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Re: SX-28A Hum

 

Please confirm: 1, the wiring is actually as shown on the diagram.
2, the bass boost is present with the switch in the IN position.
If so I am thoroughly puzzled.
If the hum is 60Hz I wonder if filament current is getting in
somehow. One side of the filament returns through chassis ground. I have
had a cases where a poor ground in the filament return caused 60 Hz hum.
Don't know why the Bass switch would change it.


On 2/17/2025 5:59 PM, thoyer via groups.io wrote:
Time to re-evaluate where I¡¯m at and what I¡¯ve tried, yes the hum is
still there¡­¡­.

Tried three different 6SC7¡¯s no noticeable difference between each one.

Confirmed the wiring of the switch agrees with the schematic. I have no
reason to suspect that the wiring was changed by a PO at the switch ¨C
looks original to me.
--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998


Re: SX-28A Hum

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Time to re-evaluate where I¡¯m at and what I¡¯ve tried, yes the hum is still there¡­¡­.

?

Tried three different 6SC7¡¯s no noticeable difference between each one.

?

Confirmed the wiring of the switch agrees with the schematic. I have no reason to suspect that the wiring was changed by a PO at the switch ¨C looks original to me.

?

Speaking of that switch, I found by poking around with my magic wooden stick that pressing on the switch terminals would result in noise / popping sounds ¨C could this be the ah ha moment? Scrounged my switch stock and found one that looked the same. Checked the switch action with a DVM, all good. Installed switch ¨C same results¡­¡­¡­ Checked original switch with DVM and it definitely has issues. Must have dirty contacts inside as one direction is a solid 0.3 ohms and the other would vary from 10 ohms to over 100 by wiggling the terminal.

?

I also confirmed that the hum is 60hz, not 120hz. I see 120hz on the audio xfmr primary side to gnd but see 60hz on the 500 ohm output (with the scope).

?

I checked my wiring ¨C all good.

?

Now here is where things get interesting. I removed the choke (measured 4.3hy on my Sencore tester) and installed the one I found last night using 8¡± or so clip leads so I could lay the choke on the bench. Seemed like the hum decreased, thought another ah ha moment. Swapped the original choke back in using the same clip leads, same result hum still present but seemingly lower in amplitude. Interesting¡­¡­..

?

Put original choke back into the radio, hum is easily 2x louder which is what I remembered before removing the choke. So that makes me wonder if the choke is really the culprit.

?

I need to take some baseline measurements with the choke mounted, unmounted and then with the extension leads.

?

Then I¡¯m going to wire in the other choke where the original one went and compare measurements.

?

Right now, my brain is not up to the task so it¡¯ll have to wait for tomorrow. Been up since before 5AM and going all day. Once tiredness sets in (usually around 8:30, 9pm) I avoid playing around high voltages¡­¡­¡­¡­

?

Thanks for all of the discussion, I find it educational.

?

Tom

W3TA

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of thoyer via groups.io
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2025 8:02 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-28A Hum

?

Last night I was able to find another 4hy choke. I knew I had one around just couldn't put my finger on it. It was salvaged from an old R390A AF module.?Dawned on me last night at 8:30 to go check the shed. Bundled up headed out into the 50mph wind storm we were having (dog didn't even want to follow me out). Found the choke, swapped it into the radio - hum still there..........

?

That tube is looking more and more suspect............

?

Tom

w3TA

?

On Monday, February 17, 2025 at 07:56:32 AM EST, thoyer via groups.io <thoyer1@...> wrote:

?

?

Could be....?

?

One other tid bit, whenever I switch between in/out there is a loud thump in the speaker - annoying to say the least.

?

On Monday, February 17, 2025 at 02:11:24 AM EST, Jim Whartenby via groups.io <old_radio@...> wrote:

?

?

So the hum in question might just be 60 cycle leakage instead of the originally stated 120 cycle?? I guess that this is possible but what is the explanation for the loss of the hum when SW10 is in the Bass (boost) IN position?

?

I believe that the SX-28 schematic is correct after all.? With SW10 in the Bass (boost) IN condition, CH2 and C43 are shorted out and R37 & R38 make up the plate resistance.? In the Bass (boost) OUT condition, CH2 and C43 are in circuit but only R38 is used as the plate resistance.? A lot of control is accomplished by a simple SPDT switch.

?

It seems to me that the curves in Figure 11 of the manual are believable since the contribution at 1kc of CH2 and C43 are, as previously stated, clearly evident in the Bass (boost) OUT curve.? What the contribution of R35 for the midrange frequencies in either curve is not mentioned but clearly, the lower the resistance of R35, the lower the available midrange audio frequencies.

?

Perhaps part of the problem is that the SX-28 was made a decade before the high fidelity craze of the 1950s.? Today, over all tone is considered to be composed of bass, midrange and treble frequencies.? Treble frequencies for the most part are not available in the SX-28 since the high audio frequencies are limited to perhaps 3 to 4 kc.? Midrange frequencies are fixed by C40 in the phase splitter and by C42 and the R35 pot in the 1st audio triode section of the 6SC7.? Since the SX-28 is, in the end, a communications receiver, the loss of treble frequency control is not an issue.

Jim

Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence.? Murphy

?

?

On Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 08:01:10 PM CST, Richard Knoppow via groups.io <1oldlens1@...> wrote:

?

?

The 6SC7 is used as a "floating paraphase" phase splitter. At least
in the fixed bias version it is very sensitive to hum in the bias
supply. Maybe not in the self bias version as used here. However, I am
very suspicious of this tube. Easy to prove it by changing tubes.
There is some information about the floating paraphase in the
Radiotron 4th edition. Very widely used circuit with several variations.
The illustration in the RDH is almost identical to what is used in the
SX-28.

On 2/16/2025 5:37 PM, Mike Langner via groups.io wrote:

6SC7 tubes are renown for developing heater-cathode leakage and for
developing inter-element shorts and leakage as well.

Often, if you shake one near your ear, you can hear loose whatever
rattling around inside the tube.

In addition, thumping a 6SC7 while it¡¯s operating in a circuit can often
vary the hum and noise produced by the stage.

I spent over 60 years in broadcast engineering and facility
maintenance.? 6SC7 tubes in phono preamps (remember LP¡¯s?) was a
continuing headache.

May or may not be relevant in this case.

Mike/
K5MGR


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998


Re: SX-28A Hum

 
Edited

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Richard and Jim, ?

I got caught on the top paragraphs, and did not go thru it all.. but¡­!!!

As I have seen it, at 10mfd, C44 is hopefully ?holding the ?¡°reduced B+¡± steady for both parts of the 6SC7, including the voltage to all the ¡°stuff¡± going to the Right plate. If we don¡¯t have a consensus there, It is hard discuss any of the filtering business. If that C44 ?point is not a fixed DC voltage, the left tube will go wonky too. ?

?

As Jacques mentioned, the switch ¡°IN¡± position does boost the base at the expense of all else; Early on, I did not think about C42 associated with the tone control [ya, I assumed..], but it becomes obvious that this cap likes to gobble up the mids and highs, leaving a dominant base response.

?

The OP [Jim] said originally ?¡°Radio is working well except for a 120hz hum. ??When I switch the Bass in, the hum goes away.¡± So to me hum is there in the ¡°OUT¡± position and so the hum would seem to be related to the choke area stuff and its wiring. ?There is no obvious ground to open in the area, but Nearby B+ will easily couple to any open connections. ??Here would be my FIRST look, with switch wiring first.

?

Presumably there is a normal radio signal with hum on top of it ?? and not just hum??

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim Whartenby via groups.io
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2025 10:56 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-28A Hum

?

Richard

Comments inserted in the text below.

Regards,

Jim

?

On Monday, February 17, 2025 at 03:09:24 AM CST, Richard Knoppow via groups.io <1oldlens1@...> wrote:

?

?

Ch2 and C-43 form a parallel resonant circuit, a tank, if you will.
It is in the plate lead of the pre amplifier half of the 6SC7. When the
switch is in the position marked IN on the diagram it is shorted out by
the switch. The plate load of the tube is then R-37.

No, the plate load for the 1st triode section is R37 and R38.? The voltage gain of the 1st audio stage is approximately the plate load resistance divided by the cathode resistance or 147k / 1k? or 147 when SW10 is in the IN position.??All of those bypass capacitors that are sprinkled throughout the audio amplifier cause a fast roll off of the midrange audio so that the bass frequencies are emphasized because of the higher gain.

When the switch is
in the OUT condition, the tank forms the plate load and R-37 is shorted
out.

What about R38?? In the out position, the voltage gain of the 1st triode is approximately 47k / 1k or 47.? Figure 11 shows this gain reduction when SW10 is ??++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

???????????? ++++++++++

_._,_._,_


--
don??? va3drl


Re: S-85 refurbish: I've got a problem during the RF alignment of bands 1 and 2 - trimcaps don't peak!

 
Edited

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Emanuele, very good that you did all this, you can let your brain cool off now nor a bit.

First, do you have any idea if this is an early run, or a later one?.

See what is in red first!

Richard mentioned long ago about messing with the guts of variable cap drive parts, and putting things back together but the cap did not fully open the plates, since a pin put in incorrectly stopped it. I know we asked you about unmeshing etc but Just maybe.

?

?

Seems to me this confirms the mixer tanks in question ?have the same sort of response and problem.. for better or worse.

?

It seems again, the top scamming? of tuning is very bad, but the bottom 500 kc is quite close ¡­. Yet it is the bottom [say 600 kc area that] has bad reception.

Is this how you see it?? what could explain this? so you think signals pass thru the RF tanks but not the mixer tanks??

?

Re ?¡°Setup is the same as ANT but the injection point is V1pin8 and the probing point is V2pin8.

The signal in band 1 is very low (effect of lack of coupling between V1 and v2). I had to rise the TG level to -5dBm and the ref level to -50dBm to see something.¡±

So ?our ongoing questions about how do V1 plate signals get to the Tanks? resurfaces with ¡°no magic coupling¡±

It would be good if the band would be 500-1000KHz and the alignment frequency 900KHz.... but it is not!

Re ?¡°Changing figures,?????????? ?the same happens on band 2,?? ?3 and 4 ?(the lower peak is at the very bottom of the band while the top peak never exceeds 2/3 of the band). But the tracking between tanks appears satisfactory.¡±

?

??????????? This make sense for band 2, but I thought Band 3,4 were ?aligning and receiving well before ???

For what it is worth I understand a tuning problem at the high end for both band 1,2 tanks and? a loss of V1,v2 coupling for 1,2. ?¡­ all confirming past suspicions.

Because the tuning [peaking] at the bottom is in the ball park, L and Max total capacitance seem to be about ,, right however the top ?peaks, but is at much lower frequency than required. Presume for the moment that your poor reception at 600Kc is to ?V1-V2 coupling, and NOT 600Kc tracking, that leaves an apparent too much capacitance in the trimmers, OR in some hidden spot. After all your work, you/we are back to square one, [149 posts now?] ?we gotta beat the impossible!

Part of my reasoning above[about the 600kc ] is that the main tuning cap swamps out the small caps so it and L3 set that frequency, so they should be OK.{always a should be} .but at the top end there must be too much capacitance [too much minimum capacitance? somewhere in the circuit]

Is it possible that those trimmers are really strange? Perhaps it would be easy to lift one end just to test?

?

??¡°¡±Make absolutely sure that the bandspread cap is set at minimum capacity (minimum mesh) when doing this alignment. What you describe is exactly what happens with too much capacitance in the circuit. Also make sure that the main tuning capacitor is at (or extremely close to minimum capacitance) when the dial is set at the top of the range.????? Rodger WQ9E¡±¡±

?

Here is a strange story.. ¡°oh it is just like the? last stuff¡±¡­. So no need to look at drawings ?just run wires to the same spots as before, its ALL the same¡±? well almost the same.? OR maybe ¡°I cant see anything different in the drawing .. so do it the same¡±? that could be coils too. I have seen worse than that. ?

Well I went to minimum Capacity, to negative capacity; maybe it is contagious? ????

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Emanuele Girlando via groups.io
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2025 4:01 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] S-85 refurbish: I've got a problem during the RF alignment of bands 1 and 2 - trimcaps don't peak!

?

Sweep of MIX tanks:

Setup is the same as ANT but the injection point is V1pin8 and the probing point is V2pin8.

The signal in band 1 is very low (effect of lack of coupling between V1 and v2). I had to rise the TG level to -5dBm and the ref level to -50dBm to see something.

?

Results:

Band 1: main tune dial at 0.54MHz - the bottom of band 1 (C7A fully meshed - maximum capacity)

The peak is a little below 500KHz (in fact not visible - measured to be 480KHz)) - L6 has no core to tune; C15 has no visible effects.

Turning the main dial toward higher frequencies, I see the peak moving right.

At the end:

Band 1: main tune at 1.6MHz - the top of band 1? (C7A fully open - minimum capacity) - C15 fully close (max capacitance)

The peak stops at 900KHz.

Something very similar to the ANT tank happens: I expected to see the peak to move up to 1.6MHz. It doesn't happen! It stops a 900KHz (!!) without even reaching the alignment frequency of 1400KHz.

Band 1: main tune at 1.6MHz - top of band 1 (C7A fully open - minimum capacity) - C15 fully open (min capacitance)

Rises to 1MHz turning C15 to min capacity. C15 has 100KHz range capability.

?

?

It would be good if the band would be 500-1000KHz and the alignment frequency 900KHz.... but it is not!

Changing figures, the same happens on band 2, 3 and 4 (the lower peak is at the very bottom of the band while the top peak never exceeds 2/3 of the band). But the tracking between tanks appears satisfactory.

?

Here is a retina flash of the findings:

?

Aaah! my brain is exhausted.

?

--

Emanuele (IU1KNR).

_._,_._,_


--
don??? va3drl


Re: S-85 refurbish: I've got a problem during the RF alignment of bands 1 and 2 - trimcaps don't peak!

 
Edited

Greetings to the group:
?
?? I see I will have to go back and duplicate Emanuele's measurement setup exactly; I can do that but it will take a while.
?
? In the mean time, I have taken some more pictures with my network analyzer.?? Someone was wondering about how the input looked on the lowest two bands when configured as an unbalanced input.?? I can confirm that the input looks very strange.?? On the upper two bands, it looks pretty reasonable and the best match point moves around with the main tuning dial.
?
Here are the screen captures:
?
?
S-85 band 2 input
?
?
S-85 Band 3 Input
?
?
S-85 Band 4 Input
?
If you are wondering what happened to band 1, it is so far from 50 ohms as to be effectively not there; the plot doesn't tell you much.
?
Here are the responses taken from the mixer grid with the tube removed; they follow the main tuning dial reasonably accurately.
?
?
Band 1 high, mixer grid.
?
?
Band 1 low mixer grid
?
?
Band 2 High Mixer grid
?
?
Band 2 Low Mixer Grid
?
?
Band 3 High Mixer Grid
?
?
Band 3 low Mixer Grid
?
?
Band 4 High mixer grid
?
?
Band 4 low mixer grid.
?
73,
--
Jim T.
KB6GM


Re: S-85 refurbish: I've got a problem during the RF alignment of bands 1 and 2 - trimcaps don't peak!

 
Edited

Sweep of MIX tanks:
Setup is the same as ANT but the injection point is V1pin8 and the probing point is V2pin8.
The signal in band 1 is very low (effect of lack of coupling between V1 and v2). I had to rise the TG level to -5dBm and the ref level to -50dBm to see something.
?
Results:

Band 1: main tune dial at 0.54MHz - the bottom of band 1 (C7A fully meshed - maximum capacity)

The peak is a little below 500KHz (in fact not visible - measured to be 480KHz)) - L6 has no core to tune; C15 has no visible effects.

Turning the main dial toward higher frequencies, I see the peak moving right.

At the end:

Band 1: main tune at 1.6MHz - the top of band 1? (C7A fully open - minimum capacity) - C15 fully close (max capacitance)

The peak stops at 900KHz.

Something very similar to the ANT tank happens: I expected to see the peak to move up to 1.6MHz. It doesn't happen! It stops a 900KHz (!!) without even reaching the alignment frequency of 1400KHz.

Band 1: main tune at 1.6MHz - top of band 1 (C7A fully open - minimum capacity) - C15 fully open (min capacitance)

Rises to 1MHz turning C15 to min capacity. C15 has 100KHz range capability.

?

?
It would be good if the band would be 500-1000KHz and the alignment frequency 900KHz.... but it is not!
Changing figures, the same happens on band 2, 3 and 4 (the lower peak is at the very bottom of the band while the top peak never exceeds 2/3 of the band). But the tracking between tanks appears satisfactory.
?
Here is a retina flash of the findings:
?
Aaah! my brain is exhausted.
?
--
Emanuele (IU1KNR).


Re: SX-28A Hum

 

I suppose I have to reply to each comment. The plate load is the
impedance in the plate circuit between supply voltage and plate, that
develops the signal output. In the half of the 6SC7 that the bass switch
is in it is either the resonant choke or R-37 depending on the position
of the switch. R-38 is not part of the plate load because there is no AC
on it. It is bypassed to ground via C-44. C-44 is a 10uF electrolytic
but is probably effective over the entire audio range. If electrolytic
caps were as bad as you indicate no bypass cap could work. The voltage
at the junction of C-44 and R-38 is well filtered DC.
If you look up the circuit for a "floating paraphase" phase splitter
you will find exactly what is in the SX-28.
The term "load" may be confusing, I mean the impedance in the plate
circuit. In this circuit it is coupled to the grid of one of the 6V6
tubes via a capacitor C-45 which is connected to the grid resistor of
one 6V6 R-41. The actual load on the 6SC7 is the combination of the
plate load and the following grid load.
I still want to know what is actually in these receivers. The
presentation of the bass tone switch is exactly the same in both the
SX-28 and SX-28A and in the military manuals. I have seen cases of other
errors carried over from generation to generation of instruction manuals
or even text books but a real answer would be to look at an actual
receiver and see how its wired. From the curves in the books the
labeling means that the boost is ON when the switch is IN.
To clarify a previous remark, at the time lots of bass was
considered desirable for entertainment audio. Not necessarily good bass,
just lots of it. This was how juke boxes were designed. Probably also
intended for use with the phonograph input.
This still does not address the hum problem but I strongly suspect
that the increased low end gain is exaggerating a hum problem in the tube.


On 2/17/2025 7:56 AM, Jim Whartenby via groups.io wrote:
Richard
Comments inserted in the text below.
Regards,
Jim
Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence.
Murphy


On Monday, February 17, 2025 at 03:09:24 AM CST, Richard Knoppow via
groups.io <1oldlens1@...> wrote:


Ch2 and C-43 form a parallel resonant circuit, a tank, if you will.
It is in the plate lead of the pre amplifier half of the 6SC7. When the
switch is in the position marked IN on the diagram it is shorted out by
the switch. The plate load of the tube is then R-37.
No, the plate load for the 1st triode section is R37 and R38.? The
voltage gain of the 1st audio stage is approximately the plate load
resistance divided by the cathode resistance or 147k / 1k? or 147 when
SW10 is in the IN position. All of those bypass capacitors that are
sprinkled throughout the audio amplifier cause a fast roll off of the
midrange audio so that the bass frequencies are emphasized because of
the higher gain.
When the switch is
in the OUT condition, the tank forms the plate load and R-37 is shorted
out.
What about R38?? In the out position, the voltage gain of the 1st triode
is approximately 47k / 1k or 47.? Figure 11 shows this gain reduction
when SW10 is in the OUT position so Figure 11 actually agrees with the
schematic.
Note that C-44 along with R-48 is a bypass filter for the B+ going
to both 6SC7 plates. Since the plate load with the switch in the IN
position is resistive there should be no frequency discrimination. In
OUT the plate load is a resonant choke (about 1100 Hz).
Again, what about R38?? It is still in series with the parallel
combination of CH2 and C43.? In the OUT position, the frequency response
of the 1st Audio is now relatively flat so there is no base boost
compared to what you see in the IN position curve.
I was surprised
the frequency is not lower but calculated it a couple of times. I have
not looked up the plate resistance of the tube. R-36 and R-37 are 100K.
C-44 is 10uF and R-48 is also 100K so there should be no audio at that
point even down to quite low frequencies.
You are considering the electrolytic capacitors to be ideal.? The
components in the late 1930s and early 1940s were far from that.? The
ESL and ESR were not controlled back then.? Modern components are much
closer to the ideal but still aluminum electrolytic capacitors start to
become inductive at midrange audio frequencies.? This is why they are
not recommended as coupling & bypass capacitors for high end audio.
They cause distortion.

As far as fidelity the SX-28 was intended to be a good fidelity
receiver for AM broadcasts. Like the Super-Pro, it is designed to have a
wide IF and, for the time, a relatively high quality output amplifier.
This begs the question, what is the speaker that is used with this
SX-28?? Could it simply be the lower gain of the 1st audio amplifier
when SW10 is in the OUT position that causes the normal 120 cycle hum to
disappear into the mud?? If so, then there is actually no problem in the
SX-28 audio amplifier.? We are chasing our tail.
While broadcast stations in the old days were required to have good
performance to about 10Khz (double the standard now) few receivers could
recover much beyond perhaps 4 or 5 Khz. Hallicrafters offered a "High
Fidelity" speaker for use with the SX-28, a bass-reflex made by Jensen.
The bass boost offered is, IMO extreme according to the response chart.
There is a crude high frequency control, all roll off, probably to
reduce the effect of static and other noise. A HF boost would have
required another stage of amplification. They knew how to do it, see the
old (third edition) of the RDH for some circuits.
I think the labeling of the BASS control in the handbook is an
error even though it got continued in the 28A.
If you consider that BASS really means BASS BOOST then what is happening
will make more sense.
Someone with an actual
receiver can determine it for us, I am just guessing from what's on the
schematic.
I am strongly suspicious of the tube, easy to prove by substitutingit.

On 2/16/2025 11:11 PM, Jim Whartenby via groups.io wrote:

So the hum in question might just be 60 cycle leakage instead of the
originally stated 120 cycle?? I guess that this is possible but what is
the explanation for the loss of the hum when SW10 is in the Bass
(boost)
IN position?

I believe that the SX-28 schematic is correct after all.? With SW10 in
the Bass (boost) IN condition, CH2 and C43 are shorted out and R37 &
R38
make up the plate resistance.? In the Bass (boost) OUT condition, CH2
and C43 are in circuit but only R38 is used as the plate resistance.? A
lot of control is accomplished by a simple SPDT switch.

It seems to me that the curves in Figure 11 of the manual are
believable
since the contribution at 1kc of CH2 and C43 are, as previously stated,
clearly evident in the Bass (boost) OUT curve.? What the
contribution of
R35 for the midrange frequencies in either curve is not mentioned but
clearly, the lower the resistance of R35, the lower the available
midrange audio frequencies.

Perhaps part of the problem is that the SX-28 was made a decade before
the high fidelity craze of the 1950s.? Today, over all tone is
considered to be composed of bass, midrange and treble frequencies.
Treble frequencies for the most part are not available in the SX-28
since the high audio frequencies are limited to perhaps 3 to 4 kc.
Midrange frequencies are fixed by C40 in the phase splitter and by C42
and the R35 pot in the 1st audio triode section of the 6SC7.? Since the
SX-28 is, in the end, a communications receiver, the loss of treble
frequency control is not an issue.
Jim
Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence.
Murphy


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998
_._,_._,_
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WB6KBL
SKCC 19998


Re: S-85 refurbish: I've got a problem during the RF alignment of bands 1 and 2 - trimcaps don't peak!

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Jacques,? yes, but it just makes things harder to understand.? ?I was originally focused on when and how each L3 coil shorts to ground or doesn¡¯t, and quickly decided them must be using the mutual conductance. Physically those coils are as close together as possible [ Emanuele¡¯s picture and words].? So more ways to go wrong.?

I am hoping we will see sweeps of the mixer tanks so we can see if they track with the RF tanks, or what. No matter the case what is to blame for the apparent low frequencies and very bad tracking with the LO ?? Since the trimmers are accessible, I just suggested lifting a trimmer to see what happens to the frequency at the top of the dial mostly. And Re the mixer tanks, it is hard to know what is wrong when you don¡¯t know? ¡°what should be right¡±. ???Pictures show a few new resistors; are they connect properly? I continue to be haunted by the common mode: all 4 tanks apparently tuning too Low. What {reasonable?}? condition would make that happen?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jacques_VE2JFE via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2025 10:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] S-85 refurbish: I've got a problem during the RF alignment of bands 1 and 2 - trimcaps don't peak!

?

Don, OK, understand what you mean by ¡°L3 serve both bands¡± but that cannot explain why either coil cannot be tuned properly to the low frequency alignment value.

?

73, Jacques, VE2JFE in Montreal


--
don??? va3drl


Re: SX-28A Hum

 

Richard
Comments inserted in the text below.
Regards,
Jim
Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence.? Murphy


On Monday, February 17, 2025 at 03:09:24 AM CST, Richard Knoppow via groups.io <1oldlens1@...> wrote:


Ch2 and C-43 form a parallel resonant circuit, a tank, if you will.
It is in the plate lead of the pre amplifier half of the 6SC7. When the
switch is in the position marked IN on the diagram it is shorted out by
the switch. The plate load of the tube is then R-37.
No, the plate load for the 1st triode section is R37 and R38.? The voltage gain of the 1st audio stage is approximately the plate load resistance divided by the cathode resistance or 147k / 1k? or 147 when SW10 is in the IN position.??All of those bypass capacitors that are sprinkled throughout the audio amplifier cause a fast roll off of the midrange audio so that the bass frequencies are emphasized because of the higher gain.
When the switch is
in the OUT condition, the tank forms the plate load and R-37 is shorted
out.
What about R38?? In the out position, the voltage gain of the 1st triode is approximately 47k / 1k or 47.? Figure 11 shows this gain reduction when SW10 is in the OUT position so Figure 11 actually agrees with the schematic.
Note that C-44 along with R-48 is a bypass filter for the B+ going
to both 6SC7 plates. Since the plate load with the switch in the IN
position is resistive there should be no frequency discrimination. In
OUT the plate load is a resonant choke (about 1100 Hz).
Again, what about R38?? It is still in series with the parallel combination of CH2 and C43.? In the OUT position, the frequency response of the 1st Audio is now relatively flat so there is no base boost compared to what you see in the IN position curve.??
I was surprised
the frequency is not lower but calculated it a couple of times. I have
not looked up the plate resistance of the tube. R-36 and R-37 are 100K.
C-44 is 10uF and R-48 is also 100K so there should be no audio at that
point even down to quite low frequencies.
You are considering the electrolytic capacitors to be ideal.? The components in the late 1930s and early 1940s were far from that.? The ESL and ESR were not controlled back then.? Modern components are much closer to the ideal but still aluminum electrolytic capacitors start to become inductive at midrange audio frequencies.? This is why they are not recommended as coupling & bypass capacitors for high end audio.? They cause distortion.

As far as fidelity the SX-28 was intended to be a good fidelity
receiver for AM broadcasts. Like the Super-Pro, it is designed to have a
wide IF and, for the time, a relatively high quality output amplifier.
This begs the question, what is the speaker that is used with this SX-28?? Could it simply be the lower gain of the 1st audio amplifier when SW10 is in the OUT position that causes the normal 120 cycle hum to disappear into the mud?? If so, then there is actually no problem in the SX-28 audio amplifier.? We are chasing our tail.
While broadcast stations in the old days were required to have good
performance to about 10Khz (double the standard now) few receivers could
recover much beyond perhaps 4 or 5 Khz. Hallicrafters offered a "High
Fidelity" speaker for use with the SX-28, a bass-reflex made by Jensen.
The bass boost offered is, IMO extreme according to the response chart.
There is a crude high frequency control, all roll off, probably to
reduce the effect of static and other noise. A HF boost would have
required another stage of amplification. They knew how to do it, see the
old (third edition) of the RDH for some circuits.
I think the labeling of the BASS control in the handbook is an
error even though it got continued in the 28A.
If you consider that BASS really means BASS BOOST then what is happening will make more sense.?
Someone with an actual
receiver can determine it for us, I am just guessing from what's on the
schematic.
I am strongly suspicious of the tube, easy to prove by substituting?it.

On 2/16/2025 11:11 PM, Jim Whartenby via groups.io wrote:
So the hum in question might just be 60 cycle leakage instead of the
originally stated 120 cycle?? I guess that this is possible but what is
the explanation for the loss of the hum when SW10 is in the Bass (boost)
IN position?

I believe that the SX-28 schematic is correct after all.? With SW10 in
the Bass (boost) IN condition, CH2 and C43 are shorted out and R37 & R38
make up the plate resistance.? In the Bass (boost) OUT condition, CH2
and C43 are in circuit but only R38 is used as the plate resistance.? A
lot of control is accomplished by a simple SPDT switch.

It seems to me that the curves in Figure 11 of the manual are believable
since the contribution at 1kc of CH2 and C43 are, as previously stated,
clearly evident in the Bass (boost) OUT curve.? What the contribution of
R35 for the midrange frequencies in either curve is not mentioned but
clearly, the lower the resistance of R35, the lower the available
midrange audio frequencies.

Perhaps part of the problem is that the SX-28 was made a decade before
the high fidelity craze of the 1950s.? Today, over all tone is
considered to be composed of bass, midrange and treble frequencies.
Treble frequencies for the most part are not available in the SX-28
since the high audio frequencies are limited to perhaps 3 to 4 kc.
Midrange frequencies are fixed by C40 in the phase splitter and by C42
and the R35 pot in the 1st audio triode section of the 6SC7.? Since the
SX-28 is, in the end, a communications receiver, the loss of treble
frequency control is not an issue.
Jim
Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence.
Murphy


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998


Re: For Sale - Hallicrafters R-274/FRR with speaker

 

Oops, I overlooked the price. Sounds great.
Tom


Re: For Sale - Hallicrafters R-274/FRR with speaker

 

Hi Dwight,
I have an observatory in Pie Town, New Mexico and plan a trip there as soon as it warms up a bit. I¡¯m now sure exactly where you live but I would like to buy your receiver. What are you asking for it. I could pay you now with a US postal money order and pick it up later.
?
Thanks,
Tom N5AMA


Re: SX-28A Hum

 

Last night I was able to find another 4hy choke. I knew I had one around just couldn't put my finger on it. It was salvaged from an old R390A AF module.?Dawned on me last night at 8:30 to go check the shed. Bundled up headed out into the 50mph wind storm we were having (dog didn't even want to follow me out). Found the choke, swapped it into the radio - hum still there..........

That tube is looking more and more suspect............

Tom
w3TA

On Monday, February 17, 2025 at 07:56:32 AM EST, thoyer via groups.io <thoyer1@...> wrote:


Could be....?

One other tid bit, whenever I switch between in/out there is a loud thump in the speaker - annoying to say the least.

On Monday, February 17, 2025 at 02:11:24 AM EST, Jim Whartenby via groups.io <old_radio@...> wrote:


So the hum in question might just be 60 cycle leakage instead of the originally stated 120 cycle?? I guess that this is possible but what is the explanation for the loss of the hum when SW10 is in the Bass (boost) IN position?

I believe that the SX-28 schematic is correct after all.? With SW10 in the Bass (boost) IN condition, CH2 and C43 are shorted out and R37 & R38 make up the plate resistance.? In the Bass (boost) OUT condition, CH2 and C43 are in circuit but only R38 is used as the plate resistance.? A lot of control is accomplished by a simple SPDT switch.

It seems to me that the curves in Figure 11 of the manual are believable since the contribution at 1kc of CH2 and C43 are, as previously stated, clearly evident in the Bass (boost) OUT curve.? What the contribution of R35 for the midrange frequencies in either curve is not mentioned but clearly, the lower the resistance of R35, the lower the available midrange audio frequencies.

Perhaps part of the problem is that the SX-28 was made a decade before the high fidelity craze of the 1950s.? Today, over all tone is considered to be composed of bass, midrange and treble frequencies.? Treble frequencies for the most part are not available in the SX-28 since the high audio frequencies are limited to perhaps 3 to 4 kc.? Midrange frequencies are fixed by C40 in the phase splitter and by C42 and the R35 pot in the 1st audio triode section of the 6SC7.? Since the SX-28 is, in the end, a communications receiver, the loss of treble frequency control is not an issue.
Jim
Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence.? Murphy


On Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 08:01:10 PM CST, Richard Knoppow via groups.io <1oldlens1@...> wrote:


The 6SC7 is used as a "floating paraphase" phase splitter. At least
in the fixed bias version it is very sensitive to hum in the bias
supply. Maybe not in the self bias version as used here. However, I am
very suspicious of this tube. Easy to prove it by changing tubes.
There is some information about the floating paraphase in the
Radiotron 4th edition. Very widely used circuit with several variations.
The illustration in the RDH is almost identical to what is used in the
SX-28.


On 2/16/2025 5:37 PM, Mike Langner via groups.io wrote:
6SC7 tubes are renown for developing heater-cathode leakage and for
developing inter-element shorts and leakage as well.

Often, if you shake one near your ear, you can hear loose whatever
rattling around inside the tube.

In addition, thumping a 6SC7 while it¡¯s operating in a circuit can often
vary the hum and noise produced by the stage.

I spent over 60 years in broadcast engineering and facility
maintenance.? 6SC7 tubes in phono preamps (remember LP¡¯s?) was a
continuing headache.

May or may not be relevant in this case.

Mike/
K5MGR

--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998


Re: SX-28A Hum

 

Could be....?

One other tid bit, whenever I switch between in/out there is a loud thump in the speaker - annoying to say the least.

On Monday, February 17, 2025 at 02:11:24 AM EST, Jim Whartenby via groups.io <old_radio@...> wrote:


So the hum in question might just be 60 cycle leakage instead of the originally stated 120 cycle?? I guess that this is possible but what is the explanation for the loss of the hum when SW10 is in the Bass (boost) IN position?

I believe that the SX-28 schematic is correct after all.? With SW10 in the Bass (boost) IN condition, CH2 and C43 are shorted out and R37 & R38 make up the plate resistance.? In the Bass (boost) OUT condition, CH2 and C43 are in circuit but only R38 is used as the plate resistance.? A lot of control is accomplished by a simple SPDT switch.

It seems to me that the curves in Figure 11 of the manual are believable since the contribution at 1kc of CH2 and C43 are, as previously stated, clearly evident in the Bass (boost) OUT curve.? What the contribution of R35 for the midrange frequencies in either curve is not mentioned but clearly, the lower the resistance of R35, the lower the available midrange audio frequencies.

Perhaps part of the problem is that the SX-28 was made a decade before the high fidelity craze of the 1950s.? Today, over all tone is considered to be composed of bass, midrange and treble frequencies.? Treble frequencies for the most part are not available in the SX-28 since the high audio frequencies are limited to perhaps 3 to 4 kc.? Midrange frequencies are fixed by C40 in the phase splitter and by C42 and the R35 pot in the 1st audio triode section of the 6SC7.? Since the SX-28 is, in the end, a communications receiver, the loss of treble frequency control is not an issue.
Jim
Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence.? Murphy


On Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 08:01:10 PM CST, Richard Knoppow via groups.io <1oldlens1@...> wrote:


The 6SC7 is used as a "floating paraphase" phase splitter. At least
in the fixed bias version it is very sensitive to hum in the bias
supply. Maybe not in the self bias version as used here. However, I am
very suspicious of this tube. Easy to prove it by changing tubes.
There is some information about the floating paraphase in the
Radiotron 4th edition. Very widely used circuit with several variations.
The illustration in the RDH is almost identical to what is used in the
SX-28.


On 2/16/2025 5:37 PM, Mike Langner via groups.io wrote:
6SC7 tubes are renown for developing heater-cathode leakage and for
developing inter-element shorts and leakage as well.

Often, if you shake one near your ear, you can hear loose whatever
rattling around inside the tube.

In addition, thumping a 6SC7 while it¡¯s operating in a circuit can often
vary the hum and noise produced by the stage.

I spent over 60 years in broadcast engineering and facility
maintenance.? 6SC7 tubes in phono preamps (remember LP¡¯s?) was a
continuing headache.

May or may not be relevant in this case.

Mike/
K5MGR

--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998


Re: SX-28A Hum

 

Another coincidence - I just happen to have that book at the office! I quickly looked it up and there it is. Hopefully today is a slow day and I can spend some time reading. Also saw in the index a section on "bass boost" which might be worth a look see.

Thanks,?
Tom
W3TA


On Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 09:01:10 PM EST, Richard Knoppow via groups.io <1oldlens1@...> wrote:


The 6SC7 is used as a "floating paraphase" phase splitter. At least
in the fixed bias version it is very sensitive to hum in the bias
supply. Maybe not in the self bias version as used here. However, I am
very suspicious of this tube. Easy to prove it by changing tubes.
There is some information about the floating paraphase in the
Radiotron 4th edition. Very widely used circuit with several variations.
The illustration in the RDH is almost identical to what is used in the
SX-28.


On 2/16/2025 5:37 PM, Mike Langner via groups.io wrote:
6SC7 tubes are renown for developing heater-cathode leakage and for
developing inter-element shorts and leakage as well.

Often, if you shake one near your ear, you can hear loose whatever
rattling around inside the tube.

In addition, thumping a 6SC7 while it¡¯s operating in a circuit can often
vary the hum and noise produced by the stage.

I spent over 60 years in broadcast engineering and facility
maintenance.? 6SC7 tubes in phono preamps (remember LP¡¯s?) was a
continuing headache.

May or may not be relevant in this case.

Mike/
K5MGR

--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998


Re: SX-28A Hum

 
Edited

Thanks - will try a couple more. I have tapped on it a few times with no change, but have not tried a different one - yet....

On Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 08:38:07 PM EST, Mike Langner via groups.io <mlangner@...> wrote:


6SC7 tubes are renown for developing heater-cathode leakage and for developing inter-element shorts and leakage as well.

Often, if you shake one near your ear, you can hear loose whatever rattling around inside the tube.

In addition, thumping a 6SC7 while it¡¯s operating in a circuit can often vary the hum and noise produced by the stage.

I spent over 60 years in broadcast engineering and facility maintenance.? 6SC7 tubes in phono preamps (remember LP¡¯s?) was a continuing headache.

May or may not be relevant in this case.

Mike/
K5MGR
____________________________________________

?

Mike Langner
929 Alameda Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114-1901

(505) 898-3212 home/home office
(505) 238-8810 cell
mlangner@...

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Richard Knoppow via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2025 6:32 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-28A Hum

?

Try another tube. Maybe heater to cathode leakage

?

?

?

?

?

-------- Original message --------

From: "thoyer via groups.io" <thoyer1@...>

Date: 2/16/25 5:07 PM (GMT-08:00)

Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-28A Hum

?

Hi Jacques,

?

Took the grids to ground, no hum so it looks like it is coming from the 6SC7 area.

?

Narrowing it down¡­¡­¡­.

?

I appreciate all of the discussion going on ¨C thank you everyone. We¡¯ll get to the bottom of this one way or another.

?

Tom

W3TA

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Jacques_VE2JFE via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2025 3:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-28A Hum

?

Hi again Tom,

Maybe some will find the following approach brutal, but here is what I will try with that SX-28A.

Solder-tack two pieces of wire from the 6V6 pins 5 to GND: connect GND where both C47 and R42 connects to the chassis.

Power-up the set again.

If the 120Hz hum is gone, the problem is really around the 6SC7 stage(s).

?

BUT, if it is still there, it means that plate currents for the two 6V6 in the output transformer primaries are not balanced.

Many causes for this: one side of the primary is open, or have developed a high resistance value from a failing connection within.

OR there is shorted turns in the winding of the primary on one side.

OR the two 6V6 are very different to each other in DC, one passing way more plate current than the other.

?

I just hope that this makes sense¡­

?

?

?

?

?

73, Jacques, VE2JFE in Montreal

?

De?: [email protected] <[email protected]> De la part de thoyer via groups.io
·¡²Ô±¹´Ç²â¨¦?: 16 f¨¦vrier 2025 08:37
??: [email protected]
Objet?: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-28A Hum

?

Yes, hum is present ¨C at the same level ¨C regardless of the AF gain position. It does not change with AF gain adjustment so the issue is after the AF gain pot.

?

CH1 and CH2 are not near each other CH2 is on the front of the chassis and CH1 is in the rear corner.

?

Tom


Re: SX-28A Hum

 
Edited

Funny, as I was driving into work I thought the same thing, now I have to wait until tonight to try it..........

Will update later

On Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 08:32:24 PM EST, Richard Knoppow via groups.io <1oldlens1@...> wrote:


Try another tube. Maybe heater to cathode leakage





-------- Original message --------
From: "thoyer via groups.io" <thoyer1@...>
Date: 2/16/25 5:07 PM (GMT-08:00)
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-28A Hum

Hi Jacques,

?

Took the grids to ground, no hum so it looks like it is coming from the 6SC7 area.

?

Narrowing it down¡­¡­¡­.

?

I appreciate all of the discussion going on ¨C thank you everyone. We¡¯ll get to the bottom of this one way or another.

?

Tom

W3TA

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Jacques_VE2JFE via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2025 3:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-28A Hum

?

Hi again Tom,

Maybe some will find the following approach brutal, but here is what I will try with that SX-28A.

Solder-tack two pieces of wire from the 6V6 pins 5 to GND: connect GND where both C47 and R42 connects to the chassis.

Power-up the set again.

If the 120Hz hum is gone, the problem is really around the 6SC7 stage(s).

?

BUT, if it is still there, it means that plate currents for the two 6V6 in the output transformer primaries are not balanced.

Many causes for this: one side of the primary is open, or have developed a high resistance value from a failing connection within.

OR there is shorted turns in the winding of the primary on one side.

OR the two 6V6 are very different to each other in DC, one passing way more plate current than the other.

?

I just hope that this makes sense¡­

?

?

?

?

?

73, Jacques, VE2JFE in Montreal

?

De?: [email protected] <[email protected]> De la part de thoyer via groups.io
·¡²Ô±¹´Ç²â¨¦?: 16 f¨¦vrier 2025 08:37
??: [email protected]
Objet?: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] SX-28A Hum

?

Yes, hum is present ¨C at the same level ¨C regardless of the AF gain position. It does not change with AF gain adjustment so the issue is after the AF gain pot.

?

CH1 and CH2 are not near each other CH2 is on the front of the chassis and CH1 is in the rear corner.

?

Tom


Re: SX-28A Hum

 

FWIW, I think the best manual for the SX-28A to be found on-line is
the military manual TM11-874, which may be found on BAMA at:
<>


On 2/16/2025 1:59 AM, Richard Knoppow via groups.io wrote:


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998


Re: SX-28A Hum

 

Ch2 and C-43 form a parallel resonant circuit, a tank, if you will.
It is in the plate lead of the pre amplifier half of the 6SC7. When the
switch is in the position marked IN on the diagram it is shorted out by
the switch. The plate load of the tube is then R-37. When the switch is
in the OUT condition, the tank forms the plate load and R-37 is shorted
out. Note that C-44 along with R-48 is a bypass filter for the B+ going
to both 6SC7 plates. Since the plate load with the switch in the IN
position is resistive there should be no frequency discrimination. In
OUT the plate load is a resonant choke (about 1100 Hz). I was surprised
the frequency is not lower but calculated it a couple of times. I have
not looked up the plate resistance of the tube. R-36 and R-37 are 100K.
C-44 is 10uF and R-48 is also 100K so there should be no audio at that
point even down to quite low frequencies.
As far as fidelity the SX-28 was intended to be a good fidelity
receiver for AM broadcasts. Like the Super-Pro, it is designed to have a
wide IF and, for the time, a relatively high quality output amplifier.
While broadcast stations in the old days were required to have good
performance to about 10Khz (double the standard now) few receivers could
recover much beyond perhaps 4 or 5 Khz. Hallicrafters offered a "High
Fidelity" speaker for use with the SX-28, a bass-reflex made by Jensen.
The bass boost offered is, IMO extreme according to the response chart.
There is a crude high frequency control, all roll off, probably to
reduce the effect of static and other noise. A HF boost would have
required another stage of amplification. They knew how to do it, see the
old (third edition) of the RDH for some circuits.
I think the labeling of the BASS control in the handbook is an
error even though it got continued in the 28A. Someone with an actual
receiver can determine it for us, I am just guessing from what's on the
schematic.
I am strongly suspicious of the tube, easy to prove by substituting
it.


On 2/16/2025 11:11 PM, Jim Whartenby via groups.io wrote:
So the hum in question might just be 60 cycle leakage instead of the
originally stated 120 cycle?? I guess that this is possible but what is
the explanation for the loss of the hum when SW10 is in the Bass (boost)
IN position?

I believe that the SX-28 schematic is correct after all.? With SW10 in
the Bass (boost) IN condition, CH2 and C43 are shorted out and R37 & R38
make up the plate resistance.? In the Bass (boost) OUT condition, CH2
and C43 are in circuit but only R38 is used as the plate resistance.? A
lot of control is accomplished by a simple SPDT switch.

It seems to me that the curves in Figure 11 of the manual are believable
since the contribution at 1kc of CH2 and C43 are, as previously stated,
clearly evident in the Bass (boost) OUT curve.? What the contribution of
R35 for the midrange frequencies in either curve is not mentioned but
clearly, the lower the resistance of R35, the lower the available
midrange audio frequencies.

Perhaps part of the problem is that the SX-28 was made a decade before
the high fidelity craze of the 1950s.? Today, over all tone is
considered to be composed of bass, midrange and treble frequencies.
Treble frequencies for the most part are not available in the SX-28
since the high audio frequencies are limited to perhaps 3 to 4 kc.
Midrange frequencies are fixed by C40 in the phase splitter and by C42
and the R35 pot in the 1st audio triode section of the 6SC7.? Since the
SX-28 is, in the end, a communications receiver, the loss of treble
frequency control is not an issue.
Jim
Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence.
Murphy


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998


Re: SX-28A Hum

 

So the hum in question might just be 60 cycle leakage instead of the originally stated 120 cycle?? I guess that this is possible but what is the explanation for the loss of the hum when SW10 is in the Bass (boost) IN position?

I believe that the SX-28 schematic is correct after all.? With SW10 in the Bass (boost) IN condition, CH2 and C43 are shorted out and R37 & R38 make up the plate resistance.? In the Bass (boost) OUT condition, CH2 and C43 are in circuit but only R38 is used as the plate resistance.? A lot of control is accomplished by a simple SPDT switch.

It seems to me that the curves in Figure 11 of the manual are believable since the contribution at 1kc of CH2 and C43 are, as previously stated, clearly evident in the Bass (boost) OUT curve.? What the contribution of R35 for the midrange frequencies in either curve is not mentioned but clearly, the lower the resistance of R35, the lower the available midrange audio frequencies.

Perhaps part of the problem is that the SX-28 was made a decade before the high fidelity craze of the 1950s.? Today, over all tone is considered to be composed of bass, midrange and treble frequencies.? Treble frequencies for the most part are not available in the SX-28 since the high audio frequencies are limited to perhaps 3 to 4 kc.? Midrange frequencies are fixed by C40 in the phase splitter and by C42 and the R35 pot in the 1st audio triode section of the 6SC7.? Since the SX-28 is, in the end, a communications receiver, the loss of treble frequency control is not an issue.
Jim
Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence.? Murphy


On Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 08:01:10 PM CST, Richard Knoppow via groups.io <1oldlens1@...> wrote:


The 6SC7 is used as a "floating paraphase" phase splitter. At least
in the fixed bias version it is very sensitive to hum in the bias
supply. Maybe not in the self bias version as used here. However, I am
very suspicious of this tube. Easy to prove it by changing tubes.
There is some information about the floating paraphase in the
Radiotron 4th edition. Very widely used circuit with several variations.
The illustration in the RDH is almost identical to what is used in the
SX-28.


On 2/16/2025 5:37 PM, Mike Langner via groups.io wrote:
6SC7 tubes are renown for developing heater-cathode leakage and for
developing inter-element shorts and leakage as well.

Often, if you shake one near your ear, you can hear loose whatever
rattling around inside the tube.

In addition, thumping a 6SC7 while it¡¯s operating in a circuit can often
vary the hum and noise produced by the stage.

I spent over 60 years in broadcast engineering and facility
maintenance.? 6SC7 tubes in phono preamps (remember LP¡¯s?) was a
continuing headache.

May or may not be relevant in this case.

Mike/
K5MGR

--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998


Re: S-85 refurbish: I've got a problem during the RF alignment of bands 1 and 2 - trimcaps don't peak!

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Not the right coils used initially, or was it made on a Friday 13 ?

?

73, Jacques, VE2JFE in Montreal

?

De?: [email protected] <[email protected]> De la part de don Root
·¡²Ô±¹´Ç²â¨¦?: 16 f¨¦vrier 2025 18:11
??: [email protected]
Objet?: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] S-85 refurbish: I've got a problem during the RF alignment of bands 1 and 2 - trimcaps don't peak!

?

Jacques, ??yes or a mysterious additional capacitance.? But it is fishy that both L3 and L6 exhibit the same thing and on both bands.

Out the door Friday 5pm ?before Christmas??

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jacques_VE2JFE via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2025 5:29 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HallicraftersRadios] S-85 refurbish: I've got a problem during the RF alignment of bands 1 and 2 - trimcaps don't peak!

?

IF the variable capacitor is the original one, I cannot see else than the antenna coils that have too much inductance.

That will screw both low and hi end alignment.

And it is exactly what happen.

?

Emanuele, where are you in Italy ??

?

73, Jacques, VE2JFE in Montreal


--
don??? va3drl