Note
QST, Jul 1938, p. 2.
Lafayette catalog number 78, p. 148.
QST, Oct 1940, p. 2. (updated and improved)
Radio Craft, Feb 1941 inside front cover. (S-22R)
Lafayette catalog number 87 (New York), p. 56.
Concord catalog 4-46 (1946), p. 106.
The Hallicrafters S-22, introduced in 1938, holds a special place in the company’s history as the "Skyrider Marine" receiver. Designed for use on boats and ships, it was built to withstand the rigors of marine environments. A key design feature was its ability to operate on either AC or DC power, a necessity for a time when not all vessels had the same electrical systems.
The S-22's front panel, with its circular dial and a smaller bandspread knob, has a distinctively functional aesthetic. The receiver covered a wide frequency range, from 140 kHz to 18.5 MHz, across four bands, allowing for reception of broadcast, shortwave, and maritime communications. This made it a versatile tool for both pleasure boaters and commercial sailors who needed to tune into weather reports, news, and other traffic.
The S-22 featured a circuit with eight tubes, a BFO. A hinged top cover provided easy access for servicing and maintenance, a thoughtful detail for an instrument that might need attention in a remote location. While not as famous as some of Hallicrafters' more advanced communication receivers, the S-22 was a reliable and effective piece of equipment.
The S-22R, introduced in 1940, was a refinement of the S-22 which added a little more to the low end of the dial, took away a little from the high end, and changed the tube line up. The 22R also added a cover to the tuning dial so that only the upper quarter or the dial is visible.
Features include AVC, ANL, BFO, a headphone jack, mute connections, a built-in speaker, connections for an external speaker, tone control, an uncalibrated zero to 100 bandspread, and a standby switch.
Caution: Transfomerless circuit.
Coverage (S-22): 140 kHz to 18.5 MHz
Coverage (S-22R): 110 kHz to 18.0 MHz
IF: 1600 kHz
Modes: AM, CW
Built-in speaker
BFO
ANL
AVC
Power: 120 volts AC-DC or 240 volts depending on the BK29B ballast tube
Tubes (S-22): (1) 25X5, (1) 25L6, (2) 6J5, (1) 6Q7, (2) 6K7, (1) 6L7
Tubes (S-22R): (1) 25X5, (1) 25L6, (1) 6J5, (1) 6SQ7, (3) 6SK7, (1) 6K8
