[Hammarlund] Alignment Of HQ-180 IF and BFO

[Les Locklear]

I posted this about a year ago. Here is the correct if alignment procedure for the HQ-180A: 

I quote from my HQ-180A manual. This is a later manual, 9001-06-00001 Issue 4 Feb. 1970. I do not know if there is a later manual or not. My focus on Hammarlund has been on the history and specifically the SP-600 series, so somebody will I'm sure have better info on this than I do. 

Starting with the 60 khz if alignment, I will do it verbatim: 

1. connect the VTVM to the junction of L8 and C44 and chassis ground. 

Connect the signal generator for the 60 khz first adjustments to the junction of C28 and T5 and chassis ground. 

Apply an unmodulated 60 khz signal and set T6,7,8,9,10 and 11 for a maximum negative reading. Remember to reduce the IF input signal level as necessary to maintain about -5 volts DC. 

2. Turn the mode switch from AM to CW. 

Check that the BFO is set to zero, then adjust T28 for zero beat. 

Return the switch to AM 

Sideband switch set to Both 

Selectivity switch set to 3 

3. Disconnect the signal generator from T5 and C28, and re-connect to pin 7 of V2. Apply an unmodulated 455 khz signal and adjust L4 for maximum meter reading. It should be noted that L4 has 2 peaks, adjust for the strongest peak. 

Adjust the top and bottom slugs of T3, 4 and 5, and the top slug of T1. Keep the input signal level at approximately -5 volts on the VTVM. 

4.Rurn the slot frequency control to zero on the front panel and the slot depth control (located on the bracket behind the front panel) to the center of its range. Adjust L3 for minimum meter reading. After this is completed, adjust the slot depth control to further minimize the reading. After adjusting the sloth depth control, re-adjust L3 for minimum reading leaving the slot depth control as set. After alignment, return the slot frequency control (front panel) to +5 on the front panel markings. 

5. To align the 3035 khz IF, leave the voltmeter connected as in step 3 and set the signal generator to 3035 khz. Adjust the output of the generator as necessary to maintain approximately -5 volts on the VTVM. Adjust the BOTTOM slug of T1 and the SLUG (only has a single slug) for maximum meter reading. 

This completes the IF Alignment Procedure. 

However, You sate you are aligning and HQ-180. I just quoted from a 180A manual. There are slight differences and that might be the difference between which sideband it says to use. 


Regarding any of the crystal IF or RF alignments, you are correct in peaking to the frequency that the crystal has "aged" to, be it up or down. 

I jope this helps in some way to get your 180 aligned and sounding better. 

Les Locklear
Gulfport, Ms.
DX'ing Since '57












  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Byron Tatum 
  To: Hammarlund at mailman.qth.net 
  Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 4:30 PM
  Subject: [Hammarlund] Alignment Of HQ-180 IF and BFO


  Hello-
  Today I performed the alignment of the 60 KC IF of my HQ-180 per the manual, 
  with switches in USB, BFO in center at zero and 0.5 KC bandwidth as called out 
  for. I have different pitch when switching between USB / LSB, the difference is 
  great , there must be something off. I set the BFO to 60.0000 KC using sig gen / 
  freq counter.
  I have heard mention of a recommended IF alignment procedure, possibly 
  different from manual. Does anyone know about this?
  Thanks, Byron.
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