Blaupunkt Arkansas stereo tube radio restoration - Part 5. Final reception test.

[@alfredneumann4692]

So much memories came back from the late 60s and early 70s. Yes, i'm an old bag. In the 70s i repaired in the freetime and for a hobby many old tube-TVs. And some tube-radios. Later i made my amateur radio license. But today i only fix computers :-( Times are changing. Perhaps i came back in a year, when i become a pensionier. Then i have more time to look for old stuff. So old like me :-) Cheerio and thankyou from Germany.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Alfred Neumann : the older you get the more you appreciate these old radios. I guess we all feel that we need restoring too :)

[@alfredneumann4692]

But no one will look at us, only we are old. LOL

[@lyntonprescott3412]

First time I have watched a complete series at one sitting. Very enjoyable. Well done sir.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I’m honoured. Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your kind comments.

[@rimooreg]

That radio, sir, looks and sounds AMAZING. the sheer number of stations that thing can pull in is incredible. The fine tuning, fantastic. And your work is first class all the way. Good job and thank you for the fine video catalog of what you were able to do with that old rust bucket.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thanks Richard

[@Ziggysprints]

Very nice the piano-key switches were working. The Blaupunkt-and Telefunken- piano keys were diabolical mechanisms. Excellent work.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

This keys are a nightmare if they go wrong.

[@tanveernaeem1157]

Watching your profusely explained restoration videos has almost become addictive. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. It is a great experience learning how thing are done practically in a real life situation. However I wish if you could also show us the physical restoration process, i.e. what cleaning material, tools, or methods you use not only to properly clean the internals, but also restoration of wooden and backelite cabinets. Thank you again, and keep up the great work.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I’ve done bits and pieces in some of the videos, but will definitely try and show more.

[@alastairchestnutt6416]

Another fine restoration. Certainly brought in plenty of stations to listen to. Looks good.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thanks

[@SHarris64]

Hello, I just wanted to say I have been enjoying your videos immensely. Great radios, great content and very well explained. I have learned a lot watching them and the information will be very useful when I start restoring the antique radios I have. Thanks so much and keep up the great videos.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thanks. Enjoy your restorations.

[@GeorgeChristofi]

Great reception on that set. Really sensitive but nice and selective too. Thanks for the series, looking forward to the next one

[@electronicsoldandnew]

George Christofi : thanks.

[@dl7majstefan753]

The advantage of a swiveling ferrite antenna is not primarily to maximize the wanted signal - which is difficult due to the broad maximum - but to notch out any unwanted/disturbing signal. This is easier because the minimum is very sharp. The received amplitude versus position (degrees) follows the sinus-function with broad maximum and steep zero crossing. Again - fine job!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

DL7MAJ Stefan : this is clearly notable when a weak station is on and barely audible. When the ferrite is used the noise cuts out and suddenly a useable reception is heard. Good explanation. Thanks.

[@DeeegerD]

Nice work. Thanks for sharing.

[@richardmcleod5967]

I purchased sometime back a RADIONE Jupiter U (VOR NASSE SCHEUTZEN!) in very good cosmetic condition with a main speaker on the front and one on each side. It is a real beauty. Even the Dial Lamps work well and it picks up well on all Bands with all knobs and dial strings working well. It must have been well stored and taken of over the years. I have no knowledge as to the history of this radio aside from that I think it indicates the radio was made in Austria. I know the names of many of the European radios like Blaupunkt ect., but this one was new to me. I don't know the year it was made, but it has the look (ivory push-bottons, dual dial pointer's ect.) of the similar German European radios and continues to have wonderful sound and tonal qualities. Amazingly, it still works quite well. I just keep my hands crossed, as I have no idea who could repair this radio when such is needed. So, I just play and enjoy it as long as it keeps "singing".

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Richard McLeod : It’s Austrian from 1958 and can be repaired quite easily. There’s even a full service manual on the net.

[@richardmcleod5967]

Thanks for the information. I see the common German names often, but the Radione brand was a new name for me. Glad also to know that when it does break down, it can be repaired. I picked up the radio at a Goodwill for about $15.00 3 years ago. I was not so astounded by the fact that they virtually gave it away, but that such a beautifully maintained and still working radio would have had so little value to so few people these days. I hope the day comes back (and seeing your site helps me to think so) when the beauty and craftsmanship of these European vacuum tube radios is again appreciated. The Radione I have has the rounded Ivory colored push-buttons which to me are quite attractive over the later white and squared push-buttons. I know there were many American radios with exceptional sound qualities as RCA Victor even imitated some of their European counterparts, but this special group of European radios simply jump out at one because of the quality and craftsmanship that went into their manufacture. With so many AM and FM Stations closing down in Europe (I read where FM Stations do not exist in Norway any longer), I would suppose their value there is also on the decline. Shortwave isn't what it once was either around the World. Luckily in the States (certainly where I live in California, both the AM and FM Bands are still going strong). KFI in Los Angeles has been a major station since around 1924, not long after the introduction of radio! I don't see that changing, at least not for the present time.@@electronicsoldandnew

[@MrHBSoftware]

it came up nice! i think we all would like to see the finished cabinet in a future video if it would be possible.

[@paleulfr4023]

Sounds great and looks immaculate!

[@phildelfosse8085]

Dear Manuel, we learn so much watching you. would you make a video on antenna ? Especially the active mini whip antenna or other means to improve reception in SW and MW ?

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I already did 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmLTl4V5q85khpY

[@chrisschober3085]

I have really enjoyed learning from your videos, thanks for taking the time to produce them. I am currently working on a Blaupunkt Riviera 2633 MX, which is similar to the Arkansas you restored. My radio unfortunately has had one of the audio transformers replaced in the past. At the moment I can only get sound out of one channel, the transformers pass the signal generator test though. I am still working through many other checks, but do you know a way to check if a transformer is properly "matched" with the amplifier tubes (EL84 in this case)? I have been able to find a potential transformer for replacement (original transformer TF754/12 51Q7 and have found a TF754/12 4T11).

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Um afraid it’s a little complicated. Try to find out from the seller what it is/was used with before.

[@chrisschober3085]

@@electronicsoldandnew Unfortunately the change likely happened years ago. The joys of buying old no longer wanted radios :). It will keep me busy for a while. The replacement one I have is from a Stockholm (Blaupunkt but year unknown - it looks the same and one of the parts numbers match). I'll keep working through the schematic and see if I can find a bad connection or component failure.

[@moshezaharia4666]

great job as always! I really love these German radios! I would like to know What is the best way to free up a deadly seized slug in an IF transformer. Best Regards, Moshe.

[@robertszelepcsenyi3695]

Is this the end of the series? I was very much curious what would come out of the mystical tube behind even the more mystical VF STEREO logo. It seemed to me that the tube was connected to some sort of solid state electronics. The tube itself looked weird. I could not tell the type. Documentation for the model does not mention any stereo decoding equipment.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Robert Szelepcsenyi : the service manual actually does show a “decoder jack”, but I did not have the decoder module for this radio, nor have I seen one.

[@emilioaj352]

Very good videos. Great those of the visual alignment of IF. By when to stretch the FM to 108 Mhz? The export models (USA) already had it.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Emilio . . You can actually stretch it by fiddling the rf alignment, but I prefer to leave it standard as it catches all the stations here.

[@emilioaj352]

Are you sure? radiomap.eu/pt/funchal The AM will disappear shortly. These radios have the FM and the phono or Bluetooth player (very good idea). Modify the box or look at this shifter: www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=63117 (Attached files)

[@er.mohammedyounis8726]

Plz show me its outdoor antenna and fm magic eye.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

This radio had been returned to its owner for quite some time now, so i’m afraid i can’t show you. The antenna i used was the mini whip ( there’s a video on my channel about about it),

[@tiagomadeira838]

Boa noite Sr. Caldeira. Gosto e acompanho os seus vídeos e só agora é que reparei que o sr. é da Madeira. Gostava de falar consigo, se possível gostava de ter o seu contacto ou email. Cumprimentos Tiago Caldeira Porto santo

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Com muito gosto. Meu email: [e-mail]

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Tiago Madeira : também pode ligar para: 918114252

[@plunkervillerr1529]

lub all sized parts with Marvel Mystery oil ,D W 40 is junk ! Studebaker Kary NH USA 2-23-20.