Sonora RDAU-209

[jeyurkon]

Originally Posted by peverett

I actually also have one of these radios(unrestored as of now). Luckily, mine was not the victim of a mouse attack.

One note of caution-I think the two bands of different grain wood on either side of the radio are decals. If you just strip the radio, they will come off.

Before attempting to re-finish the radio, I would ask around about how to handle these.

They are definately decals. Your warning is noted.

John

[Jeffhs]

That radio could have quite severe chassis damage, if the chassis is covered in mouse urine. How long ago did this happen?

I definitely would not try to plug this set in until you wash the chassis thoroughly, then let it dry a day or two. The tuning capacitor may have been damaged as well if it is already rusting, and I hate to think what may have happened to the IF and audio output transformers after the soaking; the stuff may have soaked into the transformer windings and shorted them on the spot. You could have a major overhaul on your hands if that is the case.

I did not realize that space was at a premium in your Sonora radio--the cabinet looked, to me anyway, plenty big enough for a 5x7 or 8" speaker. However, as another person here recently said, AM radio is anything but high fidelity, so it may not be worth the effort to install a large speaker in the cabinet even if you can find a way to do it. You could put a larger speaker in a separate enclosure, however, and connect it to the audio output of the Sonora receiver via a cable, if you don't mind having an external speaker next to the radio itself.

I second the warning against using any kind of wood restorer on the inlay strips of the Sonora's cabinet; they are probably "photo finish" material that will be damaged or destroyed by water or chemicals. I don't know how difficult it is to find authentic-looking replacements for photo-finish material; however, I would think that in a pinch (and if you aren't super-critical as to authenticity), wood-grain contact paper would work just as well.

[jeyurkon]

I don't know how long ago the mouse damage occurred. I picked this up at an antique shop. I had to stop the proprietor from plugging it in.

Only the top part of the plates are rusted. I think I can clean it up. The chassis I can deal with. I'm most concerned about the IF transformers. Hopefully not much got inside. Besides the urine there's a lot of feces.

The underside of the chassis is quite clean. I'll have to recap it, but it looks easy. I just don't relish the job I'll have with the top of the chassis.

I'll post a photo soon.

John

[jeyurkon]

Here are some photos of the chassis and the dial glass I that need to repair.

John