Pacemaker TransPortable Part 2 - Final - Full of surprises

[@DavidTipton101]

Damn, that came up really well Don. It looked beyond help in Part 1. Great work 👏👍🙂

[@Donno308]

Cheers Dave. Looking forward to your next one!

[@domtrimboli6238]

Hi Don, very nice little restoration and great outcome again, watched it add free tonight and looking forward to the next one.keep up the passion you have for these old beauties as im sure the radio community Apreciate it as much as i do.

[@Donno308]

Hi Dom, One of my subscribers alerted me to the ridiculous number of ads youtube was putting in my videos. I didn't realise how many there were as I don't se the ads as I have youtube premium. So I've turned them off and I'll continue to do that. I can't stop the ones before & after the video though. Glad you enjoyed this one. Not too sure what's coming up next but I've got plenty to choose from. Cheers

[@tyronevanleyen9880]

Hey Don! This was a very short, but sweet restoration! Don't worry about those little faults, like those little black stains from the silver paint on the inside. This is called earned damage, in antiques. It actually adds to the authenticity and history of the radio. It looks great! I love watching you go over the schematics and firguring this all out. To me, it might as well be written in Chinese. It's like watching an operation take place when you take out this, and transplant that! This radio is very unique looking. It reminds of what might be, the first boom box, but primitively made of wood. So cool!

[@Donno308]

Hi Tyrone, Yes I guess this could be the ancestor of the boom box. It's certainly one of the very early transistor sets. "Earned damage". I like that. It is part of the history of this little radio.

[@retro_tech]

What an amazing little radio. And when restored it looks absolutely stunning. Very minimalist and modern looking, but still some design elements from the 50s, like that shiny grille. What a timeless design. Weird power switch though. Don't think I've ever seen one on the tone control. Awesome job. 👍

[@Donno308]

Yes quite an interesting design. You don't see many transistor radios in wooden cabinets. I do like the look of it. I've seen other valve radios with the power switch on the tone control but they started using the volume control by the early 50's. I've never seen it on a transistor radio though.

[@rádiosantigos1958]

Nice work. It is a pretty radio. Thanks for the video.

[@markdesjardins3153]

Great video, greetings from Canada to our Australian cousins. I really look forward to these videos' Don keep it up pease. My first training on electronics was with tubes ,we did transistors too and building a superhet radio so this stuff takes me back to the 60's and youth.

[@Donno308]

Hi Mark. I was never trained in tube electronics but I always found them interesting. I guess part of the reason I do this is because it takes me back to my younger days.

[@lyntonprescott3412]

Brilliant! A huge amount of work to make everything presentable. Not too sure what has gone on electrically? Transistors are not my thing either! Usual fine end result. Well done young man.

[@Donno308]

Cheers Lynton. I guess I'll slowly learn a bit more about transistors if I keep on working on them.

[@billjananne]

Good job there, Don!

[@alunjones4427]

Excellent restore well done Don. no this video is not to longer is better giving much more info to us learners.

[@Donno308]

Thanks. I'm definitely still one of those learners! Glad you enjoyed the video anyway.

[@stephencopeland238]

What a cracking little kitchen radio - really like it!

[@6A8G]

Thanx for your detective work Don, great job. There seems to be an Australian version of this set, your Maurice Findlay designed "The Transporta Transistor Mantel Set" for Radio Television & Hobbies in August 1958 - it even had a PCB! Also, the case is very similar to your beastie:)

[@Donno308]

Interesting ... There was also a Sony radio that was very similar - the Sony TR 72. I'll look up the 'Transporta Transistor Mantel Set". It sounds interesting. Cheers & thanks for the info.

[@MichaelBeeny]

Early radios with the OC range of transistors always had the ground as the +ve. I was amazed at the size of both the driver and output transformers. At first, I was expecting about 2/3 watts output but a pair of OC72s would be around 200/400mW only. A pair of OC81s (for more expensive radios) would deliver around 500 to 800mW output. On a 9volt battery.

[@Donno308]

Cheers Michael. The schematic definitely showed -ve ground though. Strange. I don't think I've seen another transistor radio with point to point wiring either. Even valve radios were using PCBs by the 1960s.

[@VintageRadioSteve]

Fantastic job Don! I'm really enjoying this new Kiwi vintage radio channel 😂 And the confusion in the schematic was because I think you were using the original one, and as you noted there were some production changes - which Collier & Beale did publish updates for - yours is the 1960 variant on my site - I've emailed you the link, since KZbin seems to banish comments with web links in them. Very nice job, it came out looking excellent! Cheers, Steve

[@Donno308]

Thanks Steve, I thought there must have been a few revisions. I don't know why the change in polarity though. I'll check the schematic you emailed - it will probably all start to make sense then. Unfortunately I don't have any more NZ radios but if I see any for sale I'll grab them. Cheers

[@steelcity321pb6]

Hi Don, Seeing that radio’s schematic, it appears to have some Philips influence. There also seems to be a printing error - the battery symbol might well have been drawn reverse position. I could be wrong on those points. When restoring/repairing old radios, one can only do the best with what is available (unless one owns a 3D printer, laser cutter, metal bending equipment, model maker’s lathe etc. - and those types of equipment, even second hand, can be very expensive). A good number of old radio and television manufacturers have long gone - or at least all have long gone here in the UK. You have done a super job restoring that radio: I have enjoyed viewing what you have achieved. Regards, PB.

[@Donno308]

Hi Phil, Apparently I just had the wrong schematic. After seeing the video, Vintage Radio Steve (from New Zealand) emailed me the correct one. Apparently it was revised for the 1960 model and I was looking at the original 1957 one. They did indeed change the polarity between 1957 and 1960 with all the appropriate circuit changes. Yes I would love to have a fully equipped workshop with all the gear but I kind of enjoy using my ingenuity to find my way around problems. A 3D printer would be useful though... Cheers

[@mauricenewman-n5j]

another great video Don. Keep them coming

[@radio-ged4626]

Your chucks were going mental when you started pulling that radio apart.🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🤣 I like seeing the early transistor radios, where they tend to build them the same or similar to the valve radios. Edit: I like the finished result, the dial backing in black was a good idea.

[@Donno308]

Yes, the point to point wiring is pretty unusual for a transistor radio. I quite like working on these old ones too.

[@alanmitchell7322]

Good job on fixing that radio I had one the same in 1960 it lasted for years and it gave up around 1995-96. There was no radio technician that wanted to look at it or fix it so away too the dump it went. Watching your vidios I wish I had kept it. There you go you live and learn. Cheers from Hokitika New Zealand. Ps Im pretty sure mine had a 9v big square battery in it as it had the same sort of battery plug the same as yours.

[@Donno308]

Hi Alan, What a pity you threw yours out! But then how could you have known... The schematic shows 6 volts and it seems to work fine on anything over 5V. The label on the back panel is a bit scratched but I think it says "Eveready type 744 or equivalent" I googled it and radiomuseum has an entry for it but no photo. It does give dimensions though and it was a big rectangular battery and was 6V. If I can find a photo I might try to make a replica. Cheers

[@neilforbes416]

This video is being *RUINED* by ads every 5 minutes because I had to turn off my Ad-Blocker, which also serves to protect my *PRIVACY!*

[@Donno308]

I don't see the ads because I have premium. I guess they're youtube ads? They're allowed to put ads at the start, the end and 1 ad break in the middle. If it's too much I can turn off the ones in the middle.

[@Donno308]

I had a look at the ad placement - That's RIDICULOUS! I have turned off all "mid roll" ads so now they should just be at the beginning and end. Pleas let me know if this has worked.

[@neilforbes416]

@@Donno308 KZbin are putting a hell of a lot more ads in the "middle"(during play) and really abusing us viewers. If the ads were just at the start, with a "skip" function *WITHOUT* the 5-second countdown, I wouldn't object as much. But when the ads *INTRUDE* during the video, that's *WAY TOO MUCH!*

[@neilforbes416]

@@Donno308 Sorry, no! I wish it did work, but it didn't! Ads intruded at near 5-minute intervals and at the end! KZbin needs to be *HAULED OVER THE COALS* over this and *FORCED* to remove their ban on Ad-Blockers. As I said, my Ad-Blocker doesn't just block ads, it also *protects my privacy* and KZbin is effectively forcing me to compromise my privacy to watch these videos.

[@Donno308]

@@neilforbes416 Yes I couldn't believe it when I saw the number of ads they were putting in. They don't make it easy to turn them off, either. I have gone through and turned off "mid roll" ads on all my recent videos and I'll keep on working through the back catalogue. Maybe it takes time to take effect? I am NOT HAPPY about this.

[@douglashoff95]

With the tuned RF stage this must be quite a sensitive radio, probably among the best of portables.

[@Donno308]

It certainly out performs any other portable radio I've had.

[@MACEWINDULastJedi]

Very Nice! My OCD Wants to see that little copper plate at the top of the tuning knob!👍

[@Donno308]

Yes, so does mine! I have ordered some knobs on ebay that have similar brass caps. I'm hoping to pry one of them off and use it on this radio. I didn't want to delay the video while I waited for them though.

[@gerardcarson2779]

Nice work, and very nice result!

[@neilforbes416]

32:46 A *bare(bear)* wooden case, lookin' a bit "grizzly!" LOL😁

[@top40researcher31]

i can't bear your one liners any more lol

[@neilforbes416]

Years ago I used to pick up the NZBC commercial network, I think, from Auckland 1ZB(but it may have come off relay from Wellington 2ZB). The numbering was: 1 - Auckland and surrounds; 2 - Wellington and surrounds; 3 - Christchurch and surrounds; 4 - Dunedin & surrounds, then the call-letters: X = Private commercial(except for 4XO Dunedin which was non-commercial); Y = NZBC Non-commercial or part-time commercial; Z = NZBC full-time commercial. When I heard the station in late 1970s & early 1880s, the breakfast announcer came on the air at 5.00am(NZ time, 3.00am east coast Australian time) yelling *"WAKE UP, NEW ZEALAND!"* I never remembered the announcer's name but he was obviously a real "character"!.

[@Donno308]

Hi Neil. Interesting that you used to pick up NZ stations. I remember occasionally picking them up when I lived in Sydney. Recently I've been listening to RNZ on line. They play better music than the ABC and no ads.

[@neilforbes416]

@@Donno308 Well, Radio New Zealand did have a commercial network(stations with 'Z' in the callsign) but now with FM active in NZ, I really don't know what gives over the "ditch" anymore.

[@top40researcher31]

@@neilforbes416 now known as NewsTalk ZB

[@richb419]

HI, Don. nice job on the radio. the battery has been marked wrong on the schematic. I have seen that before, don't know why that would happen. Rich

[@neilforbes416]

Don, you're going to have to do something about those chickens! Too much *fowl* language! LOL😁

[@Donno308]

Chicken dinner perhaps?

[@neilforbes416]

@@Donno308 It'll take *plucking* up the courage to catch the little bugger! LOL

[@nicholas790]

Well, you're no Bob Anderson Check out his videos when you get some time, but your results are quite nice! Very enjoyable watching you work. You have a new subscriber from me now.

[@Donno308]

Hi Nicholas Thanks for the sub. I'll check out Bob Anderson! Cheers

[@matambale]

Enjoyed the video Don, thank you - radio came out rather gorgeous. Just one question - is it possible that silver paint was there as a kind of shielding?

[@Donno308]

Hi Matambale. No, I don't think so. It wasn't grounded in any way. I think it was applied by a previous owner to prevent damage from battery corrosion. It was mainly in the battery area and very roughly applied so probably not done in the factory. Cheers

[@matambale]

@@Donno308 Pardon me on that, Don, wasn't until I got to the reassembly part of the video that I saw it was in the battery compartment. Good call on the reason for it being there.

[@ChuckKirchner-se6ib]

I'm not sure about availability, but CRC Brake parts cleaning spray is almost chemically identical to D5. Make sure (if you can get it) to buy the non-flammable version, though. I made the same mistake with a house mortgage for two cans of D5. Cheers, mate.

[@Donno308]

Cheers Chuck. I haven't tried CRC Brake cleaner but I'll check it out. Yep I'll go for the non-flammable one. Cheers

[@videolabguy]

18:40 - Don, that schematic is a horror show. Electrically correct it may be. But, it is drawn in the most unreadable style possible. I suppose this was due to the designer working with very early transistor circuits. I always hated the germanium PNP transistors because the positive ground made it impossible to integrate them into systems with a proper negative ground (using later silicon NPN transistors). It looks like the designer was trying to make the unit have a negative ground. But, damn! Oh, well. I admire your doggedness in groveling your way through this monster. I personally grab Kicad and redraft these things into a readable form before proceeding... But, it might just be me...

[@Donno308]

Hi. Not being used to transistor circuits I didn't think this one was unusually bad. Turns out it was the wrong schematic. It was revised in 1959 and I had the 1957 version. I now have the right one but it's a bit late because the radio's finished. Ah well... I must say I've seen far worse tube radio schematics. They can be a nightmare, especially the early Philips ones. Cheers

[@pandaradio8431]

I may be mistaken but all the parts i see are made by or at least also used by phillips , older pnp transistor schematics have positive to ground in many cases

[@harryshector]

I think the aluminum paint is there to cover battery leakage damage. My father used to use aluminum paint to cover all sorts of damage.

[@Donno308]

Yes that makes sense.

[@HyyskanPolttaja]

Great job Don. Where did you get that t-shirt with the picture of a vacuum tube from?

[@Donno308]

Hi. I got the t shirt from an ad / link on facebook but if you search analogue / vacuum tube t shirt you should find it.

[@HyyskanPolttaja]

@@Donno308 Thanks Don. There seems to be a lot of related clothing available. I ordered one with a picture of a tube and text "Happiness is a warm tube'" 😁

[@batterymakermarkii2654]

I'll bet that battery well is designed to hold one of those Australian 276P nine volt batteries

[@Donno308]

Apparently it's an Eveready type 744 six volt battery. This is on the label on the radio's back panel. The same as a 6V lantern battery (type 1209 or similar) but with a plug socket instead of spring terminals. After a lot of googling I found a photo of one but they are hard to find. Perhaps I could adapt a 1209 with a socket.

[@mackfisher4487]

God Job, Hows The MG coming is it going to be ready for a summer rally

[@Donno308]

Hi Mack. I've taken the MG for a couple of small runs but the weather hasn't been great. Warming up now though. It has a pretty bad oil leak from the side plates though. That's a bit of a job - have to take off the manifolds and I haven't got around to it yet. Cheers

[@davidk6271]

Good work. Will you address the metal boss for the tuner control or leave as is? Cheers

[@Donno308]

Hi David. Yes I've ordered some knobs with a similar metal centre and I'm hoping to remove the centre from one and use that. I may have to modify it a bit.

[@michaelmacdonald3408]

DON,T the Chooks drive you nuts especially the roosters.

[@jamesmdeluca]

Greetings: You, early on commented on a missing piece from the center of the tuning dial but nothing came of it.

[@Donno308]

Hi James. I ordered some knobs with a gold centre similar to the tuning dial and I plan to try to remove the centre piece, trim it if necessary and attach it to the tuning dial. Unfortunately the knobs still haven't arrived. Sorry, I should have mentioned that in the video.

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

Another NICE radio 📻. I REALLY liked 👍 the picture 📸 of the woman 👩 by the radio on your video 📹. I hope the dial cord on this is fine, because restringing them can be very frustrating, and very hard. Your friend, Jeff.

[@Donno308]

No dial cord on this one luckily. Direct reduction drive to the tuning capacitor. Luckily this was in good working order as they can be a bigger nightmare than a dial string!

[@hams1017]

Good job maybe made to work in a + earth car ?

[@Donno308]

Maybe. Who knows.

[@neilforbes416]

My limited knowledge of transistors shows that all those in this set are PNP(Positive collector and emitter to Negative base).

[@MichaelBeeny]

NPN were quite uncommon in those days.

[@neilforbes416]

@@MichaelBeeny They(PNP and the odd NPN in the higher sets, 100-in-1 and 250-in-1)) used to be part of those Tandy 10-in-one up to 250-in-one electronics experimenter kits!

[@ricobass0253]

Early transistors were mostly Germanium PNP. Having come from valve circuits we all had to get our brains around schematics with battery positive to ground! Very confusing.

[@MichaelBeeny]

@@ricobass0253 ...and another thing, why on earth did they change the resistor colour codes. Now I have to measure each one. Assuming I can see them in the first place!!

[@top40researcher31]

@@neilforbes416 ahhh those 300 in 1 kits good start to learn about electronics

[@vicmabus1532]

I hate it when the schematic, althogh clearly the proper model, is completely different to the circuit🤬 I was working on a set, and found four different schematics, none of which matched! I carried on without...

[@Donno308]

Me too! Now i've finished the radio, someone has sent me the right schematic. I wish I had it before!