You're on my wavelength! I also love to restore 1930s-1950s radio gear, and you're quite right: after a few overhauls the electronic side is usually not difficult, but to make a radio look like your S20...well, that's a job! Keep up the good work! VE1FA
beautiful radio, thanks for sharing. wonderful to listen to it at the end of your video. Seem to recall last time I visited my daughter and son in law in SoCal I too found this AM classical station. All classical stations up here in NorCal are on FM.
I recently traded a N.O.S. Heathkit Meter for the earlier S-20 model. It is non-working, but I plan to eventually restore it. I purchased the "Radio by Hallicrafters" book after watching one of your videos. Maybe it was this one. Beautiful cabinet you have there! 73 Paul AA1SU
Fantastic. Really fantastic. What a beautiful piece of jewelry. I like your reflections, Mr. In a community where buying and throwing seems to be the great happiness of life. Thanks for almost 10 minutes of quality time.
When I got my ticket back in '77 I bought a S20R at the local swap meet as it was all I could afford. I've been dragging it around for all these years. I really need to break it out and clean it up.
I was hunting for a nice one of these for a decade before I settled on an SX-24 I found at a house sale. Ended up restoring the 24 and using it for AM and SSB down on 160 and 80m. Never did find that mythical clean S-20. It’s a beautiful receiver
Nice presentation and a fine receiver. Was waiting for and disappointed when you didn't let us look under the hood. I am restoring an SX-28A SuperSkyrider right now.
Thank you for the history of this radio and of its time..! I would be also curious to hear a short wave reception of amateurs linking. Anyway it is a very nice piece of equipment and history. Ment
I do like Hallicrafter radios! However, I feel function overrides cosmetic form anyday. A well operating receiver is more desirable than a "good looker" that sits and looks pretty but doesn't operate at all or operates badly. Controls can be relabeled easily if you are not too picky about form like I am. I would pay more for a receiver that works correctly than for one that looks very good but doesn't work correctly.
Him John. That's a beauty! I am restoring mine and have a question. Are the screws around the speaker and dial housing painted gray, or plated metal? It's had to tell from the vidoe or any original B&W pictures I can find. Thanks!
Hi, RobThe "screws" (bolt heads) are definitely NOT painted. They must be plated or that is the natural color of the metal they used. Good luck with your restoration! "73"
Just watched the video... excellent, great story and a brilliant find. I am looking for a pristine S20R so do let me know if you are willing to consider selling. Cheers Lynn Hilborn
I just acquired one of these. It's in very nice condition but has a strange issue. On am it plays beautifully but when listening to ssb or CW, any movement near the radio that make cause a very slight movement to the radio itself caused the ssb and CW to sound wobbly and shaky audio. Any idea why this is?
Sir, I just got an S20R, which is not in a good cosmetic shape. In your video you mentioned 'decals'. where can I find appropriate decals for this receiver? thanks a lot.
I have a S-20R and would like to know what the shape of the antenna should be. Its been in the family unused since the 50s and would like to see what I can pick up for stations.Thank you Alan
Hi Alan,If you just want to see if it is working, a 20 foot piece of wire will do the trick. Just run it across the floor. If you get more serious, string a long-wire antenna (about 75 feet) from your house to a pole or a tree. You have to use egg insulators. Antenna kits like this are available; not too expensive.Good luck! "73"
For a temporary indoor antenna, steel or copper doesn't matter. But it must be insulated not bare. This means covered with some plastic material. Hook up wire would be good. Tell me how it does.
squarewave2 Not much luck. I get the same speaker loud hum regardless of were the tuning knobs are or what channel. With lid open I can see everything is moving. I hooked the 20ft insulated wire to the A1 terminal and left the A2 and ground connected. I felt stray voltage on the case, when I flipped plug it was gone. Could that be a sign of what's wrong?
Hi Alan,Loud hum regardless of where the tuning knobs are is a symptom of one of the most common problems with old tube radios: The filter condensers are shot! These are components that assist in filtering the alternating current from the house line to direct current which your radio needs to operate. Someone, like myself, specializing in old radios, will have to do the repair for you. It is a simple job for the experienced. Your state, like mine, probably has an antique radio club. Search on line.They can probably recommend a repair man in your area. Do NOT try to power it up any more. Good Luck!
how do you get these radios I am a short wave listener I am looking for a hallicrafters receiver and rebult and not coasting an arm and leg hallicrafters are the best
Respectfully disagree.. performance is all important..appearance is secondary, but then I don't collect, I operate..likely that is the difference in point of view..
Hi James,Thank you for watching my video! The S-20R is so new to my collection that I think I want to keep it for a while. Eventually, I may sell it. Have a happy Thanksgiving. "73"
I love in Riverside ,ca. Would no any place,I could look for old radios ,anyone are welcome to help me too ,I on a fix income ,but I want to buy tube radios ,in the best condition I can afford,Grant you are very much ,I looking for a nice five tube radio with a clock ,1960,a area.
Hi Ron, A few years ago you could still find good quality vintage electronic equipment at swap meets, flea markets and sometimes at garage sales. But now days, the only reliable place to find old tube equipment is on EBay. Sounds like you want a five tube, “All American” clock radio. You will find a lot of them, reasonably priced, on EBay. Good luck!
TRW Swap Meet in Manhatten beach, Ca. South of LAX on Airport blvd. Fourth Saturday of the month. I just bought a Hallicrafters S108 $50. Working and little hum. Also a National 57B. 57B just needed the octal plug in the back was missing. Still lots of Ham tube gear Heathkit, Collins, Drake at that monthly swapmeet.
Your work is simply Brilliant! From your Canadian neighbor here in the Maritimes.
You're on my wavelength! I also love to restore 1930s-1950s radio gear, and you're quite right: after a few overhauls the electronic side is usually not difficult, but to make a radio look like your S20...well, that's a job! Keep up the good work! VE1FA
beautiful radio, thanks for sharing. wonderful to listen to it at the end of your video. Seem to recall last time I visited my daughter and son in law in SoCal I too found this AM classical station. All classical stations up here in NorCal are on FM.
I recently traded a N.O.S. Heathkit Meter for the earlier S-20 model. It is non-working, but I plan to eventually restore it. I purchased the "Radio by Hallicrafters" book after watching one of your videos. Maybe it was this one.
Beautiful cabinet you have there!
73 Paul AA1SU
Fantastic. Really fantastic. What a beautiful piece of jewelry. I like your reflections, Mr. In a community where buying and throwing seems to be the great happiness of life. Thanks for almost 10 minutes of quality time.
When I got my ticket back in '77 I bought a S20R at the local swap meet as it was all I could afford. I've been dragging it around for all these years. I really need to break it out and clean it up.
Your videos are so iformative , i love them. I wood like to see you and the Heath Kit Mohican GC1A together . Thanks for the video . 73
Outstanding. So beautiful. Did you find the Holy Grail as well?
I recently subscribed to your channel and enjoy your videos!
I was hunting for a nice one of these for a decade before I settled on an SX-24 I found at a house sale. Ended up restoring the 24 and using it for AM and SSB down on 160 and 80m. Never did find that mythical clean S-20. It’s a beautiful receiver
Nice presentation and a fine receiver. Was waiting for and disappointed when you didn't let us look under the hood. I am restoring an SX-28A SuperSkyrider right now.
Wow! That radio is a dream! Thanks for such a nice presentation. Have been enjoying your videos. 73, YS1RS.
Thank you for your comment, Roberto. I'm glad you enjoy my videos; making them has become sort of a hobby for me--along with antique electronics! "73"
Thank you for the history of this radio and of its time..! I would be also curious to hear a short wave reception of amateurs linking. Anyway it is a very nice piece of equipment and history.
Ment
I got one of these for $6 at a thrift store with a transmitter and something else. Piss poor shape, but still a find.
That!!! was good and excellently presented, 'all our yesterdays' in a bottle, thanks de Les G4XMX.
Thank you for watching my videos and your kind comment "73"
was that classical 1260 am KMOZART on the end of your video?
The sky champion was also shown in the movie "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow."
Awesome Radio, I have this same model I am currently recapping mine.
I call it Bel Air trim and I need a pair.
I do like Hallicrafter radios! However, I feel function overrides cosmetic form anyday. A well operating receiver is more desirable than a "good looker" that sits and looks pretty but doesn't operate at all or operates badly. Controls can be relabeled easily if you are not too picky about form like I am. I would pay more for a receiver that works correctly than for one that looks very good but doesn't work correctly.
Him John. That's a beauty! I am restoring mine and have a question. Are the screws around the speaker and dial housing painted gray, or plated metal? It's had to tell from the vidoe or any original B&W pictures I can find. Thanks!
Hi, RobThe "screws" (bolt heads) are definitely NOT painted. They must be plated or that is the natural color of the metal they used. Good luck with your restoration! "73"
Thanks John! I appreciate it very much. Subscribed.
I love my S-20 R also.
I don't think the previous owner used it very much.
The speaker says wartime. Not Alinco.
Just watched the video... excellent, great story and a brilliant find. I am looking for a pristine S20R so do let me know if you are willing to consider selling.
Cheers
Lynn Hilborn
Can you please tell me what coils are for what band, I'm renovating an S20,
Brian
M6BAQ
Dover
UK
Hmm same control layout as my S-40
I just acquired one of these. It's in very nice condition but has a strange issue. On am it plays beautifully but when listening to ssb or CW, any movement near the radio that make cause a very slight movement to the radio itself caused the ssb and CW to sound wobbly and shaky audio. Any idea why this is?
Best part is when you turned it on.
Sir, I just got an S20R, which is not in a good cosmetic shape. In your video you mentioned 'decals'. where can I find appropriate decals for this receiver? thanks a lot.
Hi Murat,
Go to "Radio Daze" on line. They have decals for a lot of old Hallicrafters radios. Good luck!
@@squarewave2 Thank you very much :)
Your Mr. Johnson sounds better than my Mr. Johnson. The only Mr. Johnson I know is a wanker.
beautiful receiver!
I have a S-20R and would like to know what the shape of the antenna should be. Its been in the family unused since the 50s and would like to see what I can pick up for stations.Thank you Alan
Hi Alan,If you just want to see if it is working, a 20 foot piece of wire will do the trick. Just run it across the floor. If you get more serious, string a long-wire antenna (about 75 feet) from your house to a pole or a tree. You have to use egg insulators. Antenna kits like this are available; not too expensive.Good luck! "73"
squarewave2 Thank you, should it be copper or is steel fine
For a temporary indoor antenna, steel or copper doesn't matter. But it must be insulated not bare. This means covered with some plastic material. Hook up wire would be good. Tell me how it does.
squarewave2
Not much luck. I get the same speaker loud hum regardless of were the tuning knobs are or what channel. With lid open I can see everything is moving. I hooked the 20ft insulated wire to the A1 terminal and left the A2 and ground connected. I felt stray voltage on the case, when I flipped plug it was gone. Could that be a sign of what's wrong?
Hi Alan,Loud hum regardless of where the tuning knobs are is a symptom of one of the most common problems with old tube radios: The filter condensers are shot! These are components that assist in filtering the alternating current from the house line to direct current which your radio needs to operate. Someone, like myself, specializing in old radios, will have to do the repair for you. It is a simple job for the experienced. Your state, like mine, probably has an antique radio club. Search on line.They can probably recommend a repair man in your area. Do NOT try to power it up any more. Good Luck!
how do you get these radios I am a short wave listener I am looking for a hallicrafters receiver and rebult and not coasting an arm and leg hallicrafters are the best
All the Hallicrafters radios are available on EBay. There is a wide range of condition and price. Good luck!
Respectfully disagree.. performance is all important..appearance is secondary, but then I don't collect, I operate..likely that is the difference in point of view..
Been looking for one of these, as it was my first Hallicrafter. Are you willing to sell it? Thanks and "73" WB5LXZ
Hi James,Thank you for watching my video! The S-20R is so new to my collection that I think I want to keep it for a while. Eventually, I may sell it. Have a happy Thanksgiving. "73"
+squarewave2 Thanks much. Keep me in mind if you decide to sell at some time in the future. Happy Holidays!
Karl Haas?
Hi, ready to sell yet?
I love in Riverside ,ca. Would no any place,I could look for old radios ,anyone are welcome to help me too ,I on a fix income ,but I want to buy tube radios ,in the best condition I can afford,Grant you are very much ,I looking for a nice five tube radio with a clock ,1960,a area.
Hi Ron,
A few years ago you could still find good quality vintage electronic equipment at swap meets, flea markets and sometimes at garage sales. But now days, the only reliable place to find old tube equipment is on EBay.
Sounds like you want a five tube, “All American” clock radio. You will find a lot of them, reasonably priced, on EBay. Good luck!
squarewave2 thank you for your help
TRW Swap Meet in Manhatten beach, Ca. South of LAX on Airport blvd.
Fourth Saturday of the month.
I just bought a Hallicrafters S108 $50. Working and little hum. Also a National 57B.
57B just needed the octal plug in the back was missing.
Still lots of Ham tube gear Heathkit, Collins, Drake at that monthly swapmeet.