Heathkit HR-10 Servicing Part 1

So you finally scored an HR-10B off EBAY or at the Ham flea market; or you rescued your novice receiver out of your folks attic! It's time to get that old HR-10 back into tip-top operation for your retro shack!

[@uncleruckus4060]

I had one of those back in another life My favorite the hw16 with hg10 vfo

[@wa9kzy326]

Was the proud owner of an HR-10 when it first came out. My father bought that and a Heathkit VTVM, at the same time. One of the few projects that worked the first time; requiring only IF alignment. Great memories. Thanks.

[@Booboobear-eo4es]

This brings back memories from when I was a boy in the mid-1960s. Just seeing the front panel causes happy feelings. I had a novice class ham license (WN5CRD) and used a Heathkit DX-60 for code transmission. Also, had a variety of crystals for a good frequency selection.

[@MIKROWAVE1]

Heathkit Endorphin Generator!

[@tommybewick]

Although I was unfortunately not a novice back in the day, your new series makes me want to put together a novice station to re-live the time I didn't have! 73! Great to see you making videos again.

[@davidportch8837]

Another excellent video Mike - really enjoyed this... now on to part 2....

[@TomSny35]

Wonderful! Brings back fond memories. Built this receiver along with the Heathkit HX-11novice transmitter with the help of my Dad (a ham) when I was a kid. Must have been 1963 or 64. I really enjoy your videos. Thanks.

[@daviddavidson1372]

Great video.nice little receiver. You make it look easy..

[@peterhaggerty9406]

Hey Mike, your dryer needs alignment. ;). Another great video. Really enjoy the refurb. Thanks

[@jimgiordano8218]

This was my first receiver I built, HR-10B in 1974, after I got my novice license.

[@Bashnja1]

Here in the UK that RX was the RA1. The front end was the QP166 locally sourced from the Electroniques co. I removed one crystal from the filter and put in a trimmer cap to phase the other one. Good single signal RX then.

[@retro440]

Good video, I enjoyed it. I am a restorer, also, and our techniques are, basically, similar. As for ground lugs, if there is no internal star washer present, I add one. As for electrolytics, if the cap is very old, I I replace. If it's only 40 or 50 years old, I will try to reform using a Heathkit cap checker. Sometimes, I reform in place, limiting current and voltage with series incandescent light bulb(s) on the main. This gives me a visual indication of the reform process, too. Coincidentally, I have, recently, done an HR-10 and it's paired up with the DX-60 that I built as a youngster. That's a nice Novice station recreation, however, far, far more deluxe that any station I had as a Novice! 73, OM.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

Great video nice little receiver.

[@PapasDino]

Looking forward to the next installment! 73 - Dino KL0S

[@mikesmuseum]

First thing I do, before spending time on anything else, is remove all the tubes and check the power xfrmr: that is a game changer. Then I test the tubes. As far as older capacitors, they get replaced no questions asked. I don't take chances and I will never 'reform' one. I do appreciate you wanting to keep this baby as original as possible so I agree with you on that. Wonderful receiver! I'm also picky about dust behind the display, lol. I always enjoy your videos and attention to detail. Keep up the great work!

[@caulktel]

Michael Massa You are right about that. I just bought a Hallicrafters S-119 Sky Buddy II receiver for a good price on eBay.The filaments all light up but no B+, yep, the high voltage winding was open. I replaced with a Hammond transformer and all is well now. Wasn’t too expensive.

[@DimRoditis]

Excellent info! Thank you very much for your efforts. A little caution on the camera work because the picture is moving like a ship in storm!

[@X-OR_]

I Love the HP 606b Generator !

[@markw4udx]

A Dremel tool with a cleaning wheel can also be used to clean a chassis.

[@computeraidedworld1148]

I have that same hp signal generator

[@KennethScharf]

Only reason it was discontinued was that tube type stuff was becoming obsolete by 1975. The sole survivor in this was the HW-101 which lasted into the 1980's.

[@MIKROWAVE1]

I remember my elmer, who had terminal cancer and was confined to the shack, purchased one of the last HW-101's as his final project. It was a bittersweet event to see him proudly assemble it with a perfection that only a lifelong technician could muster.

[@kamalkouerd5040]

Please, how do you protect a radio from outside noise?

[@mgraemem]

Analog tech. Isn't it great(?)

[@tubeDude48]

BEFORE turning it ON, ALL Electrolytic Caps. should have been replaced! Your taking a chance of blowing the Power Transformer!!

[@retro440]

True, but, only if he had shot full line voltage from the get-go. He did not. He brought the voltage up slowly using a variac.

[@stevepotts2116]

OKAY, THAT IS JUST A, , ANALOG, TUBE, ELECTRONICS, RULES,,,...

[@MIKROWAVE1]

Well it's all good until you get a little shock!

[@triotech4776]

Dear Mike, I have found an hr10b, it does "light up" but no sign of life. Is in very good conditions. I am starting from the basic checks and at fiirst the two capacitors named C26 and. C63 seems not be in good shape, one of them does have little crack. The other is voltages from the power supply, following the schematic I have checked I have 230v, than should have 125 but I have 176, than should have 110 but I have 160. I plan to replace the caps and the filter cap hoping to get this voltages in spec with the schematic values. What do you suggest ? Thank you

[@MIKROWAVE1]

Take it slow! Replace the obvious issues like a bad linecord. Clean everything including the sockets, lube the controls, and test your tubes, if you can. Use a variac transformer and bring things up easy. Yes the power supply is the first part of the repair / refurb process.

[@triotech4776]

Dear Mike, thank you for yor replay, I will buy the new parts I need and I will keep you posted. I do not have any means of testing the tubes, I hope they are ok. Once more thank you for sharing all of this with us.

[@triotech4776]

@@MIKROWAVE1 Dear Mike, I got progress on the receiver, now I can get a station on 80mt but on the other bands there is nothing but noise, is still better than what it was. I have checked the voltages has they are on the schematic and they all look very much the same as the specs. Do you think at this point the issue could be the receiver alignement ?

[@MIKROWAVE1]

@@triotech4776 Sounds reasonable to me. Make sure you have cleaned all the contacts and tube sockets and let it warm up a bit. Then do the alignment!

[@clane27]

Do you do repairs for the public?

[@MIKROWAVE1]

Geeze. No I am too busy at work. I sneak in the videos when I can. That us why they come in bunches and then there is a gap.

[@MIKROWAVE1]

I cringed too. Way too much movement in the heat of battle. Came close to pulling the video.

[@howardhiggins9641]

Almost, excellent Refroming capacitors this old is a mistake.

[@MIKROWAVE1]

Of course but 99% of folks will want to apply power before recapping. Reforming with a small fused variable AC supply is the only safe way to bring up an unknown unit.

[@munibshah1548]

Sir very good video i am also itersted in valve radio sir i have many valve some use some new but all in working if you need so sent me comlete address i will send u when i was child i make crystall radio this my hoby .philps pye grundig telefunkin zenith these radio valve and also tv.i hope that u will under stand .sir i am so weak in English dont mind ok by.

[@frequencywatchers]

I Have SIMILAR Device, BUT That device IS NOT RADIO, i have pictures in the discord opage, maybe some radio pro knows what it is because it have like 5 variable capacitors, tube vacum lamps and All that stuff