[Hammarlund] Hammarlund radios

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Wed, Dec 14, 2011 at 12:24 AM, Richard Knoppow
<1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com> wrote:

>     The SP-400 knobs are similar to those used on the
> HQ-129-X. They are not quite like standard "chicken head"
> knobs. I suspect these and the tuning and bandwitch knobs
> may have been custom made for Hammarlund.

I've seen them on a few other pieces of gear, Richard. One is the
frequency calibrator made by....TelRad? Looks the same as the one
offered by Hallicrafters with 4 knobs, just re-branded. Uses the small
streamline chicken heads. The larger one used on the band change shows
up on some pieces of test gear, can't remember what.

They're actually pretty well made, I'd guess the cost would be higher
than the typical off-the-shelf Dakaware types, but who knows. My
assumption has always been that, like the 'new' panel look, the knobs
were meant to dress up what was basically a pre-war SP-200 or HQ-120,
hopefully presenting it as a new, improved model. They were certainly
proven designs at that point, but with gov't contracts drying up, they
were scrambling to re-open their amateur markets.

The later style used on the 600 and HQ-140/150 receivers were a good
design and a pleasure to use. Comfortable gripping surface, stood off
the panel with a sort of stem base. One of the reasons I never warmed
up to the later Hammars with the dinky flush-mounted knobs. It's
almost like revisiting the 400/129 chicken heads.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4