[Hammarlund] HX-50

[Robert Nickels]

I've been working to get an HX-50 going with it's matching HXL-1 
amplifier and thus far, my opinion of the amp is much higher than that 
of the transmitter ;-)

I know the HX-50 may be the Rodney Dangerfield of sideband transmitters, 
but this one looks like brand-new, and seems to work more or less, so 
I'm kinda motivated to get it going as well as possible. 

Does anyone know anything about how many were made, and what changes 
were made over the production run?  (original '61-'64 model, not 
including the later HX-50A). 

I ask because the audio section (at least) of this one is wired 
completely different from the schematic W8UT uploaded to BAMA (thanks 
Al!).  The mic gain is in a different stage, vox circuit is different 
(and doesn't work well), and I've found differences in the balanced 
modulator (which doesn't balance as well as most rigs).  Hammarlund did 
some odd things, like using two relays with high resistance coils wired 
in series, and operated from the low B+ supply.  This puts B+ on the PTT 
line which I don't like, but worse yet, my transmitter is wired such 
that neither of the PTT terminals goes to ground as the schematic 
shows.   I also found half the drive level pot element, which seems odd 
considering the circuit (assuming it's wired per the schematic).  The 
best audio report I've had thus far is "folks will sure know you're 
using a boatanchor" - but that's not something I'm shy about ;-)

Anyhow, mine is stamped "518" on the rear panel which I take to be the 
serial number, and I'm just curious if anyone knows whether this would 
be early, late, or what, and whether others have found discrepancies 
from the BAMA schematic.

Thanks and 73,
Bob W9RAN