Girlfriend radio: Hallicrafters S-38A ! Any for sale?

[John jack M Iverson]

Note: this neon light test may not be valid as   --many-- ac radios with
transformers have a capacitor from one side of the ac line to chassis.
 The neon will light when the plug is in the outlet at the proper
polarity.
   just a comment, not to criticize.   jack

On Fri, 12 Nov 1999 16:30:01 -0500 Christian Fandt <cfandt at NETSYNC.NET>
writes:
> Upon the date 02:47 PM 11/12/99 -0500, Matt Stutterheim said
> something like:
> >Before you spring for an S-38 or any other AC-DC radio, remenber
> they have a
> >"hot" chassis if plugged in backwards (in those days the power
> plugs were not
> >polarized).
> >
> >Might I suggest a transformer powered radio instead? Or use of an
> isolation
> >transformer. Just in case she uses it it the kitchen or bath, and
> touches a
> >grounded pipe.
> >
>
> Hmm, good point Matt. Maybe a little instruction and perhaps a
> simple
> experiment by Dave could illustrate your point well. It's simply
> done by
> setting the radio on the kitchen counter and using one of those
> pocket neon
> light AC voltage testers between the chassis and the faucet (or the
> stainless steel countertop like in our kitchen). If it is a SS
> counter, set
> the radio on some newspapers or somesuch before plugging-in just in
> case
> the rubber foot mounting screws extend just a bit too far
> [ga-zzzorp!] :-).
> Check the condx of the AC linecord. If it has been replaced recently
> it may
> already have a polarized plug (check for sure it's wired
> correctly!). If
> it's old and looks ready to be replaced then this would be an
> opportunity
> to install a polarized plug on the new wire. I try to do that when I
> restore an AC/DC radio of any sort. If the cord is original and
> perfect
> looking then the purist in me says leave it be and make darn sure
> there's a
> simple mark on the plug blade which indicates it's supposed to be
> the wide one.
>
> Good choice for a beginner's radio Dave!  An S-38C was my very first
> multiband radio given to me by my dad when I was around ten or
> eleven back
> in the early 60's. Had _many_ hours of fun DXing interesting SW
> stations
> and hearing CW. I still have it as a central part of my boatanchor
> collection.
>
> Regards,  Chris
> -- --
> Christian Fandt,         Electronic/Electrical Historian
> Jamestown, NY  USA      cfandt at netsync.net
>         Member of Antique Wireless Association
>         URL: http://www.antiquewireless.org/

Jack Iverson    K0EWU    jackiv at juno.com
ARRL,  IEEE LM,  RCA, AMI, ARCI, QCWA,CCA