Hallicrafters SX-17 Super Skyrider - A Witness to World War II (1938-1939)

✅ Hallicrafters SX-17 Super Skyrider

The Hallicrafters SX-17 Super Skyrider, introduced in 1938, was a premium radio receiver that represented the absolute peak of amateur radio technology before World War II. This massive, heavy-duty machine was a major upgrade over older radios, adding advanced internal tuning parts to drastically cut down on static interference and pull in incredibly weak signals from across the globe. It featured a wide tuning dial, a specialized filter for crisp Morse code reception, and a large, glowing signal-strength meter that became a signature look for the brand. Designed to meet the demands of serious long-distance radio hobbyists, its rugged steel body and industrial design screamed professional reliability. As factories shifted toward military production for the war effort, this classic model was phased out by 1940 to make way for the newer military radios that would help monitor Allied communications during the conflict.

Donated by: John & Carol Babina, in honor of John Babina Sr.

Curators Note: This Hallicrafters SX-17 "Super Skyrider" serves as a direct witness to the United States' entry into World War II. On December 8, 1941—the day following the attack on Pearl Harbor—the Babina family, including John Babina Sr., gathered around this specific unit at their residence on Reservoir Avenue in Bridgeport, CT. They listened to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s "Infamy" address as it was broadcast live to a stunned nation. Remarkably, over 85 years later, this SX-17 remains in peak operational condition. Through the use of a modern AM transmitter, the museum is able to broadcast the original 1941 audio through the unit’s native vacuum tubes, recreating the exact acoustic environment of that historic living room.