Rare model TR-970 know as the" Voyager". The silver paper label missing from its back. See Photofact set 593 folder 10. Great job hunting down the Germanium transistor problem. I must tell you that although it has a 9 Volt battery connector it was to connect to a 4 AA battery holder , it really should work normally on 6 Volts. 9 Volts is a little hard on the speaker. Great video Jordan. Rare radio to see and working. Big thanks to the Mrs. for finding it.
I am also betting that 9 volts is hard on the germanium transistors. As a kid, I put a 9V in mine now and then, but I kinda knew better and switched back to the 4 pack of AA's as soon as possible.
@@johnnytacokleinschmidt515 I am basically an "Electronics hobbyist" with no formal training, but now that I am retired I am working on expanding my knowledge into older audio, radio and test equipment devices that have always fascinated me, yet life and having a full time job never allowed me the time to apply myself to it until now. I do have a mini-bio video on my channel. I consider my skills to be about that of a qualified "appliance repairman" because of lack of formal training, but there's always room for improvement.
@@poormanselectronicsbench2021 I'm somewhat similar. Not retired and won't be able. Hoping to move away from auto and light truck as I get older into other activities with electronics technology being more near my center. Good luck and enjoy! I hope we both have a half century to do what we're trying to do!
Haven't seen a video in a while!, Cool little Radio!, I'm still working on that Magnavox Receiver, Just got the PNP Output Transistor today i've been waiting on!, Hope that fixes it, If not it's off to you!
Your wife picks up radios for you??? My wife wants to throw all my radios in the trash. LOL. Interesting fault - always a bit tricky when feedback loops are involved. Great video.
The signal you were picking up at 5MHz was WWV aka the time station that broadcasts on 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and sometimes 25MHz from Fort Collins, Colorado.
This was good. Germanium power transistors were known for thermal runaway. A little collector to base leakage and off they go. Don't see it much in pocket radios because they don't handle a lot of current. A good example is early-70's tube-type CB radio mobile linear amplifiers. They used germanium power transistors in DC to DC converter circuits that handled a lot of current. Their survival was dependent on a low duty cycle. In other words, if you get a guy who likes to talk, he'll be changing a lot of those transistors as well as the TV horizontal output tubes those amplifiers consumed by the bunch. I'm old enough to where that was my business for awhile. It was nice when Motorola developed the MRF line of devices that for the most part completely supplanted the tube stuff.
Hey up jordan, AM radio is in its final stages here in the UK, even with a 10ft antenna i can only pick up 2 stations, couple of years ago BBC Radio Bristol closed down then talk radio, i think this time next year they will all be gone for good. which means we have to put up with the horrid DAB radio stations, low bitrate low iq programming.
Do transistors go bad from not being used? I have many very old transistor radios all original everything and they are in constant use and seem to work fine. What makes them get faulty?
Moisture can creep into them, and sometimes even corrosion can creep up the leads into the inside of the housing. There is also the "Tin Whisker" factor, where, components that have a high amount of tin in them for making a conductive connection develops crystals that sprout from anything with a high amount of tin in it, and eventually creates a short circuit path.
@@poormanselectronicsbench2021 Thank you, now I understand. Your videos are amazing. I'm trying to restring a Realistic Patrolman 5 radio from 1978. Its driving me nuts...the radio plays like new but the dial cord restringing is insane. I wish I could send it to you.
@@barryfleischer6553 Unfortunately there's no "exact" Sams or any other service info on that radio available. Having played with fishing line, since I was a kid, the tangles that are created, and respooling fishing reels, I fear no dial cord issues! That, and knowing some handy knots, like a "taut line hitch" to make that last tensioning knot at the spring, is handy as well. Dabbing a drop of nail polish or even blue, green or red locktite on a knot after it's tied will also help in making sure it secures well. Maybe checking out some similar radios that you can get free info on would be a good starter for the cord layout
Hi there, great video on the little radio. I have found that a curve tracer is really enlightening as it really illuminates the various defects very well; I finally got one to plug into my scope's mainframe. When I service, I have two lead-sets plugged into my meter; one with probes and one with clips--really speeds things up! Question: I keep hearing about the Russian transistors; could you recommend some of the various types that I might run them down on eBay or wherever? Thanks for posting this video and 73...
I have a small stock of russian germanium Transistors i gathered before 2020. I don't have them catalogued for any specific purpose. Thr mp20 i use with most old audio and radio applications is fairly generic, about 30v .5w .25a at around 100mhz bandwidth. Works for most of these. Shango066 has great info on russian Germanium Transistors. You really need to do alot of translating and databasing to know what to get. I dont deal with germanium stuff enough to warrant having an inventory like his on hand.
@@JordanPier thanks for your reply. That transistor sounds like it could really do it all for most germanium radios so I can see why you picked it. On Shango, I’ve look through his catalog and did not see anything that really went through all the Russian types. I’ve only seen casual mention when it becomes a necessary replacement in that particular video. Do you know of his video/website etc. that has them all? Again thanks and appreciate your time and am now watching your channel; actually, I think I live under a large rock!
@@JordanPier hey, I finally found where he discusses various Russian transistors (hope you don’t mind link?): ruclips.net/video/wet7QameYc4/видео.htmlsi=kjhZTnx3eJIl4OG_ Thanks again for your help ! 😀
@@JordanPier here is a rudimentary curve-tracer that will allow you to qualitatively view transistors for gain, leakage and breakdown (depending on your input PS): ruclips.net/video/ZOLLoa2fH24/видео.htmlsi=jwhsXFnP8UKLeXHf
Наука
Rare model TR-970 know as the" Voyager". The silver paper label missing from its back. See Photofact set 593 folder 10.
Great job hunting down the Germanium transistor problem. I must tell you that although it has a 9 Volt battery connector
it was to connect to a 4 AA battery holder , it really should work normally on 6 Volts. 9 Volts is a little hard on the speaker.
Great video Jordan. Rare radio to see and working. Big thanks to the Mrs. for finding it.
Thanks for that valuable information. Ill get it a 4 aa holder and go from there!
I am also betting that 9 volts is hard on the germanium transistors. As a kid, I put a 9V in mine now and then, but I kinda knew better and switched back to the 4 pack of AA's as soon as possible.
He's the Master! What's your background? You generally have something interesting to add.
@@johnnytacokleinschmidt515
I am basically an "Electronics hobbyist" with no formal training, but now that I am retired I am working on expanding my knowledge into older audio, radio and test equipment devices that have always fascinated me, yet life and having a full time job never allowed me the time to apply myself to it until now. I do have a mini-bio video on my channel. I consider my skills to be about that of a qualified "appliance repairman" because of lack of formal training, but there's always room for improvement.
@@poormanselectronicsbench2021 I'm somewhat similar. Not retired and won't be able. Hoping to move away from auto and light truck as I get older into other activities with electronics technology being more near my center. Good luck and enjoy! I hope we both have a half century to do what we're trying to do!
Neat little radio. Reminds me of an old time microphone.
The jack on the top is for the Shortwave antenna (radios of that era had rod antennas that plugged in or screwed in) for Shortwave
Haven't seen a video in a while!, Cool little Radio!, I'm still working on that Magnavox Receiver, Just got the PNP Output Transistor today i've been waiting on!, Hope that fixes it, If not it's off to you!
Your wife picks up radios for you??? My wife wants to throw all my radios in the trash. LOL. Interesting fault - always a bit tricky when feedback loops are involved. Great video.
Neat little set. I need to get my late Stepfather's early Panasonic late 1950's set resurrected at some point.
Wow, a realtone! Realtone, which turned into sound design, now SDI
My guess is that 'old man Mallory' is spinning in his grave over what his battery legacy has become.
The signal you were picking up at 5MHz was WWV aka the time station that broadcasts on 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and sometimes 25MHz from Fort Collins, Colorado.
Thanks!
Thank you!
This was good. Germanium power transistors were known for thermal runaway.
A little collector to base leakage and off they go.
Don't see it much in pocket radios because they don't handle a lot of current.
A good example is early-70's tube-type CB radio mobile linear amplifiers.
They used germanium power transistors in DC to DC converter circuits that handled a lot of current. Their survival was dependent on a low duty cycle. In other words, if you get a guy who likes to talk, he'll be changing a lot of those transistors as well as the TV horizontal output tubes those amplifiers consumed by the bunch. I'm old enough to where that was my business for awhile. It was nice when Motorola developed the MRF line of devices that for the most part completely supplanted the tube stuff.
Cool little project.
Not a bad little radio, just needs retro bright mix and hunt around for a donor of white plastic.
If you are interested.
Well done jordan :-D
Great diagnostic lesson, very interesting. Thank you.
34:00 seems to be working pretty well! Great video and nice radio.😊
RIP, one Jungle-Site battery!
I say let it wear the signs of age with pride, clean it & leave it at that. The damage on the side doesn’t stop it working. It’s a survivor 👍
Could that connector on the top of the case be a whip antenna connection for the SW band? Good video Jordan.
Hey up jordan, AM radio is in its final stages here in the UK, even with a 10ft antenna i can only pick up 2 stations, couple of years ago BBC Radio Bristol closed down then talk radio, i think this time next year they will all be gone for good. which means we have to put up with the horrid DAB radio stations, low bitrate low iq programming.
They've tried to kill AM here for awhile now, but digital propagates terribly with our terrain and cities. Its gonna be here a little longer.
That's horrible... I hope it doesn't happen here.
In 3 years I think it will be gone worldwide@@johnnytacokleinschmidt515
Do transistors go bad from not being used? I have many very old transistor radios all original everything and they are in constant use and seem to work fine. What makes them get faulty?
Moisture can creep into them, and sometimes even corrosion can creep up the leads into the inside of the housing. There is also the "Tin Whisker" factor, where, components that have a high amount of tin in them for making a conductive connection develops crystals that sprout from anything with a high amount of tin in it, and eventually creates a short circuit path.
@@poormanselectronicsbench2021 Thank you, now I understand. Your videos are amazing. I'm trying to restring a Realistic Patrolman 5 radio from 1978. Its driving me nuts...the radio plays like new but the dial cord restringing is insane. I wish I could send it to you.
@@barryfleischer6553 Unfortunately there's no "exact" Sams or any other service info on that radio available. Having played with fishing line, since I was a kid, the tangles that are created, and respooling fishing reels, I fear no dial cord issues! That, and knowing some handy knots, like a "taut line hitch" to make that last tensioning knot at the spring, is handy as well. Dabbing a drop of nail polish or even blue, green or red locktite on a knot after it's tied will also help in making sure it secures well. Maybe checking out some similar radios that you can get free info on would be a good starter for the cord layout
@@poormanselectronicsbench2021 Many thanks! I always look forward to your radio restorations. You make it look so easy.
The electrolytic capacitors rot when not used. This throws the transistor bias off and can permanently damage them, leaving them permanent runaways.
Hi there, great video on the little radio.
I have found that a curve tracer is really enlightening as it really illuminates the various defects very well; I finally got one to plug into my scope's mainframe.
When I service, I have two lead-sets plugged into my meter; one with probes and one with clips--really speeds things up!
Question: I keep hearing about the Russian transistors; could you recommend some of the various types that I might run them down on eBay or wherever?
Thanks for posting this video and 73...
I have a small stock of russian germanium Transistors i gathered before 2020. I don't have them catalogued for any specific purpose. Thr mp20 i use with most old audio and radio applications is fairly generic, about 30v .5w .25a at around 100mhz bandwidth. Works for most of these.
Shango066 has great info on russian Germanium Transistors. You really need to do alot of translating and databasing to know what to get. I dont deal with germanium stuff enough to warrant having an inventory like his on hand.
@@JordanPier thanks for your reply. That transistor sounds like it could really do it all for most germanium radios so I can see why you picked it. On Shango, I’ve look through his catalog and did not see anything that really went through all the Russian types. I’ve only seen casual mention when it becomes a necessary replacement in that particular video. Do you know of his video/website etc. that has them all?
Again thanks and appreciate your time and am now watching your channel; actually, I think I live under a large rock!
@@JordanPier hey, I finally found where he discusses various Russian transistors (hope you don’t mind link?):
ruclips.net/video/wet7QameYc4/видео.htmlsi=kjhZTnx3eJIl4OG_
Thanks again for your help ! 😀
@@JordanPier here is a rudimentary curve-tracer that will allow you to qualitatively view transistors for gain, leakage and breakdown (depending on your input PS):
ruclips.net/video/ZOLLoa2fH24/видео.htmlsi=jwhsXFnP8UKLeXHf
This radio was designed to be powered by 4 "AA" batteries, 6 volts not 9 volts.
Jordan, can you tell me what you meant by adjusting the detector?
Would that be the same as a third if coil, with the black screw?