[Hammarlund] Old Hammarlunds

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 12 Apr 2011 at 13:44, Todd, KA1KAQ wrote:

> It's important to keep in mind things like the higher
> bands weren't the big draw then that they are now.

It seems to me that about that time 6 meters was considered UHF...

> The SP-600 is an entirely different beast, a
> Super Pro in name only. 

I always wanted a PRO-310, but could never afford one. I wonder what ITS 
drift characteristics might be? I think the PRO-310 uses the same turret 
design as that used in the SP-600.

> As Ken mentions and as the manual states, the receiver was designed to
> be left on for extended periods to stabilize.

In fact, once I had mine in the operating condition I wanted, I never turned it 
off. For one thing, I liked the color of the dials. At night, with most of the lights 
in the room off, it was very comforting. ;-)

And I really like the "military truck" look.

> Once it
> stabilizes though, it's as solid as a rock.

That was certainly the case for me....and for the hundreds, if not thousands, 
used by the military.

> The only trick is bringing them up to spec and using them as designed
> and detailed by the manuals. Known primarily as a workhorse, they are
> really more the thoroughbred of their day.

At the time, they were right at the top for quality...and price...

I also believe that with what we have learned about AGC circuits, detectors, 
and temperature compensation since then, we can go a long way to make 
them very useable today.

And that 14 watts of hi-fi audio output is really wonderful.

As soon as I get one of mine restored, I intend to put it in the living room so 
my wife can listen to what's left of shortwave broadcasts. We have a 
wonderful old speaker system in an oak cabinet her father built many years 
ago which will reproduce that audio satisfactorily, I think.

Ken W7EKB