Help for a Viewer - Midwest Troubleshooting - No Test Gear

[@DavidTipton101]

Joining a radio club was the best thing I did to get started in my radio Hobby 👍

[@lucasgibbons2841]

What a great video! As the viewer in need, thanks a ton!! This helped me understand that my issue is in the RF Amp and converter area.

[@randyab9go188]

If he has a voltmeter he has test equipment. Now if he had a scope, he would be set.

[@willjackson1955]

Many a successful radio repairmen started with only a crappy 1Kohm/V VOM and tackled many repairs. The test equipment its an aid to your brain, not the opposite. If you know your fundamentals, you can work with very little. Test equipment is nice, but most radios can be repaired with very little stuff, IMO. Vern is showing this beautifully in the video, as it can be seen.

[@johnsampson1096]

My choice for troubleshooting, a voltmeter/multi meter, and a tube manual......................

[@theradiomechanic9625]

Agree, for those of us with experience usually that will suffice. However those starting out could use a little help like a signal tracer.

[@MrMersh-ts7jl]

If I can find a signal tracer like that heathkit or an eico for 15 bucks I will buy 10 people them. Everyone seems to want $100 or more for them and that's if they even have the probe head. At least in my area of Maryland in the surrounding tri-state

[@theradiomechanic9625]

I just took a look at Flea Bay and holy S&#* the stupid prices that are being asked blew me away. I attend every Ham Radio Flea and Antique Radio Flea Market I can. I usually can get this gear for 20 bucks or so. The scope you see in this video was purchased for 10 bucks and works fine. Takes some effort, but the stuff is out there. Craigs List and other such sites are also a source. Friend of mine just purchased a Tektronix 2465B 400 MHz four channel scope with a 1 GHz active probe for $50. You have to keep looking.

[@MrMersh-ts7jl]

@@theradiomechanic9625 those are amazing prices. I think I paid $60 for my Heath kit with the probe signal tracer. I also got a 2465 CT for like a hundred bucks so I'm very happy with that it's a fantastic scope. Other than the event of COVID and people being locked up inside with ample time on their hands to learn I can't come up with any other reason why these things have become so expensive. I still find deals at swap meets but they are far and few between near me.

[@jdssmoothiechannel8892]

That radio is absolutely beautiful! Did you do the whole restoration on it already? Or did you receive it in that condition? Any way, can I ask where you got the schematic for it, and how I could find one? Like I’ve said the Midwest I have is a JC 916 model, so a little different, but similar, mine has a lot more rust and disgust, but did fully work. No bezel on the model I have, just the brass two tone lines and with have a few rust spots, I’ll have to go back and use the 5 gallon bucket with copper pipe trick I saw you use in a previous video. Keep the videos coming Vern I’m learning so much, great job! Can not wait for more videos ,

[@theradiomechanic9625]

This project has been ongoing for almost 2 years. It was totally missing the turntable and drawer until this spring. Search for Midwest Radio in my videos, they go quite a way back.