HQ 129-X Hammarlund Receiver Restoration, K7PP Page

Follow up to this video; • Hammarlund Restoration...
Not sure if I should have made this video this long but I wanted to include some of the trouble shooting and repairs needed to get one of these old units working again. This is a two part series. The second installment will consist of the cosmetic upgrades and the final alignment of the unit. Note: VR is 105 volts

[@johnblystone8590]

I just started restoring a HQ129X and have a 6X8 instead of the 6K8 shown on the schematic. Thanks for the information Pete.

[@eogg25]

i was a US army CW radio operator in Germany Fm 56 to 58 and didnt know anything abt ham radio but was in town and saw a Hammarlund in a store window and thought it was beautiful and had always wanted one but never bought one. now i hve everything i want. nice video, 73.

[@Etherionix]

Hi Pete, Don KW4UP here. I waited 42 years to get my ticket. I know right where you're coming from! IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.

[@jtownshend]

Hi. I am also a happy onwer of an HQ 129-X Hammarlund radio receiver. I love its smooth tuning, the built-in antenna trim, the noise limiter that works miracles and its sound. Thanks for posting this video. PY5WHO, Brazil.

[@joernone]

Pete, What a terrific video. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and can't tell you how good it was to just sit back for a change and watch someone else go through the gyrations of radio troubleshooting and repair. It was great to watch you easing that boat anchor back to life. I have a 129-X, but got in totally original condition...a good thing because I'm not sure I have the experience to do what you did. Congrats, my friend. I'm very happy to have stumbled across your vid. Regards, John

[@robertpatton7785]

Just bought me a Hammarlund HQ-129-X. It needs work fir sure. 73's!! DE KD7YDL from Gold Bar, WA

[@mnpd3]

Boy, that thing was a disaster. I started out thinking it was like my HQ-129x, but as the video went on it was clear you won the lemon prize! I've always liked the old boat anchors too and still have quite a few around the place. It's the undocumented modified ones that always caused me the real grief too. Figuring out the mods are bad enough, but finding that they were done wrong too can make a real time-consumer and head scratcher.

[@dogtagsvette]

Hi Jason; For lack of anything in the shop that would work at the moment, I replaced the cap with tubular caps. I have a new one coming from Hayseedhamfest which you can google and they have an HQ 129-X capacitor Kit which includes the big tubular. Also, they allow you to buy just the tubular by itself. The caps I have received seem to be pretty reliable. Mine started to get pretty warm so I new the end was near. I'll be installing that along with a new crystal calibrator soon. Best, Pete

[@dogtagsvette]

Found them on Ebay but, unfortunately, my Brother and I purchased the last two. Somebody sure did a nice job with the silkscreening. It really makes the radio look new again.

[@williamdewit8991]

THANK YOU FOR THE INSTRUCTION. I AM UNDERTAKING THE TASK OF RESTORING A HAMMARLUND HQ 129 X. IT IS DAUNTING TO SAY THE LEAST. KD5HBY, 73

[@dogtagsvette]

The output impedance of the 129-X is 6 ohms. Audio output is 3 watts as supplied by a single 6V6 tube. I've used 3.2 ohm and 8 ohm speakers with lot's of success.

[@bootlegger123]

thanks for this video! Consider setting the webcam(or) camcorder up above you and record the whole process from start to finish! very very helpful!! Hope you do more!

[@dogtagsvette]

I had a way to limit the current from the 12 volt power supply. This, to me, works far better than a variac which can't limit current. It just sets the voltage and allows what ever current is demanded to flow. This method is a good way to protect the iron. Not sure where I'd get a replacement power transformer that looked stock if I cooked things because of a bad component.

[@stormchsr1000]

very good. enjoyable! im in the process of restoring a 129 right now. ive done about 4 in my life. i finished one last year. i obtained the one on doing now and did the usual variac thing and all and to my surprise, this thing was hot!! much better than the one i did last year even after being tuned up. im taking particular care on this one. im replacing every wire i can get to with the new cloth covered stuff to make it look a bit more original but the insulation is thicker than the original so it tough in some spots. i just rebuilt an IF can and polished it up. i know you said to try and avoid doing the avc can but im going to do it. you said you re tensioned the lugs. i was curious as to how you did this since im going in anyway? ive enjoyed restoring these things and im not about to stop. im 57 and have a complete shop and tools and all i need to do it. its great to know someone shares this love. thanks for posting! 73

[@mark-qr6yv]

Unless I missed it, he forgot to mention which stage was overloading before his repair. Mine is the last I.F. stage which is not connected to the AVC line so I'm wondering what I might do to fix it. Voltages at the tube are correct.

[@fordmustanggtish]

Good video. Thanks, i just purchased one. May be older. It's a hq129 but with a green front faceplate. Just a question, where did you get your schematics? Thanks.

[@N6MKC]

I like the idea of using a cheap power inverter as a form of isolation (I'm guessing that's why you powered the set from 12VDC?) DE N6MKC.

[@billybonewhacker]

great job! on both the vid and receiver im gonna sub.

[@wolfhawg]

Very interesting video.Thanks for sharing. 73s.

[@N6MKC]

I like the idea of using a cheap power inverter as a form of isolation (I'm guessing that's why you powered the set from 12VDC?), or was it more for the current-limiting function? DE N6MKC.

[@dogtagsvette]

Thanks, good suggestion.

[@davem.740]

Hello Pete. I enjoy the videos and old boatanchors too! I was wondering what kind of current limiting power supply you use to power up "old iron"? Thanks Dave

[@Thermionman1970]

N-E-A-T-O-!

[@gbowne1]

I couldn't find information on how many ohms the speakers are for the 129x.

[@jasonmasterman6615]

you replaced the large electrolytic capacitor about 19:20 mins in. Do you have the part number used? I'm looking to replace mine!

[@ne2i]

Hi Wondering where you purchased the front panel?

[@douro20]

Yep, undocumented mods can be a pain. I need to draw up a new schematic for my Emerson 560 which has an undocumented line power mod.

[@lowdog2121]

I confess, I did not watch your entire video. Would you be willing to "go over" another HQ-129-X?

[@dogtagsvette]

Sorry, I don't take on projects anymore. To old, I guess....

[@lowdog2121]

@@dogtagsvette Thank you for your reply and Merry Christmas!

[@dogtagsvette]

The output impedance of the 129-X is 6 ohms. Audio output is 3 watts as supplied by a single 6V6 tube. I've used 3.2 ohm and 8 ohm speakers with lot's of success.