[Hallicrafters] SX-88 Value Controversy

[Carl]

I have several fully operational stations set up. One is a HT-9, SX-28 
with HT-7, SP-44, and PM-23 with the "h".

Another is a HT-32B, SX-115 and NCL-2000 which holds its own in many 
pileups.

Other AM/CW benches have numerous radios that get cycled to center stage 
on a regular basis to keep company with B&W, Johnson, Meissner, ART-13, 
and homebrew transmitters. All except the 1929 PP 211 and ART-13 rigs 
have homebrew KW amps and modulators at that position.

Of the Halli's the SX-17, 28 and 115 all hold their own on the air for 
the years they represent.

Other operating benches are for modern equipment from 160M to microwave.

Oh, and there is also the FB7-XA and very early Meissner Signal Shifter 
that are dedicated to 30M QRP.

Cant say as any receiver is my favorite but a highly modified 75A4 Ive 
had since 1965 is better than any ricebox Ive tried or owned for digging 
out 160/80M CW DX. Even better than a R-390A.

Carl
KM1H




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter A Markavage" <manualman at juno.com>
To: <hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: <manualman at juno.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 4:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] SX-88 Value Controversy


>I use a Dentron 160XV transverter with the T-599D to get 160 transmit
> coverage with my Twins. Over all, my best, and most used tube receiver
> for amateur band coverage is the Squires Sanders SS-1R. For general
> coverage, my Hammarlund SP-600 gets the most use. The SX-88 pretties 
> up
> the shack and the SP-44 sits on top of it. I use the SX-88 on 
> occasion,
> but it's not high on my list. It's in the same level of use as my 
> R-391.
>
> Pete, wa2cwa
> http://www.manualman.com
>
>
> On Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:40:06 -0600 Rodger <wq9e at dtnspeed.net> writes:
>> Pete,
>>
>>I own a pair of the A and
>> D
>> twins and my only complaint is the transmitter doesn't cover 160
>> like
>> the receiver does.
>>
>> I have a lot of vintage receivers but the SX-88 probably gets more
>> use
>> than any other even though it is not at the top of the performance
>> heap
>> but it is certainly competent and fun to use.  I rarely listen to
>> SSB on
>> it but it does a very good job of pulling weaker AM signals out of
>> the
>> QRM on 75 and does very well on CW.  Even if it had been "the last
>> word"
>> when it was built it still is a very old receiver in today's world
>> and I
>> am sure my Drake R-7A and both my stock and modified R-4C receivers
>> will
>> outperform it under tough conditions but for me the SX-88 is a lot
>> of
>> fun to use.  Face it, under really tough band conditions the
>> telephone
>> is going to outperform any receiver if you need to get a message
>> through
>> so endless "mine is better than yours" arguments really are
>> counterproductive.  Another favorite of mine is the National
>> NC-240D.
>> It is a good performer and has a nice look and the interesting
>> bandswitching for general coverage and ham bandspread.  I have
>> several
>> members of the sliding coil catacomb family (a couple of NC-100X's,
>> an
>> NC-101X, the miltary RAO-7, a pair of NC-240D's) and they all serve
>>
>> their purpose.
>>
>> For my ultimate heavyweight receiver I am in the process of building
>> an
>> external final IF/product detector for my Pierson KP-81 to give it
>> better SSB capability and better selectivity on CW.  It is the only
>>
>> non-National design receiver I own that uses a sliding coil catacomb
>>
>> system for band changes.  Mechanically it is very well built and
>> uses a
>> total of 11 IF transformers in the 455 KC IF giving it a pretty nice
>>
>> selectivity curve on AM phone.  The receiver and its external power
>>
>> supply/audio output stage/speaker weigh about 140 pounds between the
>> two
>> units.  Part of a recent hamfest haul was a box containing a number
>> of
>> unused 85KC transformers for the command sets so I decided this will
>> be
>> an interesting use for them.   Adding a Hammarlund HC-10 to my TMC
>> GPR-90 really changed its personality; I would love to have the
>> matching
>> TMC adapter but given prices that isn't likely to happen soon.
>>
>> Rodger WQ9E
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