[Hammarlund] Hammarlund Digest, Vol 189, Issue 9

[wes Bolin]

I still use my SP600JX21 that I restored in 2013.....it was made in 1953,
60 years earlier.   Works like a charm.  Replaced well over 60 capacitors,
bathtubs, bumblebees, and electrolytics.  It is a super radio LOL.
Wes

On Wed, Nov 22, 2023 at 7:10 PM <hammarlund-request at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Re: Hammarlund Reflector Activity (Richard Knoppow)
>    2. Re: The List; It?s Alive! ISO SP-10 Front Panel (Mark Dinsmore)
>    3. Re: List (manualman at juno.com)
>    4. Re: Fw: Still Here (AW)
>    5. Re: List (Richard Knoppow)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 14:59:56 -0800
> From: Richard Knoppow <dickburk at ix.netcom.com>
> To: hammarlund at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Hammarlund] Hammarlund Reflector Activity
> Message-ID: <6b1094e6-60ca-441f-ba38-e4cfa2eafc09 at ix.netcom.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>     I am pretty sure the HQ-140-X uses the same arrangement as in the
> HQ-120-X and HQ-129-X with one overcoupled IF. That is to broaden out
> the pass band without losing skirt selectivity. I am not sure which If
> is overcoupled but think in the earlier ones it is the stage that is
> link coupled. In any case, if you just peak all the cans the passband
> will be too narrow. A sweeper is the best method. A spectrum analyzer
> with a tracking generator works very well.
>     The whole If must be peaked at the crystal center frequency. While
> it is nominally 455Khz the crystals vary a bit.
>     I use an alignment procedure for the crystal that is somewhat
> different from the handbook. The driving transformer is peaked at the
> center frequency and the loading coil is then set for the widest
> passband with the crystal in its wide position. I use a signal generator
> with an audio signal of about 2Khz and just adjust for maximum output.
> That is the only adjustment in the Hammarlund patented crystal filter.
> make sure the phasing control is at _minimum_ bandwidth when centered.
> There is a trimmer in all of the crystal filters but its not the same in
> all. In the SP-110 and later, there is a compression trimmer in the can,
> in the HQ-129-X there is a bend wire acting as a capacitor but both do
> the same thing. One advantage of the Hammarlund filter is that its
> center frequency does not change with bandwidth so there are no other
> adjustments. It is the best of this kind of filter and much easier to
> adjust than the earlier form used in the SP-10-X, HRO and Hallicrafers
> receivers. This filter was introduced in the HQ-120-X (the X indicates
> it has the filter) and adopted to the Super-Pro later.
>     The Super-Pro, including the SP-600-JX has the transformers
> critically coupled at narrower bandwidths so can be aligned by just
> peaking although the note about the crystal filter still holds: peak at
> the crystal frequency.
>
> On 11/22/2023 2:25 PM, Dan Martin wrote:
> > ?Bill, on the 140X are you planning to do a sweep alignment of the 455
> kHz IF (amplitude, symmetry, and coincidence!) or simply peak all the IF
> cans on a fixed 455?
>
>
> --
> Richard Knoppow
> Los Angeles
> WB6KBL
> SKCC 19998
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 15:08:48 -0800
> From: Mark Dinsmore <markdinsmore at gmail.com>
> To: "hammarlund at mailman.qth.net" <hammarlund at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Hammarlund] The List; It?s Alive! ISO SP-10 Front Panel
> Message-ID: <C2B0BE60-DD7E-4940-B338-514C12313EF7 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset=utf-8
>
> Thank you Mike,
>
> I have corresponded with Henry @ Radio Boulevard about this SuperPro SP10
> as well as an SX-28A which I?ve been working on for a while.
>
> Great site, articles and resources. He?s input the model and serial number
> info for both receivers into his database.
>
> We?ve discussed the front panel and possibilities for restoring and/or
> stabilizing it. He pointed out that one of the issues he sees in the photos
> is the apparent corrosion between the aluminum panel and the black wrinkle
> paint, particularly as it attacks the aluminum right at the interface that
> has been exposed by the engraving itself. He thought that by removing the
> paint and then the corroded layer of Al, the engraving may be removed as
> well, making it very difficult or not possible at all, to replicate the
> engraving.
>
> I?m not very experienced with this sort of thing so I?ll move forward
> cautiously and in the meantime perhaps another orphan panel might turn up.
> The cabinet for the radio and the power supply are pretty beat up and
> rusted as well, so I?ll probably start experimenting with them first,
> though they are steel. They definitely need to be stabilized and repainted
> also.
>
> 73 - Mark K7MD
>
> > On Nov 22, 2023, at 2:17?PM, Mike Bracey <mikebracey at att.net> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >  Hi Mark,
> > Just about everything you need to know about Hammarlund Super Pro's is
> here.   The Incredible Hammarlund Super Pro
> >
> > |
> > |
> > |
> > |  |  |
> >
> > |
> >
> > |
> > |
> > |  |
> > The Incredible Hammarlund Super Pro
> >
> >
> > |
> >
> > |
> >
> > |
> >
> >
> > 73, Mike KE5YTV
> >
> >
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 18:49:35 -0500
> From: <manualman at juno.com>
> To: hammarlund at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Hammarlund] List
> Message-ID: <AABUX7E9FALY3MTA at smtpout01.vgs.untd.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> The only Hammarlund equipment I still have floating around here is a
> HQ-170A VHF, a SP-600 JX17, and a HR-10. Everything else is gone to new
> homes.
> And two Premier still in the box cabinets for SP-600's and similar sized
> receivers, that I bought when there was that mass order back around 2000
> to the manufacturer, by Cal (I think that was his first name).
>
> Pete, wa2cwa
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 19:26:28 -0500
> From: AW <anchor at ec.rr.com>
> To: hammarlund at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Hammarlund] Fw: Still Here
> Message-ID: <780f95d2-4cf7-4814-8d69-2c263185bb40 at ec.rr.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> I'm still here also,
>         and agree with most of the comments made.
>         I have an HX-500 that I get onto the CX occasionally with, on SSB.
> Still have a cupla projects I'll never get to; an SP-200 and an earlier
> Super pro I don't remember the no.  It did work some 20 yrs ago when I
> last pwrd it up.  Anyone interested?
>         Do get on the air with Halli gear on the Vintage Sideband Net
> every
> SUn. at 2PM ET on 14.292.5
> 73 all,
> Al, W8UT
>
> "There is nothing --
> absolutely nothing --
> half so much worth doing as
> simply messing about in boats"
> Ratty, to Mole
>
> On 11/22/2023 4:48 PM, John King via Hammarlund wrote:
> >
> >
> >     ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: John King <k5pgw at yahoo.com>Sent:
> Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 03:46:22 PM CSTSubject: Re: [Hammarlund]
> Still Here
> >    ?I am still connected, however I never get a post and for that
> reason? I start to believe the boat anchor lists are fading away.? We "OLD"
> folks enjoy reading the posts and needs of members . Let's keep the
> filaments of the old gear lit for us and hope that our filaments don't fade
> away.
> > 73, to allJohn King, K5PGW
>
>   On Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 03:15:31 PM CST, Rodger Singley
> <wq9nsc at live.com> wrote:
> >
> >   I am also still here and about to get started with a SP-10 and a
> SP-100 series to fill in the blank spots between my Comet Pro and later
> Super Pro family members.
> >
> > A lot of the vintage gear specific lists have been pretty quiet for a
> long time.? I guess it is like we used to say about 10 meters...? It seems
> dead until somebody finally decides to send CQ ?
> >
> > 73, Rodger WQ9E
> > ________________________________
> > From: on behalf of rkofler--- via Hammarlund <hammarlund at mailman.qth.net
> >
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2023 1:26 PM
> > To: Hammarlund at mailman.qth.net <Hammarlund at mailman.qth.net>
> > Subject: [Hammarlund] Still Here
> >
> > I'm still here with my SP-200, SP-600, HQ-180 and 67 EAC. Not the best
> days to be an SWL, but I find enough news and music, and along with some
> utility stuff, I have something running every day. The HQ-180 makes a good
> spotting RCVR on the ham bands. Still running vacuum tube stuff on the ham
> bands, much to the consternation of those who like to point it out if I'm
> 10 cycles off frequency.
> >
> > 73 from Oregon
> > Roger K7DDG
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 17:10:01 -0800
> From: Richard Knoppow <dickburk at ix.netcom.com>
> To: hammarlund at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Hammarlund] List
> Message-ID: <c0f34af6-3286-49df-a2f5-ba3b25f9de99 at ix.netcom.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>    SP-600 desk cabinets are very hard to find. The JX-17 is the
> diversity version, based on the modifications made by Northern Radio but
> built by Hammarlund. The main differences are the connections for
> external oscillators. A further mod was made by installing a bias pot in
> the first IF to provide gain trimming so that all receivers in a
> diversity set match. Not needed if the receiver is used as a stand
> alone. The pot is mounted on the front panel in place of the dial lock.
> The BFO is also slightly different with fixed bias and level, no level
> pot on the back. When used with a diversity combiner or an SSB adapter
> the internal BFO is not used. The 17 is the one with the RED knobs on
> the front.
>     It also has a mod to install a dropping resistor in the line to the
> four dial lamps. I put the same resistor into my other JX, a 21 I think
> it is but am not sure because the original cover for the tuning unit was
> missing. If you use regular incandescent dial lamps the dropping
> resistor will extend the life maybe five or more times. Worth doing.
> Instructions are on the web along wiht the plethora of stuff on these
> receivers. I replace the dial lamps on mine with LEDs. Give more uniform
> illumination and probably unlimited life.
>      Even though the tuning capacitor is slotted please DO NOT bend the
> plates. They are meant to be straight and you will never get the
> calibration or tracking right if you bend them. However, do check to see
> that the stators are centered in the rotor. Each stator is held by four
> clamp screws. It should be exactly centered and parallel with the rotor.
>     I am not sure how much difference it makes if the second converter
> crystal is off frequency but if you have trouble calibrating the upper
> three bands I would check it. I have not quite reasoned out if it will
> affect the calibration but think it might.  The JX-17 was also made with
> ceramic caps at the factory so does not usually need the mass changeover
> from the "bumble bee" paper caps in the earlier sets. However, do check
> the canned electrolytic caps, they can go bad. In my receivers and in my
> AR-88 I just mounted new caps on terminal strips. I find trying to
> restuff canned caps very frustrating and no one is going to look at the
> interior of the receiver.
>     I have had trouble with microphonics of the HF oscillator. I have
> not found a sure cure for this, its not the tube. Varies from receiver
> to receiver. I have never found the answer.
>     We have a couple of real experts on this list, Chuck Ripple and Les
> Loklear in particular so anyone undertaking a rebuild has a very good
> source of advice.
>     These are very fine receivers which have a bad reputation because
> they will work fairly well even when sick.
>     They are also IMO beauty contest winners.
>     Another note; if you used one for high fidelity broadcast reception
> you will get better quality by taking the audio off the detector load
> which has terminals at the back, and going to manual RF gain. There is
> feedback in the AVC at low audio modulation frequencies causing some
> intermodulation distortion. Going to manual gain eliminates this.
> Audible even with the internal amp.
>     If you run it without a cabinet it should have a bottom cover. Just
> a sheet of metal with screw holes in it. There was also a top dust cover
> in rack mount units, I think also not hard to make but I've not tried
> that. The brackets inside the chassis are slightly different for cabinet
> mounting and rack mounting with a bottom cover. To put a bottom cover on
> a cabinet model you may have to make new, slightly longer, brackets.
> Wirth doing because the back screws for the cabinet are important due to
> the weight of the radio.
>      I am writing too much, enough!
>
> On 11/22/2023 3:49 PM, manualman at juno.com wrote:
> > The only Hammarlund equipment I still have floating around here is a
> > HQ-170A VHF, a SP-600 JX17, and a HR-10. Everything else is gone to new
> > homes.
> > And two Premier still in the box cabinets for SP-600's and similar sized
> > receivers, that I bought when there was that mass order back around 2000
> > to the manufacturer, by Cal (I think that was his first name).
> >
> > Pete, wa2cwa
>
> --
> Richard Knoppow
> Los Angeles
> WB6KBL
> SKCC 19998
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
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> End of Hammarlund Digest, Vol 189, Issue 9
> ******************************************
>