[Hammarlund] update HQ-180 issues

[Robert Sauvan]

Well,
I have given the thought as to whether I am over thinking the audio 
issue quality as well. Im comparing it to my HQ-170A which sounds 
"normal" as I feel a radio this age should sound. Both radios sound 
completely different. I dont listen to broadcast stations or SSB for 
that matter other than to hear what it sounds like as I troubleshoot 
this radio. CW is my only concern. The signals almost sound as if there 
are actually 2 signals with just a very slight separation in frequency 
and therefore sounding a bit distorted.Not sure if that is actually what 
is happening though. I have read many times the issue of bad quality 
audio in these Hammarlund receivers but I dont feel what I am 
experiencing is exactly that. Now, if someone comes back to me and says 
it sounds like an alignment issue, I dont have anymore hair to pull out. 
Im bald already. I have aligned this radio no less than 10 times. Im 
pretty sure Im as good as it gets. This has actually been my learning 
radio as extensive as the amount of time I have put into it and figured 
out what has been going on with various issues with good results 
eventually. I am going to put everyones suggestions into play and see 
how my end results turn out. Gotta head for work.

Thanks-Bob-W0YBS


On 12/16/2014 10:03 PM, Richard Knoppow wrote:
>
> ----- 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
>
>
> .
>