My Airline is GROUNDED! - Videokarma.org TV - Video

asynchronousman · #1 10-23-2004, 07:02 AM

I have a ~1951 Airline 15WG-1813B that developed a problem with the volume. It started popping up and down at random to variable levels. At no time did the quality of reception on either band suffer, only the volume. While I have never done any real fixing (no tools for one), I think I have an idea about what is wrong.

The set is found in Beitman's 1951 volume, page 63.

Since the reception didn't change, I would have to narrow it down to maybe three tubes and unknown.

6AV6 is the tube that handles AVC.
6V6 is the output tube.
6X5 is the rectifier.

Another man who fixes and sells mostly 1930's radios looked it over a while back and didn't see anything that stuck out, so this came up quickly. He also said both the IFs were fine. He has suggested trying a 6AT6, although I don't have that either, unless it's in the Hoffman or untested in the Stromberg Carlson TV combo I can part out. I have a friend fixing a VTVM up for me and I'm trying to come up with tubes and equipment. At 38, I'm a newbie.

I assume this is a series circuit, so nothing's gonna light up either.

Thank you, Steven

jstout66 · #2 10-23-2004, 07:08 AM

Hi Steven, I'd test the tubes first. If you need any tubes you should try vacuumtubesinc.com Great prices and service. However.... I don't think the volume problem would be caused by a tube. Sounds more like a cap problem.

Tom Bavis · #3 10-23-2004, 07:25 AM

Sounds like a contact problem to me. Remove the tubes one at a time, clean the pins with a wire brush, apply a tiny dab of Deoxit (if you have it) with a Q-tip, and replace.

Unfortunately , there are plenty of other places for bad connections - but tube sockets seem most likely.

asynchronousman · #4 10-23-2004, 08:03 AM

I did have it turned on it's face. Maybe the "simple" fix will be it. I do have that tiny can from the Shack. Closest to a wire brush is a copper brush in the kitchen, but I don't like that...I have dry Scotch Brite? Naah. I'll figure it out.

Steven (PM me about my Musaphonic 475 though)

Chad Hauris · #5 10-23-2004, 08:53 AM

Have the paper caps been replaced...could be an intermittent in a cap in the audio circuit. Sets that use 6X5, 6V6 are not series wired, at least I never saw one, the tube filaments are a parallel circuit.
Intermittants in tubes themselves are very rare...you need to replace the old caps to rule that out as a problem, then try the contact cleaner in the pots, switches, and tube sockets.

asynchronousman · #6 10-23-2004, 09:44 AM

All I know is the dial light doesn't light and it doesn't start up. I have heard the light in some sets will take the whole thing down, so until I pull it down later (sleep, heard of it? I should have)...I don't have any tools yet, mind you, just Deoxit. It says on the schematic that 6.3 V heater voltage goes through the lighting circuit? I suspected something like that. But the AVC is what generally would create the random volume variations?