Hitachi TRK 8130E Radio Cassette Service & Belt Change. Boombox Restoration

Hi Folks,
Here's a look at the TRK-8130E Radio Cassette Recorder from Hitachi. I open up and tear down the unit in this video, along with cleaning up the casing. The cassette mechanism gets a service and new belts, and I give it a gentle once-over to get it running as well as can be be expected.
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[@jkmac625]

I've had one of these from new (well it was my grandparents originally). They bought it around 1981/82ish from John Lewis for a little over £100. It came with a blank cassette and also a ribbon FM aerial that fits in that socket on the back. I've still got that aerial it forms a T-shape and I used to stick it on the window with blu-tack to improve reception as it was better than the built in stick aerial, as there was less hiss on FM Stereo. The clock was also a great feature as it allowed timer recordings from the radio, although you were limited by what would fit on one side of a cassette. Don't think I ever used the Sleep function but the Timer could either be used for unattended recording or as an alarm clock. Not sure if the clock still works on mine as it was always fitted with 2 AA batteries (or HP7 as they were known back then) and at some point they leaked. I'll try and test it tomorrow and see if there's any life in the clock bit. I know the cassette doesn't work as it just gives out a loud piecing screech through the speakers when any transport button is pressed. I think the radio is still OK as I used it a few years ago to listen to Radio 2. The Long Wave (LW) band on this model goes to higher frequencies that your average radio and I remember back in the early 80's you could pick up Morse Code at the top end of it's LW band which apparently was Newcastle Airport (or so I was told) as the Morse Code was N.E.W. on a constant loop. No other radio we had at the time could pick up this signal as I think they stop somewhere around 280KHz whereas this radio goes to 350KHz. I did spot the take-up spool moving in the wrong direction at 18:10 as it should be moving in the same direction as the supply spool. I guess having the belt around the wrong side of the pulley caused it to turn the wrong way.

[@retro_restos]

Great memories - and it's cool that you still have it. Yes, the Hitachis of the time had the handy rear socket for an external FM. I use on on a TRK-8300. Lovely machines. I still like to have a listen out for weird stations on the AM bands - I can get aeroplane weather reports and the like on my RCM90, which is cool! I foolishly copied the original path for the belt - not sure how I missed it - but you know what they say about assumption! I re-routed it (which needed a different belt), so got there in the end. Not sure if I put that in the video? Your squealing is most likely the record/play switch. Have a go at this: Put in a recordable cassette and press play/record. Stop it. Repaeat a few times and it will clean the switch - yes you can do it properly from inside, but if the belts are working, might be worth giving it the mechanical clean! Thanks for watching.

[@user-ec8zp6dw3v]

купил в 1983г и до сих пор работает!!!

[@Pico_Farad]

The take up reel was turning in the wrong direction, because the main belt was mounted wrong.

[@retro_restos]

Yes! It had me perplexed for a while, as I unwittingly followed the original belt path rather than questioning it! I sorted it in the end by re-routing (which needed a bigger belt) - but it did have me puzzled for a while! Good to hear from you - thanks for watching 👍

[@EgoChip]

Nice machine. Pity about the clock.

[@retro_restos]

I might get a chance to have another go at the clock at some point - or maybe find a donor unit perhaps. It's frustrating when you can get all the display to work, but not at the same time!

[@RoughJustice2k18]

The clock is more of a luxury feature. If it works fully, great, but otherwise it's little more than a timepiece.

[@MrGrantgibbs]

I’ve got a old jvc,the radio works fine but the tape deck is non existent,the unit has been in a loft so its absolutely filthy

[@retro_restos]

You can generally save loft finds. A strip down, decent clean and a service will usually do the trick. I've got quite a few JVC units on the channel (and more coming) - so they should be quite useful. Thanks for watching 👍

[@MrGrantgibbs]

@@retro_restos I’ve just put it on Facebook marketplace for sale,I’m sure someone will give it some love

[@XC70n05]

Rememer this one. Any one got one for sale ?

[@retro_restos]

This one sold quickly - a great model!