Seth, this is an Admiral 4L20A from the late 1950's on chassis 4L2A, and it has the triangles on the AM dial for Civil Defense markings. Very nice video as always!
Thanks so much for these videos. For an amateur like me (who’s not going to work on a radio) I find them fascinating. I do know that my two Zenith Transoceanic transistor radios have hand wired point to point chassis with a positive ground (not sure on what that means). They work fine and I had them re-capped a few years ago as I’m lucky to still have a repair shop in my area. Again, thanks for the very informative video 😊
I really enjoyed your tutorial. I don't know that I'd choose an early PC set for my first project, but this one is one of the improved boards that aren't crack prone and don't lift the traces if you look at them wrong. I just finished a GE PC board set and amazingly the main electrolytic was in perfect shape, so I left it in.
The example/victim today is an Admiral AM only AA4 radio model 4L2A from 1958. Pretty good video in learning about tube radio restoration. Looking forward to more lessons as time permits Seth.
Seth: @22:43 where you talk about "across the line cap", you didn't say how you/we would identify that as such. You went on to say why knowing that is important (and I understood that reason), but you did not give any explanation how to know it is an across the line cap. Could you explain that to me? I like getting an education, not that I'll likely jump in soon to doing any recapping, but I'd like to know.
Across the line caps are there to help prevent incoming surge currents when for example- you turn the set on. There will be a momentary inrush of current when you first turn it on and the cap is there to keep that under control. Its important to use an actual X2Y2 rated cap because these will at the worst case split open versus short, which could create a shock hazard. None of these were installed when these radios were new and in many cases I've worked on a few where the original cap was literally blown up.
@@setharp I get that, but how did you determine that this particular cap was the across-the-line cap? If I'm looking at that set of components as a first time amateur doing a restoration, how would I distinguish that capacitor to be the most critical one?? In the video, I couldn't see any sign of damage, but even if I did, how would I know that one was a critical point for safety?
There’s a trimmer mounted on the inside of the back cover that you can adjust to improve reception. The trimmer is adjusted from the outside of the cover.
Just curious: Why use a small power transformer that might be poor at audio when you can use a small 600:600 audio isolation transformer? I scavenge mine from old 56k dial-up modems... Thanks.
The red tiny chief capacitor is being used as an AC line surge protector? They didn't have varistors in the 40s to 60s so they used a capacitor in line with the AC to short out to blow out the line fuse. Any reasons why they call it a "cheater" cord? Cheating what the earth chassis ground I'm guessing.
I don't know why we bother to subscribe to his channel when he won't reply to where we can acquire this isolated transformer. he could at least give us the manufacturer and a part number. That's mean in my opinion. This is not a personal question.
In your schematic diagram you are using a single pole switch to interrupt the radio signal but your audio input is always in circuit. couldn’t you use a single pole double throw switch instead to interrupt the radio signal in one position and then in the other position would interrupt your audio input signal and alleviate the need for the shunt circuit?
@@michaelpetersonjr No fun just facts. I have been a college teacher of electronics for 20 years and I know how complicated electrons are. Get educated.
He also stated in the videos intro it was just for "recapping" but should of said "restoration" but agree this is not for someone without your aformentioned examples. Those should be a "for beginners" series!
I would assume that a novice could take on a recapping project, not a person who has no knowledge of electricity whatsoever. A first time recapper, not no knowledge of the basics. My opinion is someone like Seth who has recapped hundreds of radios has the knowledge and earned the right to teach what he knows. Do I agree with everything he does? of course not, but I don't know any electronics techs that do things the same way. Most of us in this hobby got started and were self-taught before we got our formal education in electronics. (edit: changed typo this to us)
Seth, this is an Admiral 4L20A from the late 1950's on chassis 4L2A, and it has the triangles on the AM dial for Civil Defense markings. Very nice video as always!
Thanks so much for these videos. For an amateur like me (who’s not going to work on a radio) I find them fascinating. I do know that my two Zenith Transoceanic transistor radios have hand wired point to point chassis with a positive ground (not sure on what that means). They work fine and I had them re-capped a few years ago as I’m lucky to still have a repair shop in my area. Again, thanks for the very informative video 😊
I really enjoyed your tutorial. I don't know that I'd choose an early PC set for my first project, but this one is one of the improved boards that aren't crack prone and don't lift the traces if you look at them wrong. I just finished a GE PC board set and amazingly the main electrolytic was in perfect shape, so I left it in.
3 tube superhet + 1 rectifier tube.
Interesting radio :)
I imagine, in a strong signal area, these were perfectly good enough. Out where we live, I doubt it would have picked up anything.
The example/victim today is an Admiral AM only AA4 radio model 4L2A from 1958. Pretty good video in learning about
tube radio restoration. Looking forward to more lessons as time permits Seth.
i have a Magnavox stereo amplifier that needs to be re-capped and would like to get started on it soon, which is why i'm watching this.
Well, i think it's cool how you give these old radios a modern capability
That is a neat little radio.
Very well done. Thank you!
Not much inside to replace,easy to Service, the perfect tube radio.
Seth: @22:43 where you talk about "across the line cap", you didn't say how you/we would identify that as such. You went on to say why knowing that is important (and I understood that reason), but you did not give any explanation how to know it is an across the line cap. Could you explain that to me?
I like getting an education, not that I'll likely jump in soon to doing any recapping, but I'd like to know.
Across the line caps are there to help prevent incoming surge currents when for example- you turn the set on. There will be a momentary inrush of current when you first turn it on and the cap is there to keep that under control. Its important to use an actual X2Y2 rated cap because these will at the worst case split open versus short, which could create a shock hazard. None of these were installed when these radios were new and in many cases I've worked on a few where the original cap was literally blown up.
@@setharp I get that, but how did you determine that this particular cap was the across-the-line cap?
If I'm looking at that set of components as a first time amateur doing a restoration, how would I distinguish that capacitor to be the most critical one??
In the video, I couldn't see any sign of damage, but even if I did, how would I know that one was a critical point for safety?
@@setharp I am still interested in the answer to this, when you have time.
There’s a trimmer mounted on the inside of the back cover that you can adjust to improve reception. The trimmer is adjusted from the outside of the cover.
Thank you for the video. What kind of switch are you using for the Bluetooth ?
Just what I needed thanks for your awesome channel makes my Friday I owe you some soerrs Nevada brews 😊
Just curious: Why use a small power transformer that might be poor at audio when you can use a small 600:600 audio isolation transformer? I scavenge mine from old 56k dial-up modems... Thanks.
The red tiny chief capacitor is being used as an AC line surge protector? They didn't have varistors in the 40s to 60s so they used a capacitor in line with the AC to short out to blow out the line fuse. Any reasons why they call it a "cheater" cord? Cheating what the earth chassis ground I'm guessing.
I have a 1950s Delmonico nt-5 superheterodyne radio that I want to do Bluetooth upgrade on due to radio only picks up MW
Where do you get your isolation transformer for adding the audio input? I cannot find one that matched the specs on yours.
I don't know why we bother to subscribe to his channel when he won't reply to where we can acquire this isolated transformer. he could at least give us the manufacturer and a part number. That's mean in my opinion. This is not a personal question.
In your schematic diagram you are using a single pole switch to interrupt the radio signal but your audio input is always in circuit. couldn’t you use a single pole double throw switch instead to interrupt the radio signal in one position and then in the other position would interrupt your audio input signal and alleviate the need for the shunt circuit?
Where to buy those yellow caps? Are yhey called a particular name? Thank uou😊
Do a search for : axial polypropylene capacitors
@@hestheMasteryhank you for tge lead I'd like to get an assortment to get started on a small project 😊😊
WOw there is almost nothing inside that radio.
.047 mfd is the same as 57 nanofarads
Not rec-amended to a beginner with no understanding of electronics. ( tools, soldering, safety and equipment)
Why are you on here? Are you bored enough that you are making fun of his videos?
@@michaelpetersonjr No fun just facts. I have been a college teacher of electronics for 20 years and I know how complicated electrons are. Get educated.
He also stated in the videos intro it was just for "recapping" but should of said "restoration" but agree this is
not for someone without your aformentioned examples. Those should be a "for beginners" series!
I would assume that a novice could take on a recapping project, not a person who has no knowledge of electricity whatsoever. A first time recapper, not no knowledge of the basics.
My opinion is someone like Seth who has recapped hundreds of radios has the knowledge and earned the right to teach what he knows. Do I agree with everything he does? of course not, but I don't know any electronics techs that do things the same way. Most of us in this hobby got started and were self-taught before we got our formal education in electronics. (edit: changed typo this to us)