Well here's a crazy turn of events.... I removed the cover on the HG unit. poked around a bit. Then removed the enclosure, looked things over and was about to to check the transistor as you suggested.
I powered the rig up and low and behold it's receiving!!! The lock light is going on and off like it should as I tune the MHZ control.
So I guess my question is: Is there a possibility that the crystal was "stuck" as the radio has been sitting for probably a few decades???
I think I'll still replace the crystal but wow... did not expect that... unless something else is lurking !!!
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