[Hammarlund] HQ-129-X Questions

[Richard Knoppow]

      The recent thread about the HQ-129-X reminds me that I have 
some questions about mine. It is somewhat odd in that the front 
panel is not the light gray usually seen but a darker gray. The 
lettering looks original but it could be a replacement.
    Second question: the frequency calibration is far off 
particularly on the band spread dial. Enough to make me wonder if 
the set was not rebuilt with the wrong dials. Is it even 
possible? Did the HQ-120-X use the same dials? If it did not 
perhaps mine has those on it. I also found the cabinet does not 
quite fit the case. Mainly when the screws around the edge of the 
front panel are tightened it pulls the panel against the guide 
for the dials causing them to flex just a little as the panel is 
pressed on. This causes instability and I can't believe its correct.
     It seems to me that I read a long time ago that Hammarlund 
had changed the color of the panel on some receivers. This is NOT 
the change from some red printing to all white printing that took 
place in early production. I am very puzzled by this.
     Also, speaking of the HQ-120-X, I have one. It was rebuilt 
by  someone else. The dials on that one have delaminated. I would 
like to find new ones for it. A lot of of HQ-120-X were built so 
maybe there is a chance.
     BTW, I find it curious that Hammarlund made these dials with 
the lowest band on the outside and highest on the inside. One 
would think it would be the other way to provide better precision 
to the calibrations. This is the reverse of virtually all other 
receivers I've seen.
     Its obvious that Hammarlund was having financial troubles at 
the time the HQ-129-X was announced. It was put into production 
at the target price of  $129.00 (hence the model number) but 
remained so for only a short time. Then came back after several 
months at a higher price. Also, the SP-600-JX was first announced 
a bit later with a drawing and a list of specs rather different 
than the production receiver. Again there was a delay until the 
receiver came on the market. The economy was having a lot of 
trouble around that time so this is not too surprising.
-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL