[Hammarlund] Gregg's 129X

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

DXlover574738846@aol.com wrote:
<snip>

> Can you or someone else tell me the added benefits that a HQ 180 would give
> me.  Is it 'noticeably'  that much better than the 129X.  Thanks for any
> responses.
>
> Gregg :-)

I'll take a shot at it Gregg, but I'll warn you upfront that it is a skewed
opinion. I've never owned an HQ-180, so others will be far more qualified to
praise its improved features. It's a much newer radio, so it is likely a big
improvment over the '129X electronically. Some years back I *did* use one though,
and wasn't at all impressed. It wasn't likely related to the performace in any
way, more the layout, size, or something along those lines. A good friend had this

radio and used it for a while, then offered it to me for $75. I declined, just
wasn't interested in owning one. I think they're a triple conversion receiver, at
least on some bands(?), so I'm sure a properly tuned and aligned rig is plenty
hot. I think the tuning knobs were too small, though. It's probably just the
design of the knob, doesn't have a big ridge to grasp like the Collins or
Hammarlund knobs.

At the time I was using my first HQ-120X, the older brother of the '129X
(basically the same radio, but the '129 is more snazzy looking). I liked the radio

just fine. Wish I hadn't sold it, even. Since then I've owned a couple of HQ-150s
and SP-600s, a couple of which I still own and use. They are more like the '129 in

their design 'feel', and the HQ-150 just screams on BCB dxing. They sound nice and

they're fun to use, especially the SP-600 which is perhaps the best "Band Cruiser"

ever made for zipping around the dial and overall listening. This radio has gotten

a bad rap over the years for drifting and other problems, but changing out the
Black Beauty caps and then choosing the correct power input tap for the
transformer as suggested to me by Dr. Les Locklear HHe (HammarHead extraordinaire)

puts them in a very stable and pleasing state.

If you want what is considered by most to be the best SWLing radio, bite the
bullet and get yourself the good ol' R-390 or cost-reduced 'A' model. For SSB, a
nice Collins 75A-4 or Hallicrafters SX-115 would be the ticket. But for all around

fun and excellent utility, Mike is right - the Hammarlund SP-600 is tough to beat
and the best Hammarlund, bar none. You can copy SSB with it, just takes a bit more

finesse and skill. It has the largest number of appealing features in it compared
to others. After that I'd take the HQ-150, Hallicrafters SX-62(*) or SX-28(*).
Many of us who love and appreciate the R-390 series of receivers for their
sensitivity and low noise floor also have the SP-600 right there in the rack as
well, for cruising about the bands. It's an excellent compliment to the R-390, and

it's gray too!

Okay, I've fired the first volley - let the debates begin!

73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ

BTW, I do have a nice HQ-129X awaiting restoration, which will be easy. The former

owner drilled a hole in the front panel, otherwise the radio would look like new
[except for those orange fluorescent call letters he added!]. Thanks to Ron
Hankins who has made new panels, this old rig will be restored to its former glory

sometime this winter.