[Hammarlund] HX-50 up and running

[W2HX]

Al W8UT is a treasured resource!
Congrats on the HX-50

73 Eugene W2HX


-----Original Message-----
From: Hammarlund [mailto:hammarlund-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Robert Sauvan
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 9:53 PM
To: Hammarlund Mail List
Subject: [Hammarlund] HX-50 up and running

Hi all,
A little update that I am pleased to announce. As you may recall, I was on a quest to fix a major "chirp" problem in my HX-50. I posted numerous questions on the reflector and also had pictures taken of the under carriage by another so I could see what a "stock" unit looked like because I was skeptical about some of the wiring and addons by a previous owner. I was slowly taking out various odd things and testing to make sure it still worked. During the course of this I always heard a faint arcing/crackling sound.  In the attempt to fix the unit by replacing all of the electrolytics and "can" style electrolytics, hoping this might be the problematic area, it finally blew the power transformer. This occurred on the replacement of the very last "can" 
style electrolytic. My question at the time was whether this was a self inflicted killing or coincidence. I ended up ordering a new transformer from Heyboer which took about 4 weeks to get. I put the transformer in, only to turn on the rig and start blowing fuses immediately. Now of course, Im wondering if the transformer was really the problem.
I spent a few days of emails back and forth with Al W8UT who guided me through every step to troubleshoot my problem. Without his expertise this radio would have gone to the junk pile. He was able to guide me to the areas to check with out turning on the radio and then finally I was able to pinpoint the problem. Apparently, one of the diodes I had replaced previously had shorted when the transformer blew and I wouldnt have had a clue without Al telling me what to do. I also spent a few hours retracing all of my wiring to be sure I wasnt the culprit. I replaced all of the diodes again, 4 of them, since it was cheap and easy and I felt if one went bad, the others were probably stressed. After more guidance from Al on how to test resistances to be sure they were in fact correct now, I then felt comfortable in putting the 5R4GY back in the rig and firing it up. I did just that and lo and behold we had a running radio!!
I have had the chance to put it on the air and I am now getting solid and excellent signal reports with "no chirp". Absolutely no arcing/crackling sounds coming from the radio. Lets keep our fingers crossed this has now been fixed for good and I can enjoy using this rig into the future.

Thanks for everyone's help and guidance in getting this radio going again and a special thanks to Al W8UT.

73, until we come across a new issue

Bob-W0YBS


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