Hallicrafters

Hallicrafters Company
Company type	Private (until 1966), then subsidiary
Industry	Electronics, Radio manufacturing
Predecessor	Silver-Marshall Inc. (acquired 1933)
Founded	1932; 94 years ago in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Founder	William J. Halligan
Fate	Acquired by Northrop Corporation in 1966; ceased civilian electronics production by 1975
Successor	Northrop Corporation (owner from 1966)
Headquarters	Chicago, United States
Area served	Worldwide (including 89 countries by 1938)
Key people	William J. Halligan (founder)
Products	Radio receivers, transmitters, televisions, phonographs, defense electronics
Owner	Northrop Corporation (from 1966)
Number of employees	2,500 (1952)
Parent	Northrop Corporation (from 1966)

The Hallicrafters Company was established in 1932 by William J. Halligan and specialized in manufacturing and selling radio devices, as well as televisions and phonographs. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Hallicrafters emerged as a significant entity within the electronics sector.

In 1966, Halligan transferred ownership of the company to Northrop Corporation, marking the end of family management. Northrop maintained Hallicrafters operations until the early 1970s, but mounting competition from Japanese manufacturers increasingly challenged the U.S. electronics industry. By 1975, Northrop divested the Hallicrafters brand name—while retaining the Rolling Meadows production facility—and discontinued civilian electronics manufacturing, repurposing the plant for its Defense Systems Division.

History

William J. Halligan (1898–1992) founded Hallicrafters in Chicago in 1932 after accumulating experience in the radio parts distribution business. The company’s name combined "Halli," derived from Halligan’s surname, with "crafters," emphasizing its dedication to producing handcrafted amateur radio receivers.

Originally situated at 417 North State Street, Hallicrafters encountered patent disputes initiated by RCA but resolved these challenges by acquiring Silver-Marshall Inc. in 1933, thereby securing an essential RCA patent license that was vital to its operations. To fulfill financial commitments, the firm initially manufactured radios for other companies before introducing its own product line with the SX-9 'Super Skyrider' receiver in 1935.

By 1938, Hallicrafters had expanded its reach to eighty-nine countries and dominated the U.S. market with widely popular radio models. That same year, the company broadened its portfolio to include radio transmitters. During World War II, it pivoted toward military production, creating advanced equipment such as the HT-4/BC-610 unit utilized within the SCR-299 communications system.

Following the war, Hallicrafters redirected efforts back to consumer electronics, offering products like radio phonographs, AM/FM receivers, clock radios, and television sets. The period between 1945 and 1963 marked its most significant growth phase, featuring acclaimed items such as the S-38 receiver, which underwent redesign by industrial designer Raymond Loewy.

By 1952, Hallicrafters employed approximately 2,500 personnel across several Chicago-area locations encompassing more than 250,000 square feet dedicated to manufacturing and warehousing.

During the Cold War period, Hallicrafters expanded into defense electronics supporting missile initiatives including the United Kingdom’s Blue Streak and America’s Atlas projects. Its research and development teams engineered electronic warfare apparatuses, code translation devices, ground support systems, electronic countermeasures for aircraft such as the Douglas EB-66E and Boeing B-52 bombers, and infrared homing technologies. The company also provided tactical maintenance units and airborne target simulators integral to missile defense platforms like Nike Zeus.

Overall, Hallicrafters successfully integrated consumer electronics expertise with strategic defense contracts to navigate mid-century industry transformations and maintain growth.

Following Halligan’s sale of the company to Northrop in 1966 and increasing pressure from Japanese market entrants, Northrop ceased non-defense production by 1975. Subsequently, ownership of the Hallicrafters brand changed multiple times without continuation of product lines; remaining assets have been held in trust since approximately 1988.

Today, Hallicrafters’ equipment is highly prized among collectors and enthusiasts of vintage amateur radio gear.

Pre-war

Significant Hallicrafters devices produced before the war include:

Super Skyrider, model SX-9 (1936), distinguished by a sizable German silver tuning dial and pioneering use of "all-metal" vacuum tubes.
Ultra Skyrider, model SX-10 (1936), designed to tune frequencies exceeding 30 MHz within the "UHF" spectrum.

Skyrider Diversity (1938), featuring dual multi-tube receivers arranged side-by-side to enable connection to two antennas, effectively minimizing signal fading; highly prized by collectors today.
HT-4 Transmitter (1938), a high-powered Ham band transmitter later recognized as the BC-610, with production continuing into the late 1940s.
Model S-19 Sky Buddy (1938), an octal tube adaptation of the 5-T receiver.
Skyrider 23, model SX-23 (1939), noted for its distinctive "art-deco" styled cabinet.
Super Skyrider SX-28 (1940–46), a widely admired receiver boasting advanced design and superior audio fidelity, favored among enthusiasts.

Wartime

SCR-299/399 (1942), a mobile high-frequency station operating from 2 to 8 MHz, extendable to 1–18 MHz, installed in trucks and trailers.
SCR-543/593 (1944), later marketed as BC-669-B post-war, a medium-range portable vehicular and ground communication set.
SCR-593, a portable receiver version.
S-36A Ultra High Frequency Communications Receiver, capable of AM or FM reception from 27.8 to 143 MHz.

Post-war

Prominent postwar models encompass:

Model S-38 (1947), an economical shortwave receiver for beginners featuring a case designed by industrial designer Raymond Loewy.
Model S-38A (1948), introduced regenerative intermediate frequency acting as a BFO, eliminating the need for an additional tube.
Model S-40 (1946), a multiband single-conversion radio covering Medium Wave up to 44 MHz.
Model SX-42 (1948), a versatile receiver supporting shortwave, AM broadcast, and FM reception, also styled by Raymond Loewy.
Model SX-62 (1949), an enhanced version of the SX-42 with upgraded circuitry and refreshed aesthetics.
Model S-77 (1950), an amateur receiver equipped with AM functionality.
Model SX-73 (1952), a professional-grade receiver aimed at both military and civilian users; competitor to the Hammarlund SP-600 Super-Pro.
Model HT-20 (1952), a multi-band shortwave transmitter offering broad versatility.
Model S-85 (1954–55), a general coverage amateur receiver retailed through Sears at $119.95.
Model SX-88 (1954), a top-tier commercial receiver delivering exceptional performance; fewer than 100 units were produced, making it highly valued by ham radio operators.
Model SX-96 (1954–55), a double-conversion general coverage receiver incorporating advanced features, sold around $169.

Model HT-30 (1954), Hallicrafters' inaugural single-sideband transmitter.
Model SX-100 (1955), a double conversion superheterodyne general coverage receiver with single sideband and bandspread tuning tailored for amateur bands.
Model SX-101 (1956), Hallicrafters' first receiver dedicated exclusively to ham bands.
Model HT-32 (1957), their most popular single-sideband transmitter model.
Model HT-37 (1959), an economical phasing-type single-sideband transmitter that remains in use today.
Model SX-110 (1959–62), a large-scale amateur radio receiver.
Model HT-40/SX-140 (1960), an affordable transmitter and receiver kit designed for novices and technicians, delivering 75 watts across multiple bands.
Model SX-115 (1961), a sizable amateur radio receiver sought after by collectors due to its central dial configuration.

Model S-119 (1961), a commemorative Sky Buddy celebrating the 100th model since the original S-19 release.
Model SX-117 (1965), a triple conversion receiver covering 10–80 meter amateur bands plus WWV at 10 MHz frequency standard reception.
Model HT-44 (1962), CW and SSB transmitter compatible with 10–80 meter amateur bands designed to pair with the SX-117.

These offerings illustrate Hallicrafters' commitment to innovation within amateur radio equipment, driving business expansion through competitive product portfolios that served both hobbyist and military sectors.

Sources

de Hensler, Max. The Hallicrafters Story. Charleston, West Virginia: ARCA Press, 1988
Moore, Raymond. Communications Receivers, Fourth Edition. La Belle, Florida: RSM Communications, 1997
Osterman, Fred. Shortwave Receivers Past and Present. Reynoldsburg, Ohio: Universal Radio Research, 1998