Author Topic: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!  (Read 5992 times)

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Offline GlennSpriggTopic starter

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #25 on: June 17, 2020, 11:54:57 am »
You are very lucky if you can get it. This radio had a great sound (large speaker).

You want to be sure the capacitor and the switch are in good condition - common things on radios of that era. Also, if I recall correctly from my dad's first restoration in the 1980s, the dial string is a dog to get it right. Let me know if you need some photographs from the insides (it will take a bit a  I need to get it, unpack, open and nothing will "jump" at me) :)

Thank YOU for your offer too, mate!!  Yes, even before I've purchased it, I have all the tech
info, including the dial-stringing!!  Will get back to you when/if I get it & need help!   :D

P.S. ...
I will generally replace all old caps, and were possible make them 'look' old hahaha!...
It amazes me when 'restorers' (although generally important!), make the VERY last
thing they do to check the Valves/Tubes?...  It's a pedantic point that gripes me!.
YES!... those old caps need replacing, and some resistors go way high etc., but to me
the initial stumbling block is the tubes.  So often, their unchanging oxide coated pins
are the initial 'problem'.  How can one do 'voltage' measurements when the cct is non
functioning due to the Tube base connections!! YES!.. change caps etc, but do NOT bother
with voltage measurements until all Tubes/Bases bedded in !!   ;D

YEARS ago, I had a Tube tester. All gone!!  I'm going to rebuild my own, for performing
the basics at least, on common tubes.  Now if I lived in the U.S.  then WooHoo!!   8)
Diagonal of 1x1 square = Root-2. Ok.
Diagonal of 1x1x1 cube = Root-3 !!!  Beautiful !!
 

Offline GlennSpriggTopic starter

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components! UPDATED !!
« Reply #26 on: June 22, 2020, 12:37:58 pm »
You are very lucky if you can get it. This radio had a great sound (large speaker).

You want to be sure the capacitor and the switch are in good condition - common things on radios of that era. Also, if I recall correctly from my dad's first restoration in the 1980s, the dial string is a dog to get it right. Let me know if you need some photographs from the insides (it will take a bit a  I need to get it, unpack, open and nothing will "jump" at me) :)

Thank YOU for your offer too, mate!!  Yes, even before I've purchased it, I have all the tech
info, including the dial-stringing!!  Will get back to you when/if I get it & need help!   :D

P.S. ...
I will generally replace all old caps, and were possible make them 'look' old hahaha!...
It amazes me when 'restorers' (although generally important!), make the VERY last
thing they do to check the Valves/Tubes?...  It's a pedantic point that gripes me!.
YES!... those old caps need replacing, and some resistors go way high etc., but to me
the initial stumbling block is the tubes.  So often, their unchanging oxide coated pins
are the initial 'problem'.  How can one do 'voltage' measurements when the cct is non
functioning due to the Tube base connections!! YES!.. change caps etc, but do NOT bother
with voltage measurements until all Tubes/Bases bedded in !!   ;D

YEARS ago, I had a Tube tester. All gone!!  I'm going to rebuild my own, for performing
the basics at least, on common tubes.  Now if I lived in the U.S.  then WooHoo!!   8)

Dear   'rsjsouza' (and anyone else interested!!!   ;D )
Well myself & the 'missus' drove nearly 200kms to Perth, to meet the guy who had the 'Aussie' version
of your Philips European BX462A, and did a cheap deal with the 'Aussie' one, '113A' shown here...

It IS in pieces, but every part is there in the box, and the protruding glass band/station piece is in pristine
condition! (Although for Aussie Stations!).

HOWEVER, while I was there, I was 'Sucked-in' to a few other purchases !!!...
(Damn... more stuff to repair/use)...  :-+
SO we also loaded in the car an English Philips Radio, model  B3G75U, in pristine condition!!!...

Here's a pic of the Bands...

There is NO mains transformer inside!! and It runs on 230/240/250v AC or DC!!  It has 3 Bands of operation.
What they call on the dial 'VHF', which is basically 'FM' from about 88 to 100 Mhz.  A typical 'Medium' wave
from about 200 to 550 Metres, (aprox 1700 to 530 Mhz), And a LONG Wave from about 1100 - 5000 Metres,
(about 153 to 279 Khtz).  The weirdest thing about the 'mechanics' is this!!... (Re: this diagram)...

Regarding the ABOVE photo, as noted by a repairer...
Switch (A) moves a rod (B), swinging arm (C) that turns the gear (D) which rotates gear (E)
 at 90 degrees and finally operates the waveband switch (F).
Let's not get into the 'Stringing' of the dials!!!  (I have all the tech data now, haha...)

OK, this guy ALSO had a power-supply, that I wanted as a Battery Replacement for old radios, and although
I'll re-build it ENTIRELY inside & out, the majority of the physical construction is now done for me!!!...

It won't look like that when I'm finished!!!!   ;D

DAMN it... when we were going out through the Garage... we found an ancient 'chassis' that may need a
new lease on life!!  It was a throw-in with the deal, though yet we know NOTHING!!!  Be it 'parts' or another
unit for restoration?? Right now, it is a 'Hotpoint', (seemingly 9 valve?), with 6 ShortWave Bands. At the
moment, (tonight) I know NOTHING about it!!  It is very much on the Back Burner...


My ONLY further purchases in the near future, are replacement capacitors & resistors. P.S.  This guy also has
boxes & boxes of many hundreds of Valves/Tubes... We will meet again!!!!  Drool-drool   8)
Diagonal of 1x1 square = Root-2. Ok.
Diagonal of 1x1x1 cube = Root-3 !!!  Beautiful !!
 

Online rsjsouza

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #27 on: June 22, 2020, 04:49:11 pm »
Congratulations, Glenn! You are a very lucky person! Very nice items, including the 113A.

I love the V.H.F. band and the "Hotpoint" display, which shows nicely several radio stations. 
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Oh, the "whys" of the datasheets... The information is there not to be an axiomatic truth, but instead each speck of data must be slowly inhaled while carefully performing a deep search inside oneself to find the true metaphysical sense...
 
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Online rsjsouza

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #28 on: June 23, 2020, 01:26:06 am »
By the way, I caved in and got an EBL21 replacement from Bulgaria. Supposedly NOS. The guy also had some cheap Nixie Russian tubes (the same model used by everyone that has been making clocks these days) and I put in the same package. I almost got an AZ4 (almost identical to the AZ1) but the cost would be excessive. Maybe another time.
Vbe - vídeo blog eletrônico http://videos.vbeletronico.com

Oh, the "whys" of the datasheets... The information is there not to be an axiomatic truth, but instead each speck of data must be slowly inhaled while carefully performing a deep search inside oneself to find the true metaphysical sense...
 
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Offline GlennSpriggTopic starter

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #29 on: June 24, 2020, 12:52:31 pm »
Good on you.  It's contagious isn't it!!   ;D

For anyone interested, I found out about the 'Hotpoint' Chassis...
It's a "Hotpoint Bandmaster  19SGZ" which is exactly the same as...
the "AWA Radiola model   805GZ". (Another crossover of Companies).
It has 10 Tubes, (including a 'Magic-Eye' if wanted)...
6U7G    6J8G      6G8G    6AU6    Y61-or-Y63      6AU6    6J5GT   6V6GT   6V6GT   5Y3GT
It WAS part of a Cabinet, including a record player, but I'm not worried about that part!!
I'm going to make a nice polished timber escutcheon for the front,  and a perspex backing box, that will
show off a highly polished metal chassis & top components!! way beyond the original 'look'. (And obviously
rebuilding it electronically). The old 'Phono' input will be put to NEW use!!!   8) 8)  (Down the track).

P.S.   I just thought I would explain better about my 'use' of the Power-Supply unit, shown above...
Firstly, as a replacement for 'Batteries' for some VERY old Valve Radios. (Back to the 1920's).
Typically about 1.5v for Tube heaters, and -45v 0 +45v for Anode voltages etc. (And higher!!).
But ALSO for Testing numerous Tubes/Circuits, where the 'Heater' varies from 1.2v to 12v, and many
DC high voltage outputs from/through 35v, 45v, 78v, 90v, 135v, 200v & higher, for some Tubes. Including
various voltages for screen/grid bias etc.  I 'initially' wanted a Centre-Tapped transformer, just to use a
Dual-Diode Tube as a rectifier (for part of the circuit), with the Tube protruding, for an authentic look!!   ;D
Most of the 'Voltage' variances will be via strings of Zener Diodes, although the Heater voltages will be
using a more modern Voltage-Regulated output from say 1.2 to 12v.  I'll even probably include an output,
for the generally rare 'C' Battery!!, needed in REAL old sets that I have!!   :)

My PRIORITY though, is this Power-Supply first.
Then finishing touches & testing of my 'Crosley model-51' 1920's Radio/Amp.
Then repairs/testing of my Battery powered 'Breville' Tube radio.
Then repairs/testing of my Battery powered 'Tecnico Aristocrat' (ugliest radio! post..  ;D).
Then all these 'latest' acquisitions!! 
I'm as happy as a 'pig-in-shit' now... hahaha...   :-+
Diagonal of 1x1 square = Root-2. Ok.
Diagonal of 1x1x1 cube = Root-3 !!!  Beautiful !!
 
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Online TimFox

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #30 on: June 25, 2020, 02:47:18 am »
Are you sure there are 6AU6s in that lineup?  The others are all octals, but the 6AU6 is 7-pin miniature.
 
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Offline Cyberdragon

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #31 on: June 25, 2020, 06:41:50 am »
Use gas regulators (or even full regulator circuits) for high voltages, way more stable than gross "zener strings" :-- (unless you can find good HV zeners).
*BZZZZZZAAAAAP*
Voltamort strikes again!
Explodingus - someone who frequently causes accidental explosions
 
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Offline vk6zgo

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #32 on: June 25, 2020, 11:26:12 pm »
Are you sure there are 6AU6s in that lineup?  The others are all octals, but the 6AU6 is 7-pin miniature.

7 pin miniatures were certainly available in that era, & AWA had their own tube factory, so that combination may have fitted well with their excess inventory.
The tube factory considerably increased its manufacturing capacity during WW2, so they may have had large quantities of particular types which were made for the military, but were no longer required due to the end of that conflict
 
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Offline GlennSpriggTopic starter

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #33 on: June 26, 2020, 11:32:58 am »
Are you sure there are 6AU6s in that lineup?  The others are all octals, but the 6AU6 is 7-pin miniature.

Hi Tim.  Yes, they are actually the 7-pin miniatures, which surprised me!
ALL the other tubes are larger 'GT' Octal bases...  :-+
Maybe what 'vk6zgo' said above, explains it...  :)

P.S.
The Y61-or-Y63 Magic Eye is NOT installed, in my version?  Although it IS wired to a 'base'
hidden behind the dial-face, with a blanking plate that can just be seen in the center/left (whitish circle) in my photo
of the glass face. I will put one in though, all the same!!   ;D
THAT radio, when I get to it, will be the HYBRID one, with glossy/shiny/visible parts inside that I've always wanted.
Now can I SOMEHOW save/reproduce that 'smell'...   :-+
« Last Edit: June 26, 2020, 11:48:33 am by GlennSprigg »
Diagonal of 1x1 square = Root-2. Ok.
Diagonal of 1x1x1 cube = Root-3 !!!  Beautiful !!
 

Online TimFox

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #34 on: June 26, 2020, 01:03:21 pm »
That is a surprise.  The 6SH7 octal is a close equivalent to the 6AU6 miniature.
 
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Offline GlennSpriggTopic starter

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #35 on: June 26, 2020, 01:34:33 pm »
That is a surprise.  The 6SH7 octal is a close equivalent to the 6AU6 miniature.

I will review those differences, out of interest!!  Thanks mate!   :)
Oops, the 'missus' wants me to come to bed... That's ok.
Now I have to 'eat' too!!...  Garlic King Prawns!!!  xox   ;D

P.S.   What Americans call 'Shrimps' are NOT PRAWNS!! 
'Shrimps' are tiny things about 1 to 1&1/2" long. PRAWNS are about 4 to 5" long!!!
When the likes of 'Paul Hogan' years ago, was selling 'Australia' with comments like...
"Come to Australia & put a 'shrimp' on the barbie',  it was PURELY aimed
at the American market!!!  We never did any such thing!!!  Least ways, with tiny 'shrimp' that
the likes of a 'Whale' might eat!!   ;)  haha...   ;D
« Last Edit: June 26, 2020, 02:06:16 pm by GlennSprigg »
Diagonal of 1x1 square = Root-2. Ok.
Diagonal of 1x1x1 cube = Root-3 !!!  Beautiful !!
 

Offline vk6zgo

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #36 on: June 27, 2020, 01:08:10 am »
That is a surprise.  The 6SH7 octal is a close equivalent to the 6AU6 miniature.

About a decade later, surplus 6SH7s were very cheap as surplus components, but probably when that radio was made, most such tubes were still in service, & it was just AWA's spare inventory which determined what they used.

I remember, back in the day, seeing radios where a circular metal "patch" was placed over the old large tube cut outs, with a miniature tube socket mounted in the middle.
These were quite obviously factory modifications, as the workmanship was too good for an aftermarket "bodge".
 
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Offline GlennSpriggTopic starter

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #37 on: June 29, 2020, 01:31:57 pm »
That is a surprise.  The 6SH7 octal is a close equivalent to the 6AU6 miniature.

About a decade later, surplus 6SH7s were very cheap as surplus components, but probably when that radio was made, most such tubes were still in service, & it was just AWA's spare inventory which determined what they used.

I remember, back in the day, seeing radios where a circular metal "patch" was placed over the old large tube cut outs, with a miniature tube socket mounted in the middle.
These were quite obviously factory modifications, as the workmanship was too good for an aftermarket "bodge".

Thank you 'vk6zgo' (and others).
It seems that it is a '1949' model. I'm still not sure why it is wired to a base for the 'Magic-Eye', but not included.
Maybe it was just a 'cost' issue, but when I re-build it, it will have one!!   :)
Diagonal of 1x1 square = Root-2. Ok.
Diagonal of 1x1x1 cube = Root-3 !!!  Beautiful !!
 

Online rsjsouza

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #38 on: August 27, 2021, 01:07:47 pm »
Glenn, sorry to reopen your old topic. I finally found time to work on my BX462A and I was able to recap it and put it to sing again. Now, on to eternity of service - apart from the tubes and the three electrolytic capacitors.

I documented the journey in a series of videos - if you are interested take a look below and hopefully the automatic subtitles work well enough.

Vbe - vídeo blog eletrônico http://videos.vbeletronico.com

Oh, the "whys" of the datasheets... The information is there not to be an axiomatic truth, but instead each speck of data must be slowly inhaled while carefully performing a deep search inside oneself to find the true metaphysical sense...
 
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Online Wallace Gasiewicz

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #39 on: August 30, 2021, 08:13:13 pm »
I knew someone who would take apart the "cans" in old radios and stuff in modern capacitors. His customers paid a good price for that.
 
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Offline GlennSpriggTopic starter

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #40 on: September 05, 2022, 11:34:33 am »
Dear rsjsouza ...  There was no problem with you opening an 'old post', as I'm JUST answering you now, after 'another' year!! hahaha...  :-DD
I really appreciated your Video in your reply, and will view others too!!!  Thank You friend.  :-+

I've been off-line on the Forum for a long time, mainly due to my medical probs, but have a temp new lease on life, hahaha...
I intend to get back to my old Radio Projects shortly, after a grueling 2 years gap. Thank you, and others, again!
Diagonal of 1x1 square = Root-2. Ok.
Diagonal of 1x1x1 cube = Root-3 !!!  Beautiful !!
 
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Offline GlennSpriggTopic starter

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #41 on: September 05, 2022, 11:40:59 am »
To Wallace Gasiewicz ...   Yes, that is quite often done, for nostalgic 'looks' internally.  Including many other smaller (non-can)
capacitors, by stripping off the old paper (etc) outers, and re-fitting them over the top of 'new' Caps etc. !!  The only problem, is that
you should leave a note inside, as to what you have done!!, or the next person to ever 'work' on it will cut them out again!!   :palm:
Diagonal of 1x1 square = Root-2. Ok.
Diagonal of 1x1x1 cube = Root-3 !!!  Beautiful !!
 

Online rsjsouza

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #42 on: September 06, 2022, 12:29:42 am »
Glenn, I wasnreally wondering what happened to you, but was afraid to ask...

Since the video was lauched I got to my attic to put a ~20m monopole antenna and the BX462A sings like never before - I just need to repaint its glass dial, but there is a person in Holland that has these things for sale.

Also, since the video I had a multiplication of "troubles" for restoration: one heavily modified Philips 614 and three all american five (Bendix, RCA and Emerson) :palm:
Vbe - vídeo blog eletrônico http://videos.vbeletronico.com

Oh, the "whys" of the datasheets... The information is there not to be an axiomatic truth, but instead each speck of data must be slowly inhaled while carefully performing a deep search inside oneself to find the true metaphysical sense...
 
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Offline quadtech

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #43 on: September 06, 2022, 11:18:20 am »
Hi RSJSouza ,

I just saw part 1 of your Philips BX462A video and will check out the other parts soon.
Hope you saw David Tipton's wonderful Rose Metal thermal fuse for his Philips radio transformer - see
around Minute 30 in his video -

https://youtu.be/qdRkWhT-1ic
« Last Edit: September 06, 2022, 11:20:05 am by quadtech »
 
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Online rsjsouza

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #44 on: September 06, 2022, 05:44:30 pm »
Quadtech, thanks for your audience and I hope the videos are interesting for you (I tend to talk too much, sorry).
I will check the video you suggested. Thank you!
Vbe - vídeo blog eletrônico http://videos.vbeletronico.com

Oh, the "whys" of the datasheets... The information is there not to be an axiomatic truth, but instead each speck of data must be slowly inhaled while carefully performing a deep search inside oneself to find the true metaphysical sense...
 
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Offline GlennSpriggTopic starter

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #45 on: September 07, 2022, 10:53:43 am »
Quadtech, thanks for your audience and I hope the videos are interesting for you (I tend to talk too much, sorry).
I will check the video you suggested. Thank you!

Don't put yourself down, my friend!  'Talking' is where the real information to pass on comes from!!   :D
Diagonal of 1x1 square = Root-2. Ok.
Diagonal of 1x1x1 cube = Root-3 !!!  Beautiful !!
 
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Offline GlennSpriggTopic starter

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Re: Historical 'Look' of old Radio Components!
« Reply #46 on: September 07, 2022, 12:00:25 pm »
Glenn, I wasnreally wondering what happened to you, but was afraid to ask...

I've been agonizing about 'off-topically' replying or not, to that.  I've decided to get it off my chest, and move on!!   8)
I'm pretty much house bound now, due to major physical damage/pain & increasing other life threatening medical issues.
Last year was really bad, but there seems to be some temp 'remissions' to date. Since then, Parkinsons has been added
to my 'fun', as well as numerous falls with injuries.  Now my 'Mobility Scooter' is the only way I can get 'outside', and leave the
house from 1 or 2 months to the next!!  However, I accept all that, and still desire to at least continue with my old Radio equip!

What else have I got to do!!   :(      It's hard to feel 'motivated' these days, but having something to do, is a great distraction,
as well as feeling like I have/am achieving something, and keeping my 'brain' (haha) active.   In the past here, on this Forum
I have often mentioned various specific old valve/tube radio equipment & hopefully being future Projects!!...  That desire has NOT
diminished, although my current abilities have.  I just wish to get back to my 'Projects', for multiple reasons! Please forgive me....
Diagonal of 1x1 square = Root-2. Ok.
Diagonal of 1x1x1 cube = Root-3 !!!  Beautiful !!
 
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