HT-32
My first Hallicrafters HT-32 was the plain model as in "HT-32(*)" classification for my descriptions of the
Hallicrafters transmitters that I own and operate. I got this one at the Rochester Hamfest, in New York. The
guy that sold it said it didn't work, and that the power output was low on all bands when it did. He couldn't
remember when the last time was he had it on. The rig had been stored for over ten years.
A picture of the rig as I got it.
Hallicrafters transmitters that I own and operate. I got this one at the Rochester Hamfest, in New York. The
guy that sold it said it didn't work, and that the power output was low on all bands when it did. He couldn't
remember when the last time was he had it on. The rig had been stored for over ten years.
A picture of the rig as I got it.
The inside was dusty and dirty, and I thought, this is going to be a challenge.
I removed the cabinet, and the fan and set them aside for repainting. A good light weight paint brush was
used to clean as much of the loose dirt/dust from the top-side of the rig. I wanted to see what state of operation
the rig was in, so I plugged it into my bench variac and brought it up to 115 volts slowly. A good indicator was
all the number 47 bulbs were there and lighting up nicely. A couple of the tubes were missing, but the tube shields
were left in place, so next it is time to check that the tubes are in the right place.
As an aside, I have to say two things. First the BAMA site at K4XL was very helpful in getting the right tubes
in the right places. The manual there helped an awful lot. I wanted a real Hallicrafters repro so I contacted AL
NI4Q, and ordered the original manual repro for the HT-32, which I will add here is different from the HT-32A
and the HT-32B manuals and radios. If you end up with an HT-32, be sure to get the right manual. Alvins E-mail
address is ni4q@juno.com and a VERY good guy to work with, with high quality reproductions on most ham
equipment.
With the manual in hand, I checked the underside of the rig, spotted some changes, someone tried to wire in
a TR-relay under the chassis, did a bad job and had a shorted cable going to the output of the Pi-network.
The screen resistor was burned, so I replaced it. I removed the mods for the TR-relay and continued my inspection.
No further mods were found so on to the check-out phase. Following the procedure in the manual, and with all
the correct tubes in place, I powered it up again, and got 15 watts out on CW, and the frequency on 80 meters
(3885) was right on as per my TEK 2712 spectrum analyzer. Checking LSB mode showed no output at all, so I
went through the entire alignment procedure, and set things according to the manual.
used to clean as much of the loose dirt/dust from the top-side of the rig. I wanted to see what state of operation
the rig was in, so I plugged it into my bench variac and brought it up to 115 volts slowly. A good indicator was
all the number 47 bulbs were there and lighting up nicely. A couple of the tubes were missing, but the tube shields
were left in place, so next it is time to check that the tubes are in the right place.
As an aside, I have to say two things. First the BAMA site at K4XL was very helpful in getting the right tubes
in the right places. The manual there helped an awful lot. I wanted a real Hallicrafters repro so I contacted AL
NI4Q, and ordered the original manual repro for the HT-32, which I will add here is different from the HT-32A
and the HT-32B manuals and radios. If you end up with an HT-32, be sure to get the right manual. Alvins E-mail
address is ni4q@juno.com and a VERY good guy to work with, with high quality reproductions on most ham
equipment.
With the manual in hand, I checked the underside of the rig, spotted some changes, someone tried to wire in
a TR-relay under the chassis, did a bad job and had a shorted cable going to the output of the Pi-network.
The screen resistor was burned, so I replaced it. I removed the mods for the TR-relay and continued my inspection.
No further mods were found so on to the check-out phase. Following the procedure in the manual, and with all
the correct tubes in place, I powered it up again, and got 15 watts out on CW, and the frequency on 80 meters
(3885) was right on as per my TEK 2712 spectrum analyzer. Checking LSB mode showed no output at all, so I
went through the entire alignment procedure, and set things according to the manual.
A good alignment of all stages brought the output in CW to 100 watts, single tone SSB was at 100 watts PEP
and the AM function (very important) was at 30 watts carrier DSB, Hoo-Rah! The vfo in this unit was right on
the mark and no adjustment was required, which speaks volumes for the quality of the rig, allowing for its age.
The vfo is called a "C.T.O.".
The microphone connector is an Amphenol 80-MC2M which is the same as the Heathkit microphone connector,
used on the SB-series and also the HW-series of transmitters and transceivers.
I checked all the voltages and also the operation at the aux connector on the back for full operation of the TR-relay
inside the unit. Also that the bias output for an amplifier was available, and operating correctly. There are provisions
for operation with the Hallicrafters receivers, and patching receive audio to the front of the transmitter for headphone
use. Also provisions for V.O.X. operation, which is the "Berrys"! There is a 115 VAC at 2 amp connector on the
rear for my TO-1 keyer, which comes in handy, (saves an AC outlet) and also a jack for "FSK" keying of the rig,
at the 850 cps shift rate, "No really" and it works!
All I can say is they did some real neat planning in this unit, and the functionality is first rate. I plan to match it up
with the SX-101 mentioned on the previous page.
and the AM function (very important) was at 30 watts carrier DSB, Hoo-Rah! The vfo in this unit was right on
the mark and no adjustment was required, which speaks volumes for the quality of the rig, allowing for its age.
The vfo is called a "C.T.O.".
The microphone connector is an Amphenol 80-MC2M which is the same as the Heathkit microphone connector,
used on the SB-series and also the HW-series of transmitters and transceivers.
I checked all the voltages and also the operation at the aux connector on the back for full operation of the TR-relay
inside the unit. Also that the bias output for an amplifier was available, and operating correctly. There are provisions
for operation with the Hallicrafters receivers, and patching receive audio to the front of the transmitter for headphone
use. Also provisions for V.O.X. operation, which is the "Berrys"! There is a 115 VAC at 2 amp connector on the
rear for my TO-1 keyer, which comes in handy, (saves an AC outlet) and also a jack for "FSK" keying of the rig,
at the 850 cps shift rate, "No really" and it works!
All I can say is they did some real neat planning in this unit, and the functionality is first rate. I plan to match it up
with the SX-101 mentioned on the previous page.
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