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Author Topic: The Hammarlund SP-10: A true Historical Relic has arrived  (Read 44209 times)
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N6YW
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« Reply #25 on: November 22, 2014, 06:02:41 PM »

I have three SP's. two 100's and a 200'
The serials are 1937, 3255 and 16116.
16116 is a 1943 civilian unit.  Not sure how rare it would be?
I have started replacing capacitors in 1937.  When I bought it it sort of worked but I discovered a wax puddle on the lower cover plate.  I have started on the job of replacing all of the capacitors.
I can take some pictures if anyone is interested.
73, John

Please post some pictures!!! Any and all.
Rick, I appreciate the offer. I actually rummaged through one of my parts boxes and low & behold, I found several of the correct fiber type 6 pin sockets. Not sure how good they are but I'll clean them and see.
Some have the tube numbers stamped onto them like the stock ones were, but not the correct numbers for this set.
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W7TFO
WTF-OVER in 7 land Dennis
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« Reply #26 on: November 22, 2014, 06:33:45 PM »

Hey Billy,

I have an SP-10 S/N 674 (PSU 804), and two SP-100's...I feel your frustration at not having it back to year one already.

My SP-10 had the leaky transformers as well, but that is just tar, no PCB's in there.

If you need some parts, I have a few extras.  The crystal filter insert on yours was an option on factory orders.

Get it going with care, you will be rewarded with a rare collectable.  The powerful eolution of the Comet Pro.

My research says there was a 19" rackmount version of the SP-10, but it is really rare.

It will be really stable, hi-fi when you need it, or single signal as well with the turn of a knob.

Mind those little thumbnuts for the cover, a set is hard to find and VERY expensive (>$50! Shocked)

They were usually supplied with an electrodynamic Jensen 12" that you got to mount as desired.

Dennis





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Todd, KA1KAQ
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« Reply #27 on: November 22, 2014, 07:27:36 PM »

They were usually supplied with an electrodynamic Jensen 12" that you got to mount as desired.

Yeah, but that 15" JHP they used in the -150 sounds soooo nice. I've got one hooked to the SX-62B. My -100 came with what appears to be an original Jensen field coil speaker, 10 or 12 inch. Have never tried it. The cone looks like leather.

To Rick's comment about finding replacement transformers: I *think* they used the same transformers in the SP-200 series, along with the open frame type. Keep an eye out on ebay and online for SP-200s for sale just to see what they look like inside. There are a LOT of rough SP-200/BC-779 variants out there that might yield a set of transformers.

I have a really amusing story about a SP-100 but I'll save it for later. Got a ceiling fan replacement about half done, need to go finish it up. Legs were getting a little wobbly being on the ladder too long.

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W7TFO
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« Reply #28 on: November 22, 2014, 08:41:15 PM »

Todd,

The audio transformers on the SP-10 were unique to the series.  They are indeed potted, but have a smaller case than the wartime SP-200's, and mount via a flat plate on the bottom.  Also, they have an 8-Ohm speaker impedance, unlike the SP-200 with the 600-Ohm line.

The iron in the 100's were open frame, so were the pre-war 200's.  Potted jobs appeared for the military application, and carried on thru the 400's.

I built a rackmount "docking station" for repair of these radios, with a homebrew 15" Altec 515 and a Maggie multicell horn.

On top is a recent purchase SP-200 military rebuild, and one of my SP-100's below awaiting all new caps.  Somebody (not me) put in an eye tube....oh well Tongue.

This is one RX that can really use the Hi-Fi speaker on a clear music station.

Billy, remember the signal meter in the 10 reads delta IF current, so will read backwards.

73DG



* DSC00562.JPG (151.24 KB, 480x640 - viewed 657 times.)

* DSC00563.JPG (149.83 KB, 480x640 - viewed 688 times.)
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« Reply #29 on: November 22, 2014, 08:53:59 PM »

DG

What impressive speaker system!!

Al
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« Reply #30 on: November 22, 2014, 09:16:27 PM »

Thanks for the compliment Al, but it is just equal to the RX.

Can't play it thru some cheezy little cone!

73DG
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« Reply #31 on: November 23, 2014, 08:54:28 AM »

Wow!
Stand up dispersion.
--Watch your ears.

Where's the 78 changer
  For the phono inputs?
Of your dual Supers
  In push pull parallel?
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« Reply #32 on: November 23, 2014, 12:28:54 PM »

Dennis
That's an appropriate setup considering it's lineage. Gary K6GLH uses an Altec Voice of the Theater in his "Studio G" Smiley
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« Reply #33 on: November 23, 2014, 01:14:29 PM »

Yep, been there, seen and heard it.  Muy buen! Cheesy

Got room for yours?

73DG
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« Reply #34 on: November 23, 2014, 01:47:40 PM »

The audio transformers on the SP-10 were unique to the series.  They are indeed potted, but have a smaller case than the wartime SP-200's, and mount via a flat plate on the bottom.  Also, they have an 8-Ohm speaker impedance, unlike the SP-200 with the 600-Ohm line.

Did not know that, but it makes sense. Considering the -10 was their first step so to speak in a new design, they likely changed the transformers to something more available in numbers and quality. Perhaps that had tar leakage issues early on?
Quote
The iron in the 100's were open frame, so were the pre-war 200's.  Potted jobs appeared for the military application, and carried on thru the 400's.

I was under the impression that the open frame units, regardless of model, were 8 ohm, while the potted can type were 600. It's been a while and I don't recall where I got that impression - Henry's page, manuals, old sales brochures....

My SP-100 is S/N 2174 with a universal military power supply that works but doesn't come close to matching it. Ironically, I just got back from putting it into the storage unit along with a few other items. SP-10 is S/N 701, also sans supply. I do have one doghouse supply that looks to be pre-war, but it's missing the multi-tap resistor and a few other items. Fortunately no one drilled or blasted it. Can't get to the -200s right now.

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« Reply #35 on: November 23, 2014, 08:52:02 PM »

Todd
You have a nice collection to get running with. If I end up with surplus parts sets, supplies etc, I want to make sure you get what I have excess to my needs in order to get yours running. Perhaps I need to issue a challenge to AM Fone to assist in the scour the collections of people who may be able to help these radios see the filaments lit and beautiful audio issuing forth. That rust bucket will turn into perfection some day.
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« Reply #36 on: November 24, 2014, 04:44:25 PM »

Some pictures of my three SP's
The first one is Sp100 2955
The second is SP 100 3255
The third is SP 200 16116
Has anyone developed an errata sheet on the radioblvd site?
I noticed that it states the all Sp 200's from 1942 on had potted audio transformers.
Mine has an open frame.


* SSCN1634.JPG (53.25 KB, 640x480 - viewed 588 times.)

* SSCN1635.JPG (51.08 KB, 640x480 - viewed 568 times.)

* DSCN1621.JPG (2177.54 KB, 3648x2736 - viewed 705 times.)
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John,  K6HSG  Tucson, Arizona
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« Reply #37 on: November 24, 2014, 04:56:26 PM »

The third picture in my prior post is a top view of SP 100 2935 showing a replacement audio transformer.
Sp 100 3255 has an origional that I will probably swap over.  It also has a potted audio output transformer.
The firstpicturee is the SP 200 16116
The second shows the output section in SP 100 3255.


* SSCN1632.JPG (49.53 KB, 640x480 - viewed 567 times.)

* SSCN1624.JPG (49.47 KB, 640x480 - viewed 622 times.)
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« Reply #38 on: November 25, 2014, 11:02:50 AM »

Thanks for the kind thought, Billy. I think my receivers are in fairly complete shape, I'm more 'power supply'-challenged. Finding the early models with the doghouse vs. the more prevalent military rack mount versions usually requires buying another set to get the supply. Same goes for the knurled nuts for the covers. Need to track down a set of those for the SP-10, it came with acorn nuts at least.

John, I'd be reluctant to yank any parts from a SP-100 unless it was badly mauled to start with, extra holes & missing crucial parts, etc. Dennis can probably confirm if the SP-200 transformers will interchange with the -100. There are plenty of SP-200/BC-779 donors floating around.

Also curious about those elusive knurled nuts - IIRC, the ones on the -10 & -100 are flatter (not as tall) than those used on the later 200 models. Of course, any are better than none.
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« Reply #39 on: November 25, 2014, 08:50:40 PM »

Thanks for the kind thought, Billy. I think my receivers are in fairly complete shape, I'm more 'power supply'-challenged. Finding the early models with the doghouse vs. the more prevalent military rack mount versions usually requires buying another set to get the supply. Same goes for the knurled nuts for the covers. Need to track down a set of those for the SP-10, it came with acorn nuts at least.

John, I'd be reluctant to yank any parts from a SP-100 unless it was badly mauled to start with, extra holes & missing crucial parts, etc. Dennis can probably confirm if the SP-200 transformers will interchange with the -100. There are plenty of SP-200/BC-779 donors floating around.

Also curious about those elusive knurled nuts - IIRC, the ones on the -10 & -100 are flatter (not as tall) than those used on the later 200 models. Of course, any are better than none.


Could you post a photo of what a Hammarlund Dog House supply looks like? I have never seen one.
I could likely fabricate the original if I had the specs.
Billy
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« Reply #40 on: November 27, 2014, 09:35:16 PM »

I'll dig it out in the next day or so. It's basically the same as a rackmount supply without the panel, and with a louvered 'doghouse' covering the top of the chassis. Hence the nickname.

IIRC, the supply for the SP-10 used a 1V rectifier in place of the 80 seen later.
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« Reply #41 on: December 01, 2014, 09:01:33 PM »

With all of the rain on the way, I think tomorrow evening will a nice time to break out the SP-10 and give it some going over, make notes etc. I will be taking some photos and in case anyone needs it, I can take photos of the interior of both the receiver and power supply and post them here.
I also need to finish up the SP-600 which needs at least 2 days plus any possible troubleshooting.
These projects are as addicting as collecting the radios themselves. I just wish I had more space for laying out these projects.
73 de Billy N6YW
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« Reply #42 on: February 17, 2015, 11:08:59 AM »

The SP-10 got a thorough once over last week before I began clearing out excess equipment which I sold. It is in need of a complete rebuild back to original specs, which means most of the tube sockets need to be converted back to the original 6 pin wafer types that have the tube numbers stamped on them. This is going to be a pain to source but I think I can do it.
I will post a want when I collect the numbers needed.
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« Reply #43 on: February 17, 2015, 11:49:51 AM »

Here are a couple of photos.
One is my SP-10...great sound and amazing signal rejection ability
and my SP-200 (AKA BC-1004) from WWII
The SP-10 required only slight cleanup...the BC-1004 got the full
treatment inside and out...
The front panel was stripped, painted 3 times if I remember right
and then a overcoat of Krylon clear-coat...
well, the photo of the BC-1004 escapes me right now...post it later...sorry


* sp10f.JPG (409.4 KB, 1600x1200 - viewed 605 times.)
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Always buiilding & fixing stuff. Current station is a "Old Buzzard" KW, running a pair of Taylor T-200's modulated by Taylor 203Z's; Johnson 500 / SX-101A; Globe King 400B / BC-1004; and Finally, BC-610 with SX28  CU 160m morn & 75m wkends.
73  W8TOW
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« Reply #44 on: February 17, 2015, 11:55:09 AM »

a shot of the interior...This rx was originally the station monitor for a
AM BCer in NY!


* sp10t.JPG (393.43 KB, 1600x1200 - viewed 639 times.)
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Always buiilding & fixing stuff. Current station is a "Old Buzzard" KW, running a pair of Taylor T-200's modulated by Taylor 203Z's; Johnson 500 / SX-101A; Globe King 400B / BC-1004; and Finally, BC-610 with SX28  CU 160m morn & 75m wkends.
73  W8TOW
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« Reply #45 on: February 17, 2015, 02:39:42 PM »

The SP-10 got a thorough once over last week before I began clearing out excess equipment which I sold. It is in need of a complete rebuild back to original specs, which means most of the tube sockets need to be converted back to the original 6 pin wafer types that have the tube numbers stamped on them. This is going to be a pain to source but I think I can do it.
I will post a want when I collect the numbers needed.
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« Reply #46 on: February 19, 2015, 02:32:49 AM »

Another anomaly with the 10 is the signal meter reads backwards, or delta RF AGC level.

Can get quirky if you hit the bench thinking of how the 200 reads 'right'. Huh

73DG
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« Reply #47 on: February 19, 2015, 10:56:50 AM »

Another anomaly with the 10 is the signal meter reads backwards, or delta RF AGC level.

Can get quirky if you hit the bench thinking of how the 200 reads 'right'. Huh

73DG

Fortunately, my SP-10 has the original meter which by most accounts are very difficult to source. Henry Rogers has a serial number survey on his pre war Hammarlund page that lists the various models and production numbers. There were a good many of these made but very few seem to exist today. Unwinding the mess made by a former owner will be a tedious (not difficult) task that will require some good parts sourcing. I have some of the original type tube shields and various misc parts that Gary K6GLH gave to me with the receiver.
If and when any of you have your SP-10 out on the bench, please send me the gut shots. The lead dressing is pretty lousy in mine and will straightened out as I go through each stage replacing and repairing the sloppy mods that were done.
Onward through the past!
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« Reply #48 on: February 19, 2015, 12:57:25 PM »

I've got a very scruffy BC-779 that works OK and has the rack mount supply that must weigh 60 lbs.

I've also got a 100 or 200 in black in very nice shape with the dog house supply that weighs less than half of what the military supply does. I was told when I bought it that the supply needed a recap so I haven't tried it yet or checked the supply. Hopefully the transformer is OK.

I'll check the serial numbers when I get back off the road (I'm working in Roswell, NM for a couple of weeks) although the BC-779 may not have one since the data plate has been disappeared.

I do have a spare meter, although I don't remember which type, for these that I picked up somewhere, I'll check that too. I'll check my tube socket supply as well.

Greg
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« Reply #49 on: February 19, 2015, 01:35:44 PM »

The military SP's data plate does not have the Hammarlund SN on it, rather the Signal Corps one.

The Hammy # is stamped on the rear apron of all of them.

73DG
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