[Hallicrafters] Communications Receivers - why speakers separate?

[Glen Zook]

Price definitely plays a role in whether or not a receiver had a built in speaker.  For Hallicrafters that price was between $125 and $150.

The S-85 sold for $119.95 and had a speaker in the unit.  The SX-99, which has exactly the same circuits except for an added simple crystal filter and with an S-Meter (there were units, made by Hallicrafters, to add an S-Meter to the S-85), that sold for $149.95.  In general, those receivers used the same cabinet and the SX-99 required an external speaker.

There was a perception among amateur radio operators that the higher priced, meaning "better" performing, receivers did not have a built in speaker.  As such, the manufacturers could leave out the speaker and then provide a "matching" speaker for additional money.

Back then, the price for a speaker, that was satisfactory for amateur radio use, cost under $2.00.  But, the "matching" speaker sold for between $10.00 and $40.00.  The cost of the speaker cabinet, etc., was kept low so that the profit margin on the "matching" speakers was maximized.  Percentage wise, there was a higher profit margin on the "matching" speakers than on the receivers themselves.  Today, most transceivers come with a built in speaker.  But, there are also "matching" external speakers available.

Glen, K9STH
website:  http;//k9sth.com


On Saturday, May 31, 2014 2:28 PM, Julian Bunn <Julian.Bunn at caltech.edu> wrote:
 


I always assumed the lack of enclosed speaker on communications receivers
was because most hams used headphones instead?

Julian


On Sat, May 31, 2014 at 11:35 AM, John via Hallicrafters <
hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> Price was probably was probably the first issue with cabinet size required
> for a larger speaker as a second one.  Also, many hams already had a
> speaker or two laying around and were quite willing to buy a receiver that
> did not have an internal speaker.
>
>
>  73,
>
>  John,  W4AWM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Steve Sutfin <stephoto at mind.net>
> To: Peter VK6PM <peter_may at optusnet.com.au>
> Cc: hallicrafters <hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sat, May 31, 2014 2:31 pm
> Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Communications Receivers - why speakers
> separate?
>
>
> It was always my thought that the issue was 'stability'; not
> cheapness. Even though the cabinets were metal the vibration from a
> speaker could affect stability in the older tube rigs. And of course
> that was before hollow -state and PLL.
> YMMV,
> Steve k7dna
>
> On May 30, 2014, at 6:54 PM, Peter VK6PM wrote:
>
> > I've been chatting with some younger amateurs on a local net, and
> > the question of why communications receivers did not come supplied
> > with built-in loudspeakers emerged.
> >
> > Some of the younger guys reckon that  it appears to be at the
> > outmost extremity of "stinginess" that you would have to buy the
> > speaker separately.
> >
> > Historically, broadcast receivers from the crystal set era onwards
> > came with a built in loudspeaker.
> >
> > I shot down the argument that it was just USA companies (which was
> > the original beef, aimed at the Lafayette HA-600), pointing out
> > that Eddystone (UK) STC and Kingsley (Aust) also followed the
> > practice.
> >
> > Does anyone have any ideas on this one? I don't have any sensible
> > answers for the young blokes.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Peter VK6PM
> >
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