[Hallicrafters] HT-44/SX-117, about crystals and transceiving

[Harry Vaught, KT4AE]

Get me started...

Another crystal which is optional is the one for the 10mc WWV. My first 
SX-117 came with all ten meter crystals and the WWV.  My second didn't 
have any optional crystals.  It had only the one for the second ten 
meter segment - no WWV.  Since I consider this to be a necessity, I 
bought one for it before I sold it.  I admit I put the new crystal in my 
"new" SX-117 and put the old one in the one I sold.  Hey, it worked and 
I didn't owe anyone a new crystal.  So be careful. I paid $30 for the 
WWV crystal.

My last and best SX-117 didn't have any of the optional ten meter 
crystals, but my HT-44 had all but the last ten meter segment, so I put 
them in the SX-117 and in transceive I have coverage of all but the top 
segment of ten meters.

Now, on to transceive.  Of the three SX-117's I've had, only the last 
one works satisfactorily in transceive.  With the other two, on fifteen 
meters and up, the receiver was loaded down to an unacceptable degree by 
just having the cables connected.  HT-44 power output was reduced 
significantly on these higher bands.

I've discussed this with other hams who feel that this is due to 
weakening output of these old crystals.  Makes sense to me.

My "new" SX-117 works fine on transceive.  On fifteen (I don't bother 
much with ten) the receiver loses about one S-unit with the Crystal Osc 
cable attached, regardless of switch position even after alignment with 
cables attached.  Transmitter output appears unaffected.  Transceive is 
a great thing.  You don't have to re-zero for every new ship on "Museum 
Ships Weekend".  Could almost make you want a transceiver.

When I got into the vintage hobby in '94, what I wanted was an HT-32 and 
a receiver to go with it.  It took several years to find the '32 and on 
the journey I bought the HT-44/SX-117.  Now I have both setups and could 
really get rid of the '32/'101A, but I'm a collector and can't stand to 
lose anything once I have it.

Harry, KT4AE
Maryville, Tennessee