[Hallicrafters] SX-28 splitting meter case & front panel &questions HELP?

[Al Parker]

Hi Ian,
    I think all your items have been the subjects of past discussions,  some 
perhaps on other boatanchor or Halli reflectors.
    Almost all meter cases have split, it seems.  It's due to stresses 
induced during the metal drawing process.  Many of us just put a hose clamp 
around it to pull it back into shape, and then maybe put a smaller band 
clamp or wire twisted tightly to hold it.  Just be carefull when removing 
the meter from the panel.  Someone did produce a replacement a while back, 
but he barely recouped his costs (Lloyd G maybe).  I bought one, it's very 
nice.
    I had a "silver" panel but sold it a yr or so ago, not represented as 
being something special, which I believe they are not.  I think it's a 
nickel plating, that may have been applied at the factory to some panels, 
perhaps on early (or late?) runs, and then painted over.  Nobody can seem to 
come up with any evidence of "special factory presentation editions" or 
such.
    I believe that there were more than one version of sheet metal inside 
(and bottom) covers, some with and some without, holes.  I've owned several 
SX-28's, and have seen at least 2 different inside covers.  I think the one 
I presently keep has non-vented  .
    All this is worth just what you paid for it, but it's some experiential 
history.
73,
Al, W8UT
New Bern, NC
www.boatanchors.org
www.hammarlund.info

"there is nothing -absolutely nothing- half as much worth doing as simply 
messing about in boats."
   Ratty, to Mole


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ian" <ianwebb5 at comcast.net>
To: <hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 11:55 AM
Subject: [Hallicrafters] SX-28 splitting meter case & front panel &questions 
HELP?


> Yes, I've searched the archives but sure don't find the thread about this
> problem that I recall reading before I knew that I might acquire and 
> SX-28.
>
> I have a very early SX-28 that I hope I can bring back to life.  It's 
> serial
> number is 20 or so higher than the earliest S/N recorded in the SX-28 info
> on the Western Computer Museum web site.
>
> The meter case is split very badly and before I remove the front panel to
> start working in that area and have it fall apart while I do that, I hope 
> to
> get the advantage of somebody else's experience of how to handle the
> splitting case on the meter without doing further damage.
>
> I'd appreciate a link to any specific information since I assume somewhere
> it's posted and I need YOUR ADVICE and HANDS ON EXPERIENCE about the best
> way to keep from damaging the meter and providing a way to preserve the
> meter for continued use.
>
> I also am interested in anybody who has a metal/silver colored front panel
> on their SX-28.  It appears to me that this receiver has a silver panel 
> and
> that it has NOT been stripped of paint in the past to make it silver.
> However I may be wrong.  The 2 indented bands in the dial area still have
> red paint in them and the lettering in that area is NOT filled in.
>
> I have found a short item in a QST in the ARRL archives by a ham who no
> longer appears in the QRZ database asking about others with a silver front
> panel.  He said he knew of one other like that.
>
> What do you know about the "silver" panel(s).  I will look carefully at 
> the
> back of the panel when I remove it and see if it appears to be the 
> "proper"
> blue/gray or something close, maybe indicative of it not having been
> stripped.
>
> The cover to the tuning capacitor and tube box on top of the chassis was
> loose in the cabinet and appears original.  It is a SOLID piece of metal
> with no vent holes and was obviously on at one time and is not a recent
> fabricated piece.  All that I've seen in the early manual shows a cover 
> with
> vent holes in it.  Any information about this???  Should I drill some 
> holes
> to provide venting?  Wish I still had access to a metal shop with the
> selection of punches in the free standing punch!
>
> I'd appreciate your advice!   Thanks!
>
> Ian, K6SDE
> San Jose, CA area
>
>