Author Topic: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?  (Read 11846 times)

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WolfSpring

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Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« on: March 03, 2012, 08:53:49 PM »
I know this site is geared toward preparedness being a ham, but I figured some of you might be able to help me.  I bought an old (1950s ish) Hallicrafters SX-100.  I downloaded the manual so I have a reference for a lot of the stuff.  I may be in over my head here but any guidance is greatly appreciated, my daughter who is 8, pulled the puppy dog eyes on me in a parts shop and this thing was 150 bucks I did a search and they go for up to 500 restored, I'm not in it for the money but I'm in it for the joy of learning and bonding with my kid.

Anyway, I know enough about electronics not to get zapped.  I'm a satellite communications operator for the military and know how to work a multimeter, solder and use E-tape.  I found that I have 127 VAC going to the transformer and haven't tried ohming out the power switch or getting the voltage off the other end of the transformer yet.  It does not power on at all no noise or anything.  Has anyone worked with something similar before?  I don't have a good schematic yet I'm just going to follow wires the best I know and do a little each day.  I went on Eham and QRZ and no offense to those sites but they are very poorly run and some of the old guys there have a chip on there shoulder.  That and on Eham I can't post or anything and I've been registered for a year now.

idial1911

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Re: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2012, 10:06:58 PM »
I honestly think, eham.com and qrz are two of the bigger causes that younger hams leave or don't get involved. If either one of those two sites are one of your early experiences with ham radio why would anyone stay involved.. I am 33, and some days I feel like the youngest ham on the air, then I hear these old farts act and wonder why I even bother same days.  Also I'd like to give an honorable mention when we talk about chips on the shoulder and asses in ham radio to the hardcore contestors!

I wish you were in Atlanta, because although I have no idea how to work on that thing, i'd be over there with my multi meter trying like hell to help you get it up, that sounds like a great project. I don't have an answer for you though. I did do some searching and can point you in the right direction. Seriously man, take pics of that thing!

Below is a link for the manual.
http://www.nonstopsystems.com/radio/manual-hallicrafters-sx100.pdf

They make tube testors I know that. Might want to try by testing the tubes and seeing which ones work, and which don't. The manual above has a parts list.

Also a good resource is the antique radio forum:
http://antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php?sid=81ebb6198a4c94d5ae7531fffc02d527

I hope that we have a Hallicrafters radio expert on the site and can help ya but these two links should be a start for you.
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WolfSpring

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Re: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2012, 10:22:50 PM »
Great link thank you so much, had the manual, but another site and someone to email with questions thanks to the first site.  That second link looks like a great resource too.

idial1911

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Re: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2012, 10:26:43 PM »
Doing more research on this.. Looks like everyone recommends replacing the standard 2 wire power cord with a 3 wire.

Also you need to replace all the paper capacitors. The ones that came with it, will be leaky by now and anything less than a full replacement will cause issues.

Consensus is: http://www.mouser.com/?cm_mmc=google-_-ppc-_-americas-_-Brand&gclid=CKi5toqxzK4CFdEDQAodhX7UBA the best place to get parts.
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WolfSpring

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Re: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2012, 11:03:24 PM »
apparently someone has done this already it has the three wire power, it has no paper anything and they even put in a better connector for an antenna on it.  I ordered a tube tester for 40 bucks of ebay and I'm in the process of finding my fluke multimeter, it just so happens this co-incides with me cleaning out the entire garage to find it, win win I guess.  I've got a radio shack pocket meter but I don't trust it for checking voltages inside with all the wires that close.

idial1911

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Re: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2012, 11:10:15 PM »
If someone replaced all that that is good.. and maybe bad.. I'd check where the changes were. Check if there is power on the board from the cable, also check the solder joints where they soldered on the new capacitors. Did a solder maybe bleed over and short something? I'd also confirm the right capacitors are in the right place .
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W.Lynn

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Re: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2012, 01:26:40 AM »
This may sound odd, but there are some seriously tube-happy folks among the steampunk "makers" and gamers.  You may be able to find parts or (if very lucky,) maybe even get some very knowledgeable help.

idial1911

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Re: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« Reply #7 on: March 04, 2012, 08:48:07 AM »
This may sound odd, but there are some seriously tube-happy folks among the steampunk "makers" and gamers.  You may be able to find parts or (if very lucky,) maybe even get some very knowledgeable help.

Knowledgeable help from steampunkers? Boy i'd have to see that to believe it!
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W.Lynn

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Re: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« Reply #8 on: March 12, 2012, 11:07:13 PM »
Knowledgeable help from steampunkers? Boy i'd have to see that to believe it!

Ya gotta find the "maker" nutjobs rather than the gamer ones.  Some are even HAMs, check out the links (and drool-worthy photos of tube units) at http://www.squidoo.com/glowbugs - I know I saw some call signs there.

spacecase0

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Re: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2012, 12:57:10 PM »
I have worked on lots of tube radios,
I am not sure what sort of general advice to give other than to take the schematic and go part at a time and figure it out,
test every part you can.
and you will have to test voltage when it is on,
start with the power supply section and work down from there.
and the tube tester you got should be a big help, but just replacing all the tubes is sometimes lower price if you don't have a tester.

W.Lynn

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Re: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2012, 01:41:21 AM »
When you have it working, please pose it all pretty for a photo to post?

WolfSpring

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Re: Hallicrafters SX-100 rebuild?
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2012, 07:47:58 AM »
Unfortunately this project had to be put on hold I replaced all the bad tubes and had to resolder a connection but I get nothing at all past the transformer that I have figured out how to test yet...   I'm working on another radio as well and with spring comming I have kids soccer, sprinkler repairs, jeep repairs etc...  I will try to get some time this weekend and get some pictures up of the other radio I'm working on as it at least lights up and the tubes light up as well.