Vintage Receivers: Lafayette HE-30

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mikethedruid

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Sneedville, TN
I collect and restore antique radio receivers. If you have the skills to do the restoration, that is, replace ALL the electrolytic and paper condensers, check all the resistors and replace any which have drifted out of spec, test all the vacuum tubes and replace any which are weak or bad, clean the contacts of the band switch, replace any wiring which has gone bad (some receivers used rubber covered wire and that insulation has now deteriorated and become brittle or turned to mush depending on the environment) and do any other needed work, you can end up with a fine receiver which can provide you with hours of DXing enjoyment.

One radio I have restored is the Lafayette HE-30, a 9 tube, general coverage (0.55 Mhz to 30 Mhz) receiver. It has a Q multiplier to improve selectivity, and a BFO to receive CW and SSB. These take some playing with to learn how to get the best out of them, but work well once mastered. All in all a very good receiver.

As bought 1.jpg
 

a417

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@mikethedruid do you follow Mr Carlson's Lab on the youtubes or patreon?

That wrinkle finish looks fantastic, did you have to do anything to the outside as well?
 

mikethedruid

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Joined
Jul 5, 2022
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Location
Sneedville, TN
@mikethedruid do you follow Mr Carlson's Lab on the youtubes or patreon?

That wrinkle finish looks fantastic, did you have to do anything to the outside as well?
I have watched some of his YouTube videos, yes. He has a lab full of all kinds of modern equipment, and so can do things in ways I cannot, and so, with just a basic AM signal generator ( an EICO model 324 and a Heathkit SG-8 and a tube tester (a Simpson model 305 and a Sylvania type 620 , among others ), I have to use older methods for some of the testing and alignment, especially like finding the true frequency of the crystal filter in a radio like my HQ-129-X so I can properly set the IF.

As for the cabinet of the HE-30, I did nothing at all. It is in beautiful shape, and I know to leave well enough alone.
 
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