How to repair Hammarlund HQ-160 Tube Ham radio receiver weak audio

Here is a Tech tip on repairing that unresponsive audio gain on the HQ-160 and other model Hammarlunds. I have worked on many of these vintage radios. With a little TLC, they really come to life. Enjoy your shortwave listening hobby. TD

[@tombrockman6225]

I just did this mod on my HQ 160 , Sounds Great ! Thanks for easy instructional video Terry ....

[@luizfranco3673]

Hi, I had the HQ140 for years. The many years that I do not see the HQ160 . Congratulations 73,Franco - PY1EPU

[@d-labelectronics]

+Luiz Franco Thank you Sir, Yes, the 160's are a bit harder to find. The fellow I got this one from has 2 more! Big collector

[@trousertrout100]

Nice. Thank you for this.

[@johnc8910]

The audio mod will also work for the HQ-145. It's a well documented mod.

[@bmwm3cs]

Thanks for another great vid..

[@VladiGeo]

I had this receiver many years ago...

[@user-yi2zs7bn1g]

Terry, I absolutely love your videos. Was hoping you have a moment to ponder my current HQ-160 problem. Unit has been recapped and worked great for a few years. Sat on the shelf covered in a controlled environment, so no deteriorating or contamination. When I pulled it back down and brought it up on the variac, I'm having a problem with receiving anything in the ham bands at all. Local BC AM stations are great on the first two knob settings. For the other main dial knob selections I don't get any Rx. The calibrator works and I'm picking up AM stations on other bands. As an example, getting broadcast AM on 80m but nothing else. Any thoughts? I have not pulled out anything from the case, and haven't even tried testing tubes. joe ki5o

[@psnpacific]

Keep the radio repair videos coming.... KF7NGK

[@jonteske4267]

Does this principle go back as far as an HQ-129x? I've just finished recapping one, and the audio is weak (I actually thought I had a dead receiver. ) I did have to replace the audio pot (and the sensitivity pot but I used original values. The originals were scratchy.

[@jerryblood9554]

Terry, nice video. I'm new to Ham radio; got my tech license about a month ago. Just wondering, is this a design issue, or is it due to the age of the components? Thanks.

[@d-labelectronics]

+jerry blood Hello, I don't think it was a design issue, just a gimmic they came up with to reduce distortion and appeal to a shortwave listener vrs Ham communications application. I also do not like the couplets that were used back then. Mainly because the internal components were low quality. You want your audio path to be of the best quality.

[@langhilau]

Terry what is the name of the song you are using on the lead-in on this video? These are my types of video..

[@carlpaulicelli4782]

very nice if i ever buy a HQ160 I will surely make the change thanks for the tip. 73 ks4ij

[@umajunkcollector]

yoo da man TD! um too dum to figure dat out. don't have a Hammarlund now, had a SP600 long ago, and an HQ200 that is now in +joernone hands. If I can ever spare some $, I'd like to get a good working Hammarlund, most likely an HQ170. But I also want a nice Drake receiver. Amazing rigs from the 50s-60s. If my stupid cars would stop sucking up the cash, maybe I can afford one someday. Cheerz, The Donold

[@d-labelectronics]

+umajunkcollector Hi Don, I always have something around in the shack. Let me know when your ready.