How about a HQ-145?

[NR5A]

What do you think about a HQ-145 to go wiyh my Viking Ranger? Would be used for CW & AM?

Jerry - NR5A

[K1ZJH]

A friend gave me a nice clean 145X several years ago. I found that one of the dual frequency IF transformers suffered silver mica disease and arced and shorted; burning up the plate resistor. The plastic coil bobbin fell apart when I tried working on it. Went into storage, and will most likely rot there. Otherwise most of the reviews say it is an "ok" receiver for casual use.

Pete

[KM1H]

I have the one that JN saddled me with at Nearfest maybe 2 years ago

Actually it works well but its been mostly a shelf queen.

Carl

[WQ9E]

The first HQ-170 I bought suffered from the IF cap problem.  For a short time Hammarlund built the caps in as part of the transformer and they were open construction which is a recipe for disaster.  Pretty easy to repair since modern dipped mica caps are so small.

I have never used the HQ-145 but it looks decent.  I guess it is a step down from the HQ-140/150/160 with its smaller number of ranges (and probably less complex tuning capacitors).

[Pete, WA2CWA]

The first HQ-170 I bought suffered from the IF cap problem.  For a short time Hammarlund built the caps in as part of the transformer and they were open construction which is a recipe for disaster.  Pretty easy to repair since modern dipped mica caps are so small.

I have never used the HQ-145 but it looks decent.  I guess it is a step down from the HQ-140/150/160 with its smaller number of ranges (and probably less complex tuning capacitors).

The HQ-140 series and the HQ-150 were single conversion receivers.

The HQ-145, 145A, and the HQ-160 were double conversion receivers. HQ-160 also had a crystal controlled second oscillator. All were single conversion below 10 MHz. Main difference between 145 and 145A was the addition of a hinged top cover on the cabinet.
HQ-140, 145, 150, and 160 all tuned from .540 to 31 or 30 MHz.

All the HQ-170's (170, 170A, 170A-VHF) were triple conversion with double conversion below 7 MHz.

[KA2DZT]

The first HQ-170 I bought suffered from the IF cap problem.  For a short time Hammarlund built the caps in as part of the transformer and they were open construction which is a recipe for disaster.  Pretty easy to repair since modern dipped mica caps are so small.

I have never used the HQ-145 but it looks decent.  I guess it is a step down from the HQ-140/150/160 with its smaller number of ranges (and probably less complex tuning capacitors).

Hammarlund receivers are known for bad IF xfmrs.  In the sixties I would order replacements from Hammarlund.  In later years I would repair the xfmrs.  Some xfmrs, if I remember correctly, have the caps built into the plastic base.  These can also be repaired.

I still have a HQ-110 that, so far, seems to be OK but, I don't use it very often.

I also have a Hammarlund SP-210 (BC-1004), it has the the big jumbo IF cans, built to withstand bomb blasts.

The only Hammarlunds that I would ever consider acquiring would be the early ones that have the jumbo IF cans.

I use, as my main station receivers, a National HRO-M (1940) and a NC-183D.

Fred
KA2DZT

[The Slab Bacon]

I had one and sold it. I thought it's performance was a bit dissapointing for one of their "higher end" receivers. If you want to go with a "gray faced" Hammurlund, IMHO, the HQ-160 is my favorite, but a bit hard to find.

                                                          the Slab Bacon