[Hallicrafters] Best RX?

[Robert Nickels]

In my experience using both, the SX-101 is much more receiver, 
especially considering today's prices, as they are often seen unsold at 
midwest hamfests for $100-150 vs the SX-111 that tends to go for more 
money, owing to its relative rarity.    The SX-101 was Hallicrafters 
top-of-the-line model when it was introduced in 1956 and sold well for 
several years.  By the time SSB was becoming popular they chose to add 
the product detector, and swap the 160 meter band for a calibrated 
converter band, owing to the popularity of 6 and 2 meters at the height 
of the sunspot cycle in 1959   The SX-101A was still "built like a 
battleship" according ot the ads, a fact that is verified by anyone who 
hefts one around the bench for restoration today, and was sold until the 
cost-reduced SX-111 came out in '62.

The SX-111 was a better styling match to the very popular HT-37 but the 
fact that it sold for over $100 less than the 101 says a lot.   I find 
it usable as a vintage sideband receiver, but for anything other than 
casual use I'd opt for another receiver.   There's a reason that the 
most popular mate for the HT-37 at the time was the Drake 2B, which sold 
for the same price as the SX-111 but outperformed it across the board.

So my vote goes to the 101 series - check the specs and pick the model 
that best meets your needs.  (Note also that some early versions of the  
SX-111 didn't have a calibrator and/or product detector).

73, Bob W9RAN