My Hallicrafters Model S-40A Receiver

My latest acquisition, a Hallicrafters Model S-40A receiver, I love the green circular tuning scale that lights up when the unit is powered on! It is completely mesmerizing to me.

My S-40A is in need of some serious TLC, the tuning shaft is bent and the knob moves in elliptical patterns when turned. The nut that holds the power switch is missing and so is the Band Selector switch. There is a vacuum tube rolling around inside the cabinet. I can't wait to sink my teeth into this restoration project!

I will share my restoration adventures of the S-40A on radioboatanchor.com when the restoration project is complete.

If you look closely at the back of my S-40A, shown below, you will see the AWOL vacuum tube sitting in a precarious position above the transformer.

History of The Hallicrafters Company

William Halligan started the The Hallicrafters Company, based in Chicago Illinois, in 1932. Its named is derived from "Halli" the beginning of his last name Halligan and "crafters"  as in hand crafters.

The Hallicrafters Company started with manufacturing amateur radio receivers for other manufacturers until financially able to produce one under their own branding. The first receiver built under the Hallicrafters name was the SX-9 "Super Skyrider". 1938 was the first year Hallicrafters produced an amateur radio transmitter. 

Hallicrafters turned to war time production as the "tides of war" hit the United States in the 1940s. They are best known for their war time production of the BC-610 Transmitter that was part of the SCR-299 long range mobile communications systems, typically housed in the back of a truck. 

Post-war, Hallicrafters focused on consumer electronics such as clock radios, radio/phonograph combos, and AM/FM Radios. Hallicrafters greatest growth was post-war to 1963 when they produced such highly prized amateur radio receivers like the the S-38. 

Northrop Corporation ran the company starting in 1966 until 1975, when they ended consumer electronics production and focused on military, due to fierce competition from the Japanese.

About the S-40 Receiver

The Hallicrafters Company produced the S-40 communications receiver from 1947 to 1949. The "A" models, like mine, were produced in 1946.

The S-40 line could pickup AM and CW tranmissions in the following bands:

Band 1 (broadcast): 550 - 1700 kHz
Band 2 (short-wave): 1.68 - 5.4 MHz
Band 3 (short-wave): 5.3 - 15.8 MHz
Band 4 (short-wave): 15.3 - 44 MHz

It had a compliment of 9 tubes and a price of 89.50 in 1947. At the time it delivered good performance at an attractive price.