Hallicrafters S-52
 

I haven't a clue about these types of units. I have one available to me and am wondering if it is a good one and what I can expect to pick up on it. Any idea as to value, not that it really matters, just curious. What type of antennea will I need...you know all the dumb newbie questions. Basically I just want to pick up Rugby from Oz :p:

From Chuck Dachis' 1996 book, "Radios by Hallicrafters":

8 tubes, four bands, .54-44MHz, with band spread , BFO, ANL, and built in speaker, power is 120 or 240 volts AC or DC...
25Z5 rectifier, 25L6 audio output, 6SC7 1st audio and BFO, 6H6 2nd detector and & ANL, 6sK7 1st IF, 6SK7 2nd IF, 6SA7 oscillator and mixer, and 6SG7 RF amplifier, originally sold for $99.50.

Price guide lists it as $75 to $95

It's very similar to an S-40 that I once had, not a bad radio, but still an old single conversion receiver that should be fun to play with, but not really a "serious" communications receiver.

But, as with any radio 50 years old, parts have drifted in value and it's performance can be ramped up a notch by selective replacement of out of spec caps, resistors, etc....

As far as antennas go, a long wire strung around the place ought to get you a bunch of signals to play with....just be sure to ground the unit and check the AC for polarity....I once got a pretty good jolt from my S-40 and have always checked for AC potential to ground ever since!

Good luck and have fun!