Recommendation for a first radio restoration project. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

MeanDumpsterCat · 5th Nov 2020, 1:25 pm

Hello.

I'm still relatively new to the world of vintage electronics restoration however something i've wanted to do for a long time is restore an old valve radio, likely from the 1940s-50s.

Once i've got enough space for a small lab I was hoping to find one that I could repair and get working again. I have a few in mind already but there's a large number of them out there. I was wondering if you guys could recommend some models of radio that I should look out for on my hunt. Ones with good documentation that are still widely available for a reasonable price would be great.

Any advice would be appreciated.

G6Tanuki · 5th Nov 2020, 1:31 pm

What about something like a Pye P75?

It's an AC-only design, so no 'live' chassis risk. Relatively simple, easy-to-understand well-spaced-out circuitry with no 'strange' interdependencies, using still-available valves and no really-specialist components whose failure would make a repair uneconomic/impossible.

They work quite well too - so long as you remember to use an antenna of the sort-of-=length [40-50 feet] that would have been considered normal back in the day (the frame-aerial is only for local reception - and chances are you won't have any local MW/LW stations to you these days!)

Cobaltblue · 5th Nov 2020, 1:35 pm

Always good to go for a set with a mains transformer rather than an AC/DC set.

This leaves plenty of choice for 40/50's woodies

These can usually be had inexpensively because they are not one of the classics.

I always found Regentone sets good sets to work on the Cossor sets plenty of those around such as the 500/501 520 etc make sure you get an AC version not a U (universal) model

Cheers

Mike T

agardiner · 5th Nov 2020, 5:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by G6Tanuki

What about something like a Pye P75?

It's an AC-only design, so no 'live' chassis risk. Relatively simple, easy-to-understand well-spaced-out circuitry with no 'strange' interdependencies, using still-available valves and no really-specialist components whose failure would make a repair uneconomic/impossible.

They work quite well too - so long as you remember to use an antenna of the sort-of-=length [40-50 feet] that would have been considered normal back in the day (the frame-aerial is only for local reception - and chances are you won't have any local MW/LW stations to you these days!)

I would totally agree with the above. The PYE P75 is straightforward to work on and can be a good performer and good looker when complete. They are also fairly easy to find in original condition.

music-centre · 5th Nov 2020, 5:38 pm

Yes, I can also recommend the PYE P75 and another good one is the BUSH AC34 ,easy to work on and sound good.
Cheers,
Steve.

MeanDumpsterCat · 6th Nov 2020, 2:16 am

I seem to recall seeing the Pye P75 up on ebay when I was having a look around. I think a friend of mine used to have one at some stage too. It's certainly a very nice looking set. Exactly the look I was going for actually.

high_vacuum_house · 11th Nov 2020, 7:46 pm

As a next radio to play with I would go for a Bush VHF81

Although this is a AC/DC radio it shouldn't be too difficult to check that the chassis is on the neutral side .

I have restored 2 of these radios and they give very good performance. They work well on FM as well as on LW/MW. Internal ferrite rod aerial for LW/MW. They are quite late in valve radio manufacturer and uses up to date B9a 100mA series heater valves and doesn't run too hot in operation. There is an insulation layer in the roof of the cabinet, so the top of the cabinet doesn't get too hot. A nice addition. A decent sized speaker is added as well.

I found them pleasant to restore and once the chassis has been removed, everything is accessible. The circuit is conventional with no peculiarities and strange components to worry about. The layout on the chassis is easy to understand as well. There shouldn't be too many issues to restore one to operation once the dust has been hovered out and the usual wax capacitors have been changed. The VHF front end section is in a separate die cast box which keeps everything nice and stable.

Cabinet wise, they are nice and simple to restore unless you get a really bashed example and they don't take up too much shelf space. There is also a choice of Bakelite (VHF80) or wooden cased examples (VHF81). (I prefer the wooden cased ones!) There are 2 dial lamps which light up the dial nicely.

Christopher Capener

5th Nov 2020, 1:25 pm	#1
MeanDumpsterCat Pentode Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Selsey, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 204	Recommendation for a first radio restoration project. Hello. I'm still relatively new to the world of vintage electronics restoration however something i've wanted to do for a long time is restore an old valve radio, likely from the 1940s-50s. Once i've got enough space for a small lab I was hoping to find one that I could repair and get working again. I have a few in mind already but there's a large number of them out there. I was wondering if you guys could recommend some models of radio that I should look out for on my hunt. Ones with good documentation that are still widely available for a reasonable price would be great. Any advice would be appreciated.

5th Nov 2020, 1:31 pm	#2
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	Re: Recommendation for a first radio restoration project. What about something like a Pye P75? It's an AC-only design, so no 'live' chassis risk. Relatively simple, easy-to-understand well-spaced-out circuitry with no 'strange' interdependencies, using still-available valves and no really-specialist components whose failure would make a repair uneconomic/impossible. They work quite well too - so long as you remember to use an antenna of the sort-of-=length [40-50 feet] that would have been considered normal back in the day (the frame-aerial is only for local reception - and chances are you won't have any local MW/LW stations to you these days!)

5th Nov 2020, 1:35 pm	#3
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,865	Re: Recommendation for a first radio restoration project. Always good to go for a set with a mains transformer rather than an AC/DC set. This leaves plenty of choice for 40/50's woodies These can usually be had inexpensively because they are not one of the classics. I always found Regentone sets good sets to work on the Cossor sets plenty of those around such as the 500/501 520 etc make sure you get an AC version not a U (universal) model Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk Last edited by Cobaltblue; 5th Nov 2020 at 1:35 pm. Reason: Partial cross with G6

5th Nov 2020, 5:38 pm	#5
music-centre Heptode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 687	Re: Recommendation for a first radio restoration project. Yes, I can also recommend the PYE P75 and another good one is the BUSH AC34 ,easy to work on and sound good. Cheers, Steve.

6th Nov 2020, 2:16 am	#6
MeanDumpsterCat Pentode Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Selsey, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 204	Re: Recommendation for a first radio restoration project. I seem to recall seeing the Pye P75 up on ebay when I was having a look around. I think a friend of mine used to have one at some stage too. It's certainly a very nice looking set. Exactly the look I was going for actually.

11th Nov 2020, 7:46 pm	#7
high_vacuum_house Octode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Belper Derbyshire Posts: 1,935	Re: Recommendation for a first radio restoration project. As a next radio to play with I would go for a Bush VHF81 Although this is a AC/DC radio it shouldn't be too difficult to check that the chassis is on the neutral side . I have restored 2 of these radios and they give very good performance. They work well on FM as well as on LW/MW. Internal ferrite rod aerial for LW/MW. They are quite late in valve radio manufacturer and uses up to date B9a 100mA series heater valves and doesn't run too hot in operation. There is an insulation layer in the roof of the cabinet, so the top of the cabinet doesn't get too hot. A nice addition. A decent sized speaker is added as well. I found them pleasant to restore and once the chassis has been removed, everything is accessible. The circuit is conventional with no peculiarities and strange components to worry about. The layout on the chassis is easy to understand as well. There shouldn't be too many issues to restore one to operation once the dust has been hovered out and the usual wax capacitors have been changed. The VHF front end section is in a separate die cast box which keeps everything nice and stable. Cabinet wise, they are nice and simple to restore unless you get a really bashed example and they don't take up too much shelf space. There is also a choice of Bakelite (VHF80) or wooden cased examples (VHF81). (I prefer the wooden cased ones!) There are 2 dial lamps which light up the dial nicely. Christopher Capener __________________ Interests in the collection and restoration of Tefifon players and 405 line television Last edited by high_vacuum_house; 11th Nov 2020 at 8:05 pm.