Tuner Issues w/Zenith H845

[tlavergne]

I might buy a wrecked radio off the bay and tear it apart to see how it works. These things are fascinating.

[Jeffhs]

Originally Posted by tlavergne

I don't know a thing about radios, other than I really like them. But it appears to me, as seen in the photo, that the shaft disappears into the chassis and I don't know what it does from there. The dial string from the shaft turns a wheel (the bottom of which is visible in the photo) which spins a shaft that operates these fin like things that engage themselves as you turn the knob. The dial string looks fine. Like I said, I don't know much about old radios but I love the sound of this Zenith. I prefer to listen to this than my Marantz tuner and JBL speakers.

Tom, you have an excellent radio. I have one and like it a lot. The C845 was introduced into the Zenith line of high-end table radios in 1960. It has eight tubes, one of which is an RF amplifier; this tube takes the signal from the antenna and strengthens it, before sending it to the rest of the radio's signal circuits. Today's radios do not have the sophisticated circuitry the C845 (and other radios in Zenith's 800 series, such as the C845, C835...) have, so they are not nearly as sensitive (will not pick up as many signals) as the older ones will. I live in northeastern Ohio near Cleveland, within a mile of Lake Erie, and can often hear stations on my C845 as far away as Detroit, Michigan, Toledo and Youngstown, Ohio, Erie and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (as well as all Cleveland stations) -- using only the radio's built-in antennas. These radios were built for DX (reception of radio signals at long distances), so I'm not surprised they work so well. Hook up one of these to an outdoor FM antenna and you may find more signals than you can imagine.

The C845, as you noted, also sounds great, rivaling most of today's plastic-cased gutless-wonder radios (often having the entire set, except the volume/tuning controls and the speaker, on one integrated circuit chip or IC) you can find for dirt-cheap prices in dollar stores and the like (I have a belt-clip FM scanning radio that is probably built this way). The reason the C845 sounds so good is, one, because it has two speakers, two, because the radio is housed in a rather large real wood cabinet (not particle board or other excuses for wood, as many radios were housed in by the late sixties-seventies), and three, the set has tone- and volume-compensation circuitry in the sound output section. These networks are designed to allow the tone control to alter the actual audio response curve, not just cut down the high frequencies (if there is a tone control in today's cheap radios, it is of the latter type and, in my opinion, not much good).

"These fin things that engage themselves as you turn the (tuning) knob" are part of a component known as a tuning capacitor or condenser. This component allows you to select AM stations on your radio; the description of its function within the set is more complicated than that, but I'm trying to make this explanation as simple as possible.

Note that I said the tuning condenser allows you to select AM stations on your C845; the condenser has nothing to do with the FM section of the radio. FM tuning on the C845 is done with a separate tuner unit, using powdered-iron slugs that are moved into and out of tuning coils in the tuner. This tuning arrangement is also used in what was Zenith's first stereo FM table radio, the MJ1035, and likely was used in most if not all of their high-end sets of the time (late '50s-early sixties).

WARNING: There is a metal plate under the chassis of all C845s (visible after the bottom plate covering the chassis is removed) that must not be disturbed unless you know exactly what you are doing, and even then there's a risk of messing things up royally if even the least little thing gets displaced under there. This plate covers the bottom of the FM tuner and is fixed in place; if it is disturbed or any of the parts under it are moved, it will affect the operation of the FM section of the radio. Fortunately, there is nothing under that cover that needs routine replacement, so as a rule there is no need to go anywhere inside it. If the tuner ever does need servicing, I'd refer such to a professional or to a person well-versed in working with these critical circuits.

Which leads me to your tuner problem. Whatever you do, don't force the tuning knob if it will only turn an eighth of an inch; if you do, you may break the dial cord or seriously damage the dial drive mechanism. As others have suggested, use a little rosin or even common bar soap on the dial cord; this will give the cord traction so it won't slip on the metal pulleys of the dial drive. Something in the dial drive mechanism is binding, almost frozen, if the knob (and the tuning condenser) will only turn a fraction of an inch; my best guess, without actually seeing the radio, is that there may be dried-out grease on the shafts on which the pulleys (a pulley is a round metal part, mounted on the tuning condenser shaft, with a groove around its perimeter that accepts the dial cord) are mounted. I'd lubricate that shaft well, as well as every other part of the dial drive. I had a problem with my C845 similar to yours as soon as I got the radio; the tuning condenser and dial pointer would not move beyond 1460 AM and 105.7 FM (local stations in my area). I simply gave it a shot of contact cleaner and that was that. The tuner has operated flawlessly across the entire AM and FM ranges ever since.

While you're at it, remove the bottom cover plate over the chassis and give the tone and volume controls a good shot of Deoxit. This is a type of contact cleaner that is preferred by VK members by far over garden-variety, generic "contact cleaner" such as is sold by Radio Shack, et al. The reason generic contact cleaner is frowned upon by us VK members is that one never knows what it may actually be, whereas with Deoxit you know it is a contact cleaner designed for that purpose. The problem with generic contact cleaners (including Radio Shack's own brand) is that it literally could be anything, from recycled motor oil to watered-down WD-40.

The C845, and many other Zenith radios of its vintage and earlier, used a component known as a selenium rectifier in the power supply circuit. This part is square in shape with fins, and is used to convert or "rectify" the AC line voltage to the DC voltage (known as B+) needed for the plates of the tubes and other parts of the radio. It is recommended that this rectifier in all vintage radios be replaced with a component known as a "silicon" rectifier, with a dropping resistor in series with it. The reason the selenium rectifier should be replaced is that when it shorts out (and it eventually will, although I've seen radios--among them my own C845 and K731--that still work well after 50 years with the original selenium "stacks", but the truth is, no one knows how long they may last after that) it will give off a toxic and very foul-smelling gas that smells of rotten eggs. This is a red flag telling you that the rectifier is defective and must be replaced at once, before the radio is used again.

Note as well that there is a terminal strip on the rear apron of the chassis of your C845 (most C845s I've seen have one as well). This has no function by itself (connect a speaker to it and you won't hear anything--at least I don't on mine), but was used in conjunction with an external stereo-FM adapter such as the Zenith model MH-902 "Stereo Multiplexer". This could conceivably be used as a standalone FM receiver, but the downside is that you would hear only one channel (not both) of a radio program broadcast in stereo. The intended effect (stereo sound) can only be achieved by using the MH-902 adapter with a Zenith radio equipped with the proper input terminals.

There is a phonograph input jack (with a radio-phono selector switch) on the rear chassis apron of most C845s, but I wouldn't use it until a part known as a blocking capacitor has been replaced. This component isolates the metal parts of the jack from the radio's chassis, which is directly connected to the AC line. In almost every radio 50 years old or more, this capacitor is defective and needs to be replaced before the phono jack can be used safely. This jack was designed for use with a 45-rpm record changer (notably RCA Victor's 45-EY-3 from the early 1950s), although some VK members have had good results with other devices, such as mp3 players, connected to it. It all depends on how much output signal the device provides at its output jacks.

Enjoy your C-845. As I said, these are well-made radios built (as were the rest of Zenith's 800 series, to say nothing of the stereo MJ-1035) with high fidelity and excellent signal-grabbing capabilities in mind; yours should give you many years of enjoyment. Correct the problem with the dial drive (which seems, to me anyway, to be the only real problem your set has at this time), replace the selenium rectifier and recap, that is, replace doubtful capacitors (or have it done if you are not comfortable with working with high voltages) at your earliest convenience, and enjoy your favorite stations in typical Zenith high fidelity. They wouldn't have put the words "high fidelity" in a script logotype on the front of the radio if the sets weren't hi-fi material.

[tlavergne]

Jeff,
Thanks for the info. I believe we talked a year or two ago when I got this radio. I am originally from up your way but live in Central Ohio now. I have the tuner repaired and playing as I write. I don't have the phono output but use an FM transmitter. That seems to work great. In the summer this radio sits on our screened in porch and is 2 feet away from the computer (wall in separating the two). So I either stream radio or stream off my itunes straight to the radio. It works perfectly. In the winter the radio sits next to the computer and I use it the same way. I either have it on 89.5 for the FM transmitter or 90.7 for my local NPR station so the tuner really does not get too much exercise. How would I hook an external antenna to this? I have an antenna in the attic that connects to the rest of my radios via coax. I have a powered signal boost on the antenna. I am keeping the antenna in the attic to keep it from attracting a lightning strike.
TL

[Jeffhs]

Originally Posted by tlavergne

Jeff,
Thanks for the info. I believe we talked a year or two ago when I got this radio. I am originally from up your way but live in Central Ohio now. I have the tuner repaired and playing as I write. I don't have the phono output but use an FM transmitter. That seems to work great. In the summer this radio sits on our screened in porch and is 2 feet away from the computer (wall in separating the two). So I either stream radio or stream off my itunes straight to the radio. It works perfectly. In the winter the radio sits next to the computer and I use it the same way. I either have it on 89.5 for the FM transmitter or 90.7 for my local NPR station so the tuner really does not get too much exercise. How would I hook an external antenna to this? I have an antenna in the attic that connects to the rest of my radios via coax. I have a powered signal boost on the antenna. I am keeping the antenna in the attic to keep it from attracting a lightning strike.
TL

Tom,

You are more than welcome. I am always happy to help out a fellow Zenith radio owner, as I have had an interest in these radios for years and have been interested in electronics since I was eight years old; got into amateur or "ham" radio as well at the age of 16 in 1972 and have been active in that, in one form or another (currently experimenting with voice over IP on the Internet with a system called Echolink) ever since.

There are two terminals on the back cover of your C845 marked "F" and "G", for "FM" and "ground" respectively. Connect your external antenna to these terminals, using a 75- to 300-ohm matching transformer such as was (and still is in some cases, notably with OTA [over the air] TV antenna installations) used to connect coax cable to older TV sets with only 300-ohm terminals; it looks like a shotgun shell. The 300-ohm side of the transformer, of course, connects to the radio's antenna terminals, while the "F" connector (it looks like the connector on the end of your TV cable) screws onto the mating connector on the transformer.

You are very wise to locate your FM antenna in your attic. Summer thunderstorms in northeastern Ohio (and I'm sure in your area as well) can be severe; an outdoor antenna of any kind, especially if it is mounted on a tall mast, atop a tower, or even on the roof of your house, can and often does attract lightning like moths to a flame.

BTW, where in northern Ohio are you from originally? I grew up in Wickliffe, an eastern Cleveland suburb about 16 miles from downtown, then moved to Fairport Harbor, 33 miles east of downtown Cleveland and a mile or so from Lake Erie, ten and a half years ago.

[tlavergne]

I was born in Ravenna in Portage County. My wife was born in Wickliffe but grew up in Lyndhurst. Thanks for the info on the antenna...I'll play with that a little bit. How many radios can I hook up to one antenna? Does it matter if you only play one at a time?

[Reece]

If you're going to hook up several FM radios to an antenna with coax, treat it as you would multiple TV's: you can use TV coax splitters which will isolate the sets.

[tlavergne]

I've got splitters on it now to serve 3 radios...didn't know if there is a limit on the number of splitters I could have.

[Jeffhs]

Originally Posted by tlavergne

I've got splitters on it now to serve 3 radios...didn't know if there is a limit on the number of splitters I could have.

That depends on how much signal you're getting at the antenna. Every time you add another splitter, you will lose a certain amount of signal. If you have splitters for three radios now, the one nearest the first splitter (and therefore nearest the antenna) will get the most signal, the second will get a little less, and the third will get the weakest signal. I don't know how far you are from Columbus, but if you are in a weak signal area your third radio could get so little signal it won't work well. If you are in a fringe or near-fringe FM reception area for Columbus stations, you may need to use an amplifier ahead of the antenna, but remember that even an amplified signal will be weakened by every splitter it goes through on the way to the radio; long coax runs will weaken the signal as well.

BTW, I looked at the Columbus-area FM radio station listings on RadioStationWorld.com yesterday but could not find any NPR stations on 90.7 in that city, or anywhere nearby. Is your so-called "local" 90.7 NPR station in the city itself, in a suburb, or is the station a translator (satellite repeater) for another NPR station in town?

[jr_tech]

Originally Posted by Jeffhs

BTW, I looked at the Columbus-area FM radio station listings on RadioStationWorld.com yesterday but could not find any NPR stations on 90.7 in that city, or anywhere nearby. Is your so-called "local" 90.7 NPR station in the city itself, in a suburb, or is the station a translator (satellite repeater) for another NPR station in town?

WCBE 90.5, perhaps? (check that dial calibration)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WCBE

jr

[tlavergne]

WGTE 90.7. It is a Toledo NPR station that has an antenna location in Lima. WCBE 90.5 is out of Columbus and I am just out of reach of their signal...great radio station by the way. I thought signal strength degraded with splitters but at 3 I am doing okay.

[tlavergne]

During the week I stream WUMB out of Boston, Mass and use an FM transmitter to hit the radios in the house. Weekends are usually local 90.7.

[jr_tech]

Originally Posted by tlavergne

WGTE 90.7. It is a Toledo NPR station that has an antenna location in Lima. WCBE 90.5 is out of Columbus and I am just out of reach of their signal...great radio station by the way. I thought signal strength degraded with splitters but at 3 I am doing okay.

So WGTE 91.3 Toledo also transmits on WGLE 90.7 Lima? Are you closer to Lima than to Columbus?

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?list=0&facid=53715

Yes! each 2-way splitter divides the signal in half. (ya don't get to disobey the laws of physics )

jr

[tlavergne]

45 minutes to Columbus...30 minutes to Lima. WGTE has outpost antennas all over NW Ohio to serve this corner of the state. I guess each tower has it's own call letters but I just lump them together as WGTE. But I think Defiance has a tower...maybe Van Wert.

I wasn't sure on splitters if they halved to signal only when both ends are being used or what. I guess I was thinking of it like water pressure. If one side was not being used then all pressure (signal) goes to the other side.