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Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only. |
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1st Aug 2021, 2:02 pm | #1 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 11
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Hacker Hunter powering
I feel I ought to know that answer to this, because I lived through the period we were using these radios.
I have a Hacker Hunter (in lovely condition) and when running it via the 18v adapter I'm getting, what I think is EMI, so I'm operating it on batteries now until I can sort out a choke for the cable. The question is.............as I'm running the radio on batteries, am I also able to power it via the adapter without removing the batteries? I've had a good look around on the internet, but there does not seem to be any information about it at all. Which makes me think I should already know the answer!! |
1st Aug 2021, 3:07 pm | #2 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
It is fine with the batteries in when on external power the socket switches out the batteries when a plug is inserted. With all the crap on the mains these days I am not at all surprised you are getting interference. I run my Hacker from batteries just for that reason.
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1st Aug 2021, 3:11 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 9,427
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
The PSU you are using, is it the the Hacker VP 408 which is a linear type or a more modern Switch Mode? If it’s a switch mode that could be the cause of the interference.
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Frank |
1st Aug 2021, 7:34 pm | #4 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 11
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering.
It's an 18V linear 300mA negative.
I thought at first that the buzzing sound I was getting was the radio itself, I moved from one room to another but the buzzing remained. Once I'd installed the batteries the problem went. I have a Roberts 606MB too, and that does not have the problem when run from the mains. I'm going to try a choke on the PSU cable and see how I get on. Thanks very much for the information about the powering, I can proceed with confidence now! I run a location recording company, and I've sussed out the various problems with recording equipment on location, I don't have any problems with the many pieces of equipment in use. www.harlequin-recording.co.uk However, radio is a new departure for me, so lots to learn. I'm loving this Hacker Hunter though, it's in lovely condition too. |
2nd Aug 2021, 2:04 pm | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Thetford, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 1,731
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
If its a linear supply then it is likely that the main smoothing cap has perished and needs replacing. Normally these old linear supplies are pretty good, and it is only modern SMPS types that have far too much noise.
That said, with all the modern electrical noise around, you will still usually get better AM performance using batteries. I presume it is using 2 of the PP9 types? They last a very long time and are pretty cheap in the likes of Wilko. |
2nd Aug 2021, 5:52 pm | #6 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 11
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
The power supply adapter is new and linear, it's 18V 300mA negative.
I nipped to Wilkos and got two PP9 batteries, which were £4 each, which seems to line up with some of the prices I've seen people quoting on the forum. I'll see if I can locate that smoothing capacitor, in the radio, I've ordered a 13mm ferrite choke, which might effect a change, let's hope. I've a feeling you might be right about the smoothing capacitor, it's not something I've met with before with the other equipment here, but it has to be said those pieces of equipment are not radios. |
2nd Aug 2021, 9:48 pm | #7 |
Octode
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Thetford, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 1,731
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
The smoothing cap I was referring to would be inside the power supply. So if it is new and is linear, then the noise must be simply coming from the mains and passing through the supply.
I think batteries will be your friend. |
3rd Aug 2021, 12:46 am | #8 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 11
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
I did wonder about that after I'd written my reply, I went on to Google to check up what the situation was inside of the PSU.
Yes, it is new, and linear, so the ferrite choke will hopefully sort things out. I notice that when the sound is turned down, there is still a residual hum. I have some ferrite beads somewhere here but haven't been able to locate them, the one I've ordered is a 13mm hole. |
3rd Aug 2021, 11:24 pm | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,526
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
"New" and "linear" but is it regulated? Trannies can be quite sensitive to the ripple from a basic transformer-rectifier-capacitor PSU.
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....__________ ....|____||__|__\_____ .=.| _---\__|__|_---_|. .........O..Chris....O |
4th Aug 2021, 11:58 am | #10 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 11
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
Ah! I don't know.
I purchased it from AC ADAPTORS R US LTD, who advertised it as being for the Hacker Hunter radio. I asked all the questions I knew I should ask, re linear, powering, negative centre etc., but not whether it was regulated. If I don't have success with the ferrite choke, I'll explore this further. |
4th Aug 2021, 12:09 pm | #11 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 11
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
I'll be using the radio with battery until I sort this out.
Perhaps batteries is the best way to go, full stop! |
4th Aug 2021, 12:26 pm | #12 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,820
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
I’ve found powering these from a scrap linear wall wart via a 7818 regulator to be very successful
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4th Aug 2021, 12:36 pm | #13 | |
Octode
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 1,641
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
Quote:
Mike |
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4th Aug 2021, 1:35 pm | #14 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING.
Posts: 9,145
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
Eight pounds a week. Wow that is £416 per year. That is an expensive radio to run. John.
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4th Aug 2021, 1:44 pm | #15 | |
Octode
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 1,641
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
Quote:
Mike |
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4th Aug 2021, 1:54 pm | #16 |
Octode
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Thetford, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 1,731
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
Think I would make an adapter up to use several PP3's in parallel and then use rechargeables.
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4th Aug 2021, 2:02 pm | #17 | |
Octode
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 1,641
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
Quote:
Mike |
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5th Aug 2021, 12:37 pm | #18 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 11
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
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5th Aug 2021, 2:45 pm | #19 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,526
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264767037091
If you have a useful junk box, probably easier to use a 7815 with a few diodes up its tail or a 317 and a couple of resistors. Even a 7815 on its own would probably work just fine.
__________________
....__________ ....|____||__|__\_____ .=.| _---\__|__|_---_|. .........O..Chris....O |
5th Aug 2021, 3:25 pm | #20 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 11
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Re: Hacker Hunter powering
I've just read your C.V., and can see how all of this makes sense to you!
Now, for the lad at the back of the class making musical arrangements while the maths lesson is in progress (courtesy the maths teacher), once more from the top please!? |