[Hammarlund] update HQ-180 issues

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Sauvan" <rsauvan at beyondbb.com>
To: "Hammarlund Mail List" <hammarlund at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2014 5:45 PM
Subject: [Hammarlund] update HQ-180 issues


> Hi all,
> Finally have the HQ-180 up and running again. Started by 
> replacing the can electrolytics with new electrolytics 
> mounted under chassis only to find it worked for a few 
> moments and then pooped out. Thinking it was the used cap 
> I acquired from a local guy, it actually turned out to be 
> one of my new ones that failed within moments of turning 
> on the radio. I ordered a replacement can from Hayseed and 
> put it in tonight and the radio is back up and running. 
> What started all of this was my quest to find why it has 
> what I feel is lousy audio. Still sounds like crap. So, 
> must start looking elsewhere for that issue I guess.
>
> One thing I have noticed for quite some time is that my RF 
> Gain seems to be anything but sensitive. It only really 
> seems to do anything at all for about the first 1/4 of a 
> turn after you turn on the radio. Beyond that it has no 
> affect on the gain other than sounding wide open from 
> about the 10 o'clock position to wide open with the knob. 
> Any ideas what might be up with that? Maybe I need a new 
> pot?
>
> Probably give this radio a bit of a break for a while 
> until I can figure out whats going on with this thing.
>
>
> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks-Bob-W0YBS
>
    The HQ-180 has an "auto response" function that varies 
the audio bandwidth according to gain. I have not analyzed 
this circuit but it could cause problems if not operating 
correctly. Actually, I don't know how it sounds when it is 
working properly, its conceivable its causing the effect you 
are hearing. Others on the list with these receivers can 
tell you how they should perform normally. It may be that it 
just does not have good audio.


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
dickburk at ix.netcom.com