This model of receiver is one of the famous produced in 1953. The SP-600 is very popular amongst DX-ers and radio amateurs, though originally a Government/Military/Commercial receiver.
Its a big and heavy measuring over 21 x 12 x 17 inches and weighing in at 86 pounds. Over 40 versions of SP-600 was produced between 1951 up to 1972. The JX-model covers 0,54 MHz up to 50 MHz, as a double conversion super heterodyne, using 20 tubes. It had a standard frequency range, 540 kHz - 54 MHz. This JX-21 version was released February 13, 1953 and it replaced the JX-10. You can read about the various versions of the SP-600 here: http://www.hammarlund.info/sp600.html.
This particular receiver originated from NBC Studios in Los Angeles and was restored by W6VHK. It was used to sync the time for network handoffs from the East Coast. Beside internal component restoration, the front faceplate was completely stripped and repainted with hardened auto body lacquer. The tricky part was painting the etched lettering which came out perfect.
The radio has an oddball PL-284 (Amphenol UG-102/U) twin-ax connector for 300-ohm antennas. But I needed to connect with a 75-ohm antenna. So I had a custom lead made for the connector with 6’ of RG-58U cable and male BNC at the other end.
I found an original case on eBay. I had it stripped and painted locally with a black semi-gloss crinkle powder coat paint. YALE made the nice latching mechanism for the top lid and it still works perfectly.
Everything about this radio is high quality. All I can say is they don't make them like this anymore!
Its a big and heavy measuring over 21 x 12 x 17 inches and weighing in at 86 pounds. Over 40 versions of SP-600 was produced between 1951 up to 1972. The JX-model covers 0,54 MHz up to 50 MHz, as a double conversion super heterodyne, using 20 tubes. It had a standard frequency range, 540 kHz - 54 MHz. This JX-21 version was released February 13, 1953 and it replaced the JX-10. You can read about the various versions of the SP-600 here: http://www.hammarlund.info/sp600.html.
This particular receiver originated from NBC Studios in Los Angeles and was restored by W6VHK. It was used to sync the time for network handoffs from the East Coast. Beside internal component restoration, the front faceplate was completely stripped and repainted with hardened auto body lacquer. The tricky part was painting the etched lettering which came out perfect.
The radio has an oddball PL-284 (Amphenol UG-102/U) twin-ax connector for 300-ohm antennas. But I needed to connect with a 75-ohm antenna. So I had a custom lead made for the connector with 6’ of RG-58U cable and male BNC at the other end.
I found an original case on eBay. I had it stripped and painted locally with a black semi-gloss crinkle powder coat paint. YALE made the nice latching mechanism for the top lid and it still works perfectly.
Everything about this radio is high quality. All I can say is they don't make them like this anymore!