Bush TR82 /97

[Radio Tech]

Any member seen this type of handle fixture arrangement before, see pictures, it off the Bush TR82 /97 which I am told was made to celibrate something that Bush did.
On the set, one of these is missing and getting one is like hens teeth.

Ken

[Cobaltblue]

It was just the copy of the famous TR82 done back in 1997.

They are pretty common and often turn up in battered condition.

https://www.vintage-radio.com/review...-97-radio.html

The more recent ones are even lower quality.

Sorry cant help with the handle caps for the TR82/97 but have spares for an original TR82 (but they are quite different).

Cheers

Mike T

[Radio Tech]

Ok Mike its a pity the handle caps are not the same, is it possible they could be modified to fit this set.

Hopefully something will turn up

Ken

[Boater Sam]

You can find lots on ebay etc for little money in various conditions. If the don't work they are chuck outs as they're all Chinese chips.
You can spot them by the blue dial, the old real ones are red.
Sellers seem to think that they are "Vintage , Antique, collectable"!

[crackle]

Originally Posted by Boater Sam

"Vintage , Antique, collectable"!

Dont forget "rare" and "with age related marks"

Aren't these sets known as the "Wonky U"

Mike

[Boater Sam]

Yes, but they don't all have the wonky "U" for some odd reason.
A bit detestable that none of the bits fit the original models, 'corse they were not made by Bush.

[Graham G3ZVT]

Like it or not, this set will be officially "vintage" in five years time according to the usage of this esteemed forum.

Which got me thinking.

Is a TR82 with glass OC series transistors more desirable than one with AF MATs because of greater age?
Would it have made any difference if, on the later sets, Bush had added a suffix to the model no?
Not to mention the MB60

Is a DAC90 more desirable than a DAC90A?
I would say not.

Just playing Devil's Advocate, I would't want to own a TR82/97, perhaps it's down to the difference between reproduction and repro.

[Boater Sam]

OC transistor TR82 is more desirable because it has no Af1xx to fail.
DAC90A has less heat problems than DAC90.
TR62/97 has no pedigree, can't be fixed, they even got the "U" wrong.

All my personal opinion of course.

[Graham G3ZVT]

About ten years ago I decided to restore my late in-laws TR62, it had been purchased new when my wife was little. It had the AF11x line up.
I was familiar enough with these transistors to have the pinout C-B-S-E already in my head, but I knew nothing about the tin whisker problem, but I was very soon confronted with it when my set would go pop and start to drain the battery at an alarming rate. I don't know if this is common but in my case tapping the affected transistor with a screwdriver made the short come and go so there was no doubt as to the cause.

Snipping the screen restored operation, and touch wood, the whiskers have not grown to the point where the junction itself is engulfed, nor have the transistors counterparts been affected.

There is a theory that if the set is used occasionally the whisker growth is halted or slowed down, I wonder if that is true.

Anyway my point is that because the experience has added to my knowledge, I have developed an affinity to these sets.

I fully agree with the rest of your post though.

[Graham G3ZVT]

I was familiar enough with these transistors to have the pinout C-B-S-E already in my head

Senile moment, it was E-B-S-C

[crackle]

Apart from the "wonky U" The makers also got the station names reversed, being more concerned about copying the appearance than getting the dial right, putting Luxembourg at the low frequency end of the dial.
However I have owned a couple of these radios and they are a reasonable performer and pleasant to listen to. But the tuning I seem to remember was difficult due to lack of gearing.

Mike

['LIVEWIRE?']

At different times I've repaired two of these Retro Bush sets, the first was a TR82/97 in which I replaced a voltage regulator IC, and, IIRC, a couple of resistors. The second, A TR82/Wood, was silent due to an o/c speaker coupling capacitor. In both cases, the main problem was having to remove the dual drive cord arrangement to get the PCB out, then having to restring the cords when reassembling (Drive Cord restringing has never been my favourite job!). I didn't find the tuning itself too difficult, though it's obviously not as smooth as if gearing had been used. With a bit more thought the designers could surely have made the tuning work the correct way round, though!

[Hybrid tellies]

I have noticed the dial reversal , as mentioned in the last post, with Luxembourg at the low frequency end of the MW band is also a common failure on other retro radios.
I have got an early retro 82/97 which has proved to be reliable even after being stored in a damp garage for a few years. The sound quality is nothing to write home about especially when compared to an original TR82 or VTR103 but cosmetically it does look good as long as its not subject to close scrutiny.

[Radio Tech]

Mods close post please, have solved the problem by attachement of leather handle


Ken