[HCARC] A little nostalgic help please...

John K5XA k5xa at godfather-ridge.com
Tue Dec 13 13:34:47 EST 2011


Hi Mack!

Just a little gentle nudging re: the reflector. Once folks catch on it will
grow.

I wish I could help you, but I was never an SWL radio guy, and my limited
inside the box experience only goes back to my license date in 1986.

But I have a feeling you'll get a response. K5KS and K5HV both have been in
the hobby for a long time and may understand your issue. I think possibly
W0LPD and KM4DR also, and probably others.

Let everyone know how your inquiry turned out.

73 ................... K5XA

(P.S. Reflector Godfather????)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of Mack WB2PCV
> Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 12:13 PM
> To: HCARC at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [HCARC] A little nostalgic help please...
> 
> 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
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