Emerson AA5 Tube Radio Restore Mistake Repair

[@annaplojharova1400]

That capacitor was clearly oiled paper capacitor. Very likely some PCB based oil, by the way. You won't be able to wind the mica this way, mainly in mass production, it would just be breaking.

[@shango066]

good point, let me get the gloves in the trash and clean all the tools.

[@argoneum]

Remember the smell of this oil. Fun times: cadmium plated chassis, PCB-based oils, selenium rectifiers (also with cadmium in them). All the healthy stuff 😸

[@zulumax1]

@@argoneum asbestos too!

[@randyr.parker2698]

When I was a young boy my dad had an old camper that he use work on old radios in. (this would have been in the 50's, but it was the 60's when I would go in it) I was born in 1960 and I would have been probably around 8 or 9 yrs old when this happened. I would be fascinated with all the cool looking things in the bottom of those radios and I'd take the old capacitors apart to look at them exposing myself to all the toxins, although not knowing that at the time. (probably why I have this nervous 'tick' now........no just kidding, LOL) One day I got the bright idea to plug one of those old radios in to the wall socket, grabbed the chassis, and it nearly knocked me to the floor. I quickly let go, unplugged it, and didn't mess with them after that. LOL! Young and dumb I guess! 😂 Now that I'm older and close to retiring, I started messing with them, and anything electronic, it's always fascinated me how they work.

[@treelineresearch3387]

@@argoneum I'm glad I didn't really touch the chassis with anything abrasive or corrosive when I did a 50sish Hallicrafters radio a while back. I was aware of the potential for PCBs in caps and asbestos in insulation and pretty much treated anything that looked oily or fiberglassy like hazmat, but I had no idea at the time to ever expect the chassis could be plated with something like cadmium. It just seems so bonkers now.

[@vintageradios7790]

When shango speaks of young people getting into collecting and repairing vintage radios it makes me happy. I started picking up old radios from the trash back in 1973 while I was in high school. Plus I worked part time in a TV repair shop. We all start somewhere and learn as we go along by " trial and error " and " powers of observation " . I am disappointed in all the young ones in my family, none of them have interest in my 49 year old radio collection. This disturbs me. I still have some of my all American 5 radios and record players from my high school days. Old school learning is the BEST.

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

I'm sorry your immediate family have other interests. Hopefully you will find others who will be interested in your collection and knowledge.. They are our extended families.

[@billmcdonald2436]

I know the feeling. I have an orchard and I can’t get anyone to have any interest in learning about it at all. It’s sad to think all my hard work will probably become firewood someday

[@williammorse8330]

@@billmcdonald2436 there is a trend toward more locally produced food which would cut the insane supply chains common now... and vulnerable

[@vhfgamer]

*waves Hey, I'm a young guy, and I'm into these things. I have a Drake twin with power supply sitting next to my bench, and I have a commodore 64 in the middle of a repair. I also have a cool old panasonic walkman clone sitting on my other bench, in the middle of a restore.

[@ShadowsOnTheScreen]

My kids couldn’t care less either, but so what? They have their own lives to live. My dads interests are not mine either.

[@johnathanasiou9284]

Lol, I remember doing things exactly like this as a kid forgetting to solder connections or miswires far worse than this. I don't regret it one bit as I've learned so much more when it was broken than when it was working. Keep on going son, don't ever give up as you have done awesome to even attempt a AA5 & you'll pick up far more tricks & thank God that you have cool teachers like shango to show you. Proud of this young restorer. Thanks Shango for sharing & fantastic tips!

[@mrnapolean1]

Glad to see one of the best electronics repairmen help out a young electronics enthusiasts.

[@M0XFXUK]

I am really impressed Shango, it’s great that you take the time and bring people in and help them with repairing old tech. Sadly modern electronics seems to bypass these skills which is a crying shame as those who have a good understanding of analog electronics generally go on to have a strong careers in modern electronics. Great vid as always keep up the good work..

[@Seiskid]

The footage of you quickly screwdrivering IFs back into shape to the classical radio station soundtrack was todays highlight. Thanks for helping out the young fella. This is a great hobby. Hope he really enjoys it, making the same mistakes we all did, blowing stuff up, fixing it, and learning and having fun along the way.

[@david4368]

Another fine presentation. Great teaching method. You point out the problem AND the correct way to do it. No belittling, just educating. I hope your friends get better and you stay healthy.

[@Roundymooney]

Fair play for supporting and mentoring the young guy-he'll be pleased with that repair!

[@abcsd1254]

Taking the time to fix this all American five for this new restorer is very generous especially considering the backlog you have. Very admirable.

[@andrewmcintyre8491]

Why are some people so negative about the teen boy who is learning to work on valve radios? We all had to start somewhere. Sure it's not the best. I'm sure he'll improve with practice.

[@ShadowsOnTheScreen]

Exactly right! Wish my work as a teen had looked that good. Maybe even now!

[@johnathanasiou9284]

Definitely not from me!, if anything I'm proud to see youngsters and newbies even attempting an AA5. They'll learn far more from this than hours of theory

[@davba2]

Probably a bunch of millennials who think that everything should be surface mount. I loved working with tube radios, TVs and record players when I was a teenager. To me, electronics is electronics.

[@brmagyaros]

We were all there once. At least he wants to learn!

[@Suddenlyits1960]

@Andrew McIntyre,I agree with you completely. Anybody that says they’ve never made mistakes when they were starting out is a liar. It’s part of life and learning. As you said,we all have to start somewhere and we all had someone who helped us out along the way without making us feel foolish. Remember,there’s also a lot of bad examples/information out there on the internet too. I think It was great of Shango to help this guy out and encourage his interest in the hobby, Instead of giving him the business and driving him off because his first attempt wasn’t prefect. He cared enough to try repair this radio and wants to learn and that’s great.

[@burntoutelectronics]

I’ve been watching your videos for a few years now Dan, and you’ve certainly helped quite a bit along the way in learning anything from soldering tips to tracing out faults. Now I’m a happy 19 year old watching your videos on a B&W valve tv I repaired myself. Thanks

[@Mrthekatt]

You are TRULY the YODA of this art, that is my Son Anniken Skywalker who worked on that. I am SO PROUD of my Boy! I thank you VERY MUCH for teaching him what I couldn’t.

[@jeffcandy2479]

The running commentary is golden ... "yeah, sorry lady" 😂

[@RadioTom103]

You are the GOAT in electronics repair.

[@alphabeets]

He’s ShanGOAT.

[@markmarkofkane8167]

It's almost like we're supposed to be isolated from others. Sorry about your pals. I do enjoy your videos. Stay well.

[@tiporari]

Whatever the mass media and government tells you, rest assured the opposite is probably better for you. Maybe it's bad in California... everywhere else I've been it's a memory.

[@vextenoch]

In my country we have a saying "An idle priest baptizes goats." That always comes to my mind when I listen the American TV/radio program. Really nice job educating a young colleague who's willing to learn the trade.

[@roybal1975]

Shango just curious, how did you get so much knowledge about televisions and radios? You are damn genius when it comes to this stuff. I have binge watching your videos very interesting.

[@shango066]

obsession or autism, take your pick

[@stevencarlson5422]

I think it mostly comes from experience, just digging in and going for it and leaning from your mistakes and having fun with it

[@sabbath7081]

@@shango066 now I know why I like your videos so much, birds of a feather!

[@canadiangunner0190]

@@sabbath7081 autists of a feather hyperfixate together

[@chrisa2735-h3z]

@@shango066 I have autism so I guess that makes alot of sense☺️

[@chrisa2735-h3z]

I’m surprised that it got to you in one piece! (I’m only 23 and I love doing this stuff as well, Preserving history is a big part of my life and passion of mine!)

[@chevycaprice87]

I think radio repairment it's a good start for a kid. I've started doing this since age of 9 by repairing a lot of soviet old electronics and learning what should I do or shouldn't (electric shock with 220V - the best teacher).

[@cookingwithchefjeff]

Agreed. I blew myself across a room cutting through a hot wire with pliers. Sometimes, the best way is the hard way.

[@countryside8122]

Just thought I would mention it took me awhile to find a place that carries 160 to 200 volt caps. Keep up the good work.

[@ry491]

Well done again. I hate working on radios that someone else has played around with. You never know what they have screwed up . Always enjoy your uploads . Some of your TV resurections blow my mind . Wish I had half your knowledge !

[@divine1484]

Where do you get lead wire or what kind of wire can you use in place of lead wire.

[@flhusa1]

i like when someone tells you the basics and then you can look into it further on the internet. i bend those solid wires into loops then smash them together with needle nose pliers and then solder them . i usually try to slip heat shrink tubing on either side and let that be protection for no grounding accidents .

[@d.c.hammond130]

Nice work Dan. You're a good American (almost all the time).

[@alphabeets]

Great video, Shango. And very positive and helpful to a young person starting out. Nice job.

[@frankieroger8877]

Where can I get an RCA book like you describe? Thanks.

[@Dennis-uc2gm]

I've have the same RCA tube manual, a little different version from the mid 70's when I did Voc. Radio & TV in High school, mines been coming apart ever since🙃. I like how clean the chassis was ,and yah the tack on joint will eventually fail over time. It's got plenty of audio now. I've been doing this stuff for 50+ years and still get parts in the wrong place🙂

[@hestheMaster]

Novice soldering errors, wrong value replacement parts, need to replace all bad old caps and not doing so, and cold solder joints too can always lead to this trouble. Shango does a phenomenal troubleshooting job with a licensed by RCA AA5 tube set. Micamold plastic covered capacitor replaced. The desert can wait for now.👍🏻👍🏻

[@dirusnightwolf]

Thank you so much for these wonderful videos, getting me through my hospital stay. :)

[@bluepen61]

I believe this is the first video of a tube radio that you didn't wiggle a tube. Are you feeling well? Thank you for sharing this challenge!!!!!

[@bsalightning69]

Shango066, don't worry about the goat with the 22 inch ears... We like you just the way you are. A other great video, that I look forward to. Helps me through the week.

[@davem147]

Nice bit of sleuthing! With these little radIos, I find that the tone and volume both improve quite a bit when you put them back into their cabinets.

[@keithbrandaw7229]

It’s nice that you toss a tube set in every once in awhile, Hope your friends feel better !

[@Drforbin941]

Shango, could you point in the right direction...i'm fixing a old tek scope tds544a and i'm having monitor issue. it seems like the vert and horz deflection is not steady. the picture is out of focus and expands and contracts? any ideas? just point me in right direction

[@k4vms]

Sure glad this “variant” does not dare come to the Free Independent Constitutional Republic of Florida. We are wide open as we have been for the last 2.5 years. Lived much of my life in Simi Valley but let 21 years ago. Enjoy your channel very much. Hope you guys get better soon. Ricky from IBM, Ret in the Free Independent Constitutional Republic of Florida

[@Pawelr98]

The way I see it, the best soldering equipment for working on tube stuff is not soldering iron but soldering guns. Will happily solder metal sheets and only the tip gets hot, so you don't burn wiring or other things in cramped spaces. Same going with automotive electrical work, you can safely put the thing on the carpet as it cools down fairly quickly.

[@shango066]

i have several of those, the tips break too often and are expensive these days.

[@Pawelr98]

@@shango066 there are special iron coated tips that last much longer, often called "eternal tips". Pricing wise, over here a 100W ones, quality made will cost 30$ or so. Non Chinese one, locally made using the same old commie era design from the 1970's.

[@marka1986]

@@shango066 form a tip from number 12 bare copper wire.

[@erikdenhouter]

@@shango066 Use a piece of copper house installation wire, about 4mm² , but you need to experiment the length because the resistance is crucial. Short pieces, like sticking out of the gun no more than 3 cm is about it. It just needs to match the internal resistance/impedance of the secondary winding.

[@justsumguy2u]

I would have to disagree---the heat from a 150 watt gun can ruin parts you plan on reusing, and also break off tube socket pins from excessive heat. I use a 40 watt Weller iron for most of my stuff, but I do have an old RatShack gun around for times when I need to solder to chassis

[@Segantech]

I like the devices with tube transistors. Very classic thinker toy.

[@mikeerstad3705]

From now on, I'm calling you Goat Boy......After all, we've never really seen your face....Currently working on a Zenth G-730. and it sound very good also...

[@mistabrisky5790]

love ya Shango066, I'm not the most avid watcher but I love your attitude and humor. well wishes to your friends and I hope you stay safe and well!!

[@mikefinn2101]

My favorite tv show, most educational and entertaining I love it made my day

[@linuspoindexter106]

It's good to see a young Padawan showing an interest.

[@tectalabyss]

Hi Shango0. Hope your friends feel better. Thank you for another Sunday video. All my best.

[@rogersmith7396]

In HVAC work they are recommending the highest voltage caps for start/run as they say they are all Chinese and substandard and a higher voltage will last longer.

[@rodleger7132]

What analogue Voltmeter are you using?

[@chriscimino7854]

I'm like you on replacing capacitors. I have a Zenith model 14P11 Black and white TV from about mid 1950s and its all original and plays like a new TV. I wish I could mail it to you but you're so far away. A nice older man gave it to me before he had to go to the retirement home 😔. I know you would appreciate it and not recap the heck out of it.That takes the fun out of troubleshooting it when it needs repair and If I did I would only replace the bad one. Its not that hard to take apart again and again hahahaha 😆 until most are replaced. I have too many toys

[@jamesplotkin4674]

There's a glaring cold solder joint just next to where you corrected the resistor connection. Did you leave it for the owner to take care of?

[@chriscimino7854]

You would make a good electronics instructor

[@stephtronix1811]

He is🙃😉

[@johnathanasiou9284]

Oh, the best!...by far!

[@Rayo_Rob_No.17]

Oh cool! Nice old Emerson! Besides enjoying your mine exploring vids, I'm also an antique radio collector...well, I have slowed way down, but have a few I enjoy. Used to hang out at a shop near me, in Arcadia, called Audio Imports LTD. The ol' Hungarian guy that owned the shop, fixed radios for me and he recently passed away. Not that you need more projects or, that you need to buy a vintage radio repair shop but, putting it out there. I know his son, and he's not sure what to do. Sorry about your buddies, that's a bummer. I hope they recover. I'm in LA County, along the foothills.

[@krz8888888]

We all feel more then done with the stuff but thanks for the remainder that the stuff isn't done with us. Wish the best for your friends

[@DaveRChallis]

What is the frequency of "everybody's favorite station"? What is the story behind it?

[@jamesmdeluca]

Greetings: I would like to watch you tune across while measuring the changes in AVC voltages; I have never learned what typical readings are for our LA AM stations/radios. Thnx in advance.

[@drussell_]

*Micamold* was a _brand name,_ they made all _sorts_ of capacitors, including paper, plastic film and mica.

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

It's a good day for testing testing. This is only a test. 🙃 I love these videos, not just for the nostalgia, (I used to work in electronics) but for the extra stuff Shango throws in for us.

[@mikeerstad3705]

Thanks much for the video.....been working on a SPICE CHEST RADIO 484 which has the AA5 guts....The spice chest box is god awful looking, may make a new box for it.... Thanks again!!!

[@scottlangille9900]

Very informative on the layout. Sorry you didn't make it out to the desert. Any chance you and friends maybe looking for Kenny Veach who vanished a few years ago?

[@shango066]

Nope zero interest in that

[@trevorhaddox6884]

He's probably been burried by a landslide. Maybe some future archeologists will find his fossils.

[@wpiofm]

The A.M. band where I live is noise with maybe 3 clear stations max daytime. Nothing at night. (Titusville FL)

[@jamesmdeluca]

Greetings: You forget to solder your 470k resistor extension at detector pin 7. This is my first time seeing both a trim-cap tuned 1st IF transformer and a slug-tuned 2nd IF transformer in the same set. Is there some design advantage? I know that only the slug tuned units get silver mica disease.

[@oldradiotvsc9836]

Yes I'm happy! You found the "this is only a test" station by tuning the oscillator trimmer to receive just above the standard broadcast band!

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

Very nice 👍 radio 📻. I really like the look of the tuning gangs and circuitry. Tube type with permanent magnet 🧲 speaker 🔊, and great dial. Yes, that’s when Emerson made radios well. Again, yes, the typical American 🇺🇸 5. Your friend, Jeff.

[@williamsquires3070]

(@15:13) - There is no “R8” in the parts list in between R7 & R9; it goes from R7 (4.7 Megohm - bottom of center column) to R9 (470 kilohms - top of right column). Oops. 😥 Instead, it’s listed with R1 as 220 kilohms. 🤯

[@drussell_]

No, it is the same as R1 so it is listed at the very top, both R1 and R8 are 220K

[@southtowns27]

I caught that too. Stills seems to work ok though.

[@shango066]

in this radio its a 470k. Performance wouldnt change at all

[@zulumax1]

@@shango066 Shows how forgiving tube circuits can be. I would be curious to see what happens if you tacked another 470k in parallel, but as you say it probably wouldn't change much if anything. The 12AV6 tube will probably last longer leaving it alone as it is.

[@JasonTHutchinson]

Just the description of those spider babies or whatever you call them was worth the watch. 🤣

[@harrybond007]

what frequency is that test station on?, is it nationwide?

[@bobbyk6585]

Supremely educational this time. Really great content Shango.

[@vintageradios7790]

By the way, this Emerson chassis was a very common chassis used in alot of style cabinets, I have a green marbled styrene model that uses this chassis. 1948 1949??.

[@401ksolar]

Bonus, Sunday School edition?

[@rdslate4430]

Hey Shango! I have been binge watching your channel for about two years now and have been loving every upload. Just wanted to turn you onto a podcast that deconstructs the media and is a great political podcast if your interested. It's called No Agenda and is run by John C. Dvorak and Adam Curry. I look forward to your next upload!

[@PaulWannenburg]

In ‘69 I got interested in radio. I was 13 and the local radio shop closed and let me take what I wanted for free. I remember riding my bicycle home from the shop carrying all the riders manuals home after many trips. Boy did I struggle to balance on my bike.

[@georgegonzalez2476]

Some of those military VOMs used 1 milliamp meter movements, so they're 1,000 ohms per volt. Now some schematics were measured with this ilk of meter so the voltages will be higher than with a 20,000 ohms per volt or higher meter. Oh, also the line to chassis capacitor really should be at least 600 volts rating, preferably a line-rated capacitor. Many radios skimped and used a 200 volt capacitor which often shorted or blew apart at the first lightning strike on the power lines. Sometimes the capacitor would blow out the end, putting out spiral foil streamers, just like new year's Eve!

[@alessandropagano593]

Sei bravissimo! You are Great many compliments for your experience. Thank you for video. Alessandro from Capri, Italy

[@andygozzo72]

nice, i have an emerson with i think same/similar chassis, not common to find here in the UK, little black bakelite cased thing, certainly has same knobs

[@michaelmacdonald3408]

Its good to see young guys learning this old tech most younger generation you cannot get them of there texting mobile phones.

[@jrkorman]

That looks nearly identical to my Emerson 547a - Plenty of model specific schematics available. A note to anyone working on one of these. THE CHASSIS CAN BE HOT. Even with gloves on you could get a shock! I found that out when I was working on mine as a kid some 50 years ago!

[@andygozzo72]

just googled that model no. yep, it looks like the one i have(i'm in the UK, dont see american sets much, but have a few and come across some ones made specifically for the UK and europe as they have 240v transformer) and yes chassis directly connected to one pole of mains, via the switch,, some were 'semi isolated' connected only via cap and resistor, but not this one!

[@flhusa1]

what is that test station ? never heard one before .

[@1marcelfilms]

What frequency is that test station

[@shyguy2189]

I wish we had good radio stations in the UK I would love a vintage radio

[@davidstephen5363]

Incredible education to us reflecting true passion and experience gelled together. Many thanks....

[@badeadrian]

Why did you turn off comments on the last video? 🤔

[@Stoneforth]

This was interesting. It would make for great videos if more people sent it their failed repairs

[@nmccw3245]

Thanks for helping the young guy out. 👍🏻

[@qwertykeyboard5901]

I'm jealous. That radio does point to point wiring in a pretty clean way. Meanwhile this Philco I'm working on 3/4th's of the time is wiring related. Components are folded and layered on top of each other with a generous helping of _extra wiring._ Oh, and it's the first time I've gotten hands on experience with these types of radios. I'm blaming bad luck. And the CIA.

[@ساندوكان-ق7ش]

I'm from the Middle East, why AM short and medium radio waves do not work in the region and do they work well for you?

[@shango066]

It depends on where in the Middle East. Some countries still have medium wave stations. We have lots of them here that's why it works well

[@madhatter3153]

Shango, did you ever hear of the spricom device circa 1982?

[@nickb.8876]

Wow, that Test station is still on the air? I better see if I can get it here in Ventura County.

[@gretalaube91]

God bless your patience, I would never film my repairs without a camera man shooting. I would chuck the damn camera or let it fall into some HV out of spite. Piss on that! 10 or so years ago, I tried to get my worthless teen sons to film, but indeed, they are worthless. So, accolades to you of California. Cinema is in your blood.

[@seanobrien7169]

You sound like a joyful person!

[@wgeddis]

You can't beat experience but that only comes with learning and making mistakes. I bet anyone working on anything has made mistakes, some big and some small, the main thing is not to get annoyed or upset but learn from it to try and not make it again. Even the old guys with tons of experience make mistakes, they just don't tell you about it or delete it from their videos. I guess when you do stop learning it's time to call it a day.

[@earleclemans4836]

What model meter is that?

[@RomstarOrion]

Okay, I admit. It was the goat comment that made me finally subscribe. Sorry I took so damn long. I damn near died laughing when you asked if you were going to shove a metal screwdriver up in that tuners ass.

[@jeffadams5510]

I still wanna know more about that "testing" station..........

[@richardweinberger2756]

I just bought a Bluetti power station- battery/inverter/charger and I wonder if it would be good to plug in old tube gear for testing and repair? No connection to the house wiring at all. 20 years ago I worked for a company that made prototype manufacturing machinery , and we were required to do a lot of soldering in the parallel fashion , and each connection was verified by an inspector. These machines were used in the explosives industry, btw.

[@turbokatzenburg5732]

Unless that inverter is a 100% pure sine wave output, it is useless for testing old gear. A non pure sinewave is extremely noisy, and will damage transformers and possibly overheat or explode filter capacitors. Evrn if it is a pure sinewave inverter, its electronics will make a lot of rf noise which will affect radios and other audio gear. Short answer is don't try it. While the isolation is a good thing, the main thing is current limiting via the "dim bulb" tester, that can prevent serious damage to equipment with shorted components. I have an isolation transformer that mainly gathers dust. But every bench must have a variac and dim bulb tester.

[@westelaudio943]

No you'll get a crappy waveform

[@David-vj8is]

I have a more modern zenith rube radio that only had disc capacitors and only needed filter capacitors and some line cord repair to get it running.

[@estebanvillalobos2303]

what station is that at 34:27 ? this is a test?

[@drsysop]

Is that test station a pirate? What is the actual frequency of that?

[@randyr.parker2698]

"I guess if I was a goat I'd have more followers" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MichaelJohnson-vb8kh]

What would it take to convert one of these to run off of a aux cord instead of am/fm ? Or maybe that's not even possible...

[@larryshaver3568]

I built a 5 tube radio in my junior year of high school, does that have a live chassis?

[@Inflec]

If it has a metal chassis, quite possibly.

[@billmcdonald2436]

“Is he gonna shove the metal screw driver up it’s butt, yes I am” I busted up laughing and my wife is like “what’s so funny?” I couldn’t even explain it to her. She wouldn’t get the joke anyway.

[@jasonkortink4785]

Love this channel !look at channel feeling retro .cool vintage audio markets in Saul !

[@NigelDixon1952]

And now I'm watching at 09.09am here in the UK on Monday July 11th! Thanks for a really good video, well done.

[@zulumax1]

The parts list skipped over R8 and only listed R9. In other words, the middle column ended with R7, then the top of the far right column is R9. It does show R8 in the schematic however, but what is the value? (edit: removed time stamp) Would not be the first time the parts list and the schematic differ. R9, the 470k is the resistor to the grid of the output tube.

[@Mister_Brown]

r8 is 220000 ohms same as r1 it's listed in the schematic along with it

[@zulumax1]

@@Mister_Brown Wow! Good catch! So that 470k should be a 220k. What a confusing way to list the parts, don't ya think?

[@1112223333111]

what freq is that test thing? thx