#1
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HEH! just revived a RCA AR-77
I'll try and take some pictures later, buuuuuuuuuuuut:
so a couple months ago I scored this RCA AR-77, a pair of Pioneer CS-88 woofers, and a pair of HUGE 850CT Power Transformers from a guy at the MIT Radio Swap Meet (3rd Sunday of every month during Spring - Fall ) Today I FINALLY got around to bringing the AR-77 up from the depths of the basement to test it, and see if I could make it go. I had scored the Sams Folder online a whiler ago, so I printed that out for reference. All the crazy controls on the front kinda baffled me Plugged it in, wired an antenna, and a speaker, and brought it up slow on the variac. All the tubes were lighting happily, but no sound . . more importantly, no HUM, so I knew the Power Supply caps were good to go Started pulling tubes, and testing. Turns out, half the tubes were very weak, or TOAST, sooooo.. . back to the basement I go Pulled a good 6H6 from an old tube Voltmeter - pulled a good 6F6GT from a Sparton radio Chassis. Had a box of mixed used / NIB metal tubes, and snagged a NIB 6SJ7. Rectifier tube 'shoulda' been a 5Z4, but there was a 5U4 in its place. grabbed a NIB GE 5Y3GT, since ratings are the same (thank you TDSL ) WOO HOO ! !! WE HAVE SOUND ! AM is coming in great, and pulled a couple SW channels in . . . try again tonight when reception is better. ANOTHER RADIO BACK FROM THE DEAD, AND CERTAIN DUMPSTER DEATH!
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Main system: DIY KLH OB Line Arrays & Altec stuffed Karlson 15's, DOD active Xover; tubes on arrays, SS on Karlsons |
#2
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nice receiver:i always wanted a ar77 to go with my rca ar88lf and rca cr91 but havnt gotten around to getting one yet.as with being a vintage audio gear collector my other sickness is old "boatanchor" receiver collecting.as for picking up only a few s/w frequencies only alot will depend on what your using for a antenna and where your tuning on the dial at what time.different bands will come in better at certain times.if you can even get a simple longwire streched outside your reception will improve greatly.enjoy.
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real radios glow in the dark... |
#3
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Yeah, I've always about half wanted one of them, too...Always seem to miss 'em or they go too high on Da Bay... RCA at one time, DID know how to make a good radio...
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Benevolent Despot |
#4
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Quote:
even with the non-ideal setup, I was pulling in some oldies AM stations, and on other bands I heard Caribbean, German, and Chinese I do have a 1946 Magnavox which picks up SW, so it'll be interesting to see the RCA's performance in comparison.
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Main system: DIY KLH OB Line Arrays & Altec stuffed Karlson 15's, DOD active Xover; tubes on arrays, SS on Karlsons |
#5
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where the heck are the pics?
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" All I know, Is That I Know Nothing"..... Mono: Fisher 500 mono rec. w/EVRegency III, Stereo: Technics SP-10 TT, McIntosh MR-55, Pilot SA-232, JBL L-96, Pilot SA-210 pre. In reserve: EV12trxb, EV15trx |
Audiokarma |
#6
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ok - you guys have been in suspense long enough : )
PICTURES !
the flash REALLY shows off all the grime (I have yet to clean this beast). it's missing (I think) a peice of glass that fits over the dial assembly - notice the old black adhesive residue. radioactive - do you think I could get a piece of glass cut to fit ? This baby should look much better after a good dose of Simple Green I especially like the two chrome strips that run around the whole face and sides - very '1938 chevy'
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Main system: DIY KLH OB Line Arrays & Altec stuffed Karlson 15's, DOD active Xover; tubes on arrays, SS on Karlsons |
#7
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thats an awesome unit...! no FM right?
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" All I know, Is That I Know Nothing"..... Mono: Fisher 500 mono rec. w/EVRegency III, Stereo: Technics SP-10 TT, McIntosh MR-55, Pilot SA-232, JBL L-96, Pilot SA-210 pre. In reserve: EV12trxb, EV15trx |
#8
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Cor blimey that thing is ugly on the outside!
Not bad looking inside, though...
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all the best, mrh |
#9
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oh no . . . FM ?!?!? what the hell is FM ?!?!?! this is 1945 !
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Main system: DIY KLH OB Line Arrays & Altec stuffed Karlson 15's, DOD active Xover; tubes on arrays, SS on Karlsons |
#10
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Doh!!
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" All I know, Is That I Know Nothing"..... Mono: Fisher 500 mono rec. w/EVRegency III, Stereo: Technics SP-10 TT, McIntosh MR-55, Pilot SA-232, JBL L-96, Pilot SA-210 pre. In reserve: EV12trxb, EV15trx |
Audiokarma |
#11
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Careful - you'll make her mad and she'll stop working . . .
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Main system: DIY KLH OB Line Arrays & Altec stuffed Karlson 15's, DOD active Xover; tubes on arrays, SS on Karlsons |
#12
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radioactive - do you think I could get a piece of glass cut to fit ?
i dont see why not. Quote:
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real radios glow in the dark... |
#13
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Quote:
I tried running the 50 foot antenna wire outside, but seem to get much better reception with it 'in room - its pretty much strung up around 3/4 of the perimeter of the room . . The sam's folder didn't seem to talk about this, but I guess the left dial is for tuning, and the right dial is for fine tuning ?? Is that right ? All I know is it's frickin' cool to be picking up Chinese, Russian, and many other 'across the world' signals. Even listened to a little Radio Japan
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Main system: DIY KLH OB Line Arrays & Altec stuffed Karlson 15's, DOD active Xover; tubes on arrays, SS on Karlsons |
#14
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Well, is a station at 1300 KC actually coming in on 1300 KC ? If it's coming in at 1000 KC or 1450 KC, you COULD need an alignment... Be vewwy, vewwy careful getting Simple Green-or any other cleaner on the dial faces-they are often water-soluable, & go buh-bye REAL easy. Been there, done that. 409, Windex, any of that stuff can also "etch" the paint & aluminum surfaces, & leave ugly streaks. Use LOTS of paper towels, OLD rags, soft bristled toothbrushes, be GENTLE w/it..Try to test cleaners on an inconspicuous place if you can. Take your time. That radio has waited nearly 65 years to meet you...Don't bugger it up first meeting!
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Benevolent Despot |
#15
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oofta . . . maybe I won't clean it - I've always liked patina Nothing like a buggered first date
How 'bout just some mild dishwashing detergent & some water ? Last thing I want to do is f it up . . . If one band is in alignment, would all of them be ? I know the oldies station is 1280 . . I'll check it out tomorrow. Right now I'm listening to my KLH 6's and Magnavox 6BQ5 PP amp playing Jazz ala Mode thanks for the tips Radioactive AND SANDY (DOH ! where are my manners ?!?)
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Main system: DIY KLH OB Line Arrays & Altec stuffed Karlson 15's, DOD active Xover; tubes on arrays, SS on Karlsons |
Audiokarma |
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