LOL so as I continue watching, I realize you had it worked on, nice! Great to see you saving these older radios! Love watching your video’s, always get a few good laughs 😂while learning something new!
Hi there Nick great sony radio l could not afford them when they came out good sound ssb fair to good love the look sony was always bringing out great short wave models why did they stop great video how much money do they bring out now 2024 cheers raymond
@@RaymondJones-d8z thank you Raymond, I bought this radio 7 or 8 years ago, and I paid about $350. I have not been keeping track of them since I did have to pay about $180 to have it recapped and I don’t know what else the guy did to it oh, he must’ve cleaned some switches too. when you start getting these radios from the 60s 70s and 80s they usually need some sort of maintenance or repair even if they look like brand new. and the sad part is, you could buy an excellent looking radio. Send it to a professional to be recapped and maintained, and whatever else, and then you can get it back and use it for a month and something else might break. Ask me how I know.😥
@@RaymondJones-d8z because I have bought many radios I have had them fail on me even looking excellent condition, I have also had them repaired, and then have them fail right away, it’s what happens to old radios. You cannot fix everything.
Above my pay grade but regarding RF gain issue: The Sony ICF-6800W is well-regarded, but it does have some known issues, particularly with the RF gain control circuit. Here are the most commonly reported problems: 1. RF Gain Potentiometer Issues • Symptom: The RF gain control may become scratchy, inconsistent, or fail to adjust sensitivity properly. • Cause: Over time, the potentiometer (variable resistor) responsible for RF gain control can wear out or accumulate dirt and oxidation. • Fix: • Cleaning the potentiometer with contact cleaner (e.g., DeoxIT) often resolves the issue. • If cleaning doesn’t work, the potentiometer may need replacement, which can be challenging due to part availability. 2. Reduced Sensitivity in RF Gain Circuit • Symptom: Even with the RF gain set to maximum, the radio may exhibit reduced sensitivity to weak signals. • Cause: Aging components in the RF amplifier stage, such as electrolytic capacitors, can degrade performance. Additionally, the transistors in the RF amplifier circuit may weaken over time. • Fix: • Replace aged electrolytic capacitors in the RF gain and amplifier circuits. • Check and, if necessary, replace transistors (e.g., 2SC series components common in these radios). 3. RF Gain Control Interactions with AGC • Symptom: The automatic gain control (AGC) and RF gain adjustments may interact poorly, leading to unstable or “pumping” signal levels. • Cause: Drift in component values over time (e.g., resistors, capacitors in the AGC circuit) can upset the balance. • Fix: • Test and replace out-of-spec components in the AGC circuit. Using the service manual is crucial here. 4. PCB Solder Joint Issues • Symptom: Intermittent or non-functioning RF gain control. • Cause: Cold or cracked solder joints, especially on the RF gain potentiometer or nearby components, can develop with age. • Fix: • Inspect the circuit board for cracks or bad solder joints and reflow solder as necessary. 5. General Alignment Issues • Symptom: RF gain seems weak even when fully functional. • Cause: Misalignment in the RF or IF circuits due to component aging or prior servicing. • Fix: • Perform a full alignment following the service manual using appropriate test equipment. Preventive Maintenance Given the age of the ICF-6800W, a proactive approach to maintenance can keep it performing well: • Replace all aging electrolytic capacitors, especially in the RF and audio circuits. • Inspect and clean all switches and potentiometers. • Regularly check and clean the antenna and ground connections.
My ICF-6800W Orange works perfectly EXCEPT the meter sticks... So I need to open it up and REPLACE the meter, as I have a spare, new OS, but never prioritized it, at least not yet. I figure I would go further if the radio is apart, just replace older capacitors, clean all controls and align the radio... I have the factory original service manual for it, in living color, to do the work... Roy comment below is right on... But with 6 ICF-6700 waiting for some TLC who knows what will be next... Lots to do in retirement, and with great weather here in San Diego, I spend a lot of time OUTSIDE enjoying things here in Southern California.. Back some 15 years ago I had my present 6800W, but also had 2 that were not the Orange version. Those were opened up, repaired as needed and then Sold on eBay.. Over the years I collected sometimes 3 or 4 of the same radio, repaired and then sold on eBay to fund other radio purchases.. Those good old days.. 🙂
@@donglocka1550 Don, actually the meter is not a signal strength meter. Most of these old radios if you read the owners manual or if you look at the writing on the face of the meter, they say that they are a “tuning indicator“. This is different than a signal strength or S meter. The meter on this radio actually says “tuning“, and the scale goes from 1 - 10. And the battery indicator is like a gas gauge and goes from E - F. that being said, the tuning indicator on this radio was working as a tuning indicator the whole time it was on batteries. When you press the momentary switch for the light, the light comes on and the meter switches to a battery strength indicator. As soon as you let go of the button, the meter turns back into a tuning indicator.
LOL so as I continue watching, I realize you had it worked on, nice! Great to see you saving these older radios! Love watching your video’s, always get a few good laughs 😂while learning something new!
@@RoyGNH thanks Roy, it’s always nice to see that at least someone gets my weird sense of humor
Hey whenever I can play a radio related video up on the big screen here, and even my wife get’s a laugh or two in, it’s all good 😂! Have fun!
Hi there Nick great sony radio l could not afford them when they came out good sound ssb fair to good love the look sony was always bringing out great short wave models why did they stop great video how much money do they bring out now 2024 cheers raymond
@@RaymondJones-d8z thank you Raymond, I bought this radio 7 or 8 years ago, and I paid about $350. I have not been keeping track of them since I did have to pay about $180 to have it recapped and I don’t know what else the guy did to it oh, he must’ve cleaned some switches too. when you start getting these radios from the 60s 70s and 80s they usually need some sort of maintenance or repair even if they look like brand new. and the sad part is, you could buy an excellent looking radio. Send it to a professional to be recapped and maintained, and whatever else, and then you can get it back and use it for a month and something else might break. Ask me how I know.😥
How do you know
@@RaymondJones-d8z because I have bought many radios I have had them fail on me even looking excellent condition, I have also had them repaired, and then have them fail right away, it’s what happens to old radios. You cannot fix everything.
Above my pay grade but regarding RF gain issue: The Sony ICF-6800W is well-regarded, but it does have some known issues, particularly with the RF gain control circuit. Here are the most commonly reported problems:
1. RF Gain Potentiometer Issues
• Symptom: The RF gain control may become scratchy, inconsistent, or fail to adjust sensitivity properly.
• Cause: Over time, the potentiometer (variable resistor) responsible for RF gain control can wear out or accumulate dirt and oxidation.
• Fix:
• Cleaning the potentiometer with contact cleaner (e.g., DeoxIT) often resolves the issue.
• If cleaning doesn’t work, the potentiometer may need replacement, which can be challenging due to part availability.
2. Reduced Sensitivity in RF Gain Circuit
• Symptom: Even with the RF gain set to maximum, the radio may exhibit reduced sensitivity to weak signals.
• Cause: Aging components in the RF amplifier stage, such as electrolytic capacitors, can degrade performance. Additionally, the transistors in the RF amplifier circuit may weaken over time.
• Fix:
• Replace aged electrolytic capacitors in the RF gain and amplifier circuits.
• Check and, if necessary, replace transistors (e.g., 2SC series components common in these radios).
3. RF Gain Control Interactions with AGC
• Symptom: The automatic gain control (AGC) and RF gain adjustments may interact poorly, leading to unstable or “pumping” signal levels.
• Cause: Drift in component values over time (e.g., resistors, capacitors in the AGC circuit) can upset the balance.
• Fix:
• Test and replace out-of-spec components in the AGC circuit. Using the service manual is crucial here.
4. PCB Solder Joint Issues
• Symptom: Intermittent or non-functioning RF gain control.
• Cause: Cold or cracked solder joints, especially on the RF gain potentiometer or nearby components, can develop with age.
• Fix:
• Inspect the circuit board for cracks or bad solder joints and reflow solder as necessary.
5. General Alignment Issues
• Symptom: RF gain seems weak even when fully functional.
• Cause: Misalignment in the RF or IF circuits due to component aging or prior servicing.
• Fix:
• Perform a full alignment following the service manual using appropriate test equipment.
Preventive Maintenance
Given the age of the ICF-6800W, a proactive approach to maintenance can keep it performing well:
• Replace all aging electrolytic capacitors, especially in the RF and audio circuits.
• Inspect and clean all switches and potentiometers.
• Regularly check and clean the antenna and ground connections.
@@RoyGNH excellent info, thanks!
My ICF-6800W Orange works perfectly EXCEPT the meter sticks... So I need to open it up and REPLACE the meter, as I have a spare, new OS, but never prioritized it, at least not yet. I figure I would go further if the radio is apart, just replace older capacitors, clean all controls and align the radio... I have the factory original service manual for it, in living color, to do the work... Roy comment below is right on... But with 6 ICF-6700 waiting for some TLC who knows what will be next... Lots to do in retirement, and with great weather here in San Diego, I spend a lot of time OUTSIDE enjoying things here in Southern California..
Back some 15 years ago I had my present 6800W, but also had 2 that were not the Orange version. Those were opened up, repaired as needed and then Sold on eBay.. Over the years I collected sometimes 3 or 4 of the same radio, repaired and then sold on eBay to fund other radio purchases.. Those good old days.. 🙂
@@myradiovideos get bizy on those 6700’s! The world needs more excellent operating condition radios!
@@myradiovideos make one of the 6700s absolutely perfect and then sell it to me!
@@dieselten01 Looks like I have been motivated!!!! 🙂
👍
Nice radio Nick.
@@johnturner9239 thanks John
Great video. Am I missing something or is this radio incapable of measuring signal strength while on batteries?
@@donglocka1550 Don, actually the meter is not a signal strength meter. Most of these old radios if you read the owners manual or if you look at the writing on the face of the meter, they say that they are a “tuning indicator“. This is different than a signal strength or S meter. The meter on this radio actually says “tuning“, and the scale goes from 1 - 10. And the battery indicator is like a gas gauge and goes from E - F. that being said, the tuning indicator on this radio was working as a tuning indicator the whole time it was on batteries. When you press the momentary switch for the light, the light comes on and the meter switches to a battery strength indicator. As soon as you let go of the button, the meter turns back into a tuning indicator.