[Hammarlund] Collins or Hammarlund?

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

EL34GUY@aol.com wrote:

>Not to be too off topic but what about the RCA AR-88? How does it compare? 
>Also, anyone do any work to HQ-180's? I have one that needs some attention. 73 
>and nice thread..
>  
>
Mark -

I have the SC-88 (R-320) which is usually on when I'm working around the 
house. It's located on the desk in my radio room but I can hear it fine 
through much of the house when it's cranked up a bit. One it warms up 
and stabilizes it seems to stay put just fine. Audio is very nice as 
well. Tuning dial leaves a bit to be desired, even though the SC-88 
utilizes a 'band in use' mask to cover the unused portions of the dial. 
I suspect if accurately aligned and calibrated it would be 'pretty 
close' in most cases, but for such a HUGE radio it sure has small dials. 
And it is huge or "all there" as they say. Somewhere around 100 pounds, 
including the steel cabinet and a thick steel front panel. They 
certainly didn't cut any corners in materials, at least. Just don't 
expect the same accuracy as mentioned in other, newer designs.

There's also a CR-91A waiting to find a perch as well as an AR-88LF 
currently disassembled and awaiting a new dial window. Rocksea made 
these a few years back but sold the stuff to another company who never 
responds to email inquiries apparently. I wonder if anyone out there has 
a spare? I only need *one*!

Very nice radios, built around the same time as the SX-28A. Flywheel 
dial tuning puts them right up there with the SX-28 and SP-600 for 'ease 
of tuning' and they're sure fun to use. Spend the time on yours and get 
it up to snuff, you'll be happy you did. Just wash your hands well 
afterwards because the large oil-filled cap on the back tends to seep a 
bit, and it's not olive oil in there....

de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ