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Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 

The sx-146 has flywheel tuning. It might not be the last, but must be close.?
?
73 Kevin w9cf
Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 
Edited

That sure is a nice looking SX42! Thanks for the pic!

John K5MO


On Sat, Apr 26, 2025 at 9:49?AM Arthur Smith via <arthurredsox=[email protected]> wrote:
Not the first, or the last, but my SX-42 sure has it.?



On Apr 26, 2025, at 8:37?AM, Don Buska - The Radio Lab Works <don@...> wrote:

? Here's a question that is of general interest to me.? What was the first and last Hallicrafters radio (Receiver or Transceiver) that had a flywheel incorporated into the main frequency tuning?? I do recall in High school our SX-28 indeed had it.? My SX-115 has it (matching HT-32B too).? Did any of the SR series transceivers or later SX-receivers have a flywheel hidden inside?

73
Don N9OO

Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 

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Richard, it seems to me for older receivers, while tuning across a ham band the weight is not helpful, but when tuning from end to end or the whole dial, it is helpful. So what weight is the best ? zero or 100 ?

PS? is “direct drive” always DIRECT on the cap rotor shaft, or is it geared usually?

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Richard Knoppow via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2025 4:09 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

?

My S-20r and S-40A? have flywheels on the band spread. It's possible that some receivers have flywheels on the main tuning but I can't think of any hallicrafters that? do. Also, flywheels are found on some direct drive dials, not just strring drive.?

? An interesting? i think flywheels were more more sales gimmicks than practical? devices.

?

ters that do.

?

?

-------- Original message --------

From: "John Watkins via groups.io" <jpwatkins9@...>

Date: 4/26/25 9:28 AM (GMT-08:00)

Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

?

My S 20R has one also, made in 1942, was at Camp Pendelton at the NCO club.

?

On Sat, Apr 26, 2025 at 08:49 Arthur Smith via <arthurredsox=[email protected]> wrote:

Not the first, or the last, but my SX-42 sure has it.?

………pic removed….

On Apr 26, 2025, at 8:37?AM, Don Buska - The Radio Lab Works <don@...> wrote:

? Here's a question that is of general interest to me.? What was the first and last Hallicrafters radio (Receiver or Transceiver) that had a flywheel incorporated into the main frequency tuning?? I do recall in High school our SX-28 indeed had it.? My SX-115 has it (matching HT-32B too).? Did any of the SR series transceivers or later SX-receivers have a flywheel hidden inside?

73
Don N9OO

_._,_._,_

_,_


--
don??? va3drl
Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 

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Good afternoon
The SX-96 has a flywheel also
Bruce

On Apr 26, 2025, at 2:08 PM, Richard Knoppow via <1oldlens1@...> wrote:

My S-20r and S-40A? have flywheels on the band spread. It's possible that some receivers have flywheels on the main tuning but I can't think of any hallicrafters that? do. Also, flywheels are found on some direct drive dials, not just strring drive.?
? An interesting? i think flywheels were more more sales gimmicks than practical? devices.

ters that do.


-------- Original message --------
From: "John Watkins via " <jpwatkins9@...>
Date: 4/26/25 9:28 AM (GMT-08:00)
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

My S 20R has one also, made in 1942, was at Camp Pendelton at the NCO club.

On Sat, Apr 26, 2025 at 08:49 Arthur Smith via <arthurredsox=[email protected]> wrote:
Not the first, or the last, but my SX-42 sure has it.?

<image0.jpeg>

On Apr 26, 2025, at 8:37?AM, Don Buska - The Radio Lab Works <don@...> wrote:

? Here's a question that is of general interest to me.? What was the first and last Hallicrafters radio (Receiver or Transceiver) that had a flywheel incorporated into the main frequency tuning?? I do recall in High school our SX-28 indeed had it.? My SX-115 has it (matching HT-32B too).? Did any of the SR series transceivers or later SX-receivers have a flywheel hidden inside?

73
Don N9OO



Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 

Humphrey Bogart as an exec with an SX 42 in his office. Movie title Sabrina co-starring Audrey Hepburn.?



On Sat, Apr 26, 2025 at 5:37?AM Don Buska - The Radio Lab Works via <don=[email protected]> wrote:

Here's a question that is of general interest to me.? What was the first and last Hallicrafters radio (Receiver or Transceiver) that had a flywheel incorporated into the main frequency tuning?? I do recall in High school our SX-28 indeed had it.? My SX-115 has it (matching HT-32B too).? Did any of the SR series transceivers or later SX-receivers have a flywheel hidden inside?

73
Don N9OO


--
AF6IM
www.parachutemobile.com
Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 

开云体育

My S-20r and S-40A? have flywheels on the band spread. It's possible that some receivers have flywheels on the main tuning but I can't think of any hallicrafters that? do. Also, flywheels are found on some direct drive dials, not just strring drive.?
? An interesting? i think flywheels were more more sales gimmicks than practical? devices.

ters that do.


-------- Original message --------
From: "John Watkins via groups.io" <jpwatkins9@...>
Date: 4/26/25 9:28 AM (GMT-08:00)
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

My S 20R has one also, made in 1942, was at Camp Pendelton at the NCO club.

On Sat, Apr 26, 2025 at 08:49 Arthur Smith via <arthurredsox=[email protected]> wrote:
Not the first, or the last, but my SX-42 sure has it.?

image0.jpeg

On Apr 26, 2025, at 8:37?AM, Don Buska - The Radio Lab Works <don@...> wrote:

? Here's a question that is of general interest to me.? What was the first and last Hallicrafters radio (Receiver or Transceiver) that had a flywheel incorporated into the main frequency tuning?? I do recall in High school our SX-28 indeed had it.? My SX-115 has it (matching HT-32B too).? Did any of the SR series transceivers or later SX-receivers have a flywheel hidden inside?

73
Don N9OO

Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 

开云体育

Good point Ed, thanks.

73 Don N9OO

On 4/26/25 11:22, edward schumacher wrote:

Also consider the SR series were billed as mobile rigs and you would not want a weighted free wheeling tuning in that application.

Ed, WA9GQK

On Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 09:41:46 AM CDT, Don Buska - The Radio Lab Works <don@...> wrote:


Thanks Paul,? I was wondering about the last of the SR-line.? So I guess once Hallicrafters went to the 'lighter' rig trend in the 1960's, no more Battle Ships, the flywheel was probably cast away.? I assume they went to clutch friction driving of the Kc, 100Kc and VFO capacitor on the SR-400A.? I've been working on the restoration of my SR-150 this past month and was kind of disappointed in the smoothness of slow tuning of the VFO, due to the friction clutch drive.? It tunes smoothly at the fast rate, but when your slowly working your way up or down you can feel the extra drag.? And I have cleaned the friction plates and drive disks.? I also lubed the brass bushing and VFO cap bearing as well.? Outside of completely removing the front panel and disassembling everything, I'm not to sure how good it can get.?? I'll need to test drive a few SR-400's and their lessor brothers to get a better feel I guess.

Thanks es 73
Don N9OO

On 4/26/25 9:01 AM, Paul Christensen via groups.io wrote:
Weighted flywheel tuning on my SX-25 and S-40a main tuning but not bandspread. ?SX-100 has weighted flywheel tuning on both main and bandspread. ?

No weighted tuning on my SR-400A, nor the matching VFO.?

Paul, W9AC.?
Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 
Edited

My S 20R has one also, made in 1942, was at Camp Pendelton at the NCO club.

On Sat, Apr 26, 2025 at 08:49 Arthur Smith via <arthurredsox=[email protected]> wrote:
Not the first, or the last, but my SX-42 sure has it.?



On Apr 26, 2025, at 8:37?AM, Don Buska - The Radio Lab Works <don@...> wrote:

? Here's a question that is of general interest to me.? What was the first and last Hallicrafters radio (Receiver or Transceiver) that had a flywheel incorporated into the main frequency tuning?? I do recall in High school our SX-28 indeed had it.? My SX-115 has it (matching HT-32B too).? Did any of the SR series transceivers or later SX-receivers have a flywheel hidden inside?

73
Don N9OO

Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 

Also consider the SR series were billed as mobile rigs and you would not want a weighted free wheeling tuning in that application.

Ed, WA9GQK

On Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 09:41:46 AM CDT, Don Buska - The Radio Lab Works <don@...> wrote:


Thanks Paul,? I was wondering about the last of the SR-line.? So I guess once Hallicrafters went to the 'lighter' rig trend in the 1960's, no more Battle Ships, the flywheel was probably cast away.? I assume they went to clutch friction driving of the Kc, 100Kc and VFO capacitor on the SR-400A.? I've been working on the restoration of my SR-150 this past month and was kind of disappointed in the smoothness of slow tuning of the VFO, due to the friction clutch drive.? It tunes smoothly at the fast rate, but when your slowly working your way up or down you can feel the extra drag.? And I have cleaned the friction plates and drive disks.? I also lubed the brass bushing and VFO cap bearing as well.? Outside of completely removing the front panel and disassembling everything, I'm not to sure how good it can get.?? I'll need to test drive a few SR-400's and their lessor brothers to get a better feel I guess.

Thanks es 73
Don N9OO

On 4/26/25 9:01 AM, Paul Christensen via groups.io wrote:
Weighted flywheel tuning on my SX-25 and S-40a main tuning but not bandspread. ?SX-100 has weighted flywheel tuning on both main and bandspread. ?

No weighted tuning on my SR-400A, nor the matching VFO.?

Paul, W9AC.?
Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 

开云体育

The SR series did not use cord drive. It is direct drive. The ht-44 and the SX-117 and others were also direct drive.


Walt Cates, WD0GOF
?
A majority of acceptance is not proof of correctness.


From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Don Buska - The Radio Lab Works <don@...>
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2025 9:41 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?
?
Thanks Paul,? I was wondering about the last of the SR-line.? So I guess once Hallicrafters went to the 'lighter' rig trend in the 1960's, no more Battle Ships, the flywheel was probably cast away.? I assume they went to clutch friction driving of the Kc, 100Kc and VFO capacitor on the SR-400A.? I've been working on the restoration of my SR-150 this past month and was kind of disappointed in the smoothness of slow tuning of the VFO, due to the friction clutch drive.? It tunes smoothly at the fast rate, but when your slowly working your way up or down you can feel the extra drag.? And I have cleaned the friction plates and drive disks.? I also lubed the brass bushing and VFO cap bearing as well.? Outside of completely removing the front panel and disassembling everything, I'm not to sure how good it can get.?? I'll need to test drive a few SR-400's and their lessor brothers to get a better feel I guess.

Thanks es 73
Don N9OO

On 4/26/25 9:01 AM, Paul Christensen via groups.io wrote:
Weighted flywheel tuning on my SX-25 and S-40a main tuning but not bandspread. ?SX-100 has weighted flywheel tuning on both main and bandspread. ?

No weighted tuning on my SR-400A, nor the matching VFO.?

Paul, W9AC.?
Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 

开云体育

Thanks Paul,? I was wondering about the last of the SR-line.? So I guess once Hallicrafters went to the 'lighter' rig trend in the 1960's, no more Battle Ships, the flywheel was probably cast away.? I assume they went to clutch friction driving of the Kc, 100Kc and VFO capacitor on the SR-400A.? I've been working on the restoration of my SR-150 this past month and was kind of disappointed in the smoothness of slow tuning of the VFO, due to the friction clutch drive.? It tunes smoothly at the fast rate, but when your slowly working your way up or down you can feel the extra drag.? And I have cleaned the friction plates and drive disks.? I also lubed the brass bushing and VFO cap bearing as well.? Outside of completely removing the front panel and disassembling everything, I'm not to sure how good it can get.?? I'll need to test drive a few SR-400's and their lessor brothers to get a better feel I guess.

Thanks es 73
Don N9OO

On 4/26/25 9:01 AM, Paul Christensen via groups.io wrote:

Weighted flywheel tuning on my SX-25 and S-40a main tuning but not bandspread. ?SX-100 has weighted flywheel tuning on both main and bandspread. ?

No weighted tuning on my SR-400A, nor the matching VFO.?

Paul, W9AC.?
Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 
Edited

开云体育

Weighted flywheel tuning on my SX-25 and S-40a main tuning but not bandspread. ?SX-100 has weighted flywheel tuning on both main and bandspread. ?

No weighted tuning on my SR-400A, nor the matching VFO.?

Paul, W9AC.?

Sent from ?for iOS

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Arthur Smith via groups.io <arthurredsox@...>
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2025 8:49:33 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?
?
Not the first, or the last, but my SX-42 sure has it.?



On Apr 26, 2025, at 8:37?AM, Don Buska - The Radio Lab Works <don@...> wrote:

? Here's a question that is of general interest to me.? What was the first and last Hallicrafters radio (Receiver or Transceiver) that had a flywheel incorporated into the main frequency tuning?? I do recall in High school our SX-28 indeed had it.? My SX-115 has it (matching HT-32B too).? Did any of the SR series transceivers or later SX-receivers have a flywheel hidden inside?

73
Don N9OO
Re: The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 
Edited

开云体育

Not the first, or the last, but my SX-42 sure has it.?



On Apr 26, 2025, at 8:37?AM, Don Buska - The Radio Lab Works <don@...> wrote:

? Here's a question that is of general interest to me.? What was the first and last Hallicrafters radio (Receiver or Transceiver) that had a flywheel incorporated into the main frequency tuning?? I do recall in High school our SX-28 indeed had it.? My SX-115 has it (matching HT-32B too).? Did any of the SR series transceivers or later SX-receivers have a flywheel hidden inside?

73
Don N9OO

The First and Last Hallicrafters with Flywheel tuning?

 

开云体育

Here's a question that is of general interest to me.? What was the first and last Hallicrafters radio (Receiver or Transceiver) that had a flywheel incorporated into the main frequency tuning?? I do recall in High school our SX-28 indeed had it.? My SX-115 has it (matching HT-32B too).? Did any of the SR series transceivers or later SX-receivers have a flywheel hidden inside?

73
Don N9OO

Re: For Sale - Hallicrafters R-274/FRR with speaker

 

Hi Dwight,
I may be leaving for New Mexico as early as Friday so should be there all next week. I need contact information or an address for the R-274 pickup. I may be able to make the pickup on the way over or arrange to drive up from Pie Town during the week (which gives you a bit more flexibility on timing).
Thanks,
Tom N5AMA?
Re: For Sale - Hallicrafters R-274/FRR with speaker

 

Hi Dwight,
Thanks for the wake up call. As recently as today, Pie Town still had snow/sleet in the forecast. Normally the snow melts off or evaporates in a day or two. There is nothing but dirt roads going to the observatory it makes driving in or out once you get there very difficult if you don’t have 4 wheel drive. Temps aren’t bad but I don’t make the trip if it’s wet and slippery. I’ll have to wait and let the weather settle a bit.
?
Tom
N5AMA
Re: WTB/Info SX-23 S meter

 

开云体育

Hope the picture of the s-meter helps?

?

I'm having a problem with mine too. Unfortunately,

I'm missing the entire range indicator (right side of the main scale), drive pulley, and pointer, along with the complete mounting unit.

?

Von: [email protected] <[email protected]> Im Auftrag von don Root
Gesendet: Freitag, 18. April 2025 21:49
An: [email protected]
Betreff: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] WTB/Info SX-23 S meter

?

Nick, well maybe you can ask some SX-23 owner to take some pictures for you. Other than that, any reasonable meter is better than none at least for now .

If you go to swaps, with a picture you might have a lucky day while going thru odds and sods .. “one man’s junk…”

Good ludk

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Nick, W1NJC via groups.io
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2025 12:33 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] WTB/Info SX-23 S meter

?

Don,

The original is completely absent.? All I have are some pictures that I found online and one from a guy at ARF.?

?

I did verify that the meter drive circuit works by wiring up the meter from a Johnson Matchbox.? I adjusted no signal = full scale and as I tune a strong signal, the needle moves to the left...

?

I'm also chasing down a distortion issue with (I think) the 6SQ7 detector circuit, so the radio is open and on its side again :)


--
don??? va3drl

20250419_085314.jpg
Sx-23_1.jpg

Re: For Sale - Hallicrafters R-274/FRR with speaker

 

Hello Tom, Just checking in to see if you still plan on taking a trip to the observatory.?
?
?
Dwight
Re: Hallicrafters S40-B Restoration Advice

 

Richard
This 115 volt line voltage, back in the day, is a myth.? Just look at Riders Perpetual Troubleshooter Manual, Volume 1 circa 1931.
See:????
This is mostly battery sets but it does include early Philco and RCA line powered sets as well.? The voltage range given for the early AC sets is 105 to 125 VAC.? The average of 105 and 125 is, of course, 115.? Resistors, capacitors and such have a tolerance, why not line voltage???

If the tube heaters are operating at 6.3 volts +/- 10% then all is well.? Pentodes don't care about a 10% increase in B+.? That is why the plate current curves are flat lines, plate voltage has little effect on plate current.
Jim

Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence.? Murphy


On Friday, April 18, 2025 at 04:38:00 PM CDT, Richard AG5M via groups.io <ag5m@...> wrote:


I had fun this morning. I started up my 1952 Hallicrafters S-40B receiver today, very carefully. I first cleaned the controls, then plugged in the receiver with my Variac and Dim-Bulb-Tester in line. Slowly brought the voltage up listening for hum, watching for smoke. There was a very slight 60 Hz hum at the beginning but that went away.

It's working on 80 volts right now. I thought it best not to bring it up to 110 VAC, the standard household voltage that was common in the 1950s. Here at the house I have 122 VAC. I left it running for over an hour, nothing bad happened.

So given that, I'll go ahead and replace all the capacitors (ordered Harbach) check for out of tolerance resistors, etc. Clean it up. It's really dirty, which is actually a good thing, tells you no one was inside messing around. It looks to all original.

I'll bet this is the first time it has run in decades. Just goes to show you they built (made in the USA) really good stuff back then, built for the long haul, repairable, to last many generations.

73, Richard AG5M


On Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 03:04:45 PM PDT, Richard AG5M via groups.io <ag5m@...> wrote:


Hello all, this being my first post here.? I recently acquired a Hallicrafters S40-B receiver from a dear friend who went SK.? I had promised to restore it for him, so even though he is gone, I'll keep my promise.? From the looks of it it's all original with no one ever having been inside it, unused for unknown amount of time.? Manufactured Nov. 17, 1952.? Even had the original manual in it.? So what you see is 1952 dirt and a lot of old paper caps, etc.? I'm an old timer, licensed in 1963, so tube rigs are not new to me.? I have not plugged it in yet, and yes, I know all about Dim-Bulb-Testers, Variacs, etc.? I have analog and digital meters, AF and RF generators, O'Scope, tube testers, etc.? Just looking for some up front advice from anyone who has been down this path before with this or similar Hallicrafters receivers, what to watch out for, anything special to think about?? Thank you, 73, Richard AG5M
Re: Hallicrafters S40-B Restoration Advice

 

I only was listening to local AM radio on the bench, chunk of wire connected to antenna terminal. It sounds really nice. Band switch is a bit stiff, will work on that. All controls and switches silent, no scratchy stuff. Mine too has all the original stickers still on it. And the inrush limiter is a good idea. Next up, before I complete this project, is my Collins 516F-2 power supply. Then I'll get back to this.
73, Richard AG5M


On Friday, April 18, 2025 at 02:53:41 PM PDT, don Root <drootofallevil@...> wrote:


Very good Richard, but what all did you manage to receive, and how did it sound??? Good luck

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Richard AG5M via groups.io
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2025 5:38 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] Hallicrafters S40-B Restoration Advice

?

I had fun this morning. I started up my 1952 Hallicrafters S-40B receiver today, very carefully. I first cleaned the controls, then plugged in the receiver with my Variac and Dim-Bulb-Tester in line. Slowly brought the voltage up listening for hum, watching for smoke. There was a very slight 60 Hz hum at the beginning but that went away.

It's working on 80 volts right now. I thought it best not to bring it up to 110 VAC, the standard household voltage that was common in the 1950s. Here at the house I have 122 VAC. I left it running for over an hour, nothing bad happened.

So given that, I'll go ahead and replace all the capacitors (ordered Harbach) check for out of tolerance resistors, etc. Clean it up. It's really dirty, which is actually a good thing, tells you no one was inside messing around. It looks to all original.

I'll bet this is the first time it has run in decades. Just goes to show you they built (made in the USA) really good stuff back then, built for the long haul, repairable, to last many generations.

73, Richard AG5M

On Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 03:04:45 PM PDT, Richard AG5M via groups.io <ag5m@...> wrote:

?

?

Hello all, this being my first post here.? I recently acquired a Hallicrafters S40-B receiver from a dear friend who went SK.? I had promised to restore it for him, so even though he is gone, I'll keep my promise.? From the looks of it it's all original with no one ever having been inside it, unused for unknown amount of time.? Manufactured Nov. 17, 1952.? Even had the original manual in it.? So what you see is 1952 dirt and a lot of old paper caps, etc.? I'm an old timer, licensed in 1963, so tube rigs are not new to me.? I have not plugged it in yet, and yes, I know all about Dim-Bulb-Testers, Variacs, etc.? I have analog and digital meters, AF and RF generators, O'Scope, tube testers, etc.? Just looking for some up front advice from anyone who has been down this path before with this or similar Hallicrafters receivers, what to watch out for, anything special to think about?? Thank you, 73, Richard AG5M


--
don??? va3drl
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