HALLICRAFTERS HT-37 PROJECT

[WD0GOF]

A little over a month ago I picked up an HT-37 at a local hamfest. I have recapped it and replaced a few out of tolerance caps and resistors. It is at a point where all functions are working properly. I did not intend on keeping it when I got it. It was just a project hoping to get another old boatanchor back on the air. It is an operator not a museum piece. Case could use some paint and there is discoloration on the chassis, more like stains than rust. So far I have put about $140 and 30 hours labor into it. But before I sink any more time and $$ into it, what is a rig that looks like a 6 and operates like a 9.5 really worth.

73, walt WD0GOF

[W3JN]

Sadly, a non-working radio with 9.5 cosmetics is worth much more. The reason is that most electronic failures in a transmitter like this can be repaired by just about anyone. Cosmetics is another matter.

My guess - a hundred bucks or so. But don't let that discourage you - you'll have lots of fun with the HT-37 and you undoubtedly learned a lot during the electronic restoration. Better than wasting it on movie rentals or something where you have nothing to show for it

[K3STX]

There is nothing stopping you from making the case a 9.5 out of 10! This might be something new and fun for you. Sandpaper, 0000 steel wool, and paint can be your friend! Why unload it for $100, have fun with it, make it look GREAT, and keep it or sell it for $500.

paul

[NM5TF]

A little over a month ago I picked up an HT-37 at a local hamfest. I have recapped it and replaced a few out of tolerance caps and resistors. It is at a point where all functions are working properly. I did not intend on keeping it when I got it. It was just a project hoping to get another old boatanchor back on the air. It is an operator not a museum piece. Case could use some paint and there is discoloration on the chassis, more like stains than rust. So far I have put about $140 and 30 hours labor into it. But before I sink any more time and $$ into it, what is a rig that looks like a 6 and operates like a 9.5 really worth.

73, walt WD0GOF

to answer your question is difficult as it's value is whatever someone is willing to pay for it....pretty vague answer I know, but true....

I have an HT-37 that I use consistently along with the semi-matching SX-110
Rx....I opted to not go with the true matching SX-111 Rx so I can do some
SWLing as well as hamming....

My HT-37 came with the QSK mod installed and makes a fine break-in CW rig....

I also use for it AM and it seems to get out just fine....only thing to remember is to keep the carrier around 20W to avoid overdriving....

Try it on the air & you just might decide to keep it...

[WD0GOF]

Sadly, a non-working radio with 9.5 cosmetics is worth much more. The reason is that most electronic failures in a transmitter like this can be repaired by just about anyone. Cosmetics is another matter.

My guess - a hundred bucks or so. But don't let that discourage you - you'll have lots of fun with the HT-37 and you undoubtedly learned a lot during the electronic restoration. Better than wasting it on movie rentals or something where you have nothing to show for it

to answer your question is difficult as it's value is whatever someone is willing to pay for it....pretty vague answer I know, but true....

I have an HT-37 that I use consistently along with the semi-matching SX-110
Rx....I opted to not go with the true matching SX-111 Rx so I can do some
SWLing as well as hamming....

My HT-37 came with the QSK mod installed and makes a fine break-in CW rig....

I also use for it AM and it seems to get out just fine....only thing to remember is to keep the carrier around 20W to avoid overdriving....

Try it on the air & you just might decide to keep it...

My true "mission" is the Hallicrafters SR line. See

http://www.myhamshack.com/WD0GOF/

To date I have not bought a single working rig. I buy tech and parts units and restore them. I saw this HT-37 at a hamfest and off hand, offered the fellow half the marked price and he said sold. So it was a fluke. I have done the usual with the electrolytics and oil caps, replaced a few tubes and aligned and tweeked. The PEP on DSB and SSB is 100 watts. I have modified it for PTT. I would be interested in what you did for break-in keying. I have 1 each of all the SR line and have very little space in my shack so I don't think it will ever make it in there. But after reading the replies on this and one other forum I may strip and repaint the covers. It is a smothe paint finish, very easy to duplicate. The front panel is like new. So all I need to do is find someone with a SX-111 and no HT-37.

TKS, 73, Walt

[NM5TF]

My true "mission" is the Hallicrafters SR line. See

http://www.myhamshack.com/WD0GOF/

To date I have not bought a single working rig. I buy tech and parts units and restore them. I saw this HT-37 at a hamfest and off hand, offered the fellow half the marked price and he said sold. So it was a fluke. I have done the usual with the electrolytics and oil caps, replaced a few tubes and aligned and tweeked. The PEP on DSB and SSB is 100 watts. I have modified it for PTT. I would be interested in what you did for break-in keying. I have 1 each of all the SR line and have very little space in my shack so I don't think it will ever make it in there. But after reading the replies on this and one other forum I may strip and repaint the covers. It is a smothe paint finish, very easy to duplicate. The front panel is like new. So all I need to do is find someone with a SX-111 and no HT-37.

TKS, 73, Walt

HI Walt....

like I said...my TX came with the mod already installed...it's a relatively easy mod...you break into the VOX ckt & install a substitute pot....I can
scan & e-mail you the factory approved mod if you like...tho the factory quoted price of $3.26 for the replacement dual-pot may have gone up a
little by now...

if you approve, I will send it to your qrz.com e-mail listed in your profile...

Tom

[W3ODD]

WD0GOF....

what did you do to yours for PTT??

i just bought one of these (that needs some work) on fleabay to pair up with my semi-matching SX-96 (I SWL as well) and would be interested in this mod...

i just won the bid last night so i don't have the rig here in front of me...

thanx scott

[WD0GOF]

WD0GOF....

what did you do to yours for PTT??

i just bought one of these (that needs some work) on fleabay to pair up with my semi-matching SX-96 (I SWL as well) and would be interested in this mod...

i just won the bid last night so i don't have the rig here in front of me...

thanx scott

This is a simple mod. You will run across many variations of this mod that include adding a second phone jack or a switch. I wanted simple straight forward operation. I replaced the mic jack on the front with a SWITCHCRAFT 12B, TIP RING AND SLEEVE non shorting jack. I connected the sleeve to ground and the ring to mic audio input. From the Jack "tip" terminal, I installed a wire to the bottom end of R51 which comes off the grid of V15B. Then I installed a Switchcraft 297, 3 conductor, 1/4", male plug on my mic. That's it Mod Done. Now in either USB or LSB the VOX position of the OPERATION switch is realy VOX/PTT. You need to use a mic that either opens or grounds the mic audio when unkeyed. Once you have everything set up you can switch back and forth from VOX/PTT simply by changing the mic. If you have a mic that breaks the audio path and also has PTT locking switch you can go direct from VOX to PTT with ease.

73, Walt

[W3ODD]

i appreciate that.......
it sounds easy enough to do.....

i will probably end up with a D-104 (UNAMPLIFIED)on it as i know they sound nice with my voice

im assuming this will work the same way in AM mode as well (1/2 the reason i wanted this rig was to join the fun we're having up here on AM local ragchews)

i'm using my TS-940 for it now but it's just not the same

than again

[WD0GOF]

i appreciate that.......
it sounds easy enough to do.....

i will probably end up with a D-104 (UNAMPLIFIED)on it as i know they sound nice with my voice

im assuming this will work the same way in AM mode as well (1/2 the reason i wanted this rig was to join the fun we're having up here on AM local ragchews)

i'm using my TS-940 for it now but it's just not the same

than again

Sorry, I should have said that it also works in the DSB mode.

73 Walt