No Radio signal or white noise? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

LanceReed · 4th Feb 2023, 5:14 pm

Hi all,
My PYE valve radio was restored back in 2013, worked well for a few years, but then one day, I switched it on and there was power but no signal what so ever?
So then I left it thought it was broke, then I switched it on a few months ago, then it was working

But then after a hour, no signal what so ever. I have sprayed the switches with switch cleaner, but still nothing?
I wish there was someone who lived closer to come and have a look at it?
Any ideas most welcomed?

Simon Gittins · 4th Feb 2023, 5:36 pm

It's going to need some logical fault finding. If you let us know what the model number written on the back is that would help.

You could also post a request for someone local to take a look in this section:
Repair and Restoration Services Wanted
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...play.php?f=145

LanceReed · 4th Feb 2023, 9:07 pm

Thanks Simon
Here some pictures of the back of the radio and model, I can hear the valves humming when they get warm, the only thing I can think of is I had a wire going into the antenna at the back for the SW Band, that used to crackle if moved, but then it went silent when all signals was lost??

Thanks for the suggestion for the wanted thread, I will post there.

Simon Gittins · 4th Feb 2023, 9:50 pm

As this has pickup sockets and a Gram position, the first step would be to see if this still works.

However, let's hope that someone replies to the wanted thread first.

Stuart R · 9th Feb 2023, 9:52 am

There's not a complete picture, but the photo suggests the set's internal loudspeaker is connected to the chassis by a brown/black cable and those two red banana plugs.

Has the contact of the red plugs just become poor? Try giving those a wiggle with the set at low volume and see if the speaker crackles and starts to hum.

Go carefully if the set has no protective back panel, there are potentially lethal voltages present inside the cabinet and also on that black (diagonal) voltage selector plug just to the right.

SR

LanceReed · 9th Feb 2023, 4:57 pm

Just give the those red banana plugs a wiggle, I can hear a low hum but no crackle coming from the speaker?

HamishBoxer · 9th Feb 2023, 5:00 pm

You do have a decent aerial for AM I trust? Or I could be wrong and it uses a frame aerial.

LanceReed · 9th Feb 2023, 9:12 pm

I had great reception before, I think its a frame aerial?
It's just a mystery

And there's no one local to check it over for me.

Freya · 11th Feb 2023, 9:09 pm

Has the tone corrector capacitor C31 (photo 3) mounted on the output transformer been replaced? Could have been missed.
If it went short it may take out the output transformer and all would be quiet.

LanceReed · 15th Feb 2023, 8:44 pm

Hi Stephen,
Thanks for the info, That's an option that we can explore,
Much appreciated,
Lance

4th Feb 2023, 5:14 pm	#1
LanceReed Triode Join Date: May 2022 Location: Aberdare, Wales, UK. Posts: 11	No Radio signal or white noise? Hi all, My PYE valve radio was restored back in 2013, worked well for a few years, but then one day, I switched it on and there was power but no signal what so ever? So then I left it thought it was broke, then I switched it on a few months ago, then it was working But then after a hour, no signal what so ever. I have sprayed the switches with switch cleaner, but still nothing? I wish there was someone who lived closer to come and have a look at it? Any ideas most welcomed?

4th Feb 2023, 5:36 pm	#2
Simon Gittins Heptode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 506	Re: No Radio signal or white noise? It's going to need some logical fault finding. If you let us know what the model number written on the back is that would help. You could also post a request for someone local to take a look in this section: Repair and Restoration Services Wanted https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...play.php?f=145

4th Feb 2023, 9:07 pm	#3
LanceReed Triode Join Date: May 2022 Location: Aberdare, Wales, UK. Posts: 11	Re: No Radio signal or white noise? Thanks Simon Here some pictures of the back of the radio and model, I can hear the valves humming when they get warm, the only thing I can think of is I had a wire going into the antenna at the back for the SW Band, that used to crackle if moved, but then it went silent when all signals was lost?? Thanks for the suggestion for the wanted thread, I will post there. Attached Thumbnails

4th Feb 2023, 9:50 pm	#4
Simon Gittins Heptode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 506	Re: No Radio signal or white noise? As this has pickup sockets and a Gram position, the first step would be to see if this still works. However, let's hope that someone replies to the wanted thread first.

9th Feb 2023, 9:52 am	#5
Stuart R Heptode Join Date: May 2011 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 693	Re: No Radio signal or white noise? There's not a complete picture, but the photo suggests the set's internal loudspeaker is connected to the chassis by a brown/black cable and those two red banana plugs. Has the contact of the red plugs just become poor? Try giving those a wiggle with the set at low volume and see if the speaker crackles and starts to hum. Go carefully if the set has no protective back panel, there are potentially lethal voltages present inside the cabinet and also on that black (diagonal) voltage selector plug just to the right. SR

9th Feb 2023, 4:57 pm	#6
LanceReed Triode Join Date: May 2022 Location: Aberdare, Wales, UK. Posts: 11	Re: No Radio signal or white noise? Just give the those red banana plugs a wiggle, I can hear a low hum but no crackle coming from the speaker?

9th Feb 2023, 5:00 pm	#7
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: No Radio signal or white noise? You do have a decent aerial for AM I trust? Or I could be wrong and it uses a frame aerial. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

9th Feb 2023, 9:12 pm	#8
LanceReed Triode Join Date: May 2022 Location: Aberdare, Wales, UK. Posts: 11	Re: No Radio signal or white noise? I had great reception before, I think its a frame aerial? It's just a mystery And there's no one local to check it over for me.

11th Feb 2023, 9:09 pm	#9
Freya Octode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 1,989	Re: No Radio signal or white noise? Has the tone corrector capacitor C31 (photo 3) mounted on the output transformer been replaced? Could have been missed. If it went short it may take out the output transformer and all would be quiet. __________________ Stephen _________"It`s only an old telly" ___

15th Feb 2023, 8:44 pm	#10
LanceReed Triode Join Date: May 2022 Location: Aberdare, Wales, UK. Posts: 11	Re: No Radio signal or white noise? Hi Stephen, Thanks for the info, That's an option that we can explore, Much appreciated, Lance