[Hallicrafters] Tough Choice

[Rodger]

Hi Julian,

For me the SX-28 would be a definite keeper.  It performs well, looks 
great, is a classic Hallicrafters design, and the top of the "Super 
Skyrider" series. 

That leaves a more difficult choice between the SX-42 and SX-62.  If it 
will ever be used as a communications receiver then I would give the nod 
to the SX-42.  I have an SX-42 and three different SX-62 models.  For 
the first week of my novice experience in 1975 I used an SX-62 with my 
Johnson Valiant and even with very steady 15 year old hands doing the 
tuning making contacts on 40 meters was a challenge; fortunately after a 
week I also acquired an SX-101 and the SX-62 became the shack 
entertainment receiver on both FM and pulling in WLS AM from 800 mile 
away Chicago which would come booming in by mid afternoon in the 
winter.  The JAN OD-3 VR tube in the SX-62 with its bakelite shell and 
foam padding gives off a distinctive aroma which I will forever 
associate with vintage radio.

I really like the styling of the SX-62 and I have one in my office at 
the university and another in my home office.  I do monitor 75 meter AM 
with it at times and it might be fun to try some 40 meter CW contacts 
again sometime just to see if things were as bad as I remember.  My 
SX-42 is paired with an HT-19 and I have made a lot of CW contacts using 
it; the bandspread and main tuning are a pleasure to use.  There isn't 
much difference in circuitry between the two with cosmetics and 
mechanical tuning drives being the major difference.  The SX-62 got the 
crystal calibrator and the SX-42 got the lion's share of the good stuff 
(bandspread, better dial drive, S-meter).  They both have the same 
multi-bandwidth L/C plus crystal filter but the crystal filter isn't 
terribly useful on the 62 given the fast tuning and backlash.

If it were me I would keep the SX-42 but I would definitely miss the 
SX-62.  The 42 can do everything the 62 can do plus it has the ability 
to perform as a communications receiver with its bandspread system (and 
that all important S meter).  But, if the second receiver is going to be 
more of a display receiver for the enjoyment of guests and entertainment 
use the SX-62 style does seem far more appealing to the non-radio 
types.  Towards the end of the SX-42 era Hallicrafters had the both 
advertised in the back of the ARRL handbook; I believe that the SX-62 
was $294 and the SX-42 was $299.  For $5 more I would definitely have 
gone for the SX-42.

Rodger WQ9E

Julian Bunn wrote:
> Suppose you have an SX28, an SX42 and an SX62, and for various reasons
> can keep only two of them. Which two would you keep, and why?
>
> (I'd be inclined to let the SX62 go, but I'm in two minds about it.)
>
> Julian
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