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Old 2nd May 2017, 10:57 pm   #221
Cobaltblue
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Hi Mark

Due to a failure of the PC that had the pictues etc it may take me a while to recover the original info.

As far as I know the info was correct and the set showed no signs of being altered.

Will confirm when I find the original pics

Cheers

Mike T
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Old 2nd May 2017, 10:58 pm   #222
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for those details. Just a few things to check:

It presumably is a "VHF Hunter" rather than a "Hunter fm/am"?

No Royal Warrant?

The tone control knobs sound wrong - for that age, they should be the all-silver type - for an example, see here: http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/s...7&postcount=48 - the only black visible is just a small "skirt" at the bottom.

For reference, I've found an image of the later-style knobs: https://www.picclickimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/m0gAAOSwSypY873b/$/Hacker-Hunter-VHF-AM-LW-Radio-With-Power-_57.jpg

Those didn't come in until around 65,000.

I'm also assuming the the 3 buttons are the same as shown in both those images?

Thanks in advance,

Mark
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Old 2nd May 2017, 11:00 pm   #223
mhennessy
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cobaltblue View Post
Due to a failure of the PC that had the pictues etc it may take me a while to recover the original info.

As far as I know the info was correct and the set showed no signs of being altered.

Will confirm when I find the original pics
Don't worry - no rush on my part. For now, I've recorded the details in the "unsure" section, and if new info come to light, I can update accordingly. But either way, it's good to know that it's gone to a new home to be enjoyed.

Cheers,

Mark
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Old 2nd May 2017, 11:08 pm   #224
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Yes it says Hunter and just below the R is says VHF.
No royal warrant.
Tone knobs are knurled aluminium on top and a black ring at the bottom as per first pic link.
Buttons are black with aluminium insert as per pic.

I daren't post a pic as I have been using it in the kitchen over easter and it's filthy.
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Old 2nd May 2017, 11:31 pm   #225
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Thanks, Kevin - that's all as expected. Your set is now in my records
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Old 19th May 2017, 5:50 pm   #226
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Hi Mark,

Two further Hunter details from me,

No1
Hacker Hunter RP38A VHF
Serial number 30931
Gold Elac Speaker
Silver bass and treble knobs
Single piece handle
Scale print in white and green
Grill mesh aluminium
Input socket yes
Black enamel and chrome badge
No royal warrant.

No2
Hacker Hunter RP38A VHF
Serial number 55596
Gold Elac speaker
Silver bass and treble knobs
Single piece handle
Scale print all white
Grill ally with black stripes
Input socket yes
Black badge with ally highlights and surround
No royal warrant.

Regards,

David.
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Old 19th May 2017, 7:28 pm   #227
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Hi Mark

Yes it has an insert in the handle and looking at the buttons they do look all metal so apologies for the errors.

I still have not managed to recover the original picture but there are some in this thread here http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/s...ghlight=hunter

Hopefully that will confirm it

Cheers

Mike T
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Old 22nd May 2017, 3:47 pm   #228
mhennessy
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for confirming that - I've updated the records accordingly. It's nice to have some earlier sets recorded, as we're a bit short of those.

All the best,

Mark
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Old 22nd May 2017, 3:48 pm   #229
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aristotle View Post
Two further Hunter details from me,
Hi David,

Many thanks for those. I'm pleased to say that they seem to fit in nicely with the established pattern, and also both are close to boundaries, so help to firm those up nicely.

Thanks again,

Mark
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Old 24th May 2017, 10:06 am   #230
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Hi Mark,

My Hunter details


Hacker Hunter RP38 VHF
Serial number 12186 - stamped into upper chassis?
Gold/grey Elac Speaker
Silver bass and treble knobs
Single piece handle
Scale print in white on black
Grill mesh aluminium
Input socket yes
Black enamel and chrome badge
No royal warrant.
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Old 24th May 2017, 4:44 pm   #231
mhennessy
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Hi,

Thanks for those details - one of the later RP38 sets that I have on record. However, I do have a few questions:

1. Regarding the "Input socket", are you sure that's a DC input socket, and if so, does it look original? It might be a dealer-fit job - it seems that Hacker offered a kit to dealers for this purpose - the clue seems to be that the aluminium trim is rectangular rather than round.

2. As for the badge, I would expect a set of this vintage to be lacking a separate badge; the Hacker logo being embossed in the grille.

3. Is the set finished in teak, or black Rexine? And does the handle come with a matching insert?

It's entirely possible that the chassis has been transplanted into a newer case. The separate badge started at approximately 17,500, and the DC input socket arrived a bit later at ~30,000. So, it's entirely possible the "donor" set did come with the DC socket - that might be apparent from examining the wiring.

All the best,

Mark
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Old 24th May 2017, 6:31 pm   #232
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

There's also the little matter of the bass and treble knobs - if it has those it's surely an RP38A.

Paul
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Old 26th May 2017, 10:32 am   #233
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Hi Mark,

Here are details for the Hunter I've just finished restoring:

Model RP38A - "Hunter fm-am"
S/N - 66492
Handle type - three piece
Grille type - extruded aluminium, black/silver stripes.
Scale print - white only
DC input socket - fitted
Loudspeaker type and finish - unpainted Elac
Tone control knobs - black plastic with silver tops and bases

I've attached a few photos as well.

As it's my first Hunter, I have a couple of questions to ask...

Firstly, there is a bit of a gap between the top of the front panel and the chassis, so much that you can just see the screws that hold the silver trim panel in place. Is this normal?

Second, it's impossible to get the volume down to zero, there's always something there once you've turned the control far enough round to switch it on. I'm guessing this is normal too, as it was like that before I dismantled the pot to clean and lubricate it. It was very twitchy (but not crackly!) before I attended to it.

Cheers,

Dave
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Old 26th May 2017, 2:25 pm   #234
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Hello again!

I forgot to mention this earlier, but there's a hand-written label on the track side of the PCB with "18/9/75" written on it. That makes it about four months older than I am! Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of the label while I had the chassis out....

Cheers,

Dave
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Old 26th May 2017, 3:09 pm   #235
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Hi Dave,

Thanks for those details - that looks like a pristine example of the latest variant of the Hunter. Nice restoration job

Yes, sometimes there is a gap. Perhaps the tolerances of the handle holes in the side aren't always what they could have been? Perhaps the holes could be "eased" slightly to allow the chassis to move forward slightly?

And yes, often the volume doesn't quite go down to zero. But if the potentiometer is otherwise good, it's best to live with it. A modern replacement would solve that problem, but would be plastic, and not so easy to fit. Usually, I repair rather than replace Hunter volume controls.

Thanks again,

Mark
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Old 26th May 2017, 5:43 pm   #236
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Quote:
Originally Posted by BinkyBarlow View Post
Hacker Hunter RP38 VHF
Serial number 12186 - stamped into upper chassis?
Gold/grey Elac Speaker
Silver bass and treble knobs
Single piece handle
Scale print in white on black
Grill mesh aluminium
Input socket yes
Black enamel and chrome badge
No royal warrant.
Sorry Newbie errors!

The Hacker name on the front is in a silver black filled embossed a bar below the mesh. There is an aerial socket on the left side as you look at it and another socket on the right which has blue, green, red and black wires from it these separate and the blue and black wires go to a power circuit via mini banana plugs and the red and green wires go to the speaker.

You may well be right re the retro-fit as the back of the socket has shrink-fit black covering.
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Old 26th May 2017, 6:00 pm   #237
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul_RK View Post
There's also the little matter of the bass and treble knobs - if it has those it's surely an RP38A.
It has one tone knob High/Low
Regards

BinkyB
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Old 26th May 2017, 6:51 pm   #238
mhennessy
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

OK, that makes a bit more sense

The socket on the right is for headphones, so not a DC input. And it will be original.

So that only leaves the question about the case and handle: teak or black Rexine for the case, and is there a matching insert for the handle?

Cheers,

Mark
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Old 27th May 2017, 8:00 am   #239
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Hi Mark

A couple more to add:

RP38A Hunter VHF
Serial no. 44781
extruded aluminium grille
one piece handle
dc input socket
pressed aluminium badge
teak sides with slightly rounded corners
gold elac speaker

RP38A Hunter fm-am
Serial no. 60617
extruded aluminium grille
3 piece handle
dc input socket
pressed aluminium badge
teak sides with squarer corners
gold elac speaker
royal warrant
smoother rexine covering than the other (seems to be a softer material with less grain - a bit like the roberts stuff)
Rear grille missing

I'm surprised that they still have light, third and home alongside 2,3 and 4 on the dial - very patriotic

Gavin
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Old 27th May 2017, 8:20 pm   #240
canonman75
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Default Re: Calling Hacker Hunter owners!

Quote:
Originally Posted by mhennessy View Post
Thanks for those details - that looks like a pristine example of the latest variant of the Hunter. Nice restoration job
Thanks for the thumbs up on the restoration!

I must admit I'm pleased with the way it's turned out. To be fair it was in reasonable condition when I got it. I had a pretty good idea that under all the dust, muck and perished foam there was a good radio waiting to get out. The only big jobs besides cleaning and polishing were refurbishing the volume pot and polishing up the dial plate, which was quite badly scratched. The Novus has done the trick there... it's not cheap but it works! I also had a dent in one of the aluminium handle caps, and was pleased to discover that the tip of the handle of my terminal screwdriver was exactly the right size to push the dent out from the inside. It's saved me from having to go begging for another cap. There's still a couple of small marks on the volume and tuning knobs but I can live with that.

I've definitely got a taste for Hackers now, they are just so much better thought out than Roberts radios ever were. The next one on the bench will be the Autocrat that's in the post right now. It sounds like all it needs is some AF117's and a good clean.... we shall see
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