#223

In todays video I share my thought process on how I restore and troubleshoot vintage radios.
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Contact information:
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[@alpcns]

I'm happy to see that you have a little more time to make some videos, as they are always a pleasure to watch. This one is no exception. Thanks Buddy, for making my day, week, and month!

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you

[@Joe-KN4IFI]

Just wanted to tell you how happy we are that you put up these vintage radio repair videos. They are so informative and save people like me time when it comes to restoring these gems from the past. Thanks Buddy for your time you put into these video. 73 KN4IFI

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you very much Joseph

[@scottlee1211]

Just another fantastic radio to watch you restore! The unit looks really good cosmetically! Thanks for posting Buddy!!

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Scott

[@jaybats7865]

Great tips my friend. I have to tell you that your KZbin channel is only one that I have ever watched every single video. I have enjoyed every one of them. You are a true professional. Thank you very much for all of the fun, can’t wait for your next video.👍👍

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for the kind words Jay, not only did you watch them all you commented! much appreciated.

[@lylewatts6370]

I have not seen one of your videos that I did not learn something Buddy. Bringing this old boat anchor back to life is what real ham radio is all about. Love the smell and glow of a tube radio that brings me back to the mid 1960's when I could not get enough ham radio. Thank you for your dedication to the hobby and love of the radios we grew up with. Lyle VE5EE

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Lyle and I agree 100% with what you said. Love this stuff.

[@jenniferlachance351]

Good to have you back! Great tips, too!

[@skyboy2410]

Great video Buddy! I learn so much everytime I watch. Thanks for sharing.

[@sasines]

Another great video! Thank you for taking the time to do them. Learn a lot from everyone.

[@TheRadioShop]

Much appreciated

[@bobkozlarekwa2sqq59]

That is a great "Restoration 101" video. Thanks again, and again, and again for your hard work.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Bob for watching

[@jdmccorful]

Its really great to see how you leave no box unturned. Thanks!!

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks John

[@cuban9splat]

Another jewel of a receiver will live and play for another 50 years. Great techniques, Buddy. Once again I learned something new with your tip about using ArmorAll. I would have never even thought of trying it. Thanks and keep up the good work. 73 de K7RMJ Frank

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Frank. ArmorAll has good uses

[@PapasDino]

Great restoration techniques Buddy, always learn something new from your videos! Keep up the great work! 73 - Dino KL0S

[@TheRadioShop]

Hi Dino, thanks for stopping in

[@LarryDeSilva64]

Thanks for all of the great restoration tips Buddy all very helpful.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you for watching

[@VintageElectronicsGeek]

I think I have this radio in my collection...somewhere....buried....on the todo list...for the past 3 years! :) Thanks for all the tips, glad to have you back, glad to hear work is slowing... Would like to see more videos on the IFR, not much helpful on it...interested to know about duplex config...Im sure its in the book somewhere...but that means I might have to read :) ~Jack, VEG

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Jack, I have a video on my website about the IFR and duplexing

[@AF6LJSue]

Good Video! good to see you back at it.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Sue

[@buildstoys]

Great info to share Buddy, thanks!

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks

[@johncengia]

Thank you for a very informative video. Well done indeed.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you

[@jeffminnick5209]

Great info Buddy...cant beat the audio on the old boat anchors 73 fro Jeff de WD8JM

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Jeff, You are right on the audio

[@bblod4896]

Screw heads are in perfect shape. Most likely, those screws have not been touched since the radio left the factory. Thanks for the seminar. Have a great week.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks, I agree

[@old64goat]

GREAT video Buddy. I have a Hallicrafters S-107 that works fairly good and has all those tiny chief caps in it, I read somewhere on the internet that these caps are very good but I will check the ones like coupling, etc. As for the dreaded SMD with my bad eye sight I can't take those IF cans apart, if I messed with them you can say goodbye to the radio...LOL

[@TheRadioShop]

Those caps are nothing more than paper caps in a different package, They leak real bad. I know what you mean about the eye sight Bill. Tiny little wires in those things. I have to use large magnifiers.

[@old64goat]

Thanks Buddy, when I get it on the bench I will replace them.

[@ke4est]

Nice Buddy. Glad to see more videos! This is the big brother to the SX-140 I restored on my channel. Very good tips! -- KE4EST

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Michael. The 140 is nice

[@craignehring]

I found this to be a nice video, some not to obvious things to be aware of that you pointed out. It should be obvious on the tubes of this style can have the central locator broke off, so be sure to look for that.

[@vlupis1]

Great tips. Thanx❤️

[@sergeaudenaert]

Great video - thank you , very systematic and safe approach. Just a comment on your light bulb schematic, I believe your switch should be in parallel to the lamp to short it out when the circuit is safe. In your drawing if you flip the switch you will open the circuit and no current will pass

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks, As I mentioned in the video add a second switch to short the lamp. If using one switch I rather turn the power off.

[@Charlee2015]

Another great video!

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks

[@MrRadioGypsy]

Have found that buying - believe it or not - fingernail polish is quite useful for painting the red lines in knobs or the needle on a meter movement. Using a toothpick to apply the paint will usually fix it on the first application. But you have to scrub the knobs clean first in soap and water using an old, clean tooth brush. Did I mention that it is cheap to do it this way? Works for me . . .

[@TheRadioShop]

Agreed. Nail polish works nice. Do have to be careful on some plastics though.

[@1903A3shooter]

MY 108 does not look that good but it has promise. Working but it is distorted audio when I first turn it on but it clears up in a few minutes. Thanks for the video, Dave.

[@TheRadioShop]

Have you replaced any caps? Also check resistors and voltages.

[@garyvaughan2648]

Any suggestion of where, how and what lot I should buy of safety capacitors for 50-100 radio and test equipment projects? Thanks

[@g1fsh]

Great video buddy very informative Do u keep notes on progress of each restoration?

[@TheRadioShop]

Hey man and good to see you. At one time I did, but got so busy I only keep them in my mind. Scary huh?

[@g1fsh]

@@TheRadioShop yeah this is the problem when u get busy. I guess the videos help if u need a memory jog but then the camera takes time to set up. Hope u are well Buddy have a good christmas me old friend.

[@tubeDude48]

At 14:00 I totally agree!

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks

[@patrickbouldinkm5l143]

Hey Buddy, cool. Question, how did you know to suspect the CPU board in the first place? Was it because checksum was computational, etc.? Or some test you did?

[@jimalexander1750]

Where do you get your service manuals when you can’t find it online? Thanks for the tips!

[@TheRadioShop]

Sometimes I have to purchase them. Ebay ect

[@JamesGMunn]

Do you see any drawbacks to using a GFCI for the test outlet? I know that it won't stop all electrocution even on the primary side but it seems like a small expense for a little bit more safety. Generally, you should also be running off an isolation transformer. This radio's primary looks to be isolated by the power transformer, so almost no primary side danger so no real need for an isolation transformer for this radio but this is not always the case especially with old radios.

[@TheRadioShop]

I see no problems with that at all. I also agree on the isolation transformer

[@PapasDino]

Even with a isolation transformer you can still have problems if you're not careful. Martin KD8LON did a couple of good videos recently about keeping yourself safe and not blowing up your test gear on his YT channel ("mjlorton")...and of course there's always Dave Jones' famous "How not to blow up your oscilloscope" video from several years ago. All food for thought! 73 - Dino KL0S

[@Ziggysprints]

Those "Tiny Chief" caps were made by Cornell Dubilier, they may have been the worst junk they ever manufactured.

[@TheRadioShop]

I do not think I have ever found any that were not leaky. Agreed

[@ottodydaktyk]

Hello everyone. I'm interested in setting up a electronic bench at home. I have some previous experience with electronics, so I'm not a complete newbie, but I was wondering if the owner of this video or anyone reading this can tell me what are the minimum tools needed to get started at home? I have a cheap DVM, many of the finer hand tools, a spring fed solder sucker and some knowledge. So, I'm thinking a variable temperature soldering iron, brand name suggestions would be appreciated, maybe an upgrade to a better DVM like a Fluke and maybe an oscilloscope. I would like to be able to repair vintage radios, etc (30s to 60s) and newer stereos (70s to 90s) and maybe some flat screens if they are known to be simple fixes. I've also considered wandering into cell phone repairs, but my eyesight is not as good as it would, so that may be too small for me. Thanks to everyone in advance!

[@lifeisamatrix5960]

Out of curiosity how do you repair a board on a old radio where the copper contact has come off or worn off the rf pcb board?

[@TheRadioShop]

Watch my video number 19 I show how to do that.

[@NebukedNezzer]

I have one.

[@TheRadioShop]

cool

[@GardenBushcrafter]

This is far too clean condition rig. It would be great to see restoration of real poor condition rusty non working rig sometime in the future. But great vid. Thank you for sharing.

[@majdengineer6340]

is there any faceboof page for you?

[@TheRadioShop]

Sorry, I do not do facebook

[@XPFTP]

not much diff from a 40a or b ..

[@TheRadioShop]

agreed