Pre 1970 Tube SW Radio for Casual AM Listening

[RufusDawes]

Help me pick out a tube shortwave radio for casual AM BCB listening that has excellent audio. Doesn't have to be a world beater on SW, it will be connected to an effective external antenna sor AM listening mainly. The radios with push pull tubes are supposed to sound the best, but not required. I would like it to have an internal speaker, and it will be a candidate for restoration, something like a Halli S-120 or S-85, or a NC-88 or NC-183... what would you pick?

 

[oldradioguy2010]

1966, I got my mom's and dad's old general electric clock radio with only AM broadcast band.
Tube type with a wire out the back for the antenna.
No shortwave bands. Listened from calif. all across the US.
So if you can, just try a simple AM band only and listen in the evening.

Most of all have fun.

DW
So. Cal.

 

[prcguy]

Since its only for AM broadcast reception have you considered something like a 1960s vintage Zenith or GE or Arvin, etc, tube table radio? Some have nice big speakers and good design but will obviously need some caps replaced and a tuneup.

 

[RufusDawes]

Since its only for AM broadcast reception have you considered something like a 1960s vintage Zenith or GE or Arvin, etc, tube table radio? Some have nice big speakers and good design but will obviously need some caps replaced and a tuneup.

hmmmmm, I guess I didn't think of those, I'm one of those peeps who thinks real radios receive beyond 1.8 KHz.

I plan to restore the radio, so caps/res align etc doesn't bother me.... would want something that didn't need much cosmetic restoration.

Do you know of any models that have killer audio? The radio would be connected to a 100 ft random wire with a 9:1 balun.

 

[kc2asb]

My Hammarlund HQ-129X with the original speaker sounds good to my ears and is *hot* on AM BCB. I used only a 45 foot random wire fed directly to the receiver with no balun.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

Hey Rufus. What is your location? I would be sure to face east west ¹
Unless you are in Northern or Southern states.
Antenna agment is fairly important for this band.
I would like to hear how it is working out for you.
Still love BCB monitoring.

DW
So. Cal.

 

[RufusDawes]

My Hammarlund HQ-129X with the original speaker sounds good to my ears and is *hot* on AM BCB. I used only a 45 foot random wire fed directly to the receiver with no balun.

Are you using the 100 or 200 speaker?

 

[RufusDawes]

Hey Rufus. What is your location? I would be sure to face east west ¹
Unless you are in Northern or Southern states.
Antenna agment is fairly important for this band.
I would like to hear how it is working out for you.
Still love BCB monitoring.

DW
So. Cal.

Maybe I'll post a vid one day showing my setup.
I have three antennas I use all wired into the living room which is my shack for now, they are attached to a 3 way switch so I can play around with them and see which one is picking up the current signal of interest:
-1M Wellbrook atached to a rotator
-200ft Delta Horizontal Sky Loop, which I will soon expand to become a 250ft Rectangle
-100ft random wire sloper, slope from 13ft to 20ft
All three have their strengths, but the best overall in terms of signal to noise is the horizontal loop. The Wellbrook can be very quiet to null out competing noise or RF but it doesn't pull in the strongest signal.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

Using a radio shack dx360 here.
A simple longwire about 20 feet.
(CCR restrictions). Wrapped around my second story balcony post.
Roughly east/west facing.
But for AM bcb I am using a built in ferrite ant.
Works ok I enjoy the 50,000w night time power houses.

DW
So. Cal.

 

[K0WWX]

If you can find one that has been restored, a good choice would be a Hallicrafters SX-42. A beautiful radio from the late 40s that not only has AM and all of the shortwave bands, but also FM --

RigPix Database - Hallicrafters - SX-42

 

[RufusDawes]

If you can find one that has been restored, a good choice would be a Hallicrafters SX-42. A beautiful radio from the late 40s that not only has AM and all of the shortwave bands, but also FM --

RigPix Database - Hallicrafters - SX-42

That one is on my bucket list to restore one day... I will get one and do a complete restore inside and out. It is supposed to have the push pull tubes that creates a great sounding radio. Thanks for that!

 

[pjxii]

The Hallicrafters SX-62 has always been highly regarded for it's excellent audio but would require a separate speaker. I have not owned one but have read of its praise often.

Hallicrafters SX-62

 

[prcguy]

hmmmmm, I guess I didn't think of those, I'm one of those peeps who thinks real radios receive beyond 1.8 KHz.

I plan to restore the radio, so caps/res align etc doesn't bother me.... would want something that didn't need much cosmetic restoration.

Do you know of any models that have killer audio? The radio would be connected to a 100 ft random wire with a 9:1 balun.

About 10yrs ago I had a 1960s Bakelite cased Zenith that sounded great, typical 5 tube radio with a 50C5 audio tube and about 7" speaker. As a kid in the 60s we had a tube type GE table top with AM/FM and dual speakers that sounded great. I wish I could find a picture of it.

 

[spongella]

Check out shopgoodwill dot com for what you are looking for. Lotsa' radios from the past to choose from. I've used shopgoodwill in the past and have been very satisfied.

 

[RufusDawes]

Check out shopgoodwill dot com for what you are looking for. Lotsa' radios from the past to choose from. I've used shopgoodwill in the past and have been very satisfied.

Thanks did not know about that site!

 

[Token]

Help me pick out a tube shortwave radio for casual AM BCB listening that has excellent audio. Doesn't have to be a world beater on SW, it will be connected to an effective external antenna sor AM listening mainly. The radios with push pull tubes are supposed to sound the best, but not required. I would like it to have an internal speaker, and it will be a candidate for restoration, something like a Halli S-120 or S-85, or a NC-88 or NC-183... what would you pick?

So, a candidate for restoration, decent AM BCB, and internal speaker? That list is going to be long and wide, but not all your listed choices are internal speaker. The Hallicrafters S-120 and the National NC-88 both have internal speakers, but the Hallicrafters S-85 and National NC-183 do not. And frankly, while they work, the built in speaker for the S-120 and NC-88 is not really great.

How married to the "internal speaker" thing are you? How much "presence" (big / little box) do you want the radio to have? How much restoration do you want to do?

Frankly, for casual (but decent performance) AM BCB tuning with a classic tube rig, I really like the Hallicrafters SX-62A with one of the matching Hallicrafters speakers, say the R-42 Reproducer. It just looks the part with the big glass dial, and sounds the part with a push-pull 6V6 tube audio section. The SX-42 is much the same radio but in a more serious, "communications-ie", more professional looking, package.

If you go that route, keep in mind these thigs are big, and heavy, and you probably don't want to have to ship one (although I have shipped several). I mean, think about something like the SX-100, make it a bit bigger and double the weight.

Also, in the case of the SX-62, go for the A model, not the original -62. The only real difference is that the A model (and AU model) has a different audio output transformer, and can support more "normal" speaker impedances. The 62A does 3.2, 8, and 500 Ohms, while the 62 does 500 and 5000 Ohms.

Speaking of speakers, to go with the SX-62 the Hallicrafters R-42 "Reproducer" or R-46 speaker is a very good sounding (and looking) combination. Those both work with the 500 Ohm output of the -62. For the SX-62A the R-46A speaker matches the 3.2 Ohm output and the R-46 or R-42 can be used with the 500 Ohm output. The R-42 just looks the part, but I have more R-46 speakers than -42s.

T!

 

[RufusDawes]

So, a candidate for restoration, decent AM BCB, and internal speaker? That list is going to be long and wide, but not all your listed choices are internal speaker. The Hallicrafters S-120 and the National NC-88 both have internal speakers, but the Hallicrafters S-85 and National NC-183 do not. And frankly, while they work, the built in speaker for the S-120 and NC-88 is not really great.

How married to the "internal speaker" thing are you? How much "presence" (big / little box) do you want the radio to have? How much restoration do you want to do?

Frankly, for casual (but decent performance) AM BCB tuning with a classic tube rig, I really like the Hallicrafters SX-62A with one of the matching Hallicrafters speakers, say the R-42 Reproducer. It just looks the part with the big glass dial, and sounds the part with a push-pull 6V6 tube audio section. The SX-42 is much the same radio but in a more serious, "communications-ie", more professional looking, package.

If you go that route, keep in mind these thigs are big, and heavy, and you probably don't want to have to ship one (although I have shipped several). I mean, think about something like the SX-100, make it a bit bigger and double the weight.

Also, in the case of the SX-62, go for the A model, not the original -62. The only real difference is that the A model (and AU model) has a different audio output transformer, and can support more "normal" speaker impedances. The 62A does 3.2, 8, and 500 Ohms, while the 62 does 500 and 5000 Ohms.

Speaking of speakers, to go with the SX-62 the Hallicrafters R-42 "Reproducer" or R-46 speaker is a very good sounding (and looking) combination. Those both work with the 500 Ohm output of the -62. For the SX-62A the R-46A speaker matches the 3.2 Ohm output and the R-46 or R-42 can be used with the 500 Ohm output. The R-42 just looks the part, but I have more R-46 speakers than -42s.

T!

Thanks Token, that sounds like it has the audio I am looking for, but too heavy.... this has been a good thread as it helped me figure out what I am looking for. I think I am going to look for a table top size radio that has push pull tubes and excellent reception, something with more than 6 tubes. I need to research it but something made by Philco, Zenith, or RCA pre 1950. I plan on doing a complete restore as needed.

The SX-42 and NC-2-40D are on my bucket list to acquire and restore, but I have too much on my plate right now. At your advice I picked up a Hammarlund HQ-180A, and while it is good condition it has been unmolested and I will have to replace the cap can, tubes, and possibly some caps before I do an alignment. I may also measure resistors and replace out of spec components.

BTW, I see you are in Mojave, I am a few hours way and if you ever want to unload some your ponies from the stable I would be interested!

 

[RufusDawes]

I have a bid on a Zenith C845 8-Tube AM/FM "High Fidelity" Radio, I believe it is 1959, has an 8" speaker with a tweeter, sound is supposed to be superb on this model.

 

[D31245]

I have a hankering for one myself as I grew up in the late-50’s & 60’s and we had several before going to solid state.

I’ve seen web sites selling old restored radios but the prices are a bit steep.

What is the aroma that comes out of these older tube radios? I love it. Is it ozone from the tubes and transformers? Or maybe the shellac off the transformer windings?

I have an SET audio amp that gives off this scent and love getting close to get a whif. 😁

I’m not the only one:

https://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=351669

 

[D31245]

Thanks Token, that sounds like it has the audio I am looking for, but too heavy.... this has been a good thread as it helped me figure out what I am looking for. I think I am going to look for a table top size radio that has push pull tubes and excellent reception, something with more than 6 tubes. I need to research it but something made by Philco, Zenith, or RCA pre 1950. I plan on doing a complete restore as needed.

The SX-42 and NC-2-40D are on my bucket list to acquire and restore, but I have too much on my plate right now. At your advice I picked up a Hammarlund HQ-180A, and while it is good condition it has been unmolested and I will have to replace the cap can, tubes, and possibly some caps before I do an alignment. I may also measure resistors and replace out of spec components.

BTW, I see you are in Mojave, I am a few hours way and if you ever want to unload some your ponies from the stable I would be interested!

This has been in the back of my mind also about getting an old tabletop BCB AM radio.

Been doing a little research and going down the German makers rathole and came across SABA Freiburg as one of the top makes.

This model has 4-speakers: two front-firing and two side-firing.

Very complex though and a lot can go wrong but a marvel of engineering. This video shows the innards and complexity. With 4-speakers I imagine it sounds great.

Curious about this brand and its other models though and how it would sound and the AM band compatibility with the US.