#164

[@richardhoner7842]

I found one of these in a junk pile and brought it home. First thing I noticed inside was the lack of a power transformer. Next was to find this video! Glad I did and will watch more. Many thanks Radio Guy!!

[@mrgoodtab]

Why am I so Anxious for part 2 and any other videos on the S38? I'm 72. My father had died years before and the radio seemed to disappear. I found the radio in my mother's attic. When I was a boy my dad and I would sit and Dx and listened to many foreign broadcasts and some hams. We listened to Radio Moscow and the BBC regularly during the cold war during the 50's. Daddy and I particularly loved the BBC. We never missed the classic Goon Show, Peter Sellers got his start on that show. If there is a part 2 or any other parts to the S38 restoration I'd love to see them. I'm retired now and have time to restore the radio. My son and grandson will enjoy one of the things that bonded my Dad and me. .

[@atticusfinch4687]

I’m kind of the same. I’m 58 We use to listen to it when I was young. My Dad gave his radio to my cousin when I was around 8 or 9. A year ago he called me up and gave me the radio back! You can imagine how excited I was. Had heard about the shock hazard. Glad to find this video so I can correct this and use it.

[@daveb5041]

Hot chassis always add a level of excitement to an other wise mundane hobby. "Ok time to play with the radio: Am I going to die? Get burned? Burn my house down? Watch someone else get hurt? Fry other equipment?" It becomes an adrenaline sport! Not just a boring old radio with a hot chassis!

[@TheRadioShop]

I really have to agree with that. Makes for an interesting adventure.

[@goldenamazon6857]

I just bought an S-38 and I was pleased to see that same exact “this radio was modified for safety” notice on the chassis! I’m also very much looking forward to your part 2 video 😇

[@robertmitchum2972]

Nora Eva-Marie I just bought an S-38 yesterday as well at the local Hamfest. As a mater of fact, it’s playing right now after a power cord mod and a soft start. I ordered all the Caps today for replacement and some TLC, it should last another 70 years!

[@rickb.6068]

Glad I watched this. I just picked up a S-38c for free and will be restoring it. Thanks for this.

[@TheRadioShop]

Good luck on it. Fun to work on.

[@georgestephens2593]

I grew up listening to one of these! It was a great receiver and it helped grow my interest in radio and electronics. :)

[@TheRadioShop]

I think in 1946 these were the cheapest radios you could buy. Around 45 bucks back then. Thanks for stopping in

[@texasvarmint9542]

I always learn something when I watch one of your videos, Buddy. Thanks for a another fine one.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks you James

[@rong3194]

As always, a great informative educational bit of electronics study. You are great at what you do, and we are lucky that you produce these videos for us.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for the kind words Ron.

[@old64goat]

Very good information Buddy. I always do this on all line connected radios, switch the HOT and ground the neutral to common negative OR chassis depending on the radio and install a polarized cord and plug.

[@TheRadioShop]

Hi Bill. Yes this is something that needs to be done to any old rig. Sure makes things safer. Good to see you my friend.

[@PapasDino]

A HF receiver as part of your test bench is a great thing. My Kenwood R-1000 with a RF switch at the bench lets me send it signals directly from a bench BNC port for direct input OR from the antenna for listening to HF while I work at the bench. One of our ham club Builders Group members is getting ready to restore his S-38 and I'm sending him a link to your video. I'm going to build a set of those radio chassis supports, simple but sure will make working on old radios a lot easier! TNX for sharing Buddy! 73 - Dino KL0S

[@TheRadioShop]

Yes a bench radio sure is helpful for quick test. Like I said I was using a 747GX but a friend was in need of a radio so let him use it. This receiver should work out just fine since it is a small package. Those supports really work great when you have a tube rig that needs to be turned upside down. I will get some more videos out on this rigs soon. Thanks Dino

[@pierrelataillade7564]

Very informative buddy..... Thanks for your expertise. Actually we novice appreciate this vid , because of the safety content. Thanks for sharing .

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you Pierre. Keeping it safe is very important.

[@tcw16505]

I too just bought an S-38 and I’m also very much looking forward to your part 2 video.

[@banjo76]

Just picked up one of these. Thanks for the video and I’ll keep on the lookout for part 2. Thanks for keeping us safe!

[@phillipleroy1452]

Great info! I know that there's very little money in making these videos, but the knowledge you guys impart to us is priceless!

[@cuban9splat]

Good info, Buddy. Thank you. Looking forward to the next one. 73 DE K7RMJ, Frank

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Frank

[@gregorywest2029]

I would who ever wired that plug most likely blew the house breaker when they plugged it in. Great video, keep them comming.

[@TheRadioShop]

Hi Gregory. We are lucky that more thank a breaker gets blown from this on stuff. Thanks for watching.

[@mikesradiorepair]

Nice classic receiver. I worked on one of them several years ago that someone had modified a long time ago. They made a huge improvement to it safety wise. They used some of that empty space up top and added a isolation transformer. Wow, someone really did a sloppy job replacing the caps in that poor thing. That large brown dip mylar cap that's flapping in the breeze, yikes! Should make a great bench radio for you when you get it done.

[@TheRadioShop]

I thought about putting an isolation transformer on this one also. Yep sloppy job has been done to this unit. We will get it right this time. Thanks for stopping in Mike

[@bblod4896]

Very enjoyable. Looking forward to part two. Thank you.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks

[@garybevis8691]

Great video again Buddy, I also really like the chassis stand you have I need to saw up some wood and make one for my bench, very good idea for working on the tube radios undercarriage.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Gary. It comes in very handy and makes working on these so much easier

[@ojjenkins7110]

I'll be waiting for the next one. I never had an S-38.

[@TheRadioShop]

Not a bad little rig. Thanks for stopping in

[@dancingcomanche3951]

Another great video, cant wait for part II

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks

[@rickgunther7328]

Glad your back. ricks radio shop...

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Rick

[@LarryDeSilva64]

Yes shock hazard and hot chassis not very good for your health. But that is a classic general coverage receiver all the Hallicrafters are great receivers . Without those rubber insulators you have a bigger potential problem. Having that receiver to use to test others is also a great idea. Thanks for the great video.

[@TheRadioShop]

Safety is very important when working on this old classics. Should be a real nice radio. Thanks

[@LarryDeSilva64]

I agree safety is always important when working around energized circuits. I am retired from Pacific Gas and Electric and the first thing you learn is a healthy respect for electricity and what it can do. I have known guy who was acting safely around a 12 kv circuit breaker and touched an energized circuit by accident. He was lucky and didn't die only because the contact point and path to ground was his arm it did not go through his entire body. So you see something like that and you develop a healthy respect.

[@johncunningham5435]

"Great presentation", I always make it a point to use an isolation transformer, "especially when you are exposed to a hot chassis" you can never be to careful, "almost lost a friend in a similar situation, and he is a technician.

[@TheRadioShop]

These things can catch a person off guard fast. Hope he came out ok.

[@robertmitchum2972]

The Radio Shop And as you so wisely did..... A Fuse!

[@atticusfinch4687]

I've Inherited one of these from my Dad. It's not as clean as this one but I hope this will help me fix this so I can use it! Extremely helpful! Thank you for doing this. My radio is not clean like this. The wires are original. Brown cloth wires to the switch and the original power cord. Can you share what kind/size of in line fuse did you use?

[@ixionn563]

Just picked one of these up, S 38C, the cabinet was spray painted black (which unfortunately covered most of the labels for the controls), and it has a strange wire coming off the back of the chassis, separate from the antenna terminals that looks like a ground wire, has a ring terminal at the end. Not sure what that wire is for and why they painted the whole thing gloss black, but I'll find out soon.

[@Lee-NN7X]

Thanks Buddy...great safety tip..

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for watching Lee

[@jonmullins8460]

I do the same with my filter caps, I put them as close to the connection point as I can to reduce the wiring a little bit.

[@TheRadioShop]

Yes it helps so much. Thanks Jon

[@TheOpenAirGarage]

I have two of these that I want to get going. I will watch this series closely.

[@TheRadioShop]

Great. Thanks for watching

[@rico1319]

Great video Buddy, thank you for informing us!! I never knew that about this radio. Well informed video! Great job buddy!! 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you very much Rico. Hallicrafters are simple nice receivers based on a classic design. Will be a fun rig

[@rongibbons2752]

Great presentation John! Now, how do I download (print out) the instructions? I am viewing on a KZbin channel on my PC. Many Thanks.

[@mrgoodtab]

I was waiting for the next video on the S-38. Did you ever do that?

[@tlrptg]

want more safety? install TWO fuses. Nice radio, i'm curious about its sensitivity and selectivity.

[@TheRadioShop]

Yes 2 would work also. I will be getting to that in the next few radios and see how it performs.

[@kevindobson2121]

What amp fuse did you put in ?

[@TheRadioShop]

half amp

[@kevindobson2121]

@@TheRadioShop Thanks

[@N5KDA]

Buddy, please excuse my ignorance, but it looks like 120 volts is being supplied to the filaments of tubes I notice have 12 or 35 volt ratings. Were they doing that or did I miss something?

[@TheRadioShop]

That is correct. Look at the schematic. There is no transformer on this receiver. The tube filaments are in series with the 120 volt line.

[@bundylovess]

Lover your work buddy big thumbs up 👍

[@geofham8332]

Hi, thanks for all your videos. Can I ask can you show checking tubes on video one day? Again thanks.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks, Will do that in part 2 of this rig

[@lylejohnson7591]

I had an s-38 always had it plugged into an isolation transformer.

[@TheOpenAirGarage]

Are you going to do any more videos on this radio?

[@TheRadioShop]

Yes, On the list soon to do.

[@brendakeiffer4039]

Great Radio will a 1/1 isolation transformer work ?

[@Beretta96Dan]

Thanks for video, Buddy! Even though I am an electrician, I still don't like the feeling of 123 volts through my body. Just remember, it's not the voltage, but the current that kills.

[@TheRadioShop]

Well said Dan.

[@CL-ty6wp]

Static has enough current & voltage to kill. - It doesn't because exposure time is a factor. You also always need enough voltage to overcome your resistance, which can be lowered..

[@douro20]

Got some use for MPSA14 transistors? I have a whole bunch of them.

[@banjo76]

Just got my S38C on the air again thanks to this video and this page www.the-s38-guy.com/Page_3.html. I moved the 270 ohm resistor, a 470K ohm resistor and black wire off the switch and to a tie point and implemented the recommendations on this video. Powered it up and its alive! You just got a new Patreon supporter. Can't wait for more videos.

[@call5sam]

Where is part 2 of this video series?

[@TheRadioShop]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKSqmmqOn9Srn5o

[@generator73]

how do you take out knobs ? Its not coming off on mine.

[@mr.weatherman403]

What was the amperage on the fuse that you installed?

[@atticusfinch4687]

That’s what I’m wondering. I have two of these

[@johnminichini2387]

Hello watching your tutorial on the s38, I have an s38b. Would u be interested in repaing it and making it safe to use.Thanks John

[@Huanchee]

Having a radio with a hot chassis never bothered me before since all my other radios had Bakelite cases. But with this thing having a metal body and the only real “safety” precautions were rubber feet on the bottom, I know I need to take some extra precautions. But I’m also conflicted cuz I don’t want to modify it TOO much electrically...mostly cuz I’m worried I’d majorly screw something up. all I ever do is recap my radios... Also since I’d only use it for long distance sw , things like a proper bfo circuit mod or for ssb mods isn’t all that important to me. I’ve read about a few of those and it’s waaay beyond my skill level to attempt.

[@robertedwards3147]

thank you for your advice but I will be changing mine to plug into 250vac50hz and no hot chassis but earthed

[@CL-ty6wp]

im new to radio, and my 5r10 hallicrafters power comes in and goes right to a tube?

[@rohnkd4hct260]

Good information. A HOT CHASSIS will kill you! Seems like Hallicrafters was bad for that. S-38 was a good radio, I used to have an S-40B. Got a wild hair and sold it, wish I never had.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Ron. No telling how many times I have done that. So I quit selling my stuff :)

[@bobcrawford5083]

Good video thanks for sharing..would love someone here to restore my Hallicrafters s-38-d..works but not well still has original wax /paper caps etc..

[@robertmitchum2972]

bob crawford Look for Hayseed Hamfest on eBay! He sells the recap kits for many of the old radios. A little patients, and the schematic which you can get online. It’s really not all that hard to do.... Just be mindful of the ⚡️High Voltage ⚡️ and the chassis polarity to neutral.

[@prestonshute7243]

I had one as a teen and I couldn't figure out why sometimes I would get shocked by this receiver. It wasn't' till I was in tech school when I asked that question to my instruction and he clued me in. 73 wd4dda

[@TheRadioShop]

Lucky it was only a zap lol. Had a similar issue years ago where I pulled the mic cord right out of a radio. Got nasty quick.

[@bogiewheelman71]

This video made me check my 38C model , the case to plug prongs seems ok to an ohm meter but the plug prong ends to chassis could bite . This was tested through the bottom pad / insulator screws the radio sits on . Not so sure I like this radio now , even though its playable .

[@TheRadioShop]

Yep, it is called a hot chassis. Normal operation should be ok, but when working on it you really have to be careful.

[@aaronson2540]

Yikes 123 volts!! Definitely would be a bad day......😨

[@TheRadioShop]

Yes it would. Man the things that were produced in the old days....

[@paublusamericanus292]

yo buddy. thanks for the vid. since you say you hear no hum, I was thinking, if there was, the two power wires that go up to the switch, could be twisted together, reducing the 60 cycle long run up to the switch. when twisting the ac, it reduces the magnetic field into a jumble, thus not powering hum. just wondering. thanks

[@TheRadioShop]

You are correct Paublus. The switch wires are twisted a bit but more would be better. We will look at this further in a coming video.

[@davidfrazier3641]

Just discovered your channel. Love your videos. 73s de KE4TEE

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you very much David.

[@Etherionix]

potential