S-40 to replace an S-20R... hmm.

If you take a Sams for the SX-99 and compare it to the SX-110, there is NO difference in the circuitry or in the underchassis component layout.  The only differences are purely mechanical, to allow for the differences in the dial mechanisms.

Probably the main reason Hallicrafters went belly-up was because no one could figure out how to successfully solid-state the old designs!

The SX-96's main circuit difference from the S-76 is, of course, "selectable sideband."  All that is, is a crystal controlled second conversion oscillator which can be selected to run on the high side or low side of the 1650 KHz first IF.  The S-76 uses a free running oscillator.  And, the SX-96 has a stronger BFO plus improved detector and AVC to allow AVC and S-meter function on CW and SSB modes.

73

Mike
WA4DLF