Master Electronic Alignments!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

To learn electronics in a very different and effective way, and gain access to Mr Carlson's personal designs and inventions, visit the Mr Carlson's Lab Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab

[@Daveyk021]

Question, why could you not use a Function Generator? My Siglent SDG5162 can do 455KHz and modulate at 400Hz. It can NOT go down to 100uV range, but you can slap the output through a 40dB attenuator (/1000).

[@Daveyk021]

BTW, really great video! Thanks for the education.

[@erin19030]

Ive used a function generator at times but the results were no great, too many harmonics . You need a good LC style oscillator to start with. The sweep control range as unstable too. Function generators are nice but made fir Digital or audio circuitry. RF is its own mysterious world.

[@1959Berre]

KZbin should install a giant thumbs up icon, the regular one is way too small for your channel.

[@brucejenner5856]

I love the way Mr Carlson just says snippets of critical information like its common knowledge. This mam is a hero. Divulging his vast wealth of lnowledge and experience needs a greater recognition. Keep it up Sir.

[@gervaserybak6999]

Mr. Carlson, thanks for taking the time to explain and showing us how that alignment is done. I enjoyed it very much.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You are very welcome

[@suhailasaba1051]

@@MrCarlsonsLab I was willing to see where the probes of the spectrum analyser were hooked up with the radio receiver.

[@RocRizzo]

The best way that I can spend the lockdown. Increasing my knowledge of electronics with one of the best teachers around. Thanks Mr. Carlson!

[@ronniebrown8775]

Mr C can't thank you enough for this one! So educational for me at least! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise on this subject! I'm 70 and still going to school! I love it!

[@serogolemogole2685]

Way to go!

[@paul-c7541]

It was a pleasure to watch a professional at work, thank you for making this video from our requests

[@christiancarassai9540]

Mr. Carlson: your calm and exact explanation of the alignment process, makes me think you have reached the Zen level electronics mastery. Keep this in this way, it's very enjoyable!!!!

[@jacksmid5322]

Paul, great job on your videos, very informative and great pacing .

[@brownyysnoopy]

Im building a small collection of am tubes radios from the 1940's and 1950's.i bought a used heathkit ig102 rf generator to learn this kind of adjustment.this video is super clear.well explained..i learned a lot...

[@Ninjahat]

Thank you for making this by our requests :-)

[@horacedamino5401]

That is a great mike you use in your introduction! Your old radios bring me back to my childhood in the 1950s we had an old wooden cased radio that got short wave and we listened with fascination!

[@paullucas4791]

The amplitude and quality of those signals at the end is testament to your work. Its always pleasing to peak out a radio with a signal generator at a seriously low input and watching huge results on a VTVM.

[@mpccenturion]

Thank you Mr. C. 50 years ago, I was a kid, going with my dad to various 2 meter repeaters in Maine and New Brunswick. Sometimes there were just 4 of us and I watched them set up and powered the new rig. We had a 50Kw AM radio station - CFNB - and when it switched on high power - it washed out a lot of stations. Still - we had a 100 ft antenna and i enjoyed searching the dial for stations in the US. The further - the better. And as the evening went on stations would come in and go. Cheers to you!

[@Stevie_D]

THANK YOU Paul - that cleared up more than a few points for me ... I need to try out to cap off my confidence. I really appreciate your side descriptions too (like agc operation, among others) - takes out of the realm of being just a cookbook. While I don't have a spectrum analyzer (I doubt many here do), a video on the visualization method can only add to our understanding - so bring it on!

[@steelcity321pb6]

Thank you Paul for being prompt regarding our request for compiling, and uploading a video dedicated to AM radio alignment: very much appreciated. I found, when you started the peaking process, you began at the 1st IF, or IF transformer associated with the frequency changer, very intriguing since it makes sense. I was taught that it was not always beneficial to set the output on the signal generator to less than 200mV. I now have a more clear idea as to why I was taught that. I was also taught how to apply the sweep method but have not used it for several decades. The test equipment in most of the television and audio repair shops I was employed at was largely old, poorly serviced, and none too accurate. For most of the time, radio, and television alignment (if one was warranted) was little more than a ‘quick peak-up’. ‘Revenue’ was the most most important word in the domestic electronics servicing industry ...”get it working, and get it back to the customer!” Now I’m retired, I want to refine my electronics skills so I’ve made my mind up to begin by re-familiarising myself with the sweep method since I’m reminded of its benefits. There are many other areas within electronics where I intend to focus attention on refinements.l For me, this has certainly been a very inspiring video: I’m further encouraged to become more motivated, and determined. Once again, thank you very much my friend. Best regards, Phil. P.s, might you upload videos where you restore, as well as do an in-depth alignment on a VHF valve radio sometime in the near future?

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your kind comment Phil. I have VHF receivers and transmitters on the shelf (Gonset, Eddystone, Heathkit, and so on.) So some are in the plans.

[@daveschings828]

Looking forward to video alignment video with sweep generator and oscilloscope. Thanks for making these videos!

[@rebelcat420]

Thank you! I have over 35 years experience building/repairing/designing and modding guitar effect pedals, and about 25 years experience doing the same with tube guitar amps. Outside of this narrow bit of electronic knowledge, many things are still a bit of a mystery to me. Your channel has taught me a lot about radios a test equipment. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[@tallperson9422]

I can't say how much I enjoy these videos. Watching the process of tuning is a great classroom and helps me greatly as I learn about these old radios. Well done, Mr Carlson!

[@ThePapa41]

What a comprehensive tutorial on the receiver alignment, your comments and information are the best I have ever experienced! Outstanding, Louis

[@w2aew]

Really nice video, Paul. The one thing you didn't show, that I'd be interested in learning, is how/where you safely hooked up the spectrum analyzer, given that it is a low impedance.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for stopping by Alan! Back when these radios were produced, most signal generators used output sections that would not only vary amplitude, but also the output impedance as well (think wirewound resistors in the output attenuation network,) pretty crude by today's standards, but it was effective. So when the signal was turned right down at the generator's output, the output impedance of the generator could be as low as a few ohms. When this low amplitude, low impedance source was fed into the antenna termanel on the tuning capacitor, no ill affects are encountered. The antenna itself (loop antenna) is a fairly low impedance itself. The analyzers tracking generator is fed to this point through a capacitive isolator. The 1 Meg input on this analyzer picks up the signal through another protection device at the radios detector plates. The signal at this point in the radio is strong enough that clipping the input signal lead to the insulation of the detector plate lead is enough for proper coupling, and since this is a high impedance point, the loose coupling doesn't drag the alignment of the last IF stage.

[@w2aew]

@@MrCarlsonsLab I see, I didn't realize that your analyzer has a 1Mohm input impedance - that does make it easier. It gets a little tricky when using a spectrum analyzer with a 50 ohm input impedance, as most have.

[@nicolaiecaraiani1160]

L

[@BruceNitroxpro]

@@w2aew , By the way, have you seen the actual COST of "proper instrumentation online? It's shocking. AND... many are not CALIBRATED, only working (whatever THAT is meant to say... not renovated ala Carlson).

[@lonndawg7554]

Wow.... I couldn't have asked for more.... After making my request for this alignment procedure video, your explanations were very informative, this was one enjoyable lesson for us, lots of information to absorb and reason with, ... And you showed how using modern precision equipment can affect your alignment, and how to deal with going too far in an adjustment, this was a great instructional video, I hope you continue with the future projects. You spoke about on this subject. And me personally.... I really want to join your patreon classes, I have many little projects that I've collected, that probably need simple repairs, Once you find the defective part, it will happen as soon as I can arrange it...

[@christianc2633]

an half hour more "Mr Carlson", yes please... an hour more is even better sir :-)

[@welderfixer]

Thank you Mr. Carlson. I can't imagine the number of hours of joy and wonderment radios like that brought to families world wide.

[@c00kie84]

47:25 - Mr. Carlson gets a mention on the radio! Very informative tutorial as usual - many thanks!

[@540Baseball]

Tucker Carlson... but I get the point.

[@friedmule5403]

@@540Baseball Tucker who? No it has to be Mr. Carlson!! :-) C00kie, great catch, very funny! :-)

[@hestheMaster]

LOL. Different Mr. Carlson!

[@johnqpublic9074]

Your an unbelievable guru. I graduated electronics in the TTL era. Dogbone resistors, non standard color codes, tubes, they are a complete dark art. Thanks for removing the mystery out of tubes.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad to help!

[@scottmorgan5370]

One of my favorite videos you have done. I guess I have a penchant for alignment work.

[@156dave]

Hi where did you used to work you have such a broad knowledge of electronics

[@worldwide1376]

Just awesome. I really appreciate your explanations in simpler terms and filling in the blanks where the manufacturer documentation makes assumptions that one already knows more common details, which the amateurs may not. Big thumbs up!

[@cat-lw6kq]

Excellent as always. I think you must have lived in the 1920's as your knowledge about these old radios is so complete.

[@kenanderson6568]

Mr. Carlson tnx you for sharing your expertise and in a super understandable way. Whoever aligned you did a great job and is owed a great debt of appreciation. I'm greatful for being aligned and peaked by your most valuable and effective videos. You're the greatest. Thank you.

[@nigelbrockwell6237]

These radios take me back to before I started working for Marconi Instruments, just north of London. I noticed in your vast collection of test equipment a Marconi 2955B Radio Comms Test Set, which was one I had to setup and repair. Other equipment I was involved with were, 6969B, 2022, 2945, 2440, 2305 and many others. I'm now retired, but still making radios, which is my great love. Thanks for the great videos, which I greatly enjoy watching.

[@jimgiordano8218]

WOW! What a receiver. Very sensitive and pulling in a lot of stations. Great job on this one. I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.

[@markphilpot4981]

Anyone watching with curiosity is going to get a real education in alignment and how there is a difference in peaking and visualizing signal integrity. Doesn’t do you much good to peak without seeing the influence it has on the signal. If you want to learn the how and why, you’ve come to the right place. You continue to stress safety aspects when working on this gear. Being injured or killed because you are not sure is both dangerous and stupid. Anyone listening and watching is going to be warned of the dangers. There is no limit when safety is concerned. Being injured or killed is overrated. Anyone who has worked on tube gear and hasn’t been shocked or rudely woken up hasn’t worked on it much. Avoiding injury is key and following your methods are key. Your warnings are valid. Thanks for another great video. Stay safe mates!😊👍🏻😷

[@egomezmx65]

APPLAUSE! thanks, Paul, super interesting and clear like always. It will be nice to see the visual alignment as well. so much information from such a little radio, awesome!

[@alansmithee183]

Paul, in the (very) unlikely event this electronics stuff turns out not to be your thing, you have a brilliant career ahead of you being a DJ for an easy-listening radio station. Your mic and voice are perfect ASMR! Keep up the great work we love every video you put out!

[@boilermaker7754]

The "Bob Ross" of electronics, brilliant stuff, thanks Mr. Carlson.

[@doncarlton4858]

Fantastic video on alignment! I never thought you could make antique radios receive so strongly!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@donl1846]

Mr. Carlson is the Albert Einstein of electronics. Thanks so much for making these videos, so interesting, even for the lay-person like me.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Excellent! I have learned more about electronics in the last year or so watching your videos than in my entire life. Thank you for such clear explanations.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad to help!

[@PeterMilanovski]

I read an article in the Electronics Australia Magazine from the early 70's that talked about when transformerless TV's were introduced into Australia and the electrical board banned them from sale after conducting tests and finding out that half wave rectified AC was sending DC down the ground wire which was back then tied to the galvanized plumbing. They found that the DC on the galvanized pipes was causing electrolysis and would dissolve a pipe in the ground in a matter of a few months which the board of water works at the time wasn't happy about. I think that the government did a buy back of all the TV's sold that didn't have a transformer and we never really had a transformerless tv after that, I don't think that a radio like the all American five would have been allowed to exist in Australia either. Of course back then the home electrical system was a bit different, all houses have a dedicated ground wire which now goes through an RCD device then to a copper ground stake. I was fascinated to learn that we actually had a DC electrical system before we had AC! I would have thought that the DC system came and went quite quickly since back then things moved slower, I wonder if it was an Edison DC system? I'm aware that Edison came to a little country town at that time called Ballarat to see a one piece phone handset that someone there had invented which is basically the same one piece design that we still have today! Ballarat incidentally for those who don't know also became the hottest destination back in the early 1850's when gold was discovered and the rush from around the world was on! Fun fact, if it had not been for the discovery of gold, the capital of Australia was going to be Tasmania! At the time, Melbourne was being considered for the new capital and the other place up for consideration was a coastal town called Geelong! The boat loads of people coming into Australia for the gold fields were getting off at Geelong because it was closer, Melbourne noticed that they were missing out on the tourist dollars to Geelong so someone drew a new map that made Geelong appear to be much further away than it really was and sent it out around the world to get the boats into Melbourne without Geelong realising it LoL... For a time, Melbourne became the richest city in the world, the money isn't there like it used to be but if wealth is measured by quality of life, then we are still the richest city in the world!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for sharing your story Peter!

[@opus1952]

I fully agree with all the previous comments to this one and just want to say a great big thank you for going over some basic procedures, this was great, thank you.

[@vinceotten129]

Looking forward to the entire video dedicated to “visual alignment”! You mentioned, as an alternative to the spectrum analyzer, using a sweep generator and oscilloscope. I’d be very interested in that procedure!

[@Wil_Bloodworth]

Very nice. Thank you for such a great explanation of all of the required steps.

[@fb341]

Thanks for another awesome video, Mr. C! Even though I thought I had a good grasp on aligning AA5 radios, you still managed to offer some nice little gems. Seeing alignments done on different radios and from a variety of perspectives, using different tools is really useful. You provide such a wonderful service to all of us. Thank you. A video that I'd like to see would be focused on AA5 loop antennas, their designed length, number of winds, rebuilding/replacing them, and anything you can think of to add. I had an old Crosley that had no loop antenna, and I couldn't locate a Crosley replacement. I could have just used a long external antenna, but I really wanted the radio to be complete with an internal loop antenna. Therefore, I decided to build a replica but really struggled to gather all of the necessary information from a variety of sources. It seems to work ok, but I suspect it's still not quite right. I think you could do a wonderful job explaining everything we could want to know about AA5 loop antennas.

[@markpomietlo1836]

I love you video's.They are great way to relax and learn too.You do a excellant job of explaining what your doing.its hard to believe all the stuff our last generations invented. just getting radio to work and radios to recieve it were great inventions. i remember my mom and dad had tube radio's. i remember the heat coming from it would keep us warm in the winter. And it had a certain smell too if dust was on the tubes...lol. please dont stop your video's i ve learned alot about electronics. Thanks Again be safe have a healthy year.

[@W1RMD]

These videos just seem to get better and better. Love your description of the AVC circuit! The video quality on the was perfect. On all the videos that I've seen of yours, you always say you need to adjust the camera or pardon yourself for being hard to see a dial or whatever, but I've never had any problems seeing anything in your videos. Thanks!

[@doctorjohn-burgtekie]

Mr. Carlson, Nipper and Chipper would be proud of your knowledge and teaching.

[@jakepayseno2651]

I really enjoyed that. You've mentioned before that you don't recieve a great signal, if any, down in your lab. I've always wondered about your external antenna setup. What does it consist of?

[@denny71730]

Me too.

[@erin19030]

Just for fun I built the Cantenna signal booster using “15” diameter wire firm and about 50 turns of #22 enameled wire , placed across an old 365 pf tuning gang capacitor. I am not a HAM so I don’t have antennas on my roof or in my yard.

[@andythrasher9288]

Thanks Mr. Carlson! Ive aligned many 455kc I.F. transformers over the years but learned many valuble lessons so I cant thank you enough. For one, Ive always used a 1000hz audio signal from the generator. Didnt know 400hz was Ok...cool! Secondly Ive never considered starting with a high amount of RF signal (500uv or more) and decreasing the signal as the gain in the IF strip improved. My method was similar, but I always started with a very small signal fearing the all dreaded "AGC action" screwing up my alignment. Also going through every screw in each can and then starting back at the very first adjustment is the answer. Id rock back and forth between the first two, then move on to the next two rocking back and forth. Wrong Andy Wrong!. Last but not least I always aligned with a VTVM on the speaker coil. Never even considered the spectrum analyzer and I have a small but pretty accurate one on my IFR AM/FM 1200S. Thanks again Mr. C you rock!

[@havarticheese]

Thanks very much Mr. Carlson! Many asked for this video and I am truly impressed how quickly you responded. I look forward to more of your videos!

[@scotttruslow4570]

If Bob Ross was an Engineer. Thanks Mr. Carlson for all of these incredible videos.

[@strobelightaudio]

happy little tubes 🤗

[@Forensic1Man]

Hi! By far, the best lesson on radio alignment I have seen over the last 50 years of electronic repair. All was so well explained and all so accurate. Unfortunately, I do not have all the equipment that you appear to have collected. Next, the restoration of a transistor radio or other transistor electronics. Will you use cold spray to temporarily reactivated a burned out component? Do you use cold Freon spray for repairs?

[@deadfreightwest5956]

Yay, I get to watch a Mr Carlson's alignment on my birthday!

[@gregnewberry4813]

So looking forward to the sweep generator alignment process!!

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

This video is a fantastic reminder of all the stuff I had forgotten. Be nice to cover fixing when the dial is in tune at each end but goes out in the middle and requires bending the outer oscillator plate. Be nice to mention clamping the AGC for alignment and your modern signal generator output is PD / EMF. And final using RMA dummy antennas. Thanks for sharing regards Chris

[@martyh9309]

First I want to let you know that I absolutely love your channel. Your knowledge and the quality is just beyond reproach. The only comment I wanted to make about this video was about when you were describing these all American five tube radios that were transformerless, you mention it was done to keep costs down. I believe that was true in later years, but initially it was done because a lot of the power especially in large older cities like New York was truly just DC. As AC came on line a lot of the buildings were supplied with both AC and DC, but initially it was only DC. So in order to make these radios work in both situations they had to be transformerless to function. It wasn't a matter of being transformerlesd to save money but in order to make it so people could buy these radios and actually use them as they only had DC available. In fact New York City shut down its last DC supply to the last section of the city in 2007! There were a lot of people that would utilize the wrong outlet and actually damage their newer appliances as there were both AC and DC available especially in apartment buildings in later years.

[@somethingabouttractors241]

I appreciate all the efforts you put into these videos. Very informative and detailed.

[@GeorgeWMays]

Wow. Excellent alignment video. Super enjoyable and informative. Thank you very much. Your projects are always appreciated greatly.

[@cliffjones7868]

I didn't read through all comments so heres mine. Please include the Model number of the radio so I can get a schematic to follow, also I know you showed your test equipment, but listing what was used would help. Great demonstration!

[@murrij]

This is why I am a Patreon supporter- my way of showing how grateful I am for him sharing his knowledge.

[@vhfgamer]

I'm going to share this video with my students. Thanks Mr. Carlson!

[@mikemullenix6956]

It doesn't get any better than this ! Excellent alignment thanks

[@hpelisr]

This is such a great way to see educational info, and learn electronics. Thanks for all you do.

[@DavidTipton101]

Thanks Paul, nice tutorial. The dial alignment was a little different to what I'm used to but made sense. Cheers!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you enjoyed David!

[@kb1kos]

I first studied this in 1977. THANK YOU for the refresher course!

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Finally got a chance to watch this. Meticulous and fascinating as always. Love the look of these simple dials too. Cheers

[@dorelgogu8631]

Thank you so much for the information you share. It's so easy to understand the fundamental of elctronics just by watching the videos and then apply what you just learned. Thanks again and I'm looking forward for the next video! L.E. I've just fixed a Zenith from 1937. I've built a small signal generator and align it. Works like a dream! Short wave reception is amazing on this radio. Too bad the street lamps are noisy...

[@RadioFixer]

I truly enjoy watching your videos! Thank you so much for taking your valuable time making these videos. Have a great day!

[@StevePietras]

Great job Paul! I botched an alignment on a Heathkit AR-3 because I was feeding too much RF into the device. Took me several attempts to get it. I was using a Heathkit IG-102 signal generator. I discovered I could simply wind the test lead wires together to inject signal rather than stick the alligator clip from the signal generator on to the radio. This greatly reduced signal and helped me get the old AR3 working again. This video sure would have helped years ago when I attempted that alignment. FYI: gee whiz you sure have a nice RF signal generator.

[@TheDrunkenMug]

Yes, the alignment video ! Thanks so much Paul, this will really aid me in doing allignments to old radio's myself 😀👍

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad it helped!

[@Andrewausfa]

Back, back, back and forth, my pointer goes...in the words of Cameo. My favourite part of alignment is the padders and trimmers. Always popular here for those tongue at an angle moments. Good stuff Paul, basic knowledge but well presented as usual.

[@leiferickson3183]

This is wonderful! Thank you so much for posting this "Secret" info on aligning these radio receivers. I think I understand enough to take on an old shortwave receiver I have.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You're very welcome!

[@erin19030]

Was the radio you aligned in the alignment tutorial an RCA? I have one just like it , however the lower end of band tuning coil next to the variable capacitor is missing from my radio. I’ve been doing AM radio alignment for over 50 years and still found your video an eye opener. Ya learn something new every day. I have never had the equipment to do a sweep alignment setup. Now i might look for a sweep Generator. When I learned the AM alignment process we used a. Simpson 260 on the AC scale and output function.

[@richardcook4643]

Great Video. I always learn a lot. A idea for a future alignment video , that I'm sure a lot of people would like is alignment using a rf Gen and a analog scope like a tek 465. Describing how and why's . Particular band pass filters. Thanks

[@emanuellandeholm5657]

This is an amazing video. I'm just speechless.

[@erin19030]

When I learned to do an alignment, the first step was to disable the oscillator and then place the leads of a Simpson 260 VOM across the the speaker secondary with a 4 ohm dummy load, speaker disconnected. I still use that technique as well as the Sweep IF method.

[@daveleger2002]

Always an exceptional video effort from Paul... Thankyou...

[@darrendirk4427]

Looking forward to many more video's, you are great at explaining everything! I have a RCA WR-50B sweep generator here, but cannot get it to work with my Hantek 5102P digital oscilloscope. Patiently awaiting the video or series in which you describe visual alignments using sweep generators in conjunction with digital scopes.

[@paulpaulzadeh6172]

very nice Paul , my questions: 1: a-v-c in today term , is it the same as AGC , Automatic Gain Control ?! 2: is it better to disconnect a-v-c feedback during alignment ?! it seems some time too much gain , and oscillation from speaker could be heard by adjusting those capacitor to counter measure it , of course after alignment was done you can put it back a-v-c in action

[@harrystevens3885]

YoutuBe needs a quality sweep and oscilloscope alignment video because there isn't one, I think you showed the spectrum analyser in those wonderful Hammarlund videos,your whole back catalogue of videos is a joy to trawl through. Personally a 2.30 hour long video is no problem for me, perhaps you could time stamp certain sections for those with no staying power.:):)

[@renejansen5939]

Mr Carlson, very educative video, thank you! Misalignment, I like that phenomena :) I've bought many great (digital) tuners from the 1980's and 1990's in thrift stores for €5,- ($6,-) with a sticker on them, saying that they're not working. After warming up and realignment, most of them are working fine again.

[@nyckhampson792]

Dear Mr Carlson , ive been unwell , unable to watch your excellent videos ...im back feeling better alresdy hearing and seeing you on screen ...peace ✌️ to all

[@genestatler2514]

Thank you, Paul for the alignment video. I really enjoyed your full explanation of it.

[@eugenetheodore2956]

Hello Paul. This is a great lesson on alignment. This video is in my favorite folder & I'll be referring to it often. I learn from all of your videos that I have watched.

[@titoher]

Excellent explanation as usual. Thank you.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you liked it!

[@paulcilluffo]

Thank you paul these types of video education is the best your a great educater

[@krz8888888]

Thank you, I have always peaked them by ear, looking forward to see the difference

[@ShainAndrews]

I've peaked many by ear, but as I acquired equipment I do it less and less. Initially my ear was not as accurate as I thought, then as I started using test gear while listening I got a fair bit better. That immediate feed back loop of seeing what I was hearing made it possible. At some point there is no way my ears will maintain their youthful sensitivity, hell I had to get glasses not too long ago. Guess it is all down hill from here. LOL

[@cottydry]

Best alignment video I've seen. Would love to see how to do a sweep alignment.

[@alnicospeaker]

Thanks for that Mr.C! My request would be an FM alignment on a 50s or 60s tube radio, you've explained the AM procedure so well many times but I haven't seen a video of yours doing FM-alignment.

[@n2n8sda]

Oh nice midweek surprise. Will get it on shortly. Have done alignments on vacuum tube stuff for many years but be interesting to see if you do anything different, though there isn't really a lot you can align on a 5 tube radio

[@paultopolski6595]

Paul, one of my favorite old-time instruments for alignments is the AC VTVM. There are several Heathkit models such as the AV-1, 2, and 3 as well as the IM-21, IM-38, and IM-5238 (TVM). I also use an Amphenol AC Millivolt Commander which is a full-featured TVM with an AC sensitivity of .01 Volts AC. Using these meters also facilitates disrupting the circuit as little as possible. Whenever possible, I will also use close coupling of input signals by using loops of wire rather than direct connections. As a final note, I will also use the spectrum analyzer for IF alignment and find it exceedingly convenient and speedy to align the dials by sniffing the local oscillator. Your feedback is appreciated. de W1SEX

[@sonnydixonvideo]

Wonderful, descriptive process. Many thanks!

[@phillipyannone3195]

Fantastic! Best alignment video I've seen. Thank you

[@donhall2759]

Thanks for this, very helpful. Keep it coming, and, is that a new microphone? Nice audio.

[@dynotec1]

This video is like the missing link for me in gaining an understanding on how these radios work. I can read books and watch videos and gather as much knowledge as I can and then find myself in front of all the hardware at the bench and say now what? It’s hard to dive in sometimes because I don’t want to damage my equipment or the radios I plan to work on. Those little tiny details between steps are what makes the difference for me. Thanks Paul.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad to help Bart!

[@suhailasaba1051]

@@MrCarlsonsLab Are you thinking of making a video on how to align a cordless phone frequency between the handset and the base by using a frequency counter and a scope ?

[@timmack2415]

You are the Bob Ross of electronics.

[@dbaldwin850]

Could you create a basic test equipment inventory required for service and alignment of AM receivers? Perhaps a video detailing the building of a basic test bench for AM radio servicing with a make and model recommendation for each piece of equipment and tooling. For example, listing the manufacture, make and model of the isolation transformer and variac and the vendors who sell them, as well as the signal generator, VTVM, other meters, and tooling. The point is that some of us have vintage test equipment, but finding the sources and specific test equipment is a challenge.

[@docholliday3150]

D Baldwin, I'm not sure the specific make an manufacture is that important. Many companies made similar VTVMs and they will all work very much alike. Same with the signal generators. However, Mr. C. uses a much more modern SG. Most of the vintage vacuum tube SG's didn't have calibrated output but it would still be possible to align a receiver with a vintage SG. The myriad of options in test equipment was extremely confusing to me when I started a few years ago. My solution was not what I would recommend but it was fun. I bought SG's from basic Heathkit variants up through HP synthesized generators with sweep and all the bells and whistles. Reading the forums trying to glean the differences just didn't work for me. I needed to see them in action. In the process, I restored many of the SG's and learned a great deal. My conclusion is that the equipment you need depends on the work you want to do. AA5's require only the most basic of instruments while FM receivers, stereo and communications gear requires more complex (and expensive) gear. There is not any one specific set of instruments to fit every scenario. My problem is that I am somewhat afraid of using the complex gear (especially on the tube radios) because my wallet was bigger than my understanding. In the southern US, we call that being "all hat and no cattle". I'll get there one day, especially with great videos like this one. Doc

[@Seiskid]

Thanks for that. So much detail. Really enjoyable. Would love to see more FM alignments if these sets come in to your workshop.

[@brianwood5220]

Nice job Paul. Hope your keeping well. Stay Safe.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Brian!