The Hammarlund HQ-110 Communications Receiver

In this video I show the Hammarlund HQ-110 communications receiver, a vintage tube-type amateur radio receiver.

[@barryf5479]

This was my first rig as a novice in the U.S. I paired it with a Drake 2NT. I really liked the setup. When I got my General Class license, I traded it in at Henry Radio for a Swan 350C. I still have and use that rig. Nostalgia set in and I found another Drake 2NT on eBay a few years ago. Last week, I bought another HQ110 on eBay and I'll start working on it. It has that weird thing on the back that looks like a 110VAC outlet which is actually a T/R muting connection. At first, it didn't work and I googled about and found out about that "feature". Jumpered it and it started working. I still need to go through it and clean up the controls and switches but when I'm done, I'll have the rig that I had when I was 17 years old.

[@Mike-v9k5t]

Hello Jeff. Thanks for another excellent video. Your videos are an important collection of radio history for future generations. Take care. Mike in Ontario.

[@u47tube]

Hi, very nice presentation. I currently have a HQ-100. I get a tad too much hum, despite recapping. When engaging BFO, it hums intolerably loudly at the BFO's lowest setting (at the point just turned on) but that seems to be where the voices are most intelligible. I read something about hum being caused by the transformer lamination drying out, and to give it a ping with a hammer (!) to kill the hum?

[@jefftranter]

The transformer issue sounds like that would cause hum coming from the transformer itself, and not the speaker. There are some good suggestions in the rersponses here: www.qth.net/pipermail/hammarlund/2002-April/000231.html

[@u47tube]

Yeah, it's perplexing. Even with the volume fully off, I hear hum from the speaker and even through headphones. All tubes checked or replaced. Thank you, though!

[@haggy38]

Thanks, probably in the future how to use this radio for beginners.

[@wesnormant5621]

I liked the 110 so much, I bought another.Both used for my AM Ham operating.Collins can have their 390's.I stick with the real HAMmurlund Radios!Thanks for the nice Vid

[@gregorymalchuk272]

I'd like to hear more about the gas tube regulated power supply!

[@haggy38]

What type of antenna are you using? I live on apartment antenna suggestions. Thanks

[@jefftranter]

haggy38 I have a dipole antenna on the roof. For shortwave listening, just a wire (the longer the better) should work reasonably well, ideally leading outside but even if indoors you should be able to pick up lots of stations.

[@MrHarveyluke]

Good video and review of the HQ-110. Some who post videos just show receiving some stations and don't say anything about the receivers. My Elmer used one of these in his station back in the 60's. Thanks and 73. Harvey, KM4JA

[@8xlaxx]

Why does my HQ-170A drift so bad?

[@jefftranter]

+8xlaxx There were some changes made in later production runs to reduce drift. Possible your unit is from the first run and could be modified. Some info is here: www.rlinwood.com/family_webpage/linkpages/ham_radio/Rig_Pages/hammarlund_hq110c_receiver.htm

[@scottpastor1]

Really nice video

[@boknows3841]

That model was almost deaf on 6m ssb.... Wonder why the meter doesn't work on this model when in SSB? The reason why there is a hole in the front panel for a clock was due to the fact that the man that invented it, worked for a company that made clocks before he went into the business of making air variable capacitors and amateur radios.. The logo a capacitor - was their company trade mark..

[@linuxromania]

Nice video there. I did some Q multiplier somewhere in 2001 , and got 20 Khz bandwidth in 40 meters as a pre selector but it was pretty sensible . Somehow , even dough i'm only 37 old ,i did like vacuum tubes since i was 10. Right now i am looking for small factor tubes including rectifiers for a small and clean transceiver for the next era to come, who knows what EMP or solar flares can do in the future. Got to build some solar panels vacuum tube based too . hi ! hi 73 ! yo8rxp

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

shes a real beauty for sure. 73,KB3YJO