Hi Dr Tony, I have only this week completed a restore on the same model radio that found it's way down under. Nice radio and works very well. A small point, EKCO is the correct spelling, you have Ecko in a few places. I like your workshop, nice and clean 😀
Thanks Dave. I think this is the mutual admiration society. I love your workshop too. I'll certainly watch yor video on the Ekco (now spelt correctly-thankyou), and I agree they are really nice radios. I must get round to replacing the caps at some point though
Very enjoying your videos! Thanks a lot. I'm restoring also radios and televison sets since two and a half years, now I'm only 17. Watching this videos also helps me improving my English - you must know, that I'm living in Germany, like the name of my channel says.
It's good to know that this hobby is not just for old folks like myself. Keep at it I say. It's so rewarding when you make something that didn't work - work
Tony, thanks for making these enjoyable and educational videos. I particularly appreciate your methodical, logical and analytical approach to pinning down the problem with the least amount of effort and fuss. I think I've learned more about methodically determining receiver problems from watching your videos than I have acquired in 30 years of 'fiddling' around with radios. If you have time, please would you also make some videos about servicing transistor sets too? Many thanks.
Another great video Tony. I stumbled upon your channel yesterday while looking for info on a valve radio I am working on. Your thought process and fault finding is very good. Great channel and I look forward to seeing more videos from you. All the best Graham
I have just inherited one of these which would have been my great grandmother's originally... it hasn't worked since the 90s but I might just have a go at seeing if I can figure out what's wrong one of these days. Thanks for the link to the service manual... just need to overcome my late dad's voice in my head warning of the dangers of poking around in things containing valves !
I would say go for it. There are 3 strict rules in terms of safety. 1. You MUST use an isolation transformer with this radio if you are going to work on it whilst it is on. It's a hot chassis radio. See my part 1 video where all this is explained. 2. make sure that the chassis is connected to neutral, and not live. 3. When working on it try your hardest to keep 1 hand in your pocket. You can't always do this of course but its a good habit to get into. Also check that the fuse in the plug is appropriately rated - 1 or 2 amp will do. Finally let me know how it goes
@@tonydurrant Thanks for the advice - don't worry, despite having a reasonable education in electrical engineering (as part of my Mech Eng degree) I'm a coward when it comes to live electrics! I will be sure to let you know how I get on - whenever the law permits me to go back to the house the radio has lived in all these decades...
A very interesting video Tony I’m just about to do a restoration on a Philips 341a which has been stored in the garage for years so this was very helpful.. but a quick question if I can I want to replace the paper caps but im finding it difficult to find suitable replacements and a source, would you have any suggestions and what capacitors to use ?
Well you really don't have to worry too much about the dielectric that you use. The dielectric is more or less defined by the value and voltage that you want. Polycarbonate, polypropylene or ceramic will be fine. Just make sure you have an adequate voltage rating. If unsure about voltage go for 400V. Good luck with the restoration
I’m sure you know this but it’s just as easy to use another radio to listen for the local oscillator. I usually start these checks by injecting a Huge signal at the IF frequency then work back . You look to have a lot of nice equipment. Thanks regards chris
Actually Chris, I hadn't thought of that, but it makes perfect sense. That's a good tip I'll remember that. Yes, the old valve tester was a gift. I had to pay a company to make a new movement and then I build an amplifier to make their 1mA fsd meter look like the original movement. Well worth the effort though
I had one of those Avo valve testers and stupidly sold it about 20 years ago for £75 , wish I hadn't now as they change hands for over £1,000 these days .
Woo Hoo the UK's Dave Tipton. I am also a UA-cam content creator so I know the work that goes into making video's but I have to say... More video's please Dr T. :-)
Re: The use of wavelength. In the early days of wireless when spark transmission was used, there was no such thing as frequency control. The point in the spectrum of maximum radiated or received signal was controlled by the length of the antenna wire (wavelength). So spectrum calibration was thought of in terms of wavelength. My guess is this is just a hangover from the early days of wireless. 73 de K4TO, Dave
oh I see. Yes, I hadn't thought about that. And I guess that in the early days no one actually thought about how fast the wave travels in which case the relationship between velocity and wavelength couldn't be formulated. Good point !!
Can you talk about the isolating transformer? Looks like a factory product - very aesthetically pleasing. How build it something like that, according to safety rules?
Well I bought mine from screwfix. Around £80 I think. Much larger than you need. Making your own I think is challenging. It is possible to make one using 2 identical mains transformers by connecting the secondary of one to the secondary of the second and taking the output from the primary of the second. But this technique is really only useful if you happen to have 2 identical transformers kicking around of appropriate size. In terms of cost I doubt that if is really worth it. My advice would be to lash out and buy one
Hi Dr Tony, I have only this week completed a restore on the same model radio that found it's way down under. Nice radio and works very well. A small point, EKCO is the correct spelling, you have Ecko in a few places. I like your workshop, nice and clean 😀
Thanks Dave. I think this is the mutual admiration society. I love your workshop too. I'll certainly watch yor video on the Ekco (now spelt correctly-thankyou), and I agree they are really nice radios. I must get round to replacing the caps at some point though
Very enjoying your videos! Thanks a lot. I'm restoring also radios and televison sets since two and a half years, now I'm only 17.
Watching this videos also helps me improving my English - you must know, that I'm living in Germany, like the name of my channel says.
It's good to know that this hobby is not just for old folks like myself. Keep at it I say. It's so rewarding when you make something that didn't work - work
@@tonydurrant That's absolutely right!
Tony, thanks for making these enjoyable and educational videos. I particularly appreciate your methodical, logical and analytical approach to pinning down the problem with the least amount of effort and fuss. I think I've learned more about methodically determining receiver problems from watching your videos than I have acquired in 30 years of 'fiddling' around with radios. If you have time, please would you also make some videos about servicing transistor sets too? Many thanks.
Thank you Paul. Really glad it's been useful. It's good to know there is some interest in transistor sets too. I'll certainly give it some thought.
Thanks for the video. The reference to the schematic as you go and showing what you are actually doing is very helpful.
Excellent. It's good to know it's useful
Yes, John, I agree with you, it is extremely helpful and full marks to Tony for making this effort.
Tony Durrant your Ecko u 245 mw lw radio Receiver is cool
Another great video Tony. I stumbled upon your channel yesterday while looking for info on a valve radio I am working on. Your thought process and fault finding is very good. Great channel and I look forward to seeing more videos from you. All the best Graham
Thank you. Glad it worked for you
Thank you once again for a very enjoyable video. I have a U245 awaiting restoration.
Well have a go. Let us know how it goes
Great to hear a British voice fixing British radios. Keep up the good work.
😀
I have just inherited one of these which would have been my great grandmother's originally... it hasn't worked since the 90s but I might just have a go at seeing if I can figure out what's wrong one of these days. Thanks for the link to the service manual... just need to overcome my late dad's voice in my head warning of the dangers of poking around in things containing valves !
I would say go for it. There are 3 strict rules in terms of safety. 1. You MUST use an isolation transformer with this radio if you are going to work on it whilst it is on. It's a hot chassis radio. See my part 1 video where all this is explained. 2. make sure that the chassis is connected to neutral, and not live. 3. When working on it try your hardest to keep 1 hand in your pocket. You can't always do this of course but its a good habit to get into. Also check that the fuse in the plug is appropriately rated - 1 or 2 amp will do. Finally let me know how it goes
@@tonydurrant Thanks for the advice - don't worry, despite having a reasonable education in electrical engineering (as part of my Mech Eng degree) I'm a coward when it comes to live electrics! I will be sure to let you know how I get on - whenever the law permits me to go back to the house the radio has lived in all these decades...
Another great video, very enjoyable
Thsnkyou
Excelente profissional! Parabéns
Thank you very much
A very interesting video Tony I’m just about to do a restoration on a Philips 341a which has been stored in the garage for years so this was very helpful.. but a quick question if I can I want to replace the paper caps but im finding it difficult to find suitable replacements and a source, would you have any suggestions and what capacitors to use ?
Well you really don't have to worry too much about the dielectric that you use. The dielectric is more or less defined by the value and voltage that you want. Polycarbonate, polypropylene or ceramic will be fine. Just make sure you have an adequate voltage rating. If unsure about voltage go for 400V. Good luck with the restoration
Great guitar music intros and outros and another great video, thanks.
Glad you liked my guitar playing too !!
@@tonydurrant Very fine playing, indeed!
Thanks
I’m sure you know this but it’s just as easy to use another radio to listen for the local oscillator. I usually start these checks by injecting a Huge signal at the IF frequency then work back . You look to have a lot of nice equipment. Thanks regards chris
Actually Chris, I hadn't thought of that, but it makes perfect sense. That's a good tip I'll remember that. Yes, the old valve tester was a gift. I had to pay a company to make a new movement and then I build an amplifier to make their 1mA fsd meter look like the original movement. Well worth the effort though
Thanks Tony 👍🇬🇧
I had one of those Avo valve testers and stupidly sold it about 20 years ago for £75 , wish I hadn't now as they change hands for over £1,000 these days .
Yes, I know they are quite difficult to get now
Woo Hoo the UK's Dave Tipton. I am also a UA-cam content creator so I know the work that goes into making video's but I have to say... More video's please Dr T. :-)
I'll do my best
Thanks for your comment
Re: The use of wavelength. In the early days of wireless when spark transmission was used, there was no such thing as frequency control. The point in the spectrum of maximum radiated or received signal was controlled by the length of the antenna wire (wavelength). So spectrum calibration was thought of in terms of wavelength. My guess is this is just a hangover from the early days of wireless. 73 de K4TO, Dave
oh I see. Yes, I hadn't thought about that. And I guess that in the early days no one actually thought about how fast the wave travels in which case the relationship between velocity and wavelength couldn't be formulated. Good point !!
Can you talk about the isolating transformer? Looks like a factory product - very aesthetically pleasing. How build it something like that, according to safety rules?
Well I bought mine from screwfix. Around £80 I think. Much larger than you need. Making your own I think is challenging. It is possible to make one using 2 identical mains transformers by connecting the secondary of one to the secondary of the second and taking the output from the primary of the second. But this technique is really only useful if you happen to have 2 identical transformers kicking around of appropriate size. In terms of cost I doubt that if is really worth it. My advice would be to lash out and buy one
Enjoying videos. See David Tipton he does some good restorations.
Yes. I have subscribed to David Tipton. He is really good
Is it possible to convert a MW LW radio to receive FM. Thanks Stewart.
I would say that's mods would be too extensive to consider
@@tonydurrant
Ok. Thanks.
👍👍👍👍😄