How to repair vintage tube receiver IF can transformer silver mica capacitors migration weak receive

[@SWIZZRADIOS]

Above all, vintage CB/HAM radios and antennas are a passion of mine. The 60/70s were a wonderful time: grand CB parties, free from smartphones and Instagram profiles. Happy-2025 and best 73 to you and yours...

[@usuthu65]

Thanks for taking the time to document this type of fix. I’m seeing more and more people report silver mica disease as these rigs are now at the right age but opening up those cans has always been a scary thing. Just don’t break the tiny tiny magnet wires! 73 de W1PJE

[@d-labelectronics]

Yes, it was a detailed process. I have some nice inspection gear, but these old eyes can cause issues! I was thrilled to see the old radio spring to life!

[@usuthu65]

@ These sets are worth the effort! I enjoy the channel very much and your sense of humor is great - fortunately, I didn’t see WaxBot lurking behind you on this one; beware!

[@hestheMaster]

Thanks Terry for making this video as one will run into this problem with those particular types of IF cans from the 1950s, yes even regular old tube radios do have this problem. Shango has an approach with testing the capacitance with small adjustable ceramic body capacitors to get peak signal across each coil and then replaces them with the same set value mica caps as you have done.

[@ThernCific]

Another great video. I just replaced the caps in the IF transformers of a Knight R-100A as a preventative measure. For removing the brass rivet I used a pair of Klein D2755G flush cutters to remove the top crimp. I also used C0G ceramic surface mount capacitors as the replacements. If you carefully trim back the contact tabs you can solder the ceramic caps across the gap. Since my capacitor wafers were still OK I was able to measure their value on a capacitance bridge to order the proper value replacements. 73, W0KPX

[@comeasyouare4545]

Back in the 1975 I was given the same receiver a coworker had found in a barn, Recapped it. and replaced the speaker. He also gave me an old oscilloscope that had been manufactured in 1947. Got both of them working. Was in the military at the time, and when I transferred was able to take them with me. Didn't know about the caps in IF cans. Might have explained some of the noise I was having. Thanks for the video.

[@MOAllDa]

I've always admired men from afar who repair these old tube radios. (Too many dangerous voltages lurking in those things). I'll keep admiring at a distance 😂

[@RP4UXO]

For those lacking a fancy Wavetek generator, a TinySA ultra might be an economical instrument for IF alignment.

[@TheFRiNgEguitars]

This is major leagues, a masterfully executed repair, made easy as pie!

[@chrishoffman6537]

Terry you are the master tech!

[@toddr2375]

Great video Terry! Thanks for taking the time to put it together and post it on KZbin!

[@vtradio]

Wow! I'm glad my Hallicrafters S-40B did not have that distorted audio from an arcing IF can. 73 Paul AA1SU

[@robschertler8099]

Ad me to your list of compliments on this repair. Great work‼

[@hobbiesrus]

That is some delicate work! Thank you for documenting this.

[@jeremiahlyleseditor437]

You are a surgeon. Happy New Year to you Thanks for all your work

[@Radio478]

Great video very useful 👍 thanks from England

[@d-labelectronics]

Thank you my friend, Glad it helps

[@No_Quarter]

Great repair Terry.

[@gilbertdesmarais5718]

In a lot of devices with rivets that act as an electric carrier, I noticed that they eventually oxidize and resist current flow at the contact point. Here I suspect that this is what happened: the mica sheets were still operational, but the contact with the plates was unreliable. Sometimes removing oxidation, wetting the rivet with tin solder and soldering it to the plate is possible.

[@davidsheedy5793]

great video, have had to do similar work on other Halicrafter radios..

[@michaelmiller641]

What a palaver! Actually incorporating structurally the mica cap in the if coil case!

[@stirlingschmidt6325]

Arcing is a great way to discover this issue, but if you can't see it, it's easy to detect and pinpoint with the 'hound' from a wire tracing kit. This also works well for standard S/M and ceramic caps that are arcing internally.

[@Mike--WA7QZR]

To those complaining about the value of the receiver and the associated repair; many times, it's not about the money.

[@pannermccall4375]

Yea sometimes you just want to save some history for future generations. Sadly some people just can't see past the money.

[@mackfisher4487]

Even eBay had this comparable power Hallicrafters receivers of the era are around 100 bucks. I don't see that you can make money on this set but, thanks adding your repair expertise to future restorers.

[@Tom-W7TMD]

Nothing like a little brain surgery on the old receiver. Well done!

[@mikeerstad3705]

Thanks Terry.....I'm currently working on a Hammarlund HQ-180A ....without any antenna connected this thing makes a lot of noise and with the antenna connected it has very poor/unclear reception....After starting from the output, removing a tube at a time and injecting a signal I think I'm getting closer to a couple IF Cans.......I'll have to turn down the lights and see if I can observe some arcing...... Thanks for the Video....

[@d-labelectronics]

Yep, that sounds like the same issue. You can also tap on the can using a wood or plastic wand. I find that the noise can be excited by the vibration

[@pannermccall4375]

Sometimes you just hear it & don't see the arcing.

[@pannermccall4375]

We all have had to deal with the silver mica migration. I liked to keep extra IF transformers around in case i damaged one in the repair process. Got them out junkers or at the swap meets. Good ideal to keep the values documented to. Not all schematics list the values.

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

Realy nice job !

[@daviddahlgren9603]

Thanks Terry !

[@mikefinn2101]

Great Job thanks for showing 73s wb7qxu

[@DiogenesCaulfield]

What old gear has salvageable power supply and or transformers for 6l6 amp? Microwaves pull a lot as do scanners and printers, but looking for clues. Any tips will be appreciated.

[@lawrencehalpin6611]

Thank you.

[@billyrey9679]

IF Got it!

[@edwardwomble5707]

I ask this question out of ignorance, but am genuinely curious: Is there a modern replacement circuit or device for IF cans other than using another IF can? Thanks in advance.

[@d-labelectronics]

Hello, Not that I know of. The IF transformers have around 300vdc on them. That would blow up a Solid state device

[@edwardwomble5707]

Thanks for the thoughtful response. Love watching your videos and always learn something useful. 73 and Happy New Year to you and yours! Frank, W4EFW

[@chuckvoss9344]

Nerves of steel. A very fiddly process. Even 60 years ago you had to be careful. But now you can 3D print the coil form.

[@MrMe4444444]

I wish I could do this in 6 minutes.

[@miltonderezende7906]

A montagem de antigamente era muito feia. Eu tenho um Collins KWM2A, que é um horror de montagem. The setup in the past was very ugly. I have a Collins KWM2A, which is a horror to assemble.