Siemens Radio for Restoration

[Bushbaby]

Hi John,
If you suspect a problem with the transformers I would recommend that you discuss this with Ed Dinning who is certainly the expert in this area. As you indicate, there is not much point in getting new output valves if the transformers are shot.

I also agree with your replacement of the EM34 - these are far too expensive to replace with the same valve.

Regards

Rob

[AlanBeckett]

Are you awake this morning young Rob?
He said EM84.
One of the EL84s in my VHF3D is duff
With luck the transformer will have survived, and if not I'm sure Ed can sort it.
Alan

[Joe]

Are yoy awake this morning young Rob?

Are you, Alan.

I thought your VHF3D had got one output valve and one bottle of milk.

- Joe

[AlanBeckett]

Joe,
I fixed it - see above.
Yes, I'm afraid it has, and EL84s are not cheap
Alan

[Geaney]

While waiting for valves, etc. I had a look at the speaker. It checked out fine but looked horrible so I gave the cage a coat of paint and put on a new front seal so it now looks a bit better. The speaker mounting board is a cheap piece of chipboard so I may replace that later once I get the set working. The wood is very soft and when the speaker was originally mounted it pulled the mounting bolts half way through so it might be a source of vibration, etc.
There are two tweeters fitted - I assume electrostatic - and this is the first set I've worked on that features these. They measure well over 120meg resistance - I was wondering if that's OK?

The speaker cloth is two-tone in colour. To me it looks terrible but the brown stripe along the centre is intentional. I'll replace this with something nicer if I go ahead and make a new mounting board.

In general the cab build quality is somewhat inferior to the Grundig 3028 that I did but I'll reserve judgement until I hear the sound. If it sounds good then I'll put up with the poor cab quality.

Next I'll get started on the power supply......

Cheers, John

[Geaney]

Drive units now back in the cab with an extended cable so I can operate the chassis outside the cab, etc.

Also re-done the power supply. Should be ready for first 'electric enable' very soon.

Cheers,

John

[Yorkie]

That's a kind-sized flywheel John!

I've got a couple of German piano key radios to sort one day. It's all that piano key switchery that give me the heeby geebies.

Also, I don't find German circuits very easy to follow, due to unfamiliarity I suppose.

They do appeal to me greatly, in a way that few post-war British radios do. If/when I get round to the two that I have, I'll probably get a local firm to spray the cabinets with catalytic lacquer, as near as original as can be had. You can buy pre-cat cellulose lacquer here in aerosols, but I don't think that DIY spraying - certainly not by me - comes close to commercial standards. Same with cars - to bead blast an alloy wheel and powder coat it to any colour is £40. Wouldn't cost much less than that to use aerosol sprays to get nothing like the standard of finish. A man's got to know his limitations!

[Joe]

A man's got to know his limitations!

Don't let Col hear you say that!

- Joe

[Bushbaby]

Hi John,
Its going well - nice one!
Kev Hoyland suggests that if you post on the Radiomuseum forum for a replacement dial glass you may well get one at a reasonable price. He indicates that he has received 2 from members in Germany and they were well packed to avoid damage (between two pieces of plywood).

Hope this helps

Rob

[Geaney]

Hi John,
Its going well - nice one!
Kev Hoyland suggests that if you post on the Radiomuseum forum for a replacement dial glass you may well get one at a reasonable price. He indicates that he has received 2 from members in Germany and they were well packed to avoid damage (between two pieces of plywood).

Hope this helps

Rob

Thanks Rob, I'll certainly give that a try. I'll confess I've always been a bit intimidated by radiomuseum.org but now seems like a good time to try them out.
Cheers, John