hallicrafter help needed

[WD0MR]

I purchased a hallicrafter s20R at a local hamfest today.  choosing the band works, but narrowing down the freq doesnt work because the string is broken.  I thought this was probably an easy fix until the spring came out of the pulley.  I have never attempted anythign like his before and am suffering frustration and confusion.  Any advice on fixing this??  

Thanks,
Mark

If possible, please email any suggestions to wd0mr@arrl.net

[WD0MR]

Correction...  It is the skybuddy (S19R?)

Mark
WD0MR@arrl.net

[KD7KOY]

Hi..
  You should see a small
'indentation' in the pulley..that is where one end of the spring goes..tie the cord (I just use 45-55 lb fishing line..not the clear filament stuff..)to the other end of the spring and string the dail.
  The spring is too keep 'tension' on the pulleys as the string on the pulleys are turned..
  It is alot harder to explain than it is. Once you do it once it's a no brainer..
  Go to http://bama.sbc.edu
  That is an FTP site with various manuals for just about any 'boatanchor' you can name.
  Look under 'Hallicrafters' *natch*
  If you can't find the one for the S19R, the s20R or any other will have the dail restringing cord info. It is all basically the same.
  First go to www.download.com and get an FTP program to download the manual(s).
  I use 'FTP Commander'
  If you have'nt already done so, I would change out at least the filter electrolytics (and all the paper axil caps to be sure.)  and check the resistor values before you fire it up. Cheap insurance. Do so and it will be good for another 100,000 miles..;
  I don't know how much experience you have so just for the drill..
  This is not a 12 volt rig..it's a 'real' radio..(yuk-yuk) Be careful as you are working with HV. Unplug and don't ground yourself to chassis (one hand in pocket..: )).   )
  That is a cool boatanchor..Good luck.

Powered by Heathkit DX-100..3870 AM, The Dalles, Oregon.

[WB2WIK]

If you've never even seen a dial re-stringing before, I'd recommend you look in your local Yellow Pages for a radio-electronics repair shop, call them up and see if anyone there is old enough to remember how to re-string a radio dial.  (All old-time receivers used dial cords, and if you've done one, you've done them all -- they all work the same way.)  Probably this will require that someone at least age 50, preferably older, is working there.

I've re-strung dozens...after a while, you can do it with your eyes closed.  But if I hadn't seen an old-timer do one first, I still wouldn't know what to do.

WB2WIK/6

[KD6NXI]

Dial stringing is anything but a no brainer.. I spent all day a couple weeks ago restringing the left hand dial pointer assemby and main tuning shaft on a sx 71.  Finally got it to turn all the way both directions but of course when I got the thing all back to gether the dial goes in the opposite direction the knob is turned.  Figures... But it works.  Cord may be a lot tighter than it should but at least it works.  Dial cords are an absolute royal pain in the ass and their stringing is a fine art.

[KD7KOY]

KD6NXI..Anything takes a bit of practice. But you did it. After doing a couple it will be easier. As you found out it's not rocket science. Just takes a bit of 'finese'. The SX-71 is a good receiver. I have one here. When I got mine it had about 3/8 inch of dust on the inside! (outside was a mess. : P). Been sitting for a very long time. After changing the caps, a few resistors, and alighning it with my Heathkit signal generator, it fired up loud and proud. It's mated to a WRL Globe Scout 66.
Congradulations on getting it back 'on the air'!
I hope WD0MR did as well with his S19R..thats another cool receiver. 73

[W9GB]

Mark -

Here are some good reference for your project.  The first one shows how he restrung the dial!

S-19R Restoration Project
http://www.w9wze.org/Restorations/S19/S19_KB9TMY.htm

S-19R advertisement
http://www.w9wze.org/Equipment/Photos/S/s19r_Ad_1940_1.gif

K6QI Restored S-19R
http://www.w9wze.org/Equipment/Photos/S/s19r1_k6qi.jpg

S-19R Schematic
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/NostalgiaAir/Riders/showinfo.asp?PATH=HAL&IMG=_HAL_10-7.gif&INF=S19R

http://www.qsl.net/la5ki/s19r.htm

Good luck !

W9GB

[WA7PS]

I recently inherited a S20R. May I ask what what these rigs are worth?

[G3OZN]

Way back in the 40s just after WW2 I acquired a S20R and the pleasure it gave me was tremendous.
I would love a photo of this rx, and a photo of the original advert, what was the year this rx came out.

73s
Ted
G3OZN