The AM Forum

Got this on epay.........when it arrives I hope all will be good.
If it dont work.....im sure fixing it wont be a big problem. The cosmetic condition is great and the coils are included.
I could not pass it up........
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320326513480 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320326513480)

Bill

Nice catch Bill....Looks like all it Lacks is useage... :D

Interesting,

The upper deck's clean as a whistle,
The lower deck has dust layer, even on the tubes.

Looks like it's all there.  Neat-O !

Got this on epay.....I could not pass it up........
Bill
[/quote]

WAHZOO! Nice receiver, even has the two speed Xtal cababulator installed.

EdZ KG6UTS

Power xformer is the weak point.  Also has Black Beauties (or similar) tubular capacitors on the HV secondary to ground - if they short or leak, bye bye xformer.  I had one that had a hidden open in the wire going to the on/off switch that caused the previous owner to toss the power tranny, thinking it was bad.  I installed a new one and it *still* didn't work, that took a bit of puzzling to find.

Tunable hum on the top band was a problem I had with one.  Fix was to separate the common ground on the fil pin of the LO tube and run a separate ground so it's not going thru the cathode and suppressor grid pins, as I recall.

Finally I had one where every single 22K resistor was bad.  All others were OK FINE, so this bears checking.

Thanks for the info John.
The reason I posted my acquisition was to get some remarks as to the pitfalls of the receiver.
The thing looks to good to be true!!! This should complete my receiver collection which includes the following:

R390A
75A4
NC303
SP600JX17
HRO-60

And a few riceboxes for good luck ::)

OOPS....forgot to add my computer receiver.....a Win Radio G313e which is what I use to record u guys but its not in the shack.....

Bill
 

The hassle I had with the National was the changing of the coils.

The tuning mechanism is very nice and smooth.

Fred

I had one of them in the past, what a fine receiver it is!

Bill,

Enjoy your new receiver! the HRO's perform well and look nice.  Check for a .1 capacitor from one side of the HV secondary to ground and if it is in there still clip it out.  It serves no useful purpose but it is a leading cause of dead transformers in the HRO-50/60 series when it goes leaky/short.

The tuning should feel pretty smooth and if it doesn't you may need to renew the lube in the right angle reduction drive.  If it still feels stiff then the bearing blocks at the two ends of the capacitor assembly also need attention.  A properly operating drive turns freely although it won't spin from end to end like the NC-100 family which uses the "HRO type" dial but with an inline reduction drive which has far less drag than the perpendicular drive assembly.

Rodger WQ9E

Hmmmm,
There is a  possibly that I might get screwed by this guy. I have sent him at least 5  emails and got no response. If u look at at the 75a4 he is selling u will see that there are NO filters installed in the receiver.
He does say u get what u see. I told him if I dont get an answer to my emails I will cancel my bid.
We will see how it goes........
Another jerk.....I just can believe he will not answer any emails.........oh well
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Collins-75A-4-Receiver-Ham-Tube-Radio-Hamms_W0QQitemZ320328903212QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item320328903212&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Collins-75A-4-Receiver-Ham-Tube-Radio-Hamms_W0QQitemZ320328903212QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item320328903212&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318)

Bill

Bill

Nice receiver - especially on cw! The i-f bandwidth in the widest position is pretty narrow making it less than ideal for AM, though. Check out the AM audio frequency response.

http://www.w1vd.com/NationalHRO-60.html (http://www.w1vd.com/NationalHRO-60.html)

It is the holiday season, I'd give him a bit of a chance yet.

That 75A-4 not only has no filters, it's missing a bunch of tubes, has a bunch of wires cut, has a missing tube socket, and one IF can is loose.  I offered him $250 the last time he had this up and he just laughed.  Someone bought it for $800 but I see it's up again.

Honestly I don't think it's even worth $250.

might stay away from a picker that says "hamms" that's selling radio gear. ::)

doctors appt Jan 5th - see why I feel so crappy lately I hope....

Why would you want a 75A-4?

                 >>    Feedback: 93.3 % Positive  <<


klc

What about the four 3B28 rectifiers he has up?  $400.00 BIN!!!
What a deal!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-4-Radio-Amplifier-Transmitter-Tubes-GE-3B28-NOS_W0QQitemZ320326579330QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item320326579330

"  What about the four 3B28 rectifiers he has up?  $400.00 BIN!!! ""

Must be on narcotics.

klc

Man....I love it when folks criticize someones other opinions. These folks try to imply your an idiot without considering why u happen to like a certain piece of equipment. My 75a4 is my best battle receiver.......In battle conditions audio fidelity goes right out the freeken window. I know the restrictions of all the receivers  I have. I just want to own them........................sorrta like  owning an antique car.
Again we get back to opinions...........they are like ass hol*** every one has one!!!!!
Bill

Yo, Bill.  Your MSDS ways are showing again. Read what I wrote and who it was directed at. I'll help you out. My comment directed at W3JN. The clue was that I quoted his comment on the 75A-4. Why are you responding when the comment was directed at Johnny?

It's a well known fact, Johnny is not a big fan of the 75A-4. Therefore, I asked why he would want one. No opinion was even expressed. Just a question.  ::)

Try The Sencore 60A scope
BIN for $1,500

Last one sold on ebay for $45

Now Steve,
I was just busting on ya..........Its a well known fact that for whatever reason, u dont like Collins and thats fine....I dont care who likes what..........thats what makes the world go round. The point I was trying to make is that every receiver has its good points and its bad and if someone happens to like a particular receiver for whatever reason that should not make that person a target for unsolicited opinions.
Sorry if my opinion offends anyone but it wasn't meant to.

Bill,
What's the latest on your HRO-60 purchase?

I love a challenge  ;D

LOL. That "well-known fact" is neither well-known or factual. I own two Collins radios and like them both. My main receiver for the last 5 years has been a 51J-4.

You opinion doesn't offend me. How could it? We're talking about radios here, not anything important. ;D

BTW I like COllins radios just fine; I have a full S-line including a 51S-1, a 51J-4, a 651S-1, a passel of R-39X receivers, and a HF-380.  The 75A-4 is a pretty damn good receiver in the scheme of things.  My point, as repeatedly expressed, is that it's not a great AM receiver and it is an especially poor value for that purpose considering its high cost/performance ratio.  The SX-88 (another FB receiver) is an even poorer value although it's a very good performer on AM.

Id like to see Jay do a SX-88 test. I was not particularly impressed with the one I had and gave it to my parents for general BCB and SW AM listening in the late 60's.

Dad was gone and mom gave it back in 98 as it barely worked. Never been retubed or recapped but was absolutely mint cosmetically. Got big bucks on Ebay shortly after in its original condition.

Carl
KM1H

Steve,
If I were to say my name is Bill.....................would u agree?????

Hi Dave,
Well its a strange story. The seller (Dona) doesnt seem to know how epay works. When I received the confirmation from the seller, it listed the sellers email address. Any questions I had about shipping, did u receive my paypal money, etc I sent to the sellers email, not thru epay and all went unanswered. I finally said I would cancel my purchase unless I heard something from the seller.
FINALLY the seller answered my emails saying she (he) doesnt check her email because there are so many of them!!!!! She just deletes them!!! Why dont I use epay.......not her email. Now keep in mind when u deal on epay you have the option of not showing your email address to the buyer but that was not the case here.
Anyway.......the receiver is on its way......I hope!
Let me post one of her replys to my email.............


More to come....... 

Strange seller indeed - he/she just deletes all the emails ref Ebay. They don't rate a 5 for communications - thats for sure.

Keep us informed and good luck!

Dave,
Another reply I received.......

Hmmmmmmm,

Bill

In her defense, EVERY message (sent AND received) sent via eBay is copied to her email.  Therefore, she would have to read through both sets of duplicate emails in both inboxes in order to find any unique messages that didn't go through eBay.  It's either that, or delete her eBay inbox in bulk and there may be reasons for not wanting to do that like eBay only counting internal messages as legitimate in a dispute.

That's just your opinion.   ;D

Enjoy your 75A-4. I'm enjoying my 51J-4. Irb enjoyed his oatmeal each morning.

Hope you get the HRO.

I love the smell of oatmeal in the morning.
(http://www.fitness.com/recipes/uploaded/1194292189_oatmeal.jpg)

As long as it is liberally covered with New England honey or maple syrup. One of my alternate favorites is Farina (with real milk) and raisins. Both make me raring to go and jump into the vintage F-250 and plow the yard ;D

Carl
KM1H

Carl,
Farina...........I havent had that stuff since I was a kid!!!!!! I also like Cream of Wheat with maple surple and milk....yum yum!

Bill

My 2 cents - If the seller sells in relatively large volume -- if the seller is concerned about in or out of eBay messages settling disputes, I can see the seller's reason for deleting external emails.  I have seen both preferences from sellers.  I'm thinking that we should be a little flexible and give a little to the seller as long as he/she does answer my questions

Bill -- did you get that HRO yet?

Al

It is?? That's not what I heard on 3880...

[preemptive disclaimer: Bill, I was just bustin' on ya, yankin' yer chain, referencing your pal in 3 Land, etc etc. Any similarity to characters either living or dead is purely coincidental]

Steve a.k.a. Collins Hater #2: Just toss that J-4 in when you come down and I'll help clear up your conflicts and inner demons.  ;D

Johnny (a.k.a. Collins Hater #1, Mr PTO Assassin, eats puppies for lunch, etc) has a very nice assembly of high end receivers including many Collins rigs. As he said (to me, previously, in private), they are FB rigs for communications work, which is what they were built for (as opposed to hi-fi entertainment). But when you look at what you can get for the price of a 75A-4 ham bands-only receiver or 51S-1, well.... some folks just gotta have it.

Although $600 for an HRO-60 that may or may not materialize has gotta be right up there too.  Keep us posted, OM ;)

Sincerely,

 Art's Biggest Fan, a.k.a. Collins Worshipper #1, Collins makes you smarter, blinded by the big, red meatball, nothing else will do, ever (Hammar-who?)

Well.......my worst fears came true. The radio arrived all bent up thanks to UPS. Well.....its not all the fault of UPS......the sellers packing was a complete joke. I will post some pics of the poor radio tomorrow.......
I'll explain how the transaction went down when I post the pics.

Just sick to see such a nice radio screwed up,
Bill :'(

Bill...Sorry to hear about the HRO. Hope the insurance works out okay.

On big items one may want to consider having UPS do the packing - especially if you don't trust the seller to do a good job. The seller just drops it off at the UPS location and they do the rest. Just did this with an SX-28A I bought recently and it arrived in excellent condition - bubble wrapped and double boxed. UPS charged $25 for the packaging job.

The box had several wraps of official UPS 'info tape' for overweight and fragile merchandise. Perhaps the drivers pay attention to the official UPS tape and are especially careful - or I just got lucky. If UPS does the packaging and there's damage it's probably a lot easier to get them to pay off on the claim.

Carl...I'd love to test an SX-88...and a number of other receivers that I haven't had a chance to 'torture' yet. An RCA CR-88A is supposed to show up. R4 and R4B coming up soon. 

 

   

Jeesss,
UPS will not pay because of the bad packing. I posted a complaint with paypal because the seller will not reply to my emails. We shall see what happens.


Im still sick when I look at the radio :'(
Bill

Jay, the UPS Stores are not owned or controlled in any way by UPS. Ive had UPS Store bubble wrapped stuff arrive damaged and claims denied since it was not adequately packed.

You HAVE to read the UPS packing guidelines and follow to the letter to be covered. Bubble wrap is specifically verbotten on "heavy and valuable" items. Double boxing with hard foam is the only way to go. Use bubble wrap only to protect the finish from scratching.  FedWrex and USPS also have specific rules. Most of the damage I get on incoming is from FedWrex. I ship only UPS and do it the right way and have had no problems. Maybe 2 claims in 10 years and Im a high volume shipper (mostly non radio)

Carl
KM1H

I always build a solid wood crate when I ship a high end radio. FED EX never broke anything I ever shipped. Universal Package Smashers I do not use ever since they broke a beautiful GPT Tank circuit on me coming from Fair Radio.

I worked at FEDEX for 3 yrs while in college.  The system is DESIGNED to smash packaged due to the large expected throughput and low manpower applied.  Can you catch 300  10lb packages coming down the belt at a quick clip AND stack them neatly in the truck/container  oh, they are all different shapes and you have to maximize the Cube (fill it up) or you'll get heat from the boss.  Then toss in a 60lb thing in a flimsy box.  It WILL hit the floor and become the base of the next pile -OR- it will land on TOP of everything else if the can is nearly full. 

A good rule of thumb is, if you can't drop the package from 5 ft to a hard floor with out damage DONT SHIP IT.

Of course there is the occasional forklift Tine that will get through anything (saw that once too).   ::)

Think back a little over a year to how FedwrEX handled my mod iron, Frank: mounted on a board, double boxed with sheet foam and other packing between, 45 lbs or so from Maine to VT. It arrived looking like a soccer ball with a broken cast iron frame. If I hadn't been able to find the old (2004) Peter Dahl listing online as a reference for value, they wouldn't have paid. As it was, it took several months between Gary and I calling and emailing them. UPS has never smashed anything shipped to me. That doesn't make them any better or worse than other shippers, it just means I've been lucky.



That's the point so many folks seem to miss: these businesses do offer a service. The service is to move your package from point A to point B in a timely manner, not hold its hand or babysit it. They need to maximize throughput to stay in business. 


That's pretty much how I always test, dropping it from chest high to the floor after shaking it to settle any loose packaging and adding more. If it rattles or slides around, it's an accident waiting to happen.


And nothing can protect against that. I've seen hard cases with holes through them from the rogue forklift. Sometimes it's just your turn, as they say.

Sorry for hear that another old radio has been trashed, Bill. That means one less going into the future. You gotta wonder - considering how many radios probably got saved thanks to ebay and the internet, how many of them ended up getting trashed due to bad packing and handling?

If the seller won't settle with you after giving them documentation from FedEx stating the damage was a result of poor packing, you should be able to have Paypal refund your money based on not receiving the item you paid for.

If its just the cabinet thats an easy fix for a bodyman. In any event parts radios are always in demand as are coils and accessories.

Even a chassis can be straightened so you would never know it was hit.

Carl
KM1H