From:[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Maynard Wright via groups.io Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2025 1:07 PM To:[email protected] Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] S-85 refurbish: I've got a problem during the RF alignment of bands 1 and 2 - trimcaps don't peak!
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This has turned into a lengthy thread, but I think it is worthwhile as more than one family of Hallicrafters receivers seems to have adopted the unusual circuitry, at least in their schematics, and in their actual implementations, if I am correct, maybe beginning with the S-40B.
Resolving this might be helpful to others who, in the future, come up against this odd arrangement and wonder whether they should rewire things.
73,
Maynard W6PAP
On 2/12/25 03:35, Maynard Wright via groups.io wrote:
It certainly looks as if there is a problem with the schematic, and I thought that was the case, but I think now that the original schematic is correct and that rewiring it to make it look "normal" will impair or fail Bands 1 and 2.
My thoughts about the input circuit follow. This assumes that the signal path is coupled between the two windings of L3 even though the Hallicrafters schematics of the S-85 and S-40B don't show that. The very good schematic of the S-40B by dexterdxer@... does show a dashed line around the two windings of L3, which is, I think, a good addition to the original schematic:
Band 4:
The signal passes through L1, with D/C as the the primary and B/A as the secondary. As the primary is connected to antenna terminals A1 and A2, the input may be either balanced or, by using the link between A2 and G, unbalanced.
Band 3:
The signal passes through L2, with C/D as the the primary and A/B as the secondary. As the primary is connected to antenna terminals A1 and A2, the input may be either balanced or, by using the link between A2 and G, unbalanced.
Band 2:
The signal passes through L3, with D/C as the primary and B/A as the secondary. As the signal is passed from antenna terminal A1 through the primary of L3 (terminal D) to ground (terminal C), antenna terminal A2 is left unused and only the unbalanced option is available. Switch S1A leaves R65 open in this position.
Band 1:
The signal passes through L3, with B/A as the primary and D/C as the secondary. As the signal is passed from antenna terminal A1 through the primary of L3 (terminal B) to ground (terminal A), antenna terminal A2 is left unused and only the unbalanced option is available. Switch S1A places R65 in series with input terminal B in this position.
Condensation of this scheme:
Band 4: L1 D/C primary B/A secondary Band 3: L2 C/D primary A/B secondary Band 2: L3 D/C primary B/A secondary Band 1: L3 B/A primary D/C secondary
The circuitry between V1 and V2 is also a bit odd, but I think it is also ok as in the schematic. But it uses an entirely different scheme than does the input circuitry.
73,
Maynard W6PAP
On 2/11/25 22:18, Richard Knoppow via groups.io wrote:
I need to take my own suggestion and redraw the circuits for the RF amplifier. It is usual for schematics to show coils and transformers in the order they are used in the bands but the S-85 seems not to. In particular the two low frequency bands seem to be reversed. Looking at designations for the parts and alignment data tends to confirm this to me. If this is correct the third band down from the top of the schematic is the lowest frequency band, i.e. the MW broadcast band. Redrawing may make it clear what the resistor is. I can think of two possibilities: one that is is to reduce gain. A common feature in all-wave receivers since, at least in their primary market in the U.S. signal strength on the broadcast band is often extremely high causing overload and cross-modulation. Secondly; it may be to "spoil" the Q of the resonator to broad-band it a little to improve fidelity. This is also done fairly often in receivers with broadcast band capability. The bandwidth can be increased a bit without reducing the image rejection much. Neither of these may be the case but a circuit analysis will help prove it. I am sure Emmanuel feels as though we have stolen his ball and run away with it. Perhaps he will have an insight as to the problem and up-stage us all. What set me off was the suggestion that the design was faulty even though its been used in at least two fairly mass-produced commercial receivers. This still doesn't answer why the two bottom bands don't work but redrawing the circuits may do that. One can't ignore the converter stage either since if there is a problem in tuning or the oscillator doesn't work the results in the same, i.e. a dead or partially dead band. Its always frustrating to encounter something like where the equipment is very remote and one can't just have at it.
On 2/11/2025 6:37 PM, don Root wrote:
Maynard , there is one clue for band 2, that being that R6 will pull rf ?plate current thru L5¡ but then what.
Band 1 draws that plate current thru R26, C29 ¡ but how does a signal get to L6.
Looking at the alignment stuff layout, there is nothing unusual around L6, so no clue there. At those frequencies we don¡¯t expect ?invisible gimmicks do we?
We will be in the loony bin soon! If we don¡¯t get help from the Halli- gurus ??¡.HELP!!!