Hallicrafters S-20R Sky Champion Communications Receiver

A recent bargin purchase from eBay - Hallicrafters S-20R ham radio, from 1939 I believe.
The radio was purchased from a radio enthusiast, who had done some restoration work (repainted the case, replaced the speaker & grill and a few other jobs). It would appear to be an older restoration however, as it has the odd paint chip here and there. The radio was missing the lettering from the front panel and was missing a base & feet. Scrap plastic had been crudely used as a cover for the main tuning dial and band spread dial.

I contemplated a full restoration of the internals and housing. However, the radio apears to work just great. So I reconsidered and decided to to finish off and tidy-up what's there.

I made a lense for each of the dials from plexi-glass and added a marker line to each (something else that was missing). I purchased water slide lettering from RadioDaze (www.radiodaze.com) and applied this to the front panel.

A replacement base could be purchased off eBay (again from the US), but the cost of this item alone, worked out to be half the cost of what I paid for the radio! So, I made a base using hardboard and purchased some self adhesive feet from the DIY.

The radio works great. I can receive a wide range of broadcast radio (using a long wire aerial - approx 60 feet running part way down the garden). The BFO fully works, which means I can receive amateur radio broadcasts (80m is demonstrated). The only thing that does not appear to work is the Automatic Noise Limiter (ANL) - flicking the switch from the off to on position does not appear to have any effect. Ideally I think the housing would benifit from a coat of 'clear coat', following application of the lettering.

Any coments gladly received.

Current project is a Yaesu FT-101B - another recent eBay bargain - clips to follow

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Hallicrafters
• S-20R

[MAG315]

Great radio. I started out with a used S-120 back when I was a kid.

[wa4aos]

Very good demo is this great vintage receiver. It's no competition for today's receivers with good filtering but in it's day it was a decent receiver with loads of personality.

Good demonstration of various signal types.. THanks

[jrmcferren]

Picked one of these up at the local Hamfest during the auction. $50 with functional (electronic) restoration. The cabinet is in bad condition though.

[RecordGuy3434]

I have one of these... I just have to find a station that broadcasts in my area...

[billvet6]

Man I wish my S-20R was even 1/4 as good looking as this one. Nice.

[clagwell]

Love the sound of these old sets. Its a depth that solid state cannot replicate. Thanks for sharing.... now the hunt begins for an S-20R !

[1947dodgewf32]

I love the S-20R I have 5 of them. Also a regular S-20 and an SX-15. If your radio says the hallicrafters inc it is a prewar S-20R  and if it says the hallicrafters co. its a post WWII unit. The logo right there in the center......

[batterymaker]

Beautiful set. I restored one of these a long time ago for someone.

[Destry7]

This radio is actually quite a "sleeper".

Better than the S-40s &

first of the series which culminated with the SX-110. Bare bones, but capably sensitive & good audio for a radio with a built-in speaker. Smooth tuning & can do a creditable job on AM. Quite amenable to CW also (with an ext. audio filter or Q-multiplier).

Not often seen in good condition, but well worth restoring.

[Nexarianz]

my father has one of these and boosted the audio circuits with stronger tubes, which burnt out the electrodynamic speaker... any ideas where i could find a replacement?