[DavGoodlin]

This set is about as odd a 1958 M.Y. RCA Victor 14" metal portable made by Sylvania, which I have two of. The model and chassis numbers did not follow RCA conventions and this is even more interesting, as Fernseh (far-see) did more television than radio.

Did RCA have a production shortage in this range of compact consoles as they phased out the Orthophonic line? These are well-fused, multi-volt and possibly sold in military PX for those missing RCA, homesick and serving overseas. LW band was usually not found on any set, even German, sold in US. There has to be someone here who knows about it and THAT would be a great story.

Dave- It is indeed unique, more the size of an EMUD 915 I found. I don't want to jump on your thread. I found one nearby on CL but quite different, also made by Fernseh and paid $40 also quite fair. I have not tried it at all but plan to restore for at least one of the kids, who don't seem to want more than single-ended power, and are used to their "devices" puny outputs.

Its a standard compact German set. I hope its not too much of a bear to get the record player going. I have several other Collaro changers to service, leading up to it at least. My changer is labeled RCA but very obviously Collaro-era that Magnavox used. It also has an EV-26 ceramic cartridge, not unusual at all and Gary at V-M has subs are available in case yours has a hardened compliance.

Several issues come to mind for longevity of German sets, any and all.

First, these have a transformer and full-wave rectifier bridge that is supposedly selenium. This is usually wired with really thin stuff that seems to be OK though 22 ga. at best. I advise replacement with at least a 400 PRV replacement bridge and 1 amp is plenty. I don't have a schematic but I would have no problem checking it out for you next month's event at Kutztown.

Second, Wax paper caps are probably leaky, nearly open, or both. I have confirmed this via testing on the last Grundig and Nordmende sets I repaired from (1960 models). If it works now, this may not become an issue. But if you do anything, replace the caps feeding to/from both 6BQ5 grid and plates (de-emphasis feedback). I have also had these in screen grid circuits of IF tubes cause reception issues. There are probably caps that feed the electrostatic tweets right off those 6BQ5 plates too!

Third, believe it or not the electrolytics passed ESR-Capacitance on my new Peak 70 and breakdown tests on my EICO 950 but I replaced them anyway. Yours obviously re-formed if they were dormant.