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#1
04-08-2009, 05:39 PM
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Hallicrafters S-20R
Back in 1981 or 82, I acquired a Hallicrafters S-20R for the paltry sum of $10. The band spread tuning string was broken, and it had a tube missing (I can't recall the exact tube number offhand), so I never had the opportunity to power it up and hear what it sounded like, but it seemed to be in pretty good shape overall, and the style of it was awesome (to my 18-year-old mind). I tried to find the missing tube for it, but it was at a time where replacement tubes were hard to find, and I didn't have a clue where to go about finding one, so it was stored away for another day.
The years passed, and after reading about radio refurbing on the net, I brought my father's old RCA T-80 (the radio that got me into SW listening to begin with) to have it professionally refurbed and restored (I should be getting it back around August or September).  I've been thinking about doing the same to the Hallicrafters. Since I've never heard it or experienced a similar set in action, and I respect the opinions of the good radio people here at AK, just how good is the S-20R as far as Hallicrafters sets go? Would it be worth the time, effort and money in restoring it? 
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#2
04-08-2009, 06:46 PM
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Oh, yeah ! Sez here it was made between 1939-45, had 9 tubes, is fairly common, but once you "go thru it", you'll have a pretty good set, I would think. Here's the tube line-up:
6SK7- RF amp 6K8- 1st detector-mixer/HF Osc 6SK7- 1st IF Amp 6SK7-2nd IF Amp 6SQ7- 2nd detector/AVC/ 1st Audio Amp 6f6G- 2nd Audio Amp 6H6-ANL 6J5GT-BFO 80-Rectifier. After you check the caps & all, run a length of wire out the window over to the nearest tree, & I'd bet you'll be in for a pleasant surprise !
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Benevolent Despot
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#3
04-08-2009, 08:41 PM
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Yep. Sandy's right about that. Any old rig with "HALLICRAFTERS" on the front of it can't be all bad.
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My original compositions on my podcast
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#4
04-08-2009, 09:00 PM
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This is a pretty common set, and a decent performer. If you want a step up from the "All-American Five", this is a good challenge. Tons of information on it at the Halli net.
Take a run at getting it working. You'll have a lot of fun. Btw, I've got one in the basement as well! One of these days...
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I may be growing older, but I refuse to grow up. 
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#5
04-08-2009, 10:38 PM
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Sandy G: It's one of the 6SK7 tubes that's missing. As a side note, I didn't realize it utilized three of them.
Fisherdude: "Take a run at getting it working. You'll have a lot of fun." Ohhhhhhhh no. Not me.  I know my limits. I have zero experience in radio repair. I am Death with a Soldering Iron and the King of Cold Solder Joints. I'd like the radio to work again, not to be lobotomized by my ham-fisted attempts at repair. Couple that with my nice healthy fear... sorry, respect for electricity, and you've got a recipe for disaster. I'll leave working around in the radio's innards to those with a bit more experience.
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