Dead, Check for broken wires and cracked circuit board joints try new batteries. About 90% of transistor radios can be brought back to life, with a replacement of the electrolytic capacitors. Most radios have 4 or 6 although some can have as many as 20. They take a couple of hours to replace and you have to have the proper tools to do it right.
Can a transistor radio be repaired?
We are a team of transistor radio enthusiasts who are trained to repair these old relics. We have repaired almost all major brands of transistors, even some of the initial ones that came in the market. If you have a transistor that needs repair, don’t just take it to your local electronic repair shop, bring it to us.
How much does it cost to replace an AM transistor radio?
AM Transistor Radio's -Flat Rate Repair = $75.00 The flat rate does include the replacement of the most of the electrolytic capacitors. The 1st 5 are free, the rest @ $3.95 each. Most pocket radios have only 5. Larger AM/FM radio's, Zenith TransOceanic's and other multiband radio's will be at $45.00 plus parts with a 2 hour Minimum.
How much does it cost to fix a transistor radar?
HOW TO FIX TRANSISTOR RADIOS $4.95 (in the U.S.) HOW TO FIX TRANSISTOR RADIOS & PRINTED CIRCUITS LEONARD C. LANE
How did the transistor change the face of radio?
Initial radios were bulky and impossible to carry around. During World War II vacuum tubes that made up the initial radios were trying to be resized. During the same time after the war ended the transistor was developed at Bell Labs, in 1947. Transistors completely transformed the face of radio. Transistors were smaller, they needed less energy.
Can a transistor radio Be Fixed?
If you have a transistor radio at your home, you could preserve it. We are a team of transistor radio enthusiasts who are trained to repair these old relics. We have repaired almost all major brands of transistors, even some of the initial ones that came in the market.
Do old transistor radios still work?
Transistor radios are still commonly used as car radios. Billions of transistor radios are estimated to have been sold worldwide between the 1950s and 2012.
How do radio transistors work?
The function of transistors in radios is straightforward. Sounds are recorded through a microphone and turned into electrical signals. Those signals travel through a circuit, and the transistor amplifies the signal, which is subsequently much louder when it reaches a speaker.
How do I fix my FM radio?
Check the power cord to see whether the radio is plugged in to an electrical socket. If the cord is unplugged or loose in the socket, securely plug in the radio. Check the battery compartment on the back of the radio to ensure that the batteries are in when the radio is unplugged.
What is the most valuable transistor radio?
Although it is not an outstanding performer, the Regency TR-1 is touted as the “First” transistor radio and is probably the most valued and sought after transistor radio by collectors. A pair of TR-1s recently sold for $5,000 at auction on-line.
How much did a transistor radio cost in 1960?
The more modest radios were around $70– about $1,050 today. By the 1960s TV had already become the biggest home service. However, the portable transistor radio was all the rage and cost a premium for such a small piece of equipment. A Sony 8-channel transistor radio with batteries cost $49.95.
What is the difference between a transistor radio and a radio?
Modern radio circuits are transistor based circuit making the size of the radio device simple, small and energy efficient. Radio is a device which transmit and amplifies signals. The modern radio uses transistor since it is smaller in size.
Why is the transistor radio important?
With the transistor radio, music and information suddenly became portable. No matter how isolated you were, you could hear news of the world. And for teenagers who could suddenly listen to music anywhere they wanted -- far away from an adult's ears -- it sparked a musical revolution: rock n' roll.
How much power does a transistor radio use?
Clearer reception may be the result for some listeners, but, according to an Energy Saving Trust report (pdf) published two years ago, "traditional analogue radios have an average on-power consumption of two watts, but digital radios consume, on average, more than four times this amount (8.5 watts)." Radios – be they ...
How do you get a clear radio signal?
How to Fix Poor FM Radio ReceptionRemove any obstacles you can. ... Check and replace antenna connections. ... Run a frequency scan. ... Switch from stereo to mono. ... Move your antenna: If you have an indoor antenna, place it near a window as high as possible to avoid interference from materials used in wall construction.More items...•
Why does my radio keep losing signal?
Check Your Antenna Connections One of the most common causes of poor car radio reception is a poor antenna connection. If the antenna cable is poorly seated in your head unit, or any of the connections are loose, worn, or corroded, you'll often find it difficult to tune into your favorite station.
Why is FM radio reception poor?
The atmosphere is FULL of radiofrequency signals, some of which will conflict with each other. Here's a few examples of types of interference to NCPR we've heard about. iPod, Satellite Radio, FM Modulator (etc) interference: This has been a BIG problem for FM radio reception.
Is there a radio station that plays 50s music?
1.FM - 50s and 60s radio stream live and for free.
How much power does a transistor radio use?
Clearer reception may be the result for some listeners, but, according to an Energy Saving Trust report (pdf) published two years ago, "traditional analogue radios have an average on-power consumption of two watts, but digital radios consume, on average, more than four times this amount (8.5 watts)." Radios – be they ...
What are the old radios called?
Vacuum Tube Radios and RCA By the end of the first decade of public radio came the RCA corporation and their patent new invention, radios with vacuum tubes for amplified signals and better sound quality.
What year did the transistor radio come out?
1954TI built the transistors; Regency built the radio. On October 18, 1954, the Regency TR1 was put on the market. It was a scant five inches high and used four germanium transistors.
What is the if frequency of a radio?
have a spot frequency, generally at 455 kc, for alignment of the if stages. (Many auto radios have an if of 262.5 kc, so we cannot assume that the same if is used by all manufacturers.)
What are the problems with the audio section?
Troubles in the audio section. Battery supply resistance. Speaker and earphone circuit defects. Distortion in the audio amplifier. Push-pull
Can two service technicians agree to the same test equipment?
solved using the same test equipment you now have available. No two service technicians are ever in complete agreement as to
Is hybrid radio interference a charac?
Here some types of interference are treated as part of radio servicing although it is actually a charac-
Does a signal generator have an audio output?
Fig. 701. Some signal generators have an audio output con- nection but no provision is made for controlling the audio
How did transistors change radios?
Initial radios were bulky and impossible to carry around. During World War II vacuum tubes that made up the initial radios were trying to be resized. During the same time after the war ended the transistor was developed at Bell Labs, in 1947. Transistors completely transformed the face of radio. Transistors were smaller, they needed less energy. They were replacing a whole range of devices that worked with vacuum tubes. Initially transistors were used for military purposes but in the spring of 1954 everything changed. In the Christmas of 1954 the first transistor radio was brought to the shelves. It cost $50. It immediately transformed radio technology and soon became popular as more transistor radios were made at cheaper rates. Transistors work with a straightforward technology. The sounds recorded through the microphone are converted into an electric signal which is picked up by transistors and amplified into the speakers.
Can you preserve a transistor radio?
Nowadays with the advancement of technology transistor radios have become a collectable item. If you have a transistor radio at your home, you could preserve it. We are a team of transistor radio enthusiasts who are trained to repair these old relics. We have repaired almost all major brands of transistors, even some of the initial ones that came in the market. If you have a transistor that needs repair, don’t just take it to your local electronic repair shop, bring it to us.
Can you repair a portable radio?
If you have a portable radio that you would like to repair, bring it to us. Portable radios are usually fragile due to their age. You need someone who has the knowledge and the love for such items to work it. We have the needed instruments and the experience to repair all kinds of portable radios. We can fix any structural damage and/or sound issues. If you wish to restore the look of your portable radio with polish and paint, restoring the logos and original color, let us know. We can completely restore it in its original look.
Why do transistors amplify?
Therefore, the transistor amplifies because it has the ability to transfer the current from the low-resistance ( im pedance) input into the high resistance of the output with very little loss.
What does a transistor look like to an ohmmeter?
What does a transistor look like to an ohmmeter? It looks like two diodes back to back, as shown in Fig. 1-1. Since the diodes have a high reverse resistance, this is represented by
How many volts does a transistor use?
Transistors in a circuit may have as much as 9 volts ( or more) on the collector, while most testers use only 4½ volts for testing. A transistor can perform perfectly with 4½ volts and refuse to work with 5 volts. You'll learn more, in later chapters, about how to spot this trouble. TRANSISTOR BASING .
Why is there a short between the emitter and the collector?
This can happen because the base is so thin that it literally is dis integrated around the area of the leakage path between the emitter and collector , as shown in Fig. 1-3.
How to do an ohmmeter test?
1-2 shows how to make the ohmmeter test. Place the red lead on the base, touch the collector with the black lead, and note the reading. Now touch the black lead to the emit ter and again note the reading. If the base-to-collector read ing is low, then the base-to-emitter reading should also be
Where is the base lead on a transistor?
1. The base lead is always between the emitter and col lector. 2. The collector lead is marked by either a color dot or line, or is set off by itself ( Fig. l-4A). Probably the most common base layout today is the "top hat" design shown in Fig. l-4B. You can remember this ar rangement more easily from the familiar schematic symbol. Hold the transistor leads so they point toward you, with the base (middle) lead to the left. The connections will then
How old is a collector volt?
about 1 ma of collector current. However, the collector volt age may be anywhere from 1 to 22½ volts. Bias should be measured from emitter to base, and the collector voltage from emitter to collector.
What Do I Need for Radio Repair?
Most modern radios are built on printed circuit boards that can’t be repaired by anyone but trained technicians. However, there still are tests you can perform and parts you can replace. Check your local Radio Shack or other electronics supplier for parts and tools. Here are a few tools you may need:
How to replace antenna on radio?
Replace a radio internal antenna: Unplug the receiver and open the housing. Typically, there are two to four screws accessed from the underside of the radio. Find and remove the internal antenna (or the internal base of the external antenna).
How Does a Radio Work?
A radio receiver is an electronic device that receives audio signals through an antenna, then amplifies the resulting sound and delivers it to your ears through speakers. The signals are either amplitude modulated (AM) or frequency modulated (FM). Of course, it’s a little more complicated than that, but the rest isn’t important to the user.
How Can I Identify a Radio Problem?
If the radio won’t work, make sure the power is on at the outlet and test the electrical cord and replace if needed.
What is a household radio?
Household radios are corded radio receivers and amplifiers. That means power cords may need replacing. Contacts can be bent or corroded. A dial cord can be broken or the gears jammed. The station indicator pointer may be misaligned. Controls and switches may be dirty. Antennas break.
What to do if your pointer is broken?
Inspect the pointer mechanism for obvious problems, such as a cord that came off the end rollers or a break in the cord. If the cord is broken, replace or repair it.
What to do if your antenna is damaged?
If the antenna is damaged, replace it . If no replacement is available, attempt to repair the antenna, which is not easy because of all the fine wiring, or replace the radio as a unit.
