07-11-2025, 11:25 PM
Sorry, OSanders, I just saw your question about the antenna coil. If you are in a rather strong signal area, even an open secondary on an antenna coil shouldn't cause a problem, but may on yours as yours is a 3 band radio. Sorry, sounds like I am walking both sides of the street with this one.
When I was younger I was able to pick up stations on an AA5 (that is the common 5 tube AC-DC radio) that was broadcast band only by connecting a wire to the mixer section of the tuning cap when the loop antenna was missing. On these sets there is no antenna coil, the loop serves that purpose. But even without the "coil" section of the tuned circuit, I was able to receive stations.
In a previous post you said that you didn't even touch the wire to the tuning cap, you merely got near it. This is why I wonder if you managed to "start" the oscillator. So for now, I would stick to the previous troubleshooting tips. Don't be afraid to "poke around", using an appropriate non-conductive tool. Tap the oscillator tube, the tuning cap, the oscillator and antenna coils, the (gulp) band switch and the caps and resistors associated with the oscillator and mixer.
PS, Don't be sorry to disturb me, I'm already disturbed (or so says Ms. Fixr). No, really I and everyone else on the Phorum are happy to help. I am a retired Field Service Engineer for a biomedical company, and had a 45 year career of solving problems (and keeping the promises that sales reps made). My participation in the Phorum and thinking about problems like yours is a workout for my brain and will hopefully keep me sharp. In addition, all of us old-timers want to suck new folks into the hobby. (From the "If I'm going down, I'm taking people with me" department). Seriously, we are all happy to help, there is no silly or stupid question, and unlike other websites, we reallyt want to make people welcome here.
When I was younger I was able to pick up stations on an AA5 (that is the common 5 tube AC-DC radio) that was broadcast band only by connecting a wire to the mixer section of the tuning cap when the loop antenna was missing. On these sets there is no antenna coil, the loop serves that purpose. But even without the "coil" section of the tuned circuit, I was able to receive stations.
In a previous post you said that you didn't even touch the wire to the tuning cap, you merely got near it. This is why I wonder if you managed to "start" the oscillator. So for now, I would stick to the previous troubleshooting tips. Don't be afraid to "poke around", using an appropriate non-conductive tool. Tap the oscillator tube, the tuning cap, the oscillator and antenna coils, the (gulp) band switch and the caps and resistors associated with the oscillator and mixer.
PS, Don't be sorry to disturb me, I'm already disturbed (or so says Ms. Fixr). No, really I and everyone else on the Phorum are happy to help. I am a retired Field Service Engineer for a biomedical company, and had a 45 year career of solving problems (and keeping the promises that sales reps made). My participation in the Phorum and thinking about problems like yours is a workout for my brain and will hopefully keep me sharp. In addition, all of us old-timers want to suck new folks into the hobby. (From the "If I'm going down, I'm taking people with me" department). Seriously, we are all happy to help, there is no silly or stupid question, and unlike other websites, we reallyt want to make people welcome here.
"Do Justly, love Mercy and walk humbly with your God"- Micah 6:8
"Let us begin to do good"- St. Francis
Best Regards,
MrFixr55
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