The Hacker Radio Group
The Radios
17th September 2006
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This is the Hacker Rp17, the predecessor to the Rp17A. The cabinet is slightly smaller and takes the smaller batterys. Thanks to Bill Morris for this photograph.
Hacker_Rp17.jpg
 The Autocrat RP33 was built between 1966 and 1969.There were two RP33 versions, the early design had a black or two-tone rexine covered wooden cabinet with smooth knobs with aluminium caps and from 1968 the cabinet had rosewood side panels, a black rexine covered front and plain knobs with aluminium skirts, and also had a different complement of transistors. This one is the early version built in 1966 with grey rexine covered side panels. It has 9 transistors, 4xAF117, BC108, 2xOC81 and 2xAC127 and all the transistors in this set are the originals. MW/LW only.
HackerAutocratRP33.jpg
 Same as Black RP35 version but with blue rexine and whitish) controls. Note the plastic covered handle as apposed to the rexine strip type more commonly found on these style radios.
Hacker_Rp35.jpg
 VHF LW MW deluxe set with slightly larger cabinet and Celestion speaker. Bass a bit boomy with controls set at mid point. This is a truly wonderful radio and one of my favourites in my collection.
Hacker_Sovereign_II_Rp25A.jpg
Basic LW MW set using silicon transistors throughout. Not the same quality as the early models sadly.
Hacker_Ranger_Rp70.jpg
 The RP17 that preceded this set used PP7 batteries and had slightly smaller dimensions. Centre off button has to be out to turn on!
Hacker_Mini_Herald_Rp17A.jpg
 The Helmsman is a 3 band SW receiver along with LW and MW bands. This radio unlike other Hackers has no foam under the rexine, and runs from 8 D cells. Germanium front end fitted to earlier models followed by silicon. This one has had some of the AF115 transistors replaced with AF126's. This set was not a great performer im the SW bands mainly due to its low IF frequency (470 kHz) and problem with multiple images on local and powerful transmitters.
Hacker_Helmsman_Rp36.jpg
 VHF only radio and fitted with feet instead of turntable. Silicon front end throughout. ISM or inter station muting (squelch control) useful for masking the white noise between stations. AFC switch also fitted.
Hacker_Herald__VHF_rp37.jpg
The radio that I shared my childhood days with. Listen with mother on one of these is how I remember it. This is the Rp35 Herald. LW MW only with turntable and good sensitivity.
Hacker_Herald_Rp35.jpg
 The first Hacker. This is the RP10 Herald dating from pre 1962. Still working on all its original parts. Great sound and very sensitive. It's a shame the previous owner didn't look after it though.
Hacker_RP10.jpg
 Hacker Herald VHF Rp37A in red. This radio was in a real mess when I bought it. The on/off switch was broken and the grill badly dented. This radio has had the foam backing behind the rexine replaced. Not in great condition but working.
Red_Hacker_Herald_Rp_37a_VHF.jpg
 The blue Herald RP30 (chassis no. 83956) was built between 1964-1965. Most RP30s in this blue colour had white knobs and rear grille, the ones on this radio are blue/grey MW/LW only.Thanks go to Howard for this picture.
HackerHeraldRP30.jpg
Very rare White Sovereign II RP25B (chassis no. 087963) was built in 1972. This is the rarest Hacker of all, as it is the only RP25B in white leathercloth known. RP25Bs were the last Sovereigns 11s built and have an 18V PSU socket. It has 15 transistors 3× BC148, unknown, 2× AC128, AC176, 3× BF194,BF194B, BF195C, BF195D, 2× BF195 and it also has a TAA920 Integrated Circuit and ceramic filter in the FM module. MW/LW/VHF. Thanks to Howard for this great picture of a wonderful looking radio!
HackerSovereignIIRP25B.jpg
 The 1966 Marine Herald RP32 added two transistors and an additional short ferrite rod aerial to the standard RP30 Herald, to provide coverage of trawler band which even then was not in great demand. It was only introduced in the last year of production for the RP30 series, and appears to have been made in very small numbers Thanks to Paul King .
Hacker_Marine.jpg
 The RP33 Autocrat is a 1967-8 version, with knobs to match the then newly released Sovereign II. Thanks to paul King.
Hacker_Autocrat.jpg
 One of the most wanted Hackers out there! This RP77MB Sovereign III was manufactured at Bournemouth, where for a short time Hacker Sound were producing sets before the factory perished in an accidental fire. Thanks to Paul King for this addition.
Hacker_Sovereign.jpg
The RP34 Democrat was the baby of the range, belatedly replacing the Mini-Herald. Thanks to paul King
Hacker_Democrat.jpg
 The RP18 in the all black, which stayed in production until the launch of the completely new Sovereign II. So far as is known, the RP18 was only ever offered in charcoal black leathercloth.
Hacker_Sovereign.jpg
 The RP18 set the pattern for later Sovereigns of having AM and FM circuitry built on separate boards - of its 15 transistors, three were used only for AM reception, six only for FM, and the remaining six on the amplifier board were employed on all bands. The Sovereign as first launched in 1964 had a white tuning scale and white buttons, but this original version didn't stay in production for long and is fairly scarce today as a result - this one's serial number is 01139.
White_dial_Sov.jpg
 The RP38A is a 12 transistor MW/LW/FM radio in a teak wooden case, built between 1970-1976, originally called the Hunter VHF and then around 1975 was renamed the Hunter FM-AM. Thanks to Howard Craven for this entry.
HackerRP38AHunter.jpg
One of the rarer Hackers. This Rp 31 has been lovingly restored from what was close to a wreck. This radio has LW MW and SW bands and is one of the radios I am looking to restore.
Hacker_Rp31_SW.jpg
 This very unusual Rp37A has a blue Open University tuning dial and is possibly one of very few still around.
Open_University_Hacker_RP37A.jpg
 This is an early 70's Hunter bought for £5 at a boot fair. A bit of contact cleaner and it was working.This is a super sounding radio, with better frequency responce than the early Hackers.
Hacker_Hunter_Rp38.jpg
oct08_684.jpg
© 1998-2009 Simon Spiers - All copyrights rest with the Author
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