开云体育

ctrl + shift + ? for shortcuts
© 2025 Groups.io
Date

Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

The AR 88 was designed to be a very advanced performance general purpose receiver.? They were never sold commercially
?The tubed were the most advanced available at the time . They are very interesting receivers.? ?Part of the good HF performance comes from the very low loss coils used. Polystyrene formers used on the top three bands and? ceramic insulation elsewhere.
The image suppression is very high for a single conversion receiver.??





-------- Original message --------
From: don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Date: 10/28/22 11:26 AM (GMT-08:00)
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

RICHARD , GOOD SLEUTHING!; ?looks like you found the 6SG6 used very early; and to find 5 of them in one radio. I wonder if they were developed by RCA, well they must have been. The original question posed by Steve becomes even more interesting/ mysterious. Perhaps the AR-88’s were intended to be located in quiet areas, where the front end would not get overloaded?

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Richard Knoppow
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2022 2:50 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

? ?The 6SG7 dates from at least as early as 1940.? It is used as both RF and IF stages in the RCA AR 88

I don't know what other receivers of that Era it is found in.? It's also found as? the RF? stage in the Hallicrafters S 40B. It is a metal octal tube also supplied with a low loss base wafer.? The closest miniature is the 6BA6.? The two are similar in characteristics but are not identical. The 6BA6 is very widely used.??

?

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

From: don Root <drootofallevil@...>

Date: 10/27/22 11:05 PM (GMT-08:00)

Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hi again steve

Interesting stuff.. hope you unravel the design differences for us.

I don’t recall the 6SG7 as a kid; but my very hazy memory thinks it was a later octal.

the tung-Sol sheets I just saw were ?dated 1948; ?If you allow a few years for it to be recognized, as a good bet, it would be too late for many receivers, But it was in use in 52 or 53 in that HRO-60. ?to check? all receivers would be a lot of work. so dunno?? ?Just a thought

don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 11:58 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Don.? I’m admittedly a bit fussy about a couple of things – one is that I try to restore as true to the original as possible.? This can be particularly challenging when a radio has been – shall we say – “molested” by a mad scientist.? The other thing is that I enjoy writing articles about my restoration adventures and try to gather as much technical and historical information as possible.? The use of the 6SK7 as the 2nd IF caught my attention because what I’m used to seeing in most IF chains is a lineup of identical tubes.? For example, the HQ-180A is 6BA6’s.? The HRO-60 has a train of three 6SG7’s.? The Hallicrafters S-40 has two 6SK7’s in a row.? The NC-98 has two 6BD6’s in a row.? The use of a 6SG7 followed by a 6SK7 is very interesting!

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:16 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Steve

I agree with your comments, which I believe, apply to various big old consoles as well as communications receivers.?

Your original comment “6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.” Is quite an observation of info that really does not stand-out.

Hope your restoration proves interesting and successful.

Don VA3DRL

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 7:41 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Don,

?

Very interesting!? Well, as we all know a lot of this old equipment was designed for a specific price point and target audience.? There were receivers with weak front ends that had awesome audio (particularly the ones with auxiliary input), and there were radios with great front ends, but audio sections that were maybe one step above a handheld transistor radio.? A few were spectacular on both ends of the spectrum, but not many.? One example is my HRO-60, which has fantastic push-pull audio and (for the day, anyway) a highly sensitive front end (if you align it correctly and can deal with the coil drawer design). ?A Hammarlund HQ-180A, by comparison had only so-so audio, but fairly sensitive and selective reception.? Hallicrafters had them all over the scale as well.?

?

I’ve never owned a SX-110 before and am admittedly fairly new to Hallicrafters designs (never had a Hallicrafters in my younger years), but am learning fast.? My impression so far is that the SX-110 (and its twin the SX-99) were midrange.? The audio isn’t push-pull, but it’s good enough.? The reception – I’m not sure about yet – I’m still working my way through the restoration, but have been working backwards from the audio output.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 3:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Just thinking.. if the intent of the receiver was to function only with weak signals? present, the extra gain of the 6SG7 would be preferable, but if? there were strong in-band signals, the 6SK7 might be preferred. Seems to me ?there must be trade-offs depending on the rf gain[s], the AVC and any bypassing of an Rf amp ?for lower frequencies.. so 6SK7 or 6SG7 isnt a one size fits all. Intermod {IMD} must be in the designer’s mind.

?

Reminds me; at about grade 10 in school, and in the pursuit of getting more weak signals from Heathkit AR-3, ?I somehow connected an If output from the AR-3 into the early IF stage of an old console with a good AF amp and speaker; and man oh man; did I get stations… all over the dial from 540 kilocycles to 3o MCees. ?I had not yet discovered resonance, let alone intermod!

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Mike!? In contrast, National often used all 6SG7’s in their IF design (such as in my HRO-60).? The difference is an interesting point.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike Langner <mlangner@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hello Steve!

Excellent question!

The 6SG7 has higher gain than the 6SK7.

The 6SK7 can handle stronger signals.

And the 6SK7 provides better AGC control since it’s a remote cutoff tube.? The 6SG7 is semi-remote cutoff.

?

I hope this helps!

Mike/
K5MGR
__________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

All,

?

A curiosity – I’m restoring a SX-110 at the moment and see that a 6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.? I’m trying to understand why that is – why not use two 6SG7’s?? What was magical about the 6SK7?

73 – Steve, KW4H

=======trimd


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

Steve, Jacques, Richard +?? ?

i somehow found this link ?where you can go down ?to “usages” of the 6SG7 ?and click and find some interesting but uncertain information ?

it shows? Sg7’s but sometimes others? … I am not very familiar with the site but..

on the second line? “31=42”??? ?does list the CRS-5A and the AR-88 as well as many other early items

keeps the SG? vs SK question more interesting.

?

I can’t send this as a link so remove the quotes

““

?

Jacques; your link is interesting but going to take time to digest.. for me anyhow.

?

don va3drl

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jacques_VE2JFE
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2022 1:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: 'Richard Knoppow'
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

About the 6SG7…

Another receiver from the same Era than the RCA AR 88 is the Canadian Marconi Co. CSR-5A.

1st RF: 6SK7, 2nd RF: 6SG7, 1st IF: 6SG7, 2nd IF: 6SK7.

The CSR-5A is also the first receiver (to my knowledge) using a miniature tube in the local oscillator: a 9002.

From 1943, the RCA AR-88LF became the Canadian Army “standard receiver” but the CSR-5A became the Royal Canadian Navy counterpart.

?

There is also more tubes that are close to the 6SG7 characteristics, including the 6AB7 (1853) used in the SX-28/28A.

See:

?

73, Jacques, VE2JFE in Montreal

?

Richard Knoppow wrote?:

?

The 6SG7 dates from at least as early as 1940.? It is used as both RF and IF stages in the RCA AR 88

I don't know what other receivers of that Era it is found in.? It's also found as? the RF? stage in the Hallicrafters S 40B. It is a metal octal tube also supplied with a low loss base wafer.? The closest miniature is the 6BA6.? The two are similar in characteristics but are not identical. The 6BA6 is very widely used.??


Re: PS-150 PS voltages

 

开云体育

everything you ever wanted to know about 150/500 PS.


olympus digital camera hallicrafters power supplies ps-500 specification 500 series power supply user manuals 150 series power supply user manuals ps 150/500 rear panel build ps 150/500 test fixture ps test fixture setup hallicrafters transformer specs regulating vintage power supplies p-2000 restore modify drake ac4 to ps-150 modify galaxy 400 to ps-500 modify galaxy 400…
wd0gof.com



?Walt Cates, WD0GOF
?
Your past has no control over your future. Only your NOW can impact your future.



From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Lionel B <N5LB@...>
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2022 11:07 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] PS-150 PS voltages
?
This PS150 has been around for 20 years on my shelf and is now recapped.? Checking output voltages at 120VAC gives the following:

B+? 690v
LV 400v

These seem high though I know they will drop under load.? Does this seem reasonable for this PS?


Re: PS-150 PS voltages

 

开云体育

Seems reasonable for no load condition.


?Walt Cates, WD0GOF
?
Your past has no control over your future. Only your NOW can impact your future.



From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Lionel B <N5LB@...>
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2022 11:07 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] PS-150 PS voltages
?
This PS150 has been around for 20 years on my shelf and is now recapped.? Checking output voltages at 120VAC gives the following:

B+? 690v
LV 400v

These seem high though I know they will drop under load.? Does this seem reasonable for this PS?


Re: PS-150 PS voltages

 

I should also add (after my HT45 Loudenboomer power supply experience) that if you do not have a load on a choke input power supply, the voltage can measure pretty high.
--
73/Rick
WA6III

__________________________________
No critters were injured transmitting with Hallicrafters transmitters except
the ones that wandered into the final amp cage Bug-Motel!!
Bugs check-in, but they don't check-out!


Re: PS-150 PS voltages

 
Edited

Howdy,
You might consider putting a variac on it and loading both the high and low voltage B+ to see where they are.? I have found that modern line voltages do increase the output voltages a bit.

--
73/Rick
WA6III

__________________________________
No critters were injured transmitting with Hallicrafters transmitters except
the ones that wandered into the final amp cage Bug-Motel!!
Bugs check-in, but they don't check-out!


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

RICHARD , GOOD SLEUTHING!; ?looks like you found the 6SG6 used very early; and to find 5 of them in one radio. I wonder if they were developed by RCA, well they must have been. The original question posed by Steve becomes even more interesting/ mysterious. Perhaps the AR-88’s were intended to be located in quiet areas, where the front end would not get overloaded?

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Richard Knoppow
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2022 2:50 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

? ?The 6SG7 dates from at least as early as 1940.? It is used as both RF and IF stages in the RCA AR 88

I don't know what other receivers of that Era it is found in.? It's also found as? the RF? stage in the Hallicrafters S 40B. It is a metal octal tube also supplied with a low loss base wafer.? The closest miniature is the 6BA6.? The two are similar in characteristics but are not identical. The 6BA6 is very widely used.??

?

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

From: don Root <drootofallevil@...>

Date: 10/27/22 11:05 PM (GMT-08:00)

Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hi again steve

Interesting stuff.. hope you unravel the design differences for us.

I don’t recall the 6SG7 as a kid; but my very hazy memory thinks it was a later octal.

the tung-Sol sheets I just saw were ?dated 1948; ?If you allow a few years for it to be recognized, as a good bet, it would be too late for many receivers, But it was in use in 52 or 53 in that HRO-60. ?to check? all receivers would be a lot of work. so dunno?? ?Just a thought

don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 11:58 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Don.? I’m admittedly a bit fussy about a couple of things – one is that I try to restore as true to the original as possible.? This can be particularly challenging when a radio has been – shall we say – “molested” by a mad scientist.? The other thing is that I enjoy writing articles about my restoration adventures and try to gather as much technical and historical information as possible.? The use of the 6SK7 as the 2nd IF caught my attention because what I’m used to seeing in most IF chains is a lineup of identical tubes.? For example, the HQ-180A is 6BA6’s.? The HRO-60 has a train of three 6SG7’s.? The Hallicrafters S-40 has two 6SK7’s in a row.? The NC-98 has two 6BD6’s in a row.? The use of a 6SG7 followed by a 6SK7 is very interesting!

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:16 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Steve

I agree with your comments, which I believe, apply to various big old consoles as well as communications receivers.?

Your original comment “6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.” Is quite an observation of info that really does not stand-out.

Hope your restoration proves interesting and successful.

Don VA3DRL

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 7:41 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Don,

?

Very interesting!? Well, as we all know a lot of this old equipment was designed for a specific price point and target audience.? There were receivers with weak front ends that had awesome audio (particularly the ones with auxiliary input), and there were radios with great front ends, but audio sections that were maybe one step above a handheld transistor radio.? A few were spectacular on both ends of the spectrum, but not many.? One example is my HRO-60, which has fantastic push-pull audio and (for the day, anyway) a highly sensitive front end (if you align it correctly and can deal with the coil drawer design). ?A Hammarlund HQ-180A, by comparison had only so-so audio, but fairly sensitive and selective reception.? Hallicrafters had them all over the scale as well.?

?

I’ve never owned a SX-110 before and am admittedly fairly new to Hallicrafters designs (never had a Hallicrafters in my younger years), but am learning fast.? My impression so far is that the SX-110 (and its twin the SX-99) were midrange.? The audio isn’t push-pull, but it’s good enough.? The reception – I’m not sure about yet – I’m still working my way through the restoration, but have been working backwards from the audio output.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 3:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Just thinking.. if the intent of the receiver was to function only with weak signals? present, the extra gain of the 6SG7 would be preferable, but if? there were strong in-band signals, the 6SK7 might be preferred. Seems to me ?there must be trade-offs depending on the rf gain[s], the AVC and any bypassing of an Rf amp ?for lower frequencies.. so 6SK7 or 6SG7 isnt a one size fits all. Intermod {IMD} must be in the designer’s mind.

?

Reminds me; at about grade 10 in school, and in the pursuit of getting more weak signals from Heathkit AR-3, ?I somehow connected an If output from the AR-3 into the early IF stage of an old console with a good AF amp and speaker; and man oh man; did I get stations… all over the dial from 540 kilocycles to 3o MCees. ?I had not yet discovered resonance, let alone intermod!

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Mike!? In contrast, National often used all 6SG7’s in their IF design (such as in my HRO-60).? The difference is an interesting point.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike Langner <mlangner@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hello Steve!

Excellent question!

The 6SG7 has higher gain than the 6SK7.

The 6SK7 can handle stronger signals.

And the 6SK7 provides better AGC control since it’s a remote cutoff tube.? The 6SG7 is semi-remote cutoff.

?

I hope this helps!

Mike/
K5MGR
__________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

All,

?

A curiosity – I’m restoring a SX-110 at the moment and see that a 6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.? I’m trying to understand why that is – why not use two 6SG7’s?? What was magical about the 6SK7?

73 – Steve, KW4H

=======trimd

_._,_._,_


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

About the 6SG7…

Another receiver from the same Era than the RCA AR 88 is the Canadian Marconi Co. CSR-5A.

1st RF: 6SK7, 2nd RF: 6SG7, 1st IF: 6SG7, 2nd IF: 6SK7.

The CSR-5A is also the first receiver (to my knowledge) using a miniature tube in the local oscillator: a 9002.

From 1943, the RCA AR-88LF became the Canadian Army “standard receiver” but the CSR-5A became the Royal Canadian Navy counterpart.

?

There is also more tubes that are close to the 6SG7 characteristics, including the 6AB7 (1853) used in the SX-28/28A.

See:

?

73, Jacques, VE2JFE in Montreal

?

Richard Knoppow wrote?:

?

The 6SG7 dates from at least as early as 1940.? It is used as both RF and IF stages in the RCA AR 88

I don't know what other receivers of that Era it is found in.? It's also found as? the RF? stage in the Hallicrafters S 40B. It is a metal octal tube also supplied with a low loss base wafer.? The closest miniature is the 6BA6.? The two are similar in characteristics but are not identical. The 6BA6 is very widely used.??


PS-150 PS voltages

 

This PS150 has been around for 20 years on my shelf and is now recapped.? Checking output voltages at 120VAC gives the following:

B+? 690v
LV 400v

These seem high though I know they will drop under load.? Does this seem reasonable for this PS?


Hallicrafters SR-75 with coils and crystals for sale

 
Edited

开云体育

I’ve had my fun resurrecting this fairly rare SR-75 transceiver but it is now time to let it go.

?

It’s in excellent working condition, had all the caps replaced, resistors checked, aligned, and new power cord. I do operate it with an isolation transformer.

?

It will come with an original 80 meter coil and 3555 KHz crystal, ?coils I made for 40. 20. And 11/10 meters plus 7050 KHz crystal. An original manual is included.

?

I was able to get 5 to 10 watts output on 40 meters as well as similar amounts on 80 meters depending on the antenna impedance load. Signal reports are that it sounds clean and no chirp though the local oscillator can be heard close in.

?

Physically it is “good” but far from mint!? It hears very well and the calibration is very good.

?

I’m asking $250 plus shipping. If interested please let me know at nj2r@verizon. Net

?

73, Roger, NJ2R


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

? ?The 6SG7 dates from at least as early as 1940.? It is used as both RF and IF stages in the RCA AR 88
I don't know what other receivers of that Era it is found in.? It's also found as? the RF? stage in the Hallicrafters S 40B. It is a metal octal tube also supplied with a low loss base wafer.? The closest miniature is the 6BA6.? The two are similar in characteristics but are not identical. The 6BA6 is very widely used.??





-------- Original message --------
From: don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Date: 10/27/22 11:05 PM (GMT-08:00)
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

Hi again steve

Interesting stuff.. hope you unravel the design differences for us.

I don’t recall the 6SG7 as a kid; but my very hazy memory thinks it was a later octal.

the tung-Sol sheets I just saw were ?dated 1948; ?If you allow a few years for it to be recognized, as a good bet, it would be too late for many receivers, But it was in use in 52 or 53 in that HRO-60. ?to check? all receivers would be a lot of work. so dunno?? ?Just a thought

don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 11:58 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Don.? I’m admittedly a bit fussy about a couple of things – one is that I try to restore as true to the original as possible.? This can be particularly challenging when a radio has been – shall we say – “molested” by a mad scientist.? The other thing is that I enjoy writing articles about my restoration adventures and try to gather as much technical and historical information as possible.? The use of the 6SK7 as the 2nd IF caught my attention because what I’m used to seeing in most IF chains is a lineup of identical tubes.? For example, the HQ-180A is 6BA6’s.? The HRO-60 has a train of three 6SG7’s.? The Hallicrafters S-40 has two 6SK7’s in a row.? The NC-98 has two 6BD6’s in a row.? The use of a 6SG7 followed by a 6SK7 is very interesting!

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:16 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Steve

I agree with your comments, which I believe, apply to various big old consoles as well as communications receivers.?

Your original comment “6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.” Is quite an observation of info that really does not stand-out.

Hope your restoration proves interesting and successful.

Don VA3DRL

?

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 7:41 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Don,

?

Very interesting!? Well, as we all know a lot of this old equipment was designed for a specific price point and target audience.? There were receivers with weak front ends that had awesome audio (particularly the ones with auxiliary input), and there were radios with great front ends, but audio sections that were maybe one step above a handheld transistor radio.? A few were spectacular on both ends of the spectrum, but not many.? One example is my HRO-60, which has fantastic push-pull audio and (for the day, anyway) a highly sensitive front end (if you align it correctly and can deal with the coil drawer design). ?A Hammarlund HQ-180A, by comparison had only so-so audio, but fairly sensitive and selective reception.? Hallicrafters had them all over the scale as well.?

?

I’ve never owned a SX-110 before and am admittedly fairly new to Hallicrafters designs (never had a Hallicrafters in my younger years), but am learning fast.? My impression so far is that the SX-110 (and its twin the SX-99) were midrange.? The audio isn’t push-pull, but it’s good enough.? The reception – I’m not sure about yet – I’m still working my way through the restoration, but have been working backwards from the audio output.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 3:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Just thinking.. if the intent of the receiver was to function only with weak signals? present, the extra gain of the 6SG7 would be preferable, but if? there were strong in-band signals, the 6SK7 might be preferred. Seems to me ?there must be trade-offs depending on the rf gain[s], the AVC and any bypassing of an Rf amp ?for lower frequencies.. so 6SK7 or 6SG7 isnt a one size fits all. Intermod {IMD} must be in the designer’s mind.

?

Reminds me; at about grade 10 in school, and in the pursuit of getting more weak signals from Heathkit AR-3, ?I somehow connected an If output from the AR-3 into the early IF stage of an old console with a good AF amp and speaker; and man oh man; did I get stations… all over the dial from 540 kilocycles to 3o MCees. ?I had not yet discovered resonance, let alone intermod!

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Mike!? In contrast, National often used all 6SG7’s in their IF design (such as in my HRO-60).? The difference is an interesting point.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike Langner <mlangner@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hello Steve!

Excellent question!

The 6SG7 has higher gain than the 6SK7.

The 6SK7 can handle stronger signals.

And the 6SK7 provides better AGC control since it’s a remote cutoff tube.? The 6SG7 is semi-remote cutoff.

?

I hope this helps!

Mike/
K5MGR
__________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

All,

?

A curiosity – I’m restoring a SX-110 at the moment and see that a 6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.? I’m trying to understand why that is – why not use two 6SG7’s?? What was magical about the 6SK7?

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

=======trimd


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

Hi again steve

Interesting stuff.. hope you unravel the design differences for us.

I don’t recall the 6SG7 as a kid; but my very hazy memory thinks it was a later octal.

the tung-Sol sheets I just saw were ?dated 1948; ?If you allow a few years for it to be recognized, as a good bet, it would be too late for many receivers, But it was in use in 52 or 53 in that HRO-60. ?to check? all receivers would be a lot of work. so dunno?? ?Just a thought

don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 11:58 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Don.? I’m admittedly a bit fussy about a couple of things – one is that I try to restore as true to the original as possible.? This can be particularly challenging when a radio has been – shall we say – “molested” by a mad scientist.? The other thing is that I enjoy writing articles about my restoration adventures and try to gather as much technical and historical information as possible.? The use of the 6SK7 as the 2nd IF caught my attention because what I’m used to seeing in most IF chains is a lineup of identical tubes.? For example, the HQ-180A is 6BA6’s.? The HRO-60 has a train of three 6SG7’s.? The Hallicrafters S-40 has two 6SK7’s in a row.? The NC-98 has two 6BD6’s in a row.? The use of a 6SG7 followed by a 6SK7 is very interesting!

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:16 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Steve

I agree with your comments, which I believe, apply to various big old consoles as well as communications receivers.?

Your original comment “6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.” Is quite an observation of info that really does not stand-out.

Hope your restoration proves interesting and successful.

Don VA3DRL

?

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 7:41 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Don,

?

Very interesting!? Well, as we all know a lot of this old equipment was designed for a specific price point and target audience.? There were receivers with weak front ends that had awesome audio (particularly the ones with auxiliary input), and there were radios with great front ends, but audio sections that were maybe one step above a handheld transistor radio.? A few were spectacular on both ends of the spectrum, but not many.? One example is my HRO-60, which has fantastic push-pull audio and (for the day, anyway) a highly sensitive front end (if you align it correctly and can deal with the coil drawer design). ?A Hammarlund HQ-180A, by comparison had only so-so audio, but fairly sensitive and selective reception.? Hallicrafters had them all over the scale as well.?

?

I’ve never owned a SX-110 before and am admittedly fairly new to Hallicrafters designs (never had a Hallicrafters in my younger years), but am learning fast.? My impression so far is that the SX-110 (and its twin the SX-99) were midrange.? The audio isn’t push-pull, but it’s good enough.? The reception – I’m not sure about yet – I’m still working my way through the restoration, but have been working backwards from the audio output.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 3:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Just thinking.. if the intent of the receiver was to function only with weak signals? present, the extra gain of the 6SG7 would be preferable, but if? there were strong in-band signals, the 6SK7 might be preferred. Seems to me ?there must be trade-offs depending on the rf gain[s], the AVC and any bypassing of an Rf amp ?for lower frequencies.. so 6SK7 or 6SG7 isnt a one size fits all. Intermod {IMD} must be in the designer’s mind.

?

Reminds me; at about grade 10 in school, and in the pursuit of getting more weak signals from Heathkit AR-3, ?I somehow connected an If output from the AR-3 into the early IF stage of an old console with a good AF amp and speaker; and man oh man; did I get stations… all over the dial from 540 kilocycles to 3o MCees. ?I had not yet discovered resonance, let alone intermod!

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Mike!? In contrast, National often used all 6SG7’s in their IF design (such as in my HRO-60).? The difference is an interesting point.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike Langner <mlangner@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hello Steve!

Excellent question!

The 6SG7 has higher gain than the 6SK7.

The 6SK7 can handle stronger signals.

And the 6SK7 provides better AGC control since it’s a remote cutoff tube.? The 6SG7 is semi-remote cutoff.

?

I hope this helps!

Mike/
K5MGR
__________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

All,

?

A curiosity – I’m restoring a SX-110 at the moment and see that a 6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.? I’m trying to understand why that is – why not use two 6SG7’s?? What was magical about the 6SK7?

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

=======trimd


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

I must look at the schematic to see if I can figure out the reason for this.? It's not too unusual to see different tubes used in rf stages but is in if stages.? ?





-------- Original message --------
From: "KW4H via groups.io" <reedsteve@...>
Date: 10/27/22 8:57 PM (GMT-08:00)
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

Thanks, Don.? I’m admittedly a bit fussy about a couple of things – one is that I try to restore as true to the original as possible.? This can be particularly challenging when a radio has been – shall we say – “molested” by a mad scientist.? The other thing is that I enjoy writing articles about my restoration adventures and try to gather as much technical and historical information as possible.? The use of the 6SK7 as the 2nd IF caught my attention because what I’m used to seeing in most IF chains is a lineup of identical tubes.? For example, the HQ-180A is 6BA6’s.? The HRO-60 has a train of three 6SG7’s.? The Hallicrafters S-40 has two 6SK7’s in a row.? The NC-98 has two 6BD6’s in a row.? The use of a 6SG7 followed by a 6SK7 is very interesting!

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:16 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Steve

I agree with your comments, which I believe, apply to various big old consoles as well as communications receivers.?

Your original comment “6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.” Is quite an observation of info that really does not stand-out.

Hope your restoration proves interesting and successful.

Don VA3DRL

?

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 7:41 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Don,

?

Very interesting!? Well, as we all know a lot of this old equipment was designed for a specific price point and target audience.? There were receivers with weak front ends that had awesome audio (particularly the ones with auxiliary input), and there were radios with great front ends, but audio sections that were maybe one step above a handheld transistor radio.? A few were spectacular on both ends of the spectrum, but not many.? One example is my HRO-60, which has fantastic push-pull audio and (for the day, anyway) a highly sensitive front end (if you align it correctly and can deal with the coil drawer design). ?A Hammarlund HQ-180A, by comparison had only so-so audio, but fairly sensitive and selective reception.? Hallicrafters had them all over the scale as well.?

?

I’ve never owned a SX-110 before and am admittedly fairly new to Hallicrafters designs (never had a Hallicrafters in my younger years), but am learning fast.? My impression so far is that the SX-110 (and its twin the SX-99) were midrange.? The audio isn’t push-pull, but it’s good enough.? The reception – I’m not sure about yet – I’m still working my way through the restoration, but have been working backwards from the audio output.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 3:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Just thinking.. if the intent of the receiver was to function only with weak signals? present, the extra gain of the 6SG7 would be preferable, but if? there were strong in-band signals, the 6SK7 might be preferred. Seems to me ?there must be trade-offs depending on the rf gain[s], the AVC and any bypassing of an Rf amp ?for lower frequencies.. so 6SK7 or 6SG7 isnt a one size fits all. Intermod {IMD} must be in the designer’s mind.

?

Reminds me; at about grade 10 in school, and in the pursuit of getting more weak signals from Heathkit AR-3, ?I somehow connected an If output from the AR-3 into the early IF stage of an old console with a good AF amp and speaker; and man oh man; did I get stations… all over the dial from 540 kilocycles to 3o MCees. ?I had not yet discovered resonance, let alone intermod!

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Mike!? In contrast, National often used all 6SG7’s in their IF design (such as in my HRO-60).? The difference is an interesting point.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike Langner <mlangner@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hello Steve!

Excellent question!

The 6SG7 has higher gain than the 6SK7.

The 6SK7 can handle stronger signals.

And the 6SK7 provides better AGC control since it’s a remote cutoff tube.? The 6SG7 is semi-remote cutoff.

?

I hope this helps!

Mike/
K5MGR
__________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

All,

?

A curiosity – I’m restoring a SX-110 at the moment and see that a 6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.? I’m trying to understand why that is – why not use two 6SG7’s?? What was magical about the 6SK7?

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?


Re: Need HT-37 Carrier Oscillator Crystal for 10M Band

 

Chuck,

Thanks for providing the Crystal.??

73s? ?Ricky KR7W


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

Thanks, Don.? I’m admittedly a bit fussy about a couple of things – one is that I try to restore as true to the original as possible.? This can be particularly challenging when a radio has been – shall we say – “molested” by a mad scientist.? The other thing is that I enjoy writing articles about my restoration adventures and try to gather as much technical and historical information as possible.? The use of the 6SK7 as the 2nd IF caught my attention because what I’m used to seeing in most IF chains is a lineup of identical tubes.? For example, the HQ-180A is 6BA6’s.? The HRO-60 has a train of three 6SG7’s.? The Hallicrafters S-40 has two 6SK7’s in a row.? The NC-98 has two 6BD6’s in a row.? The use of a 6SG7 followed by a 6SK7 is very interesting!

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:16 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Steve

I agree with your comments, which I believe, apply to various big old consoles as well as communications receivers.?

Your original comment “6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.” Is quite an observation of info that really does not stand-out.

Hope your restoration proves interesting and successful.

Don VA3DRL

?

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 7:41 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Don,

?

Very interesting!? Well, as we all know a lot of this old equipment was designed for a specific price point and target audience.? There were receivers with weak front ends that had awesome audio (particularly the ones with auxiliary input), and there were radios with great front ends, but audio sections that were maybe one step above a handheld transistor radio.? A few were spectacular on both ends of the spectrum, but not many.? One example is my HRO-60, which has fantastic push-pull audio and (for the day, anyway) a highly sensitive front end (if you align it correctly and can deal with the coil drawer design). ?A Hammarlund HQ-180A, by comparison had only so-so audio, but fairly sensitive and selective reception.? Hallicrafters had them all over the scale as well.?

?

I’ve never owned a SX-110 before and am admittedly fairly new to Hallicrafters designs (never had a Hallicrafters in my younger years), but am learning fast.? My impression so far is that the SX-110 (and its twin the SX-99) were midrange.? The audio isn’t push-pull, but it’s good enough.? The reception – I’m not sure about yet – I’m still working my way through the restoration, but have been working backwards from the audio output.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 3:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Just thinking.. if the intent of the receiver was to function only with weak signals? present, the extra gain of the 6SG7 would be preferable, but if? there were strong in-band signals, the 6SK7 might be preferred. Seems to me ?there must be trade-offs depending on the rf gain[s], the AVC and any bypassing of an Rf amp ?for lower frequencies.. so 6SK7 or 6SG7 isnt a one size fits all. Intermod {IMD} must be in the designer’s mind.

?

Reminds me; at about grade 10 in school, and in the pursuit of getting more weak signals from Heathkit AR-3, ?I somehow connected an If output from the AR-3 into the early IF stage of an old console with a good AF amp and speaker; and man oh man; did I get stations… all over the dial from 540 kilocycles to 3o MCees. ?I had not yet discovered resonance, let alone intermod!

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Mike!? In contrast, National often used all 6SG7’s in their IF design (such as in my HRO-60).? The difference is an interesting point.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike Langner <mlangner@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hello Steve!

Excellent question!

The 6SG7 has higher gain than the 6SK7.

The 6SK7 can handle stronger signals.

And the 6SK7 provides better AGC control since it’s a remote cutoff tube.? The 6SG7 is semi-remote cutoff.

?

I hope this helps!

Mike/
K5MGR
__________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

All,

?

A curiosity – I’m restoring a SX-110 at the moment and see that a 6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.? I’m trying to understand why that is – why not use two 6SG7’s?? What was magical about the 6SK7?

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

Richard , and gang ?

I believe Steve was talking about the tubes in the original design, and not discussing swapping tubes, but your notes about swapping seem valid, but are likely are only some of the considerations.

I wonder if tube noise is a factor below 30 Mceees, but agree that the best performance I hard to find, and must have been lots of trial and error 6o years ago too.

Don VA3DRL

?

?

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Richard Knoppow
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 7:38 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

It isn't the gain but the Internal noise.? ?One can have too much gain.? The internal noise of a tube is roughly proportional to its Gm.? A 6SG7 has about four times the Gm of a 6SK7.? One problem with just plugging a "better" tube in is that the load resistances and other characteristics will be different.? For the better tube to be optimum the associated RF coils will have to be designed to match.??

While the higher Gm tube will be quieter it may not make s lot of difference at communications frequencies where atmospheric noise often exceeds receiver noise by many times.? ?

Another factor at least for these two tubes is the range of control grid voltages.? A 6SK7 requires about 40 volts to be cut off,? 20V will cut off a 6SG7.? A 6BA6,? which is si.ilar to the 6SG7, also takes about 40 to 50V to cut off.? So the AVC and gain budget must be designed for the particular tube.? Minimising

IMD also requires the correct voltages and transformer design. It's not a trivial problem.

?

?

?

?

?

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

From: don Root <drootofallevil@...>

Date: 10/27/22 3:59 PM (GMT-08:00)

Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Just thinking.. if the intent of the receiver was to function only with weak signals? present, the extra gain of the 6SG7 would be preferable, but if? there were strong in-band signals, the 6SK7 might be preferred. Seems to me ?there must be trade-offs depending on the rf gain[s], the AVC and any bypassing of an Rf amp ?for lower frequencies.. so 6SK7 or 6SG7 isnt a one size fits all. Intermod {IMD} must be in the designer’s mind.

?

Reminds me; at about grade 10 in school, and in the pursuit of getting more weak signals from Heathkit AR-3, ?I somehow connected an If output from the AR-3 into the early IF stage of an old console with a good AF amp and speaker; and man oh man; did I get stations… all over the dial from 540 kilocycles to 3o MCees. ?I had not yet discovered resonance, let alone intermod!

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Mike!? In contrast, National often used all 6SG7’s in their IF design (such as in my HRO-60).? The difference is an interesting point.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike Langner <mlangner@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hello Steve!

Excellent question!

The 6SG7 has higher gain than the 6SK7.

The 6SK7 can handle stronger signals.

And the 6SK7 provides better AGC control since it’s a remote cutoff tube.? The 6SG7 is semi-remote cutoff.

?

I hope this helps!

Mike/
K5MGR
__________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

All,

A curiosity – I’m restoring a SX-110 at the moment and see that a 6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.? I’m trying to understand why that is – why not use two 6SG7’s?? What was magical about the 6SK7?

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

_._,_._,_


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

Steve

I agree with your comments, which I believe, apply to various big old consoles as well as communications receivers.?

Your original comment “6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.” Is quite an observation of info that really does not stand-out.

Hope your restoration proves interesting and successful.

Don VA3DRL

?

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 7:41 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Don,

?

Very interesting!? Well, as we all know a lot of this old equipment was designed for a specific price point and target audience.? There were receivers with weak front ends that had awesome audio (particularly the ones with auxiliary input), and there were radios with great front ends, but audio sections that were maybe one step above a handheld transistor radio.? A few were spectacular on both ends of the spectrum, but not many.? One example is my HRO-60, which has fantastic push-pull audio and (for the day, anyway) a highly sensitive front end (if you align it correctly and can deal with the coil drawer design). ?A Hammarlund HQ-180A, by comparison had only so-so audio, but fairly sensitive and selective reception.? Hallicrafters had them all over the scale as well.?

?

I’ve never owned a SX-110 before and am admittedly fairly new to Hallicrafters designs (never had a Hallicrafters in my younger years), but am learning fast.? My impression so far is that the SX-110 (and its twin the SX-99) were midrange.? The audio isn’t push-pull, but it’s good enough.? The reception – I’m not sure about yet – I’m still working my way through the restoration, but have been working backwards from the audio output.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 3:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Just thinking.. if the intent of the receiver was to function only with weak signals? present, the extra gain of the 6SG7 would be preferable, but if? there were strong in-band signals, the 6SK7 might be preferred. Seems to me ?there must be trade-offs depending on the rf gain[s], the AVC and any bypassing of an Rf amp ?for lower frequencies.. so 6SK7 or 6SG7 isnt a one size fits all. Intermod {IMD} must be in the designer’s mind.

?

Reminds me; at about grade 10 in school, and in the pursuit of getting more weak signals from Heathkit AR-3, ?I somehow connected an If output from the AR-3 into the early IF stage of an old console with a good AF amp and speaker; and man oh man; did I get stations… all over the dial from 540 kilocycles to 3o MCees. ?I had not yet discovered resonance, let alone intermod!

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Mike!? In contrast, National often used all 6SG7’s in their IF design (such as in my HRO-60).? The difference is an interesting point.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike Langner <mlangner@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hello Steve!

Excellent question!

The 6SG7 has higher gain than the 6SK7.

The 6SK7 can handle stronger signals.

And the 6SK7 provides better AGC control since it’s a remote cutoff tube.? The 6SG7 is semi-remote cutoff.

?

I hope this helps!

Mike/
K5MGR
__________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

All,

?

A curiosity – I’m restoring a SX-110 at the moment and see that a 6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.? I’m trying to understand why that is – why not use two 6SG7’s?? What was magical about the 6SK7?

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

_._,_._,_


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

Don,

?

Very interesting!? Well, as we all know a lot of this old equipment was designed for a specific price point and target audience.? There were receivers with weak front ends that had awesome audio (particularly the ones with auxiliary input), and there were radios with great front ends, but audio sections that were maybe one step above a handheld transistor radio.? A few were spectacular on both ends of the spectrum, but not many.? One example is my HRO-60, which has fantastic push-pull audio and (for the day, anyway) a highly sensitive front end (if you align it correctly and can deal with the coil drawer design). ?A Hammarlund HQ-180A, by comparison had only so-so audio, but fairly sensitive and selective reception.? Hallicrafters had them all over the scale as well.?

?

I’ve never owned a SX-110 before and am admittedly fairly new to Hallicrafters designs (never had a Hallicrafters in my younger years), but am learning fast.? My impression so far is that the SX-110 (and its twin the SX-99) were midrange.? The audio isn’t push-pull, but it’s good enough.? The reception – I’m not sure about yet – I’m still working my way through the restoration, but have been working backwards from the audio output.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 3:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Just thinking.. if the intent of the receiver was to function only with weak signals? present, the extra gain of the 6SG7 would be preferable, but if? there were strong in-band signals, the 6SK7 might be preferred. Seems to me ?there must be trade-offs depending on the rf gain[s], the AVC and any bypassing of an Rf amp ?for lower frequencies.. so 6SK7 or 6SG7 isnt a one size fits all. Intermod {IMD} must be in the designer’s mind.

?

Reminds me; at about grade 10 in school, and in the pursuit of getting more weak signals from Heathkit AR-3, ?I somehow connected an If output from the AR-3 into the early IF stage of an old console with a good AF amp and speaker; and man oh man; did I get stations… all over the dial from 540 kilocycles to 3o MCees. ?I had not yet discovered resonance, let alone intermod!

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Mike!? In contrast, National often used all 6SG7’s in their IF design (such as in my HRO-60).? The difference is an interesting point.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike Langner <mlangner@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hello Steve!

Excellent question!

The 6SG7 has higher gain than the 6SK7.

The 6SK7 can handle stronger signals.

And the 6SK7 provides better AGC control since it’s a remote cutoff tube.? The 6SG7 is semi-remote cutoff.

?

I hope this helps!

Mike/
K5MGR
__________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

All,

?

A curiosity – I’m restoring a SX-110 at the moment and see that a 6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.? I’m trying to understand why that is – why not use two 6SG7’s?? What was magical about the 6SK7?

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

It isn't the gain but the Internal noise.? ?One can have too much gain.? The internal noise of a tube is roughly proportional to its Gm.? A 6SG7 has about four times the Gm of a 6SK7.? One problem with just plugging a "better" tube in is that the load resistances and other characteristics will be different.? For the better tube to be optimum the associated RF coils will have to be designed to match.??
While the higher Gm tube will be quieter it may not make s lot of difference at communications frequencies where atmospheric noise often exceeds receiver noise by many times.? ?
Another factor at least for these two tubes is the range of control grid voltages.? A 6SK7 requires about 40 volts to be cut off,? 20V will cut off a 6SG7.? A 6BA6,? which is si.ilar to the 6SG7, also takes about 40 to 50V to cut off.? So the AVC and gain budget must be designed for the particular tube.? Minimising
IMD also requires the correct voltages and transformer design. It's not a trivial problem.





-------- Original message --------
From: don Root <drootofallevil@...>
Date: 10/27/22 3:59 PM (GMT-08:00)
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

Just thinking.. if the intent of the receiver was to function only with weak signals? present, the extra gain of the 6SG7 would be preferable, but if? there were strong in-band signals, the 6SK7 might be preferred. Seems to me ?there must be trade-offs depending on the rf gain[s], the AVC and any bypassing of an Rf amp ?for lower frequencies.. so 6SK7 or 6SG7 isnt a one size fits all. Intermod {IMD} must be in the designer’s mind.

?

Reminds me; at about grade 10 in school, and in the pursuit of getting more weak signals from Heathkit AR-3, ?I somehow connected an If output from the AR-3 into the early IF stage of an old console with a good AF amp and speaker; and man oh man; did I get stations… all over the dial from 540 kilocycles to 3o MCees. ?I had not yet discovered resonance, let alone intermod!

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Mike!? In contrast, National often used all 6SG7’s in their IF design (such as in my HRO-60).? The difference is an interesting point.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike Langner <mlangner@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hello Steve!

Excellent question!

The 6SG7 has higher gain than the 6SK7.

The 6SK7 can handle stronger signals.

And the 6SK7 provides better AGC control since it’s a remote cutoff tube.? The 6SG7 is semi-remote cutoff.

?

I hope this helps!

Mike/
K5MGR
__________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

All,

?

A curiosity – I’m restoring a SX-110 at the moment and see that a 6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.? I’m trying to understand why that is – why not use two 6SG7’s?? What was magical about the 6SK7?

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?


Re: SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

 

开云体育

Just thinking.. if the intent of the receiver was to function only with weak signals? present, the extra gain of the 6SG7 would be preferable, but if? there were strong in-band signals, the 6SK7 might be preferred. Seems to me ?there must be trade-offs depending on the rf gain[s], the AVC and any bypassing of an Rf amp ?for lower frequencies.. so 6SK7 or 6SG7 isnt a one size fits all. Intermod {IMD} must be in the designer’s mind.

?

Reminds me; at about grade 10 in school, and in the pursuit of getting more weak signals from Heathkit AR-3, ?I somehow connected an If output from the AR-3 into the early IF stage of an old console with a good AF amp and speaker; and man oh man; did I get stations… all over the dial from 540 kilocycles to 3o MCees. ?I had not yet discovered resonance, let alone intermod!

Don VA3DRL

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Thanks, Mike!? In contrast, National often used all 6SG7’s in their IF design (such as in my HRO-60).? The difference is an interesting point.

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike Langner <mlangner@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:59 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

Hello Steve!

Excellent question!

The 6SG7 has higher gain than the 6SK7.

The 6SK7 can handle stronger signals.

And the 6SK7 provides better AGC control since it’s a remote cutoff tube.? The 6SG7 is semi-remote cutoff.

?

I hope this helps!

Mike/
K5MGR
__________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KW4H via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-110 2nd IF Circuit Design

?

All,

?

A curiosity – I’m restoring a SX-110 at the moment and see that a 6SK7 was used for the 2nd IF, while a 6SG7 is used for the 1st IF.? I’m trying to understand why that is – why not use two 6SG7’s?? What was magical about the 6SK7?

?

73 – Steve, KW4H

?