Zenith Royal 7000 Transoceanic Repair

diagnosis and repair of vintage transistor radio

[@Andrewausfa]

Such a quality set. We'll never see that sort of engineering in a consumer product again.

[@Georgew2777]

You'll never see that engineering in terms of analogue recievers but in terms of DSPs there is this tech, just in a smaller package

[@edwardallan197]

What a beauty. Zenith WAS the zenith........

[@quantumleap359]

The map light only works if there is a D cell in the lower battery compartment. The manual covers this. I have one of these, and like you say, these are superbly built. Thanks for the video.

[@manolomolina5788]

Man, its weird, because I've just made what you just said, and nothing happens 🙄😔. I guess the bottom switch its damage, or some bulb is broken, because the last weekend, I took the time to check my 7000 model, and check it. It was dead, I resolved the power lines, and voula, it works, thanks goodness, but I forgot to check the bands drum, with the 2 bulbs. I guess the problem could be there. Anyways, thanks for the advice. 73 !

[@Prussia_is_not_yet_lost.]

That repairability with the transistor sockets is incredible. Back then they held the radio as an family jewel and heirloom. My grandpa never moved his radio and it was allways cared for as allmost the only electronic item they had. I recently bought an Panasonic RF-2400D radio and I plan to care for it as well as did the ancestors. I dont like to throw away things neighter since the whole world is already full of plastic waste. Awesome those transistor sockets. And look the huge ferritic AM antenna (I guess its for AM). My new Panasonic has an 4" ferritic antenna in it as well. With a little knowledge, and the help of youtube, one could repair this radio by himself even if he is no electronic like me and for whom the field of small electronics is new. Just pull the transistors out an measure them and stick a new one in - or change all transistors in case you dont know. Most likely change all parts will hit the problem and the radio works again. I wonder if those old radios lasted longer as a modern new one like my Panasonic would?!

[@missyd0g2]

My father has one of these Zenith radios. We took it camping and listened to the world. I wished he would have kept it. Great memories.

[@dstoll7958]

I have the older tube versions of the Trans Oceanic. Got my first one for my 9th birthday. Zenith T.V.s and radios have always been quality items. I always preferred the Zenith TVs over any other to work on when doing house calls. Great video as usual, thanks!!

[@rexoliver7780]

At VOA SW site I work at---we have two transmitters on right now-250Kw each.One of the transmitters can run 500Kw-but don't do it anymore because of the cost and it was determined that kind of power isn't required.There are 3 newer Continental Electronics 419F waiting to be installed here.Came from another site.SW isn't dead yet.Far from it.The Greenville,NC site has 8 SW transmitters and the one sideband transmitter-38 antennas.This site can broadcast to anywhere in the world!We are proud that we can keep 30 yr old,50 yr old transmitters going!!! The internet isn't available in some areas--the transmitters that are on are broadcasting to Cuba.(Radio Marti)In other countries the Cellphone systems,internet are controlled by the countrys government.Try tuning at another time--like at night.

[@millibilli7058]

That is a "real" Service manual of yesterday. When you were not only able but expected to "fix" the items you bought with your hard earned dollars. But like you said the process of deduction works just fine, especially for a individual as skilled and "intune" with such things as yourself. Fine job. God bless.

[@zx8401ztv]

Zenith really knew how to make a quality radio, love the transistor sockets :-)

[@rebeccamartinez7865]

I have a old Zenith Transoceanic mutiband radio ... Its what we listened to during Hurricane Ian .. I am so thankful to the engineers who designed and built it in 1965 .. Because it still works in September 2022 .. Sincerely. Captain Ron Naples Florida

[@htfkid2000]

I had one of these when I was a kid, a handme down from my grandpa. Too bad I no longer have it, it was the best radio I ever had.

[@barberjeff67]

I found a R7000Y a few years ago in mint condition. It's a beautiful radio! Reminds me of my grandfather listening to his.

[@AriaPosting]

Zenith always has the coolest looking radios

[@coyote_den]

That radio has amazingly good sound for a single full-range speaker.

[@fredfabris7187]

When we were in Puerto Rico this spring I was surprised to find that my cell phone worked better there than at home in the Milwaukee area. The cell towers were up and running great but very few traffic lights functioning, Fun driving!

[@scharkalvin]

Interesting. I have that radio myself. Works fine, except for the BFO, which is wonky. BTW, I've had good luck using H2O2 in cleaning up dead Duracell remains off battery contacts. The FM and VHF bands use a different front end than the rest of the bands. I must have the newer version because on mine the weather band is tunable. The early version of that radio used a crystal controlled tuner for the weather band. When NOAA added other channels, Zenith went to a tunable front end so you could pick all of them up. I'd probably have stuffed in a 2N3904, because I have ton's of them. TV tuner type is OK too. Well it picked up the Russian Woodpecker. You should have tried 40 meters.

[@jrmcferren]

That's not Duracell leakage, that's "Heavy Duty" or vintage battery leakage for sure.

[@Rickarlss]

Thank you. I tried your H2O2. Fizzing up and cleaning after whatever battery leaked.

[@teacfan1080]

When that owner brought that radio home new back in the day, I bet he would have more to listen to then he knew what to do with.

[@Pyridox]

Zenith made nice radio's & Televisions. Thanks for sharing.

[@MsCori76]

Nice radio, it reminds me of the radio I had as a kid in a leather case. It had SW, FM, AM etc & I use to take it everywhere with me.

[@danilorainone406]

lessee sherrr er eee sherry baaaaby sher er eeeeee,,,,,,, sound familiar? or was it the beatles?

[@MsCori76]

Tom Kelly - I don’t know, I’m trying to think now.

[@spidyr2k]

@@MsCori76 kzbin.info/www/bejne/baStdIybfJuVm5o

[@superhet7281]

Zenith - “The quality goes in before the name goes on!”

[@keithbrown7685]

and ..... so it was..... once.........

[@radioman140]

right, we had an old RCA tube color TV when I was a kid and I couldn't figure out why it would let us see the Zenith commercials. RCA was good too, but my Dad and the TV repair guy called Magnavox "Maggot box"

[@turkey0165]

Like the Zenith radio, which was made in United States along with RCA and all the rest! I say all quality goods were made in the United States ! If you want that again then, d*** i* Vote for Donald Trump for President and make America great again! MAGA 2024 🇺🇸

[@erikj.2066]

Never ceases to amaze how well Zenith made their stuff. Too bad about the damage from the leaking batteries. Wonder if it could be fixed up with some new fish paper, and some contacts stolen from a modern D battery holder.

[@zidane2k1]

I think my dad has this exact radio. We still have it, and I'm pretty sure it's still working. The volume control has been scratchy and needs cleaning for as long as I can remember, though. I should dig it out and try it.

[@radiotvphononut]

I think this is the last American-made Trans-Oceanic. My first exposure to SW was around 1989, on a Zenith 3000 and it was a lot more active then than it is today.

[@craignehring]

The dial and map light used to require one D cell, pretty sure it won't light up with the AC supply alone? Nice radio

[@lindamorgan2678]

Thank you SO much ! I found you becuase I just bought the Sony Earth Orbiter 9050 and I had dead bands not a peep out of all the shortwave bands. I read that in Germany some bands were not allowed so they were disabled( lack of a better word). Then this morning the 11 to 13 meter had noise which it did not last night. So thought your video would help me out got to the point where you said the automatic RF Gain and turned the dial and I did that and BINGO noise on ALL the SW bands ha ha. How cool is that I obviously have no idea what that dial is for but If it was not for watching your video and it was not the first I watched I would of paid for an estimate and probably got it fixed if it was not an arm or a leg. It is a gorgeous radio in many ways I love it and I love you too ! Hit the subbed and the alarm, Thanks once again I am soo happy now that it is working can hardly wait to try out the reception on short wave tonight on this radio.

[@gregsmith7428]

I recall those Zenith ads on TV. "The quality goes in before the name goes on!"

I own two of the later model D7000Y TO's with the variable weather band. After some recapping and an alignment they are great working radios. Fortunately the battery compartments and cases on mine are in really nice shape and they still have the original power cords, earphones and owners manuals

[@keithbrown7685]

say.... uh..... where do you live....? : )

[@spu77]

Great radio! I agree with the other folks, try sw & lw at night. Here in northern Greece, I can still receive 4-5 stations on lw at night. Sw is also very active at night, mostly Chinese stations and fewer Arabic, African and Balkan ones. Yes, broadcasting on lw & sw is costly in terms of electricity compared to internet streaming. However, I also believe that these bands are still necessary to communicate since internet is not available everywhere or is very expensive. For example, commercial ships in the oceans (sailors need to have a connection with their homeland) or in poor countries. Plus humanity needs a simple, post apocalyptic way of communication. Sure, the internet was designed with that in mind but hey, what if all electricity goes out? For the record, my country terminated sw broadcasting (voice of Greece, 9.42 MHz) only a few months ago.

[@duanetrivett750]

Right you are Sir !

[@harryshector]

I thoroughly agree with your comments regarding the quality of this radio. I consider it to be the Rolls Royce of consumer radios. I have one of these, and a 1953 militarized version of the Transoceanic - R520/URR. I think this one is of higher quality than the militarized version. After refurbishment, the R520/URR works as well as it did in May of 1953, when it was built. I couldn't 'restore' it, because it had been thoroughly smashed before being thrown on the trash heap, from whence it was rescued. I prefer my dust catchers to be functional, rather than preserved, anyway.

[@herbertsusmann986]

Nothing like Shango's repair skills. Top notch!

[@mikemcmanus3918]

Really interesting video. I had a Japanese Radio Company radio model N525 go on me. I enjoy listening to medium wave radio and saw a Zenith Transoceanic Model 7000 that had just been finished by the technician. Thank you for posting the video.j

[@falcon63191]

EXCELLENT!!! A radio... and one of the tougher ones to fix when they go wrong.

[@ricardosalesdemello4130]

Hello shango is a beautiful this Radio.. ... and I like your videos

[@arthureverett8220]

The factory service manuals eliminate the EBC debates. They give you the pinouts of all the transistors and ICs. A great time saver!!!! Transistor substitution manuals are a great help also. I used the ECG and SK and Radio Shack manuals often

[@chetpomeroy1399]

The chassis in that receiver is a wonderful work of vintage-American art!! It is quite a bit cheaper to have a website than spend all that money on electricity to feed a 500 kW shortwave transmitter. The shortwave band is basically the "canary in the coal mine" for commercial broadcasters on the AM and FM bands, too. It's a business model living on borrowed time.

[@nozmoking1]

In the event of a large-scale catastrophe I think that shortwave broadcasting will probably be the "last man standing" for distributing information.

[@garymckee8857]

One day I am going to find one those in good condition,Zenith made quality radios. Thanks for the video.

[@GaneshGulve-n2i]

Antique product Amezing product Super quality redio

[@hestheMaster]

My uncle has this radio but never really uses it. Still works great as well it should it was the best built at the time!

[@MVVblog]

I have some modern alkalines that leak in the package! Thank You for the video!

[@deannascott3475]

I remember when FM had lots of Classical Music and Rock Music on it...Yes, I am old...

[@briangoldberg4439]

About the batteries: I worked for a battery company for awhile and the potassium hydroxide is a real issue with leaking. It's not a question of if it will leak, it's more like when. It's such a high ph (very close to 14), that it has an unbelievably high surface tension which creeps into any available crevice and exploits sealed interfaces until is breaks through. Just for a point of reference, if you hang a length of string into a cup of potassium hydroxide, it will creep up the string against gravity for more than 40 feet.

[@vcv6560]

Wow, chemistry I've long forgotten.

[@ianhand5006]

Interesting radio! I've got a 1944 RCA AR88D which, although it was made in the USA, is more commonly found in the UK.

[@hestheMaster]

A rare radio indeed. Roller type dial. Simple substitution of same parts saves the day.

[@klafong1]

I am surprised by the sensitivity of this radio. Nevertheless, I can appreciate Shango's frustration regarding the state of the shortwave bands. When I was in high school, the 49, 41, 31, and 25 meter bands had signals all day that were strong enough to hear even on small radios designed for travelers (like Radio Shack's DX-350). At night, 49 meters was so crammed that there were signals every 5 kHz. The shortwave stations that are on the air today direct their signals toward developing countries in Asia, Africa, South America, and the Pacific. In North America, very little is heard, save for WWV/WWVH (which may go dark soon), Radio Havana, and weak signals from time-brokered religious stations.

[@vcv6560]

From SoCal its a small miracle I can pull Radio Havana 49m and Voice of Korea 25m but yes I miss the golden era of SWL too.

[@c.brionkidder9232]

No 20m side band action for you! Great video, great American attention to detail. 73 W7CBK

[@RssutharJaisalmer]

Very Very thank you Sir ji 😊👌👆🙏

[@Musicradio77Network]

I used to have my Radio Shack AM/FM/SW radio from the 1990's and it was great, but I missed shortwave band, because many of the shortwave stations ended up on the internet. Thanks to mobile apps like TuneIn and such. You can also listen to NOAA weather, airport, police and fire radio stations via TuneIn app and you can hear something like if there was an investigation going on. Reminds me of a CB radio which was used in the 1970's. And also, tracker trailers used CB radios as well.

[@davepike6170]

Excellent job on diagnostics, I would have done the same thing, swap temporarily the FM RF amp, for the AM RF amp. I really appreciate and enjoy your videos, THANKS! I have a Zenith Royal D7000Y, which looks identical to your set there, except a few of its transistors are different numbers in the AM front end, and the VHF weatherband is variable on my set. Great radios, mine works fine and hasn't had any repairs yet, except I cleaned the controls a few years ago. These were about the last Royal 7000 T.O. made in the USA, the later Zenith T.O. was made in Taiwan and had an I.C. or two, same features, but wasn't quite as good as this series, in my opinion.

[@fjockey1]

The light pitting along the trim is not caused by battery leakage. It's caused by storage in a damp location such as a basement. Mine has it, too, in all the same places including the dial knob. Mold embeds in steel and aluminum if it is not discovered and wiped off. But as for battery leakage, in mine the cardboard support - especially on the right side - had puffed up to 10 times its normal width with lots of white powder and fell apart in my hands. I ended up fashioning cardboard replacements for both sides. The label inside my back cover also fell apart from battery acid, so I designed a replacement for that on my computer. You had better luck with the label, but I had better luck with the contacts. In spite of all the other damage caused by battery leakage, every battery contact in my set was completely clean and corrosion free. Go figure!

[@radioman140]

hey, listen to north korea, new zealand, via shortwave all the time here on west coast. Romania too although haven't listened to that one recently. Even get DPRK on my restored 1939 zenith farm console radio . Enjoy your videos. Got a Riga Radio (USSR days) multiband to work on now that is build like a tank, won't fire up but I'm stubborn. Heard the 2016 DC inauguration speech via Radio Australia on my old 1939 zenith, reminded me of some other dictator blaming everything on the Versailles Treaty around that same old date, history repeats. RA shut down shortwave services a year or so ago btw.

[@bones007able]

Late at night you can still get the latin / cuba countries on SW even get english beijing china...

[@sirog68]

sw is still very much alive across the pond low powerd pirates all over europe most weekends and evenings on the 49m band

[@MattExzy]

There's tons on shortwave still. Not a lot of English services. But there's some real gems on that band at times.

[@jesshuey7836]

I picked up a station from Cuba this afternoon.

[@gazyounglive]

From Tokyo right across to Bristol there's a lot of stations come on & off, KBC once a week, the broadcast from Bulgaria I can't pick it up in Ayrshire but the late night one on the atlantic beam from east germany crosses right overhead & I get Dave Mason & Eric Van Willegen with the giant jukebox show for 2 hours midnight till 2am UK time GMT or saturday in the USA... signal from nauen is deflected off the stratosphere so how it will sound in california if it comes in I've no idea. KBC is legal but shortwave is only a couple of hours a week due to costs.

[@mrshankj5101]

I love listening to shortwave!

[@uher6849]

Ein sehr schöner guterhaltener Weltempfänger, vielen Dank !

[@rexoliver7780]

At the transmitter sites here we used to use SW sideband transmitters for program distribution to the overseas SW,LW transmitter plants.You could listen to the sidebandders on this and the new Sony radios that replaced the Zenith.Remember the TMC 40Kw sidebanders well-sadly they got hauled off to scrap in the junkwagon.We have a Continental 620 SW sidebander that needs a balun.(50Kw).

[@glasstronic]

2N918 would be a good fit there. It has the case/shield lead, but IIRC it is based differently (emitter next to the tab).

[@circuitblog01]

Its a really nice set wow

[@steviebboy69]

nice old radio, it is true what you said Electricity is no longer cheap especially in Australia. It can be 35 cents per kWh or more, and there is a daily supply charge as well as GST.

[@Quietruck]

I have a late 50's Trans Oceanic Y600 and I can find still around ten active channels around the world.. It all depends on the time of day your are listening in, and the time at which stations broadcast. It also depends on various atmospheric conditions on that day. I still enjoy sitting out on my porch with a drink and seeing what I can discover.

[@vcv6560]

My H500 has pulled BBC Singapore, NHK Japan and Radio Free Asia from Kuwait (go figure). I'm so pleased there's at least a little to listen too.

[@harryshector]

The dial lights work from a switch on the left hand side of the panel. Note: It works *ONLY* on battery. Really. There is a separate battery in the battery compartment that works only the dial lights.

[@FromSagansStardust]

That's right! I remember that!

[@johnsampson1096]

After watching this one, I went and checked my 7000 receiver for the fear of leaving the batteries installed. Thank god, they were old Eveready cells! If they were modern ones...........Yikes!! Great sets for AM DXing at night.

[@budude2]

The AM broadcast band sounded pretty good there - really clean.

[@jesshuey7836]

I have a few of these. I listen to one at my job everyday.

[@slaznum1]

good one shango, it is a fantastic radio. was surprised you did not try 40m ssb. but yes I agree, they are becoming museum pieces :-(

[@flukep1228]

I like the repair on that radio you did and zenith radio are not cheep lowest price on eBay for a 1000 is 70 dollar.

[@orange70383]

Searching amateur bands Burt always comes to mind.

[@4nk8r]

All the radio repairs and sweeps . Im curious if shangoo has a long wire antenna on the property . Would be a easy set up

[@saarike]

Absolutely great work and great old radio!

[@garymckee8857]

I would like to own one those sets Zenith was top quality.

[@bborkzilla]

On my 7000 two of the ceramic bypass capacitors soldered to the chassis to the left of the tuning dial were shorted. Hard to believe, but after that everything else worked and it was even in alignment.

[@cambo1200]

Sweet, I have a Transoceanic and have been waiting for a Shango episode on these!

[@vcv6560]

Glory from the days of Zenith dominance. These must have been a nightmare to hand assemble, the complexity just kept increasing (from the first Royal 1000) while only the very last R7000's were PCB. On the corrosion issues finding any of these without battery damage is more the exception than the norm. Sadly.

[@johnyoung4039]

Great job on the repair. I don't have as much knowledge as you which put me in the position for trial and error. Fortunately I'm more successful now then when I started doing repairs. On a sadder note, It bothers me greatly that shortwave is dead. One more thing , do you pick up fort Collins or Hawaii on the time frequency? Every once in awhile I can pick up Hawaii. Its very very rare though. Thank you.

[@ahmadtaha1856]

I have tow zenith radios of the same model it s very nice and reminds me about the nice age

[@PapiDoesIt]

The quality is amazing.

[@paulcargo4233]

Nice job Danny

[@ChadQuick270W]

Nice radio. I have a 3000 and a 7000 and enjoy them both.

[@Srinathji_Das]

Wow! That's beautifully made! Now all we get is cheaper & crappier crap

[@vcv6560]

Those were $250-300 new, for money like that you don't see things thrown away.

[@MrShobar]

The modulated CW (long wave) from FAA facilities are usually NDB's (non-directional beacons). They weren't just allowed to "die by not fixing them". The have to be decommissioned with proper notice (a NOTAM).

[@kareno8634]

My only complaint is - I should have known to learn this a long ago. oh yeah - the Lack of anyone 'out there' to pick up. Totally Cool! Very similar to one my cousins had. *THANKS!*

[@Pentium100MHz]

The power connector looks similar to one on my electric shaving machine. I think the connector is called C1 and the pins are 6.6mm apart (the "normal" audio connector is C7 with pins 8.6mm apart).

[@duanetrivett750]

Great job ! And a great radio .

[@michaelclutton8446]

Nice radio, I would think it would be really rare in the UK

[@womeruk]

They were an arm and a leg to buy here in the UK My Zenith 3000 the forerunner to this set would have been 85 UKP in 1964

[@crazystuddd]

good u keeping busy making videos

[@davidmorris-jones210]

Marvelous set. Thanks.

[@steve732]

When you're on SW Be sure the antenna is extended. RF gain to Max until you verify the band is operating. There is still a good number of SW stations still on. I listen every day. I own 3 Zenith 7000's . Sometimes the transistors grow hair inside and you have to cut the lead that shorts the the transistor's case. (shield) when they fail. I know you know all of this though.

[@ThejasonJaw5442]

I come to enjoy these video's awesom. I like the Mexican radio stations

[@shango066]

Try sewing material on Roblox a guy version on you really are holding your warm Iowa Cryer's reliable

[@VintageElectronicsGeek]

Very nice radio! ~Jack, VEG

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

i remember listening to one of these in 1968

[@rexoliver7780]

Remember these radios--the agency where I work used to use these for their foreign service correspoundents out in the field.In the few that I worked on in the maintenance shop-the transisters can fall out of the sockets.also the bandswitches needed cleaning.Otherwise these sets could endure for years or even decades.When they were removed from service served as bench radios in the shop.The Zenith radios were used in the Washing DC plant.Now I am at the transmitter in Greenville,NC Short wave.

[@manolomolina5788]

Interesting video. I have a 3000-1 model, and its not working. I've checked the transistors, taken from another in worse condition, but nothing happens. I saw a video of a guy, changing the condensers, and it works. The thing is, that I am only an amateur, I'm not a technician, so I'm stocked, sadly. However, I'm so thankful, for you to be honest, explaining the reality of the ether. I was a diexist in the early 90's, and I live the last part of those golden days, when you find a lot of radio stations from overseas, in your own language, teaching and showing their culture and heritage though the waves. Its just a shame, that desapear. Such a shame. I was thinking about mount an external antenna, in order to get a better reception, but if it is how you explain, I think it's not worth it, what do you think ? I appreciate your sincerely advice. Thanks for sharing this valuable information. Greetings from the central America. 73 !

[@alessandrovattolo592]

Excellent job 👍

[@sheiladawg1664]

6:11 turn the BFO off, turn the RF gain all the way to the left. Had this as a kid.

[@reginaldlawrence412]

Nice old radio.

[@zipjay]

2010 e. Lancaster street forth worth is now a large office/industrial building. Assuming it used to be a neighborhood

[@brotherspock8180]

Mr Shango066's Laboratory Rules!

[@billmcdonald2436]

I’m wondering how much longer AM stations will still be around as well. Eventually that band will probably be as quiet as shortwave.

[@jjarratt]

Do you remember the part number of the replacement transistor?

[@NsndoBrasil]

Friend,radio Zenth 3000-1; what is the use of this switch in FM-AFC / FM, what is its effect? ​​And what is the correct position for these yellow and black speaker cables, because they are polarized? Thank you very much.

[@jamescorvett]

awesome radio! might be good for after the zombie apocalypse

[@n2n8sda]

Great revival, i doubt modern transistors need case shielding, sounds good. Spot on about modern batteries though, is it some covert attempt to sell us new electronics?

[@SusanAmberBruce]

No 20 meters! what kind of a world band radio is that? Dam thing!

[@radioman140]

it was designed for shortwave broadcasters specifically. If that sw band was close enough to the amateur bands then it would have been covered and hence the BFO