Choosing my next radio (?)

T680

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Oct 6, 2024
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I’ve seen a couple of YouTubers who have old Hammarlund tube radios. They seem to be very impressive.
They do. Plus they're big and heavy, my Halicrafters was much lighter and smaller.

I've been listening to AM now when I want to DX. There are more choices there and it's easier to get station ID. I'm definitely going to wait awhile before I get another radio, I want to see if any new models come out as well as seeing how bad the economy is going to get.
 

Token

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Mojave Desert, California, USA
I’ve seen a couple of YouTubers who have old Hammarlund tube radios. They seem to be very impressive.

Any of the better level boatanchors will perform on about the same level. Hammarlund, Hallicrafters, National, Collins, etc.

Hammarlund, Hallicrafters, and National all had multiple levels of performance and cost point. From entry level to very good. National and Hallicrafters had the most diversity in selection, from very inexpensive to very good.

If you look at Hammarlunds specifically, the HQ-145X, HQ-180, or SP-600 are very good radios. The SP-600 is the better of those, but also the more expensive for equivalent condition. The HQ-180 is very good at a slightly better market price. Something like the HQ-100 or HQ-110 would be lower cost, and lower performance, but still pretty decent.

Hallicrafters have radios that are every bit as good as any Hammarlund. Things like the SX-28, SX-42, SX-71, SX-100, SX-88, SX-73, SX-122 etc. But they also have more lower end radios, like the S-38 or S-40.

However, unless you plan on doing your own maintenance I would avoid these kinds of radios. The last Hammarlund or Hallicrafters were made about 50 years ago. So that would be about the newest radio you would find. The average age of my Hammarlunds and Hallicrafters are about 70 years old.

T!
 

Token

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They do. Plus they're big and heavy, my Halicrafters was much lighter and smaller.

Depends on the model. Sure, a Hallicrafters S-38, S-53, or S-77 is lighter than almost any Hammarlund made. But the Hallicrafters SX-28, S-36, or S-37 are as heavy as any Hammarlund. In fact, I don't think I have ever had a Hammarlund in the same weight category as the S-35 or S-37.

I've never weighed any of them, but I have moved them around a bunch. I have an S-36 on the bench right now being restored.

T!
 

T680

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Joined
Oct 6, 2024
Messages
125
Any of the better level boatanchors will perform on about the same level. Hammarlund, Hallicrafters, National, Collins, etc.

Hammarlund, Hallicrafters, and National all had multiple levels of performance and cost point. From entry level to very good. National and Hallicrafters had the most diversity in selection, from very inexpensive to very good.

If you look at Hammarlunds specifically, the HQ-145X, HQ-180, or SP-600 are very good radios. The SP-600 is the better of those, but also the more expensive for equivalent condition. The HQ-180 is very good at a slightly better market price. Something like the HQ-100 or HQ-110 would be lower cost, and lower performance, but still pretty decent.

Hallicrafters have radios that are every bit as good as any Hammarlund. Things like the SX-28, SX-42, SX-71, SX-100, SX-88, SX-73, SX-122 etc. But they also have more lower end radios, like the S-38 or S-40.

However, unless you plan on doing your own maintenance I would avoid these kinds of radios. The last Hammarlund or Hallicrafters were made about 50 years ago. So that would be about the newest radio you would find. The average age of my Hammarlunds and Hallicrafters are about 70 years old.

T!
Mine was a S38D. It was fascinating to me as a Jr high kid and I still get excited like that even though there isn't a much to listen to now. It was pretty reassuring too when I tuned into WWV after several decades of not hearing it, I thought "this sounds just like I remember". Including the ability to fade out as the time is announced.
 

T680

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Oct 6, 2024
Messages
125
When I searched to find out which model I had and found I found mixed reviews on the quality of it but everyone that commented on it being their introduction to radio mentioned it starting a lifelong interest. There's definitely some survivor bias there but the comments mentioned how fascinated they were by it- like me!

And it cost the equivalent of $550 then too! And now people are spending about $10 for a Xhdata D-219 that does more.
 
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