I have the exact model radio. Two years ago I spent $19.99 for a power adapter. So goodbye-batteries. I can play my radio all night long. It's also much, much lighter without the 9 or 10 Class "D" batteries inside. Note one battery is used to power the built in dial illustrator lamp/bulb. It's an excellent radio with good bass response and accurate tuning. When I lived in NY I could get stations from all over the planet-very clear too! I'm in Tennessee now and I live in a valley between two large hills so the reception is not as good. The good news is I am moving to Alabama where the land is flat, so I should be able to listen to the radio stations of the world once more. When I turn the radio on I count to 10 before I slowly increase the power. This may or may not add to the longevity of the radio, but it does not hurt it that's for sure. I have spent countless hours in my lifetime searching the radio air waves for music and interesting broadcasts. This is my 3rd. short wave/long wave receiver in my lifetime. Even as a young man I would lie in bed searching the radio waves for broadcasts from all over the world. A wonderful experience. Love the BBC, China is a complete joke as it's mostly State propaganda broadcast in English.
The reason the shield leads were bent over on the original transistors is because they often formed tin whiskers internally which would cause shorts to ground on one of the 3 legs. Quite often, they would work normally once the shield was disconnected from ground. Be careful with using an external power supply. The tip is Negative and the barrel is Positive.
First and foremost, I really enjoy watching these repairs!!! Its been my experience, that the Royal 3000's FM section, was finicky with the biasing - when anything other than the original spec transistor (did not have to be an actual Zenith-distributed component, and Zenith, in that era, used mostly National; Sylvania; Fairchild; and, at times, Motorola). While not terribly problematic, those transistor sockets somehow lost their conductive tin plating. Try a microscopic amount of "Mapleshade SilClear Contact Enhancer"; and NO, I do not own stock in, or benefit in any way from this recommendation; the stuff just works.
Eh, I've got the grey hair, and a strange way of cataloging life's memories - may as well use them... ,,,, but I can't remember what I had for lunch.... Used to listen to "The Story Lady" on a Y-600: www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com/comedy/story-lady-the/episode-347-boy-and-strange-bottle-19xx-xx-xx
My bet would be that somebody has been in there with their golden diddle stick and has the FM alignment buggered up. I think a good alignment will bring things back to life. Well done finding those transistors. The old germaniums are becoming hard to find now. A lot of the guys are using the NOS Russian ones available on Ebay as general replacements. They work well depending on the circuit. 73 Doug.
Thanks for the video. Happy to see it working again. I quickly realized I didn't have the knowledge to do it any good so I sent it to you. Good decision on my part for sure.
I love these sets. One thing to watch...these used the early germainium transistors. Might help to clean the prongs lightly with a razor knife. Recapping will help too. With some maintenance, you will be amazed how good these perform. If you happen to have transistor issues, I have some spares. Bob - RW
Need alignment. When you change transistors, the inner capacitance varies. So, the RF, Osc and Mixer section need re-alignement. As well i suggest to replace the resistors out of range in that section, as well the capacitors. Watch the amps, must be under 20 mA
This radio works on 12 volts. You can power it with a portable car jump start pack. It will play for days and will eliminate the need for expensive D cell batteries. I power my 12 volt boom box on a jump pack
I have a Fisher R-200-B tuner (The one with shortwave) and replaced the IF transistors with NOS 2N2654s as called for. The new transistors have HOLLAND label on them. Well, the tuner went somewhat silent from what it was before. I measured the shield to each ECB resistance and had 3 Meg.Ω resistance. Tin whiskers on NOS transistors. Mullard AF116s are a big problem also. I am going to try to zap them with a capacitor to fix. Seems to work most of the time.
I have a Heathkit radio very much the same radio. I built it while in college in my dorm room.(mid sixty's) Just about the first Heathkit I built. It needs some work, but it still works. Probably also needs some parts replaced. Its sits on my work bench off to one side, but at least I have the original manual on how I put it together and how to do the alignment.
A friend of mine has a 1951 Zenith that's in nice overall condition. I took some photos of it today. How can I send them to you to get some feedback for him on whether it might be worth restoring?
I’ve got one of these. Paid $100.oo , said it worked. Well , it did, but had issues, now it works on FM, and that’s all.🙁 The case is in very good condition. Some day I will have the cash money to get it restored. - until then, it sits and collects dust. 📻🙂
Radio Rescue try to find a B+K 520B transistor tester,had one since the 80's,Good piece of test equipment to test all types of transistors including germaniums for leakage, quick and easy to use .
Your bandswitch definitely could use a cleaning. It sounds like it could also use an alignment. Not sure why FM seems so weak- mine is very sensitive on the FM band.
She most likely needs the electrolytic capacitors replaced. Very common trouble with these radios. Those transistors are likely OK, as it is the radio DOES work. Those Ge transistors will show "leaky" or "shorted" when using a DMM in "continuity test" mode.
Хобби
...very interesting...Zenith was always top shelf back in the day..still working after fifty years of dirt and neglect..not bad......
Amen on that
I have the exact model radio. Two years ago I spent $19.99 for a power adapter. So goodbye-batteries. I can play my radio all night long. It's also much, much lighter without the 9 or 10 Class "D" batteries inside. Note one battery is used to power the built in dial illustrator lamp/bulb.
It's an excellent radio with good bass response and accurate tuning. When I lived in NY I could get stations from all over the planet-very clear too! I'm in Tennessee now and I live in a valley between two large hills so the reception is not as good. The good news is I am moving to Alabama where the land is flat, so I should be able to listen to the radio stations of the world once more.
When I turn the radio on I count to 10 before I slowly increase the power. This may or may not add to the longevity of the radio, but it does not hurt it that's for sure.
I have spent countless hours in my lifetime searching the radio air waves for music and interesting broadcasts. This is my 3rd. short wave/long wave receiver in my lifetime. Even as a young man I would lie in bed searching the radio waves for broadcasts from all over the world. A wonderful experience.
Love the BBC, China is a complete joke as it's mostly State propaganda broadcast in English.
PeterDad60 I have a 3000-1 as well. May I ask which brand and product number AC adapter worked for you? Thx in advance.
The reason the shield leads were bent over on the original transistors is because they often formed tin whiskers internally which would cause shorts to ground on one of the 3 legs. Quite often, they would work normally once the shield was disconnected from ground.
Be careful with using an external power supply. The tip is Negative and the barrel is Positive.
First and foremost, I really enjoy watching these repairs!!!
Its been my experience, that the Royal 3000's FM section, was finicky with the biasing - when anything other than the original spec transistor (did not have to be an actual Zenith-distributed component, and Zenith, in that era, used mostly National; Sylvania; Fairchild; and, at times, Motorola). While not terribly problematic, those transistor sockets somehow lost their conductive tin plating. Try a microscopic amount of "Mapleshade SilClear Contact Enhancer"; and NO, I do not own stock in, or benefit in any way from this recommendation; the stuff just works.
Good advice! Thanks for the CONSTRUCTIVE comments! I always enjoy reading your comments.
Eh, I've got the grey hair, and a strange way of cataloging life's memories - may as well use them... ,,,, but I can't remember what I had for lunch.... Used to listen to "The Story Lady" on a Y-600: www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com/comedy/story-lady-the/episode-347-boy-and-strange-bottle-19xx-xx-xx
That is my dream radio!!! Ebay wants a fotune for them. Wish I can find one at a garage sale
I have this and a 2000. Might be Two of the best radios I have.
My bet would be that somebody has been in there with their golden diddle stick and has the FM alignment buggered up. I think a good alignment will bring things back to life. Well done finding those transistors. The old germaniums are becoming hard to find now. A lot of the guys are using the NOS Russian ones available on Ebay as general replacements. They work well depending on the circuit. 73 Doug.
I would like to have one in good condition. To me Zenith was the best commercial brand radio.
Thanks for the video. Happy to see it working again. I quickly realized I didn't have the knowledge to do it any good so I sent it to you. Good decision on my part for sure.
Thanks and hopefully I'll get the FM up to snuff soon!
Good work 👍
I love these sets. One thing to watch...these used the early germainium transistors. Might help to clean the prongs lightly with a razor knife. Recapping will help too. With some maintenance, you will be amazed how good these perform. If you happen to have transistor issues, I have some spares. Bob - RW
Good to see you again Bob.These replacements were freebees from work.
Need alignment. When you change transistors, the inner capacitance varies. So, the RF, Osc and Mixer section need re-alignement.
As well i suggest to replace the resistors out of range in that section, as well the capacitors.
Watch the amps, must be under 20 mA
This radio works on 12 volts. You can power it with a portable car jump start pack. It will play for days and will eliminate the need for expensive D cell batteries. I power my 12 volt boom box on a jump pack
Finally a new video. I was beginning to think your channel had been abandoned.
I have a Fisher R-200-B tuner (The one with shortwave) and replaced the IF transistors with NOS 2N2654s as called for. The new transistors have HOLLAND label on them. Well, the tuner went somewhat silent from what it was before. I measured the shield to each ECB resistance and had 3 Meg.Ω resistance. Tin whiskers on NOS transistors. Mullard AF116s are a big problem also. I am going to try to zap them with a capacitor to fix. Seems to work most of the time.
I have a Heathkit radio very much the same radio. I built it while in college in my dorm room.(mid sixty's) Just about the first Heathkit I built. It needs some work, but it still works. Probably also needs some parts replaced. Its sits on my work bench off to one side, but at least I have the original manual on how I put it together and how to do the alignment.
Can't beat those old Heath's They had some very good designs.
By the way that will be a nice radio when you get the fm working properly,much nicer than the Royal 1000.
Far cry from the tube type one I had . It had a 290 volt b+ battery and a 6v heater battery. picked up great and was a great reciever
Yeah the bands are what they use to be either.
A friend of mine has a 1951 Zenith that's in nice overall condition. I took some photos of it today. How can I send them to you to get some feedback for him on whether it might be worth restoring?
I’ve got one of these. Paid $100.oo , said it worked. Well , it did, but had issues, now it works on FM, and that’s all.🙁
The case is in very good condition.
Some day I will have the cash money to get it restored. - until then, it sits and collects dust.
📻🙂
Nice HM01!
Hey...a numbers station. Cool.
Radio Rescue try to find a B+K 520B transistor tester,had one since the 80's,Good piece of test equipment to test all types of transistors including germaniums for leakage, quick and easy to use .
Thanks for the tip!
@ 13:39, does anyone know the name of the 'song snippet' played by that FM station??? Thanks!
Song is "Someday" by Sugar Ray.
Looks like you figured it out with the antenna.
LORD I DID NOT , UNDERSTAND WICH TRANSISTOR, YOU USED , TO RECPLAC THE (121-44) R.F.A.M , FOR COURT WAVE?? THANCKS, Manlio .
Your bandswitch definitely could use a cleaning. It sounds like it could also use an alignment. Not sure why FM seems so weak- mine is very sensitive on the FM band.
I cleaned it like 3 times. I thought that could have been the problem to.
She most likely needs the electrolytic capacitors replaced. Very common trouble with these radios.
Those transistors are likely OK, as it is the radio DOES work. Those Ge transistors will show "leaky" or "shorted" when using a DMM in "continuity test" mode.
Had you seen the big antenna in the handle???? it is for fm and short wave
Yes i put that in the video.
i have 3 ,,, got a mint one ffrom goodwill for 5 bucks ,, the weak spot is the handle ..mine all work great an have the case for the d cells...
did someone power it up backwards ,,??
I haven't read all the comments and haven't watched the whole video but it will work a whole lot better if you raise the antenna.
Why? I had a longwire.
I have the same set but I have not worked on my set yet
Didn't they come with a leather case? Mine did. That and these things cost around $2500 in today's money, back then.
Might have. This one was picked up second hand from a yard sale. So that was probably tossed years ago.
22:50 - Is it me or did you find a numbers station there?
Yes you heard right. it boom's in during the day here.
By the way.. NTExxx are too expensive. You can get GT 313A rusiian germanium for a fraction of the price, same result!...or better