Vintage Hallicrafters SX-25 Super Defiant Shortwave Tube Receiver Radio Demo

[@cfcreative1]

Hi I am refurbishing one of these. I was wondering if you could test a mica can cap with just a multimeter. Would it read shorted if it was bad? Thanks. MK.

[@jonteske4267]

When I got my Novice and a few months later my General when I was age 13, this radio salvaged my early ham career. At home I was struggling with a Hallicrafters S-38D, probably the worst possible radio for two way comms. I also had a Heathkit AT-1 ostensibly 25 watts input, but only about 6-7 output. My mentor, my shop teacher, W9ZKB, brought in his old SX-25 and a 75 watt home brew transmitter (he made it when he was in college post-WW II on the GI Bill.) It was set up in the drafting room and I had free access to it during noon hours, after school, and study halls. He was the trustee of our club station at our Jr. High School, W9DWR. I probably made 90% of my first year contacts from this rig. The SX-25 was old even in 1956. I finally had success at home when my folks bought me an HQ-100 (I was too young to legally work) and I got a Viking Adventurer from my allowance for doing household chores. The transmitter W9ZKB brought in could do voice, but even once I got my general I had to operate CW and use headphones because his drafting class was going on at the same time so I got really into CW. -W3JT but K9CAH back then.

[@firebrigade101]

I got one of these SX-25's...Took me 2 years (working on and off) to restore the receiver and original speaker ,I was real lucky to find original knobs and tubes! Thanks for the demo...73's QRT

[@crazybobdj]

I recently acquired a SX-25. It was refurbished with new caps, etc. Great boatanchor!

[@craigbrodie9087]

Love Hallicrafters! Awesome radios. Those radios from the earlier times were made alot better than it is now. You just throw these new radios out. Not hallicrafters. You just get them repaired, and they are good for 30 years. Awesome video

[@chuckbrasch4575]

cool video.. 60 years ago, I got one of these from a 'silent key' family. I completely restored it and added a crystal marker generator circuit so I could calibrate the bandspread. Used it for a number of years along with an SX-101 MK III.. Many memories, TNX OM 73 de WB6PVC

[@ne2i]

The push pull audio cant be beat. Miss my SX-28 but my friend is taking good care of her.

[@624radicalham]

I gotta tell ya, although I wouldn't have played the song throughout the entire video, the choice of song/genre was just awesome! Spices up shortwave just right. You're probably the coolest radio guy on the tubes. LED watch, fine taste in radios and Euro music, sometimes a glass of wine. Much respect to you!

[@d-labelectronics]

Thank you my friend. I am trying to keep it fun. I wish that I had more time to devote to KZbin. This is my escape from the stress of corporate america. TD

[@tylersanders6018]

Hello kind sir! I own one of these SX-25 receivers in really good condition, yet it has a problem. The unit powers on, but the power transformer chugs out smoke after about 10-15 seconds when powered on. The radio has been totally re-capped by the previous owner. Do you know of any resources where I may find a new or used power transformer for this? OR.. would you be interested in repairing the radio? I'm in Northwest Ohio and I am not too far from you. Thank you and I hope to hear from you!

[@JJamesBased-dad]

dude i love this so much. getting ripped and listening to shortwave. you are the cool neighbor i never had.

[@d-labelectronics]

J. James Thanks man, I love the old tube radio gear. Just picked up a nice SX-28. Plan to feature it soon

[@phillipwethington1959]

I use to have one like yours, I wish I still had it. It work GREAT, I wish I still had it.

[@kennynvake4hve584]

That music sounds like the group Kraftwork from Germany

[@williammoore2982]

I remember seeing these Hallicrafter radios at the Shelby,N.C. Hamfests.

[@EdWatts]

Yeah, it's sold, but "3B" band is to help with bandspread accuracy on forty meters. "3" band works for everything else and makes bandspread accuracy very good on twenty meters. Ed, KI6DCB

[@nileshalinger]

thx. i have one with speaker. hasn't been turned on for years. i use a long copper wire as antenna. are there 'inexpensive' proper antennas?

[@rogersbonettmb]

In order to being able these radios to receive SW signal means that the radio station needs to transmit in SW? If yes, who wants to transmit in SW?

[@hank1519]

Some countries still have radio stations that broadcast on short wave frequencies, although many have shifted to the Web.

[@kornami8678]

Why did the S-meter light flick on at 2:00? Bad connection or bulb?

[@helioshaul3924]

Very Nice, Quality Radio.

[@Sagurasu]

Wonderful old receiver/boat anchor! In these days of computers there's nothing like the smell of dust cooking on tubes. I like the bgm-German electronic music Kraftwerk's song "Radioactivity." It has a wonderful retro feel.

[@BubblesCarlton]

What antenna are you using for it?

[@joaodamascenoufc]

Very good. How old is this radio? And, what antenna do you used?

[@d-labelectronics]

João Damasceno Hello, not sure of it's age. I would assume it was late 1930's. Same antenna, a 40 meter dipole up approx 45 feet.

[@joaodamascenoufc]

Terry Dayton fantastic...!!!

[@firebrigade101]

1938-1943, then the next was the SX28 used until WWII was over!

[@victorsdunek3281]

What is the best short wave recover you ever had

[@johnatkinson5693]

Redstone 888a recieve r still the best after spending a lot more on others

[@cfcreative1]

@@johnatkinson5693 Eddystone 888A?

[@craigbrodie9087]

Can anyone recommend where i can get a good part from the United States for my 1945 Hallicrafters shortwave radio. The technician says that the gage needs replacing. Anyone in Canada knows where I can get that special part that I need?

[@firebrand07]

I had one just like this.

[@d-labelectronics]

SX-25 has sold

[@IGNETRON144]

I wonder how much such lovely radio?? This is probably expensive antiques?? 73!

[@bobrenfro3080]

Maybe on the SX-24 bandspread a bit of dial cord dressing would save re-stringing it. 73, K4OF.

[@patrickwall8517]

2:55 That sounds like the 40 meter band to me too, there are a couple of amateur radio am nets that meet on 40.

[@talkartoons]

WTF with that push pull audio stage you might as well start a rock band! Does anybody know why they put such a hefty audio stage on these?

[@patrickwall8517]

Back then the speakers used on these radios were way bigger than the ones used on similar radios today and so it takes more power to drive them. Also this was before TV so radio was the prime form of entertainment so buyers would've wanted the best audio possible.

[@danielthomas791]

a real beauty!!...come over on the Titanic...

[@EdWatts]

LED watch? Really? COOL!

[@cfcreative1]

Yes time travel is possible.

[@哇哇哇-f2o]

1:14-1:30 seem toTaiwanese radio channel

[@darkfrost1901]

Please lose that constant music.

[@bobrenfro3080]

N6TLU be ashamed----the AVC is off ! No wonder that AM is distorted ! K4OF.

[@d-labelectronics]

BOB RENFRO Bummer, That was long ago. The receiver went to a friends shack. I have no idea of its fate

[@BubblesCarlton]

What antenna are you using sir???

[@nedthemumbler9942]

What antenna are you using?