'49 RADIO ATTN: DOUG HOUSTON

[Fred Hammerle]

Hi Doug, I installed the SFE 14 amp fuse on the power wire.  The pilot light now works but no sound or even a buzz out of the set.  What shouild I be looking at for a fix?     

Thanks and regards,   Fred

[Doug Houstoin]

There's not a simple or a short answer. the first thing I get though, is that the vibrator isn't going,,otherwise, you'd hear it. No vibrator, no power supply, no reception.

You're probably going to have to take it out and get it to a competent guy and have all of the capacitors replaced in the set. the vibrtator may be good, but just has to get going again. the contacts in it will tarnish, and it won't start running without some trickery that can be done with it.

Even if the vibrator were working, there is a capacitor (condenser, if you prefer) trhat needs to be replaced. It's called a "buffer" condenser, and is part of the power supply. The buffers will usually short within the first few minutes of operation, and can take out the vibrator and/or the power transformer.

There's a guy in Ohio, named Bob Rosengarten, in Bellbrook, who might be able to help you. I don't generally recommend anyone, as I've always done my own, but I don't get enough time to do that stuff any more. There's a guy in Florida, who I'm not excited about. He does "conversions" to AM-FM operation. That involves gutting the radio case, and installing a corcuit card with the AM-FM cxircuitry on it. If someone later would want the set back as original, it's all gone, and can never be restored. The guy in Florida does do some repair, but hates doing it. He's not what I feel as highly competent, and I'd stay away from him.

[Fred Hammerle]

Thanks Doug.  Do yoiu have Bob Rosengarten's contact info ... an e-mail address would be good for starters.

Regards,  Fred