[Hammarlund] B on SP-200 faceplate?

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 1:24 AM, Kenneth G. Gordon <kgordon2006 at frontier.com
> wrote:

>
> The increase in apparent sensitivity would have to be heard to be
> believed.  I
> was truly amazed.
>

I'd be curious to learn more about this, Ken. While the standard 200s
weren't built to go beyond 20 Mcs I've got a couple of the SX models that
got up to 40 or so. If I ever get back to restoring one, it sounds like it
might benefit from this mod. Also have a nice SP-100 that is slightly
modded, the BFO and one other tube being changed. Clearly a period mod
though, as they used different octal tubes.




>
> >      FWIW, the RF amplifiers in the BC-1004, the 40 mhz
> > version of the Super Pro, are shunt connected instead of
> > series connected as in the other models. I think this was
> > done to improve the Q of the coils by getting any DC
> > magnetization off of the iron cores.
>
> That IS interesting, all right.
>

Wait - I thought the standard/broadcast model was the 1004, and the higher
frequency model was the BC-794 (or 749)?

>      The Super Pro seems to be the most expensive receiver
> on the general market but the RCA AR-88 was probably double
> the price. Most, if not all, AR-88s were sold to the
> government.

A large percentage were shipped to England. I have never had the
> opportunity to use an AR-88, but have always wanted to.
>

There are actually more here than you'd think, Ken. Perhaps a result of so
many being built or otherwise ending up in Canada. Their military used them
well after WWII. Contact one of the VE guys north of the border, i bet you
can find one pretty easily. Of course, shipping costs might bankrupt you....

I have to say, many years ago I turned my nose up to the SP series radios,
didn't bother to mess with them due to all the horror stories and generally
dilapidated condition they were found in. Probably sent a half dozen or
more down the road that I got in deals. Fortunately a good friend of mine
who is also a receiver aficionado, W3JN aka Johnny Novice convinced me to
give them another look. As luck would have it, I still had one SX model in
cabinet squirreled away in the barn at my folks' place. That was a decade
back give or take, haven't looked back since. A Super Pro in top form is an
experience to behold. And the variable IF combined with the shove-yank
audio doesn't hurt its cause.

~  Todd,  KA1KAQ/4