Re: [IRCA] Old radio pictures!

[Stephen Airy <pianoplayer88key@xxxxxxxxx>]

So I guess I'm not the only one with a Hallicrafters S-53A sitting around the house...
 
https://picasaweb.google.com/PianoPlayer88Key/RadioPicsStuff?authkey=Gv1sRgCIer0efojpPg8AE#5606866639550406994
 
Last time I turned it on (which was several years ago - you can probably tell from the spiderwebs in the photo) I was only able to get a few local MW stations at midday - probably 600 (5kW @ 8 mi), 760 (5kW @ 7 mi), 910 (5kW at 9 mi), 1130 (10kW @ 6 mi), 1170 (50kW @ 6 mi) and 1360 (5kW @ 8 mi).  It hasn't had any antenna hooked up for quite some time, so I don't really know what its performance is supposed to be like.  Anyone know about this model?
As I said, it hasn't been operated in quite a while, and probably isn't even plugged in at the moment.
 
Also, question....  how does not having a ferrite bar antenna make the S-38 better?  I have a couple cheapo radios with ferrite bar antennas (Panasonic RQ-SW44V and Ultronics Sports radio), and even though they have trouble picking up a 50kW from 111 miles away on 1070 across good ground (some of which is saltwater), they run circles around the Hallicrafters radio pictured, as is.  Stations which are armchair copy, almost static free on the small radios were barely detectable, if even readable at all, on the S-53A last time I turned it on.  In turn, to compare radios that more of you are likely familiar with, the Tecsun PL-606 and Sony SRF-59 mop the floor with the aforementioned Panasonic & Ultronics on sensitivity.
Is there something about not having an internal antenna that makes a radio perform better when hooked up to an external antenna?  (Also how would its sensitivity compare with a portable with a ferrite bar (Sangean PR-D5, Tecsun PL-606, Sony SRF-59, GE Superradio, etc) when it has an equivalent antenna hooked up?)

--- On Fri, 5/13/11, Craig Healy <bubba@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


From: Craig Healy <bubba@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IRCA] Old radio pictures!
To: "Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America" <irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Friday, May 13, 2011, 1:23 PM


> The S-38 series ended and then the S-120 emerged. The S-38 series
> was way better on AM as it did NOT have a ferrite bar antenna.
> They both have the capacity to electrocute you if you are not
> careful. They are AC-DC sets and a metal cabinet. NOT GOOD!

I have an S-53A that's been sitting around for probably 30 years.  It's also an AC-DC type, so being carful how it's plugged in is important.  If anyone wants it and can pick it up near Providence, it'll be free.  I just don't need it any more.

Craig Healy
Providence, RI

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