Hammarlund sp600 jx6 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

kalee99 · 21st Nov 2009, 11:19 am

Hi all,
Just came by this goliath of a set; It's full of horrible black tubular capacitors which appear to be all leaking like a bucket full of holes

At least their are only two values 0.01uf and 0.02uf. (39 of one and 14 of the other).
The set is otherwise in rather good order and has it's "full metal jacket" (often missing).
I guess I will be still changing capacitors well into next year

Paul

MichaelR · 21st Nov 2009, 12:01 pm

Indeed what a find !, you lucky devil

Mike

Mike-repairman · 21st Nov 2009, 1:59 pm

A very nice find; a REAL radio.

Does it work at all or is it completely dead?
Mike.

kalee99 · 21st Nov 2009, 4:31 pm

Hi,
I was told by the seller that it worked but was very poor reception; From what I have seen of these black capacitors it's a wonder it worked at all. They all (all the ones I have tested so far), read a few hundred KΩ on the avo

So I have decided not to put HT onto it until it's re-capped.
I have checked the transformer with the rectifier out and all the AC voltages are present and correct so I am not flogging a dead horse

Paul

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike-repairman

A very nice find; a REAL radio.

Does it work at all or is it completely dead?
Mike.

MichaelR · 21st Nov 2009, 4:40 pm

When you get it fully working you will be surprised how good they are.They were the top class Merchant Navy gear in the 50's. I had one for sometime in the early 90's but moved it on to get a R390A Collins (which is even heavier).

The one I had , all of those black caps had split open or were about to. Funnily enough the same type were used in my Collins R390A.

You will have hours of fun with that it is well worth looking after.

Mike

kalee99 · 22nd Nov 2009, 11:48 am

Hi all,
After close inspection and digging on the internet I am going to change all the 0.01uf and 0.022uf capacitors. This is a big undertaking as many of them are in sub assemblies in shielded boxes which need to be removed from the set to work on. I am unafraid of this and will photograph the stages as I go (yipee for digital cameras)

However I want to be certain I am going to use the right capacitor for the job

I have a big bag of 0.01uf and 0.022uf 1000Volt ceramic disc type capacitors which have nice long legs and being physically smaller than the "Black tubes of death", will be easy to fit. Will these be OK for the job mostly bypass and one or two coupling?
I would hate to go through hours of strip down and rebuilding only to find instability or some such because I used the wrong type of capacitor

I hope the experts on here can steer me in the right direction?
I have used these little capacitors on domestic valve sets for years and they seem OK but never used them on pure short wave sets.
Thanks all,
Paul.

MichaelR · 22nd Nov 2009, 11:58 pm

Performance wise they should be good upto VHF frequencies but I am no expert just an enthusiastic amateur.

Mike

HamishBoxer · 23rd Nov 2009, 11:12 am

Think these should be fine.

David gm8jet

kalee99 · 27th Nov 2009, 2:05 pm

Hi All,
In the thick of things now; Thus far I have removed the crystal tuning unit and replaced the capacitors inside that. Now I have removed the RF unit and found it full of split capacitors. Taking my time and replacing these carefully

Progress is slow but steady

MichaelR · 27th Nov 2009, 4:48 pm

Fantastic build quality especially considering they were made in some volume all hand built.

Mike

kalee99 · 29th Nov 2009, 12:03 pm

Hi all,
Progressing well; Had to chop off two or three screw heads with my home made "head chopper", but no damage done

RF deck has been removed and re capped along with the crystal frequency control unit and turret coil plates. Now all cleaned up and re fitted. I am more than half way now. All that remains are the IF can's and the HFO unit

I will then be ready to put some power into it and see if all my work has been worthwhile

Paul.

kalee99 · 5th Dec 2009, 9:58 am

Hi All,
set now re capped and is up and running. Certain parts of the set are not working as yet

The BFO is not oscillating and the second mixer stage (for the HF bands) is not working (possible dead crystal). Other than that it's running

Sadly I have just had a diagnosis of "Diabetic neuropathy" (That's me not the wireless), so such very heavy sets as these are strictly OFF the menu for me

Having got this far with the set it's a good start for someone else to finish it off. so see my listing in the "sets for sale", section.
Anyone taking this on will be very happy if they can cope with the sheer weight of the "monster"

Paul.

Brian R Pateman · 5th Dec 2009, 10:33 am

I'm sorry to hear that you're forced to give up this task - a mammoth one to say the least.

We'll close this thread and I'll link it to your "For Sale" thread.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...449#post289449

Best wishes,

21st Nov 2009, 11:19 am	#1
kalee99 Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyneside, UK. Posts: 420	Hammarlund sp600 jx6 Hi all, Just came by this goliath of a set; It's full of horrible black tubular capacitors which appear to be all leaking like a bucket full of holes At least their are only two values 0.01uf and 0.02uf. (39 of one and 14 of the other). The set is otherwise in rather good order and has it's "full metal jacket" (often missing). I guess I will be still changing capacitors well into next year Paul Attached Thumbnails

21st Nov 2009, 12:01 pm	#2
MichaelR Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,587	Re: Hammarlund sp600 jx6 Indeed what a find !, you lucky devil Mike

21st Nov 2009, 1:59 pm	#3
Mike-repairman Heptode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 613	Re: Hammarlund sp600 jx6 A very nice find; a REAL radio. Does it work at all or is it completely dead? Mike.

21st Nov 2009, 4:40 pm	#5
MichaelR Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,587	Re: Hammarlund sp600 jx6 When you get it fully working you will be surprised how good they are.They were the top class Merchant Navy gear in the 50's. I had one for sometime in the early 90's but moved it on to get a R390A Collins (which is even heavier). The one I had , all of those black caps had split open or were about to. Funnily enough the same type were used in my Collins R390A. You will have hours of fun with that it is well worth looking after. Mike

22nd Nov 2009, 11:48 am	#6
kalee99 Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyneside, UK. Posts: 420	Re: Hammarlund sp600 jx6 Hi all, After close inspection and digging on the internet I am going to change all the 0.01uf and 0.022uf capacitors. This is a big undertaking as many of them are in sub assemblies in shielded boxes which need to be removed from the set to work on. I am unafraid of this and will photograph the stages as I go (yipee for digital cameras) However I want to be certain I am going to use the right capacitor for the job I have a big bag of 0.01uf and 0.022uf 1000Volt ceramic disc type capacitors which have nice long legs and being physically smaller than the "Black tubes of death", will be easy to fit. Will these be OK for the job mostly bypass and one or two coupling? I would hate to go through hours of strip down and rebuilding only to find instability or some such because I used the wrong type of capacitor I hope the experts on here can steer me in the right direction? I have used these little capacitors on domestic valve sets for years and they seem OK but never used them on pure short wave sets. Thanks all, Paul.

22nd Nov 2009, 11:58 pm	#7
MichaelR Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,587	Re: Hammarlund sp600 jx6 Performance wise they should be good upto VHF frequencies but I am no expert just an enthusiastic amateur. Mike

23rd Nov 2009, 11:12 am	#8
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,935	Re: Hammarlund sp600 jx6 Think these should be fine. David gm8jet

27th Nov 2009, 2:05 pm	#9
kalee99 Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyneside, UK. Posts: 420	Re: Hammarlund sp600 jx6 Hi All, In the thick of things now; Thus far I have removed the crystal tuning unit and replaced the capacitors inside that. Now I have removed the RF unit and found it full of split capacitors. Taking my time and replacing these carefully Progress is slow but steady Attached Thumbnails

27th Nov 2009, 4:48 pm	#10
MichaelR Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,587	Re: Hammarlund sp600 jx6 Fantastic build quality especially considering they were made in some volume all hand built. Mike

29th Nov 2009, 12:03 pm	#11
kalee99 Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyneside, UK. Posts: 420	Re: Hammarlund sp600 jx6 Hi all, Progressing well; Had to chop off two or three screw heads with my home made "head chopper", but no damage done RF deck has been removed and re capped along with the crystal frequency control unit and turret coil plates. Now all cleaned up and re fitted. I am more than half way now. All that remains are the IF can's and the HFO unit I will then be ready to put some power into it and see if all my work has been worthwhile Paul. Attached Thumbnails

5th Dec 2009, 9:58 am	#12
kalee99 Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyneside, UK. Posts: 420	Re: Hammarlund sp600 jx6 Hi All, set now re capped and is up and running. Certain parts of the set are not working as yet The BFO is not oscillating and the second mixer stage (for the HF bands) is not working (possible dead crystal). Other than that it's running Sadly I have just had a diagnosis of "Diabetic neuropathy" (That's me not the wireless), so such very heavy sets as these are strictly OFF the menu for me Having got this far with the set it's a good start for someone else to finish it off. so see my listing in the "sets for sale", section. Anyone taking this on will be very happy if they can cope with the sheer weight of the "monster" Paul.

5th Dec 2009, 10:33 am	#13
Brian R Pateman Nonode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK Posts: 2,136	Re: Hammarlund sp600 jx6 I'm sorry to hear that you're forced to give up this task - a mammoth one to say the least. We'll close this thread and I'll link it to your "For Sale" thread. https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...449#post289449 Best wishes, __________________ Brian