[HCARC] A little nostalgic help please...

[Mack WB2PCV]

In keeping with the Reflector Godfather's admonitions, I hereby request 
a bit of ham radio technical help.

I have recently inherited two older SWL radios, neither of which work.  
The first is a Heathkit GR-78 from the late '70's.  From what I've 
picked up on the web, the common issue with these is that they are 
powered by a Nicad battery - 9.6v, with a center tap at 4.8v.  The power 
cord(s) are used only to trickle the Nicad.  Everything else looks 
immaculate on the radio (the owner was more than a little AR.)  My 
question: what are the possibilities of getting with a battery service 
such as www.batterystation.com and having them make up a replacement 
battery using newer composition batteries?  Is this crazy, or will it work?

The second unit is a Hallicrafters S-38 (no letter) apparently from 
1946.  I have not field tested this because the power cord is so 
deteriorated that I would soon be a flash in the pan, as it were.  Since 
it is going to need at least a little restoration work, I'm trying to 
discern what the web-based Hallicrafter gods mean by "adding an 
isolation transformer" into the power line.  I understand that under 
some conditions polarity could be introduced (since the radio sports a 
ground-interrupt power switch) that would leave the chassis hot, as in 
very hot.  Great if you breath neon.  Anyway, is this something we wire 
up external to the radio, or do we stuff it inside between the power 
cord and switch?  How to we wire it?

Thank you, esteemed Elmers and gents for your kind help.

Mack
-- 

*/WB2PCV/*

Mack McKinney
159 Albrecht Rd
Center Point, TX 78010-5400

(830) 634-7244 Home
(830) 370-8488 Cell