Hallicrafters HT-32B Soft Start Addition.

[@thevintageaudiolife]

I'm thinking of looking into acquiring this model receiver, i just uploaded a Hallicracfters SX-25 that I'm working on, wondering how much of a difference this receiver vs the SX25. Thanks!

[@tompadberg336]

Hello. The receiver in the background behind the HT-32B transmitter is a SX-101A. The SX-101 series receivers are ham bands only and are a double conversion design, so its more advanced in design. The SX-101A has a product detector for better SSB reception, but it does not cover 160 meters like the SX-101 and SX-101 MkII do have. These SX-101 receivers are very heavy too (75 pounds) vs the SX-25. I like using the SX-101A with the HT-32B transmitter for the boat anchor experience. I feel that the receiver is a very good performer on sensitivity, selectivity, and audio quality. It's a pleasure to listen to for all modes. I have the small R-47 speaker which is actually a great little speaker and the audio is very good. I recapped my SX-101A using the Hayseed Hamfest kit before I put power to it. It belonged to a friend and he said it worked 40 years ago so that was a relief for no prior problems with it. The only complaint I have with it is the band switch is touchy and I think this is an issue for the other SX-101 models as well. I have to let the receiver warm up for at least 30 minutes and then even still if I touch the band switch it jostles the received frequency a few HZ. So, I don't touch it after the warm up. The band switch has many wafers and despite cleaning the contacts several times, it's still a bit shaky on stability. The SX-25 is also a very nice receiver in that it has the selectivity selector and the twin 6F6 tubes for push-pull audio with a good speaker. Good luck with your restoration. Be careful working around the BFO pitch control as it has a delicate coil. Adjustment of the BFO control range is outlined in the manual. It may be OK as-is with no need to readjust. I recently restored a S-20R which is a bit older than your SX-25. Before I put power to it, I tested the transformer for open windings and shorts (it was good), I replaced all of the original paper-wax capacitors and the can electrolytic capacitor using the Hayseed Hamfest kit, some out of spec resistors, the dial cords were broken, and two tubes tested poorly. I had a tough time accessing three capacitors on the left side of the chassis. One of them I had to clip off and abandon in place, then I wired in the new one as best as I could with some wire and heat shrink tubing. Typical to radios of this era, to receive SSB I have to back off the RF gain, increase the AF gain. and then use the band spread and pitch control to get the stations in clearly. I like using the S-20R. Someday I would like to get an SX-25 as well for my collection. Enjoy your restoration and using SX-25 when it's done!!