Hallicrafters SX-28

Lore & Background

Announced in July 1940, the SX-28 was the result of a development effort by 12 staff engineers and analysis of more than 600 reports that included input from U.S. government engineers, commercial users, and amateur radio operators. Its distinctive art deco styling was considered sleek and strikingly modern in 1940. The receiver included an Amplified AVC, a Lamb Noise Silencer, Calibrated bandspread, and Push-Pull audio output.

The SX-28 saw use by various branches of U.S. and allied military and intelligence agencies during World War II. SX-28 and Hallicrafters S-27 and S-36 receivers were often rack mounted in British government listening posts and secret listening stations for monitoring German radar and communications during the war, such as Beaumanor Hall in the English Midlands, where German and Italian encrypted radio messages were sent to Bletchley Park for decoding. A number of the receivers were sent to the Soviet Union as part of the Lend Lease Act, subsequently modified to accommodate Russian tubes.

The name "Skyrider" was intended to bestow an aura of exotic adventure to Hallicrafters products and had a long history with the company; the first Hallicrafters set to be dubbed with the name was the 1932 S-1. Variations and special versions of the SX-28 were produced over the years, including the AN/GRR-2 introduced in February 1944, which became the U.S. Navy SX-28A, a ruggedized unit built for U.S. Army Signal Corps and U.S. Navy use.

Reader's Guide

The Hallicrafters SX-28 holds a significant place in the history of communications receivers as a widely used set during World War II and the immediate postwar period. Its design incorporated input from government engineers, commercial users, and amateur operators, reflecting a collaborative approach to meeting diverse operational needs. The receiver's high fidelity audio, combined with high sensitivity, stability, and selectivity, made it suitable for both military monitoring and amateur radio use. The SX-28's presence in British listening posts like Beaumanor Hall, where it helped intercept German and Italian encrypted messages for decoding at Bletchley Park, underscores its role in wartime intelligence. The dispatch of SX-28s to the Soviet Union under Lend Lease further extended its global impact. Although Hallicrafters claimed 50,000 units were built, serial numbers suggest a lower figure of about 27,500. Many surviving SX-28 and SX-28A receivers remain in the hands of vintage amateur radio collectors and operators, preserving the legacy of a receiver that combined performance, distinctive styling, and historical importance.

Did You Know?

• The SX-28 was announced in July 1940 after development by 12 staff engineers and analysis of over 600 reports.
• U.S. President Harry S. Truman kept an SX-28 behind his desk in the Oval Office.
• SX-28s were used at Beaumanor Hall in the English Midlands to monitor German and Italian encrypted radio messages for Bletchley Park.
• The AN/GRR-2, introduced in February 1944, was a ruggedized version of the SX-28 built for the U.S. Army Signal Corps and U.S. Navy.