[Hammarlund] HQ-110 question...or five...

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

I was given a substantially complete HQ-110C some time ago. 

After an alignment, it seemed to work quite well other than it drifted badly.

However, I was "less than pleased" by its action on CW/SSB, not alone due 
to the drift, but also because of Hammarlund's (to me) really weird idea of 
using the last IF stage as a "power detector" when the receiver is switched to 
CW.

I noted that as far as the drift is concerned, this receiver uses the same 6C4 
(or octal version) triode oscillator as they used in practically every other 
model of their receiver. I have always thought this was strange, as a really 
good ECO would be much more frequency stable than a pure triode 
oscillator.

>From other reading I have done, it appears that Sylvania brand 6C4s and 
6BE6s are far less prone to drifting and other annoying frequency excursions 
than other brands of 6C4.

But I don't have any of either.

So, what is the "collective experience and wisdom" concerning such 
matters?

Since this HQ-110C is not a collectors' item (were any of them?), I have 
been toying with the idea of changing the HFO circuit to a 6AH6 ECO.

I have also been toying with the idea of completely revamping the IF, 
detector, "S" meter, and audio stages to bring them up to more like more 
modern circuits.

Has anyone here attempted such, and if so , what was the result? Good or 
rotten?

Ken Gordon W7EKB