Hallicrafters SX-28
-General Coverage Tube Communications Receiver-
Hallicrafters Collector Item
see actual photos below

The auction is for both the SX-28 and matching speaker R-46. The SX-28 is a late run with serial number of 9743. This radio is from my personal collection and is one of the more desirable of the Hallicrafters receivers. Probably one of the most sophisticated pre WW-II designs. The radio includes both professional electronic and cosmetic restoration. The results are an attractive well working vintage pre WW-II piece of communication technology. The chassis is corroded with no attempt to change the fact that this is an old radio so the interior looks old.  However, the corrosion is not severe or even noticeable, and does not affect the electronics.  For a radio of this age, the corrosion is considered minor and limited to areas inside the chassis that are not visible or critical.  The good news is the side trim - usually banged up is not dented and cleaned up nicely.  Many bad caps and resistors have been replaced and the receiver aligned nicely with good sensitivity.  This has been a professional restoration. The paint is a computer match. The new AC cord includes a ground wire to protect the operator, which is a great safety feature.  The R-46 speaker, although not an original matching speaker, was painted in the same color and texture match to the SX-28 making a very nice and authentic presentation.  When paired, the speaker matches the radio perfectly in sound, size, and appearance.

The following information was copied from a publicly available internet source to provide the potential buyer with more information.

·         One of the most beloved of all communications radios, Hallicrafters' Model SX-28, dubbed the Super Skyrider, was sold from 1941-1944 and was their top-line receiver. Many thousands were manufactured for government service during World War II, so this radio has historical significance and is also fairly plentiful.

·         Model SX-28 was Hallicrafters' finest receiver during the years 1940-1944. It originally sold for $159.50. During the wartime years, Hallicrafters introduced Model SX-28A, essentially the same receiver with minor modifications in the RF section. By 1944, the SX-28A sold for $223.

·         A Hallicrafters ad from 1944 shows the SX-28 and tells people that "the time will come" when they'll be able to buy such a fine receiver. (During World War II, all domestic radio manufacturing was diverted to military production.)

·         The radio was also manufactured under the model number SX-28A-FCC, indicating radios made for the Federal Communications Commission, and the military model number AN/GRR-2. Tens of thousands of SX-28A and AN/GRR-2 receivers were manufactured for wartime use, so you're more likely to find one of those than an "original recipe" SX-28 such as seen in this auction.

·         SX-28 is a general-coverage AM receiver, covering the frequencies .54 - 44 megahertz in six bands. Special features include variable sensitivity in three stages (sharp, narrow, and broad IF), BFO, a crystal filter for CW (code) listening, automatic noise limiter (ANL), automatic volume control (AVC), a calibrated bandspread tuner, antenna trimmer, and an S-meter to indicate signal strength.

·         The push-pull audio amplifier uses two 6V6 output tubes, giving excellent audio quality. The audio section includes a bass boost switch in addition to a variable tone control. A phono jack in the back allows you to play an external source such as a record player through the amplifier. A headphone jack is provided on the front panel. On the back panel are two sets of speaker terminals, for a 500-ohm or 5,000-ohm speaker.

·         The Receive/Standby switch on the front panel is for use with a transmitter. When you switch to Standby, most of the receiver is turned off, but the tube filaments are kept under power, allowing the set to come back almost instantly when you switch back to Receive.

·         Hallicrafters made a number of small changes during the SX-28/SX-28A production run. Some sets have an inline fuse on the back panel; some have a rectangular AC outlet on the back panel.

·         These minor differences do not indicate whether you have an SX-28 or SX-28A. The only sure identifier is the type of coils used in the RF section, which are visible under the chassis. If the coil forms are round, as in this set, it is an SX-28. If they are square, the radio is an SX-28A. Note that some SX-28A sets say SX-28 on the front panel, while others say SX-28A, so even that is not a positive way to ID your set.

Here is a list of the SX-28's fifteen tubes.

The AVC (automatic volume control) circuitry in the SX-28 is more complex than usual. It has two AVC circuits rather than the usual one. One circuit regulates the first IF amplifier, while the other regulates the RF amplifiers and the second IF amplifier.

Weight and Shipping:  This item will require special handling because of the size and weight.  If you are a collector of vintage radios, then you know the weight of these “boat anchor” type units.  The $145 shipping charge includes the special packing required and allowances for the weight.  Due to the size of both the radio and the speaker, the items must be shipped in two separate boxes.  If the buyer wishes to save shipping and pick up the radio and speaker from me, then arrangements can be made to facilitate.  The radio is located in Memphis, Tenn. 

If you have a feedback rating of less than 10, please contact me before bidding. If your feedback is private please do not bid. Bidders with excessive negative feedback will have their bids cancelled. Buyer must have a confirmed Paypal account and address.  Shipments to lower 48 states only.  Please see my feedback.

Disclaimer: The pictures of the item for auction are actual pictures of the item. I carefully pack and ship items. All sales are final with no returns. The ad comments reflect the condition of the item as close as possible.

Shipping is CONUS only. This is a very heavy radio.

Actual Photos