Vintage Hallicrafters SX-100 Mark 1B Shortwave Receiver Restoration: Front Controls, Chassis Work

In this episode the front controls are restored from the Sensitivity Control all the way across to the Power Switch. Switches are removed, cleaned and checked, and leads dressed for easy re-install. Everything is re-installed except for the Selectivity Switch which will be in the next video. While the controls are out, the underside chassis is renewed with capacitor foil sides identified and corrected, component rearrangement, and wiring replaced where insulation was burned or damaged.

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Al, your work is very neat and great tips; silicone tie down trick with superglue and the soldering... Enjoy your visit with your Dad and the bright and beautiful 🍁. Best, Don

[@vtradio]

My Sensitivity control is frozen on a Hallicrafters SX-100 Mark 1B that I recently acquired. I tried turning it with pliers. This only rotated the switch, and it broke away from the capacitor, killing the receive. After some diagnosing, I ran a wire directly from that control to the send receive switch (kind of like you did). This got the radio working just fine, except the radio thinks the sensitivity is on 10. Before it was frozen on about 6, which was messing up the S Meter. I saw you take yours apart. Do you think if I do that, I could get it freed up? What did you soak yours in? I don't want to ruin it with oil. 73 Paul AA1SU

[@i82996]

Relax, the switch can be refurbished. 1) you will have to take the front face off. I assume you have the case off now. Remove the knobs, disconnect the S-meter, noting the positive, and gently pry the lamp cases off the front face behind the glass. I should say use a liberal amount of WD-40 or some other "loosener" before attempting to remove the knobs. I would go to Ebay and search on Hallicrafters and buy the special wrenches in the blue folder used for Hallicrafters set screws on the knobs if you don't already have them. Once the face is off, you will see the nut holding the sensitivity knob in place. It should remove easily. Desolder the wires to the knob and then remove the control. You will see tabs on the control which can be gently pried open a little at a time (like rotating a tire to put on lug nuts, you don't pry any one up all at once but work around the control. Air blow out the inside of the control first and see if it frees it up. If not use an electronics cleaner such as Super HFE (Use a mask - really rude stuff) or CRC QD cleaner and see if that frees it up. Lastly if still frozen, WD-40 Specialist Spray and Stay Gel Lubricant can be used to free it up. My bet is just removing the control will free it up. If you get stuck send another comment. Blessings, Albert KR3HAB

[@vtradio]

@@i82996 Albert Thanks for the quick response. I have a Hallicrafters SX-101A on the bench at the moment, but I can move it aside. I have the Bristol Wrench Set. In fact, I used it two days ago to take the tuning knobs off of my SX-42. The snap ring had popped out of the grove, making tuning very fatiguing. I don't have any of those chemicals, but I will get one and follow your advice. 73 Paul AA1SU

[@i82996]

See you on the air!