[Heathkit] HW-101 questions.

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

I am working on an HW-101 that I bought recently for a very 
reasonable sum. 

It appears all OK cosmetically, and the electronics seem all 
right...except for one thing: the filaments of the 6AU6 that is 
mounted on the top of the VFO box won't light.

Upon closer examination, I find that the previous owner has 
added a separate 110VAC to 6.3 VAC filament transformer 
under the deck near the power connector, and has, apparently, 
rewired the power connector so that there is 110VAC available 
between the normally unused connection and GROUND (!). He 
then wired the output of this transformer directly to the VFO 
buffer amp 6AU6 V-20.

Has anyone here ever heard of such a mod, and if so, why was 
it done?

Ken Gordon W7EKB