Hallicrafters SX100 vs Icom 705

[@eduardopower5254]

Thanks for such a nice Video about these old time glory receiver

[@tennesseered586]

A front-end alignment would work wonders for sensitivity and fix your dial problem. Recapping could only help and could save tubes and even your power transformer if some caps should short. Look for out of value resistors, too. Align the IF section with a spectrum analyzer to center on the filter crystal frequency and the notch filter will work much better. Maybe a new RF amplifier tube, too. This radio should hold its own against the ICOM.

[@dieselten01]

Thanks for the great advice. I would need to find someone to do that, it is out of my wheelhouse

[@myradiovideos]

Note! I also have a SX-100 receiver, yours looks great and yes a very cool S-Meter!... Your Band Spread dial was not set correctly. It needs to be on the Number 4, or 4 MHz. When set to 4MHz the bandspread tuning "knob" should also read 0. Not sure if you own a Tube Checker?? When I got mine 10 years ago it had all original tubes, when check the tubes were still all Strong! I was surprised. After owning it for 5 more years I checked the tubes again, 2 had gone from strong to just Fair, I replaced them and everything returned to normal... I had a chance to get a SX-88 receiver at a good price, $500, but at 90 Lbs. I promised my wife that after Heart Surgery, I would not try and lift these heavy radios.. Oh Well, at 74 turning 75 in November, life must go on!! 🙂

[@AdamSWL]

Beautiful old Hallicrafters! Will still be going long after many of the modern radios have failed. I find my MLA 30+ works ok but is a fair degree noisier than my Wellbrook ALA1530.

[@dieselten01]

Agreed Adam. But on this table I only have access to the MLA. This is my testing table

[@istein2]

thanks Nick, for info on I-pad pointer. Your Number 1 , in SWL Radios, on the Net. also firearms. I own Apartment buildings,& have permit to carry=Ruger 357 Mag snub nose, when i collect rent $$

[@dieselten01]

Thanks Arnold. Watch your 6!

[@duanetrivett750]

I always liked the SX 100 . yours looked new .

[@dieselten01]

Thanks Duane!

[@harryholden9045]

If you would do an rf alignment, that would correct the error on the dial readout. On these older radios always good to check that the dial string is good and not slipping before you do n alignment. while your doing an alignment, I would touch up the IF alignment before doing the RF alignment. On my SX 85 I followed the instructions in the manual and connected a dummy antenna load they show you how to make. If you align without the dummy load, alignment may be off when you hook a real antenna to it.

[@dieselten01]

Thanks Harry. I don’t have a signal generator plus I have never even used one so I think this is probably above my pay grade.

[@wa4aos]

Hi Nick, another well done video. Thanks. . For giggles, you might try aligning the band-spread scale at the bottom to the zero mark, then check the freq accuracy of the main dial. Just thinking how someone without that particular manual may have aligned against that zero. I would have since that is the normal way many receivers are aligned. You don't really want to align against the end-stop of a capacitor since that only allows wiggle room on one side of that scale. Meaning, dial alignment should be against a dial marker instead of an arbitrary end travel of a variable cap. I hope that makes sense. I really like your channel. You have more toys than the law should allow. LOL 73, Glenn WA4AOS

[@dieselten01]

Thanks Glenn. I understand your point, but my alignment is off in the direction past the end of the band spread scale.

[@whstark]

You could zero beat the 100khz calabrator on WWV at 10MHZ by adusting the calibrator internally and have a referance to align the reciever.

[@RandomMichael]

Thanks!

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

Outstanding. much respect and 73,kb3aum

[@dieselten01]

Thank you!

[@istein2]

hi nick, this is a minor but a real question. the pointer you use on the 705, to change things ,on the screen is it an ink pen? if not, where can i buy one ? Arnold, auburn,maine

[@dieselten01]

Hi Arnold. It is not an ink pen. It is a special soft rubber tipped pointer designed to use on Iphones, Ipads or any touch screen without damaging it. You can buy them on Amazon. They come in all different styles, with caps to cover the tip, combination ink pen and pointer, …. I think the technical name is stylus pen but you can just put “ipad pointer” in the Amazon search bar. Good luck!

[@wa4aos]

Hi Nick, After my last message below, I looked up the band spread adjustment info, in this comment, At least, if you set your band spread to aero, then tune a station, you'll have wiggle room on both sides. Keep in mind that at the time and cost of the SX 100 dial accuracy is not perfect but good. BTW, there is a yt video which is very technical, HOWEVER, the band spread adjustment can be done to some extent from the front panel and a simple screwdriver by removing the band spread and manually turn the knob to where you need it to be and put the knob back on. A 5- minute adjustment without test equipment and a small screwdriver. I hope this helps 73 Glenn WA4AOS a. The first method of fine tuning is used when it is desired to tune in a single signal with precision accuracy. First the BANDSPREAD control is set a few degrees from its full counterclockwise pOSition, then the desired signal is located with the TUNING control, and finally the signal is accurately tuned in by "rocking" the BANDSPREAD control (turning it slightly to the left and right) until the signal is loudest and clearest. b. The second method of fine tuning is used when it is desired to tune through a range of frequencies, such as a group of shortwave stations. Set the BANDSPREAD control fully counterclockwise, set the TUNING control for the high end of the selected range of frequencies, and then tune through the range with the BANDSPREAD control. Turning the BANDSPREAD control clockwise tunes the receiver progressively lower in frequency.

[@dieselten01]

Thanks Glenn. I actually watched a video and moved my main dial by 1 or 2 clicks or teeth. After reassembly, the dial error was identical as before?? I will search for the video that shows adjusting the bandspread dial instead of the main dial. As it is I can not set any combination of either dial to allow perfect main dial alignment, my error is past where the bandspread dial stops