Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

I recently obtained a Dynatron TP12 Linnet from a forum member Bryan M that needed a little bit of TLC . These sets are the same as the TP11 and have both catches for the TP11 back door! I think some of the TP11 chassis were grabbed off the production line and shoehorned into a table-top cabinets . Firstly 3 of the original Ediswan transistors in my set had one or more legs that had rusted right at the base and were useless. TR5 was missing altogether ! The affected transistors were :
TR3 = XA101
TR4 = XB102
TR5 = XB103
TR6 & TR7 = XC131 .
I did some research and found some equivalents . The new transistors are :
TR3 = OC45
TR4 = OC71
TR5 = OC81D
TR6 & TR7 = AC128K

This line up works extremely well . I would have opted to replace like for like , however the original Ediswan transistors are like hens teeth and if available run at about £5 - £8 each used. I replaced all the resistors as most were way out of tolerance , surprisingly no re-biasing was needed . I replaced the electrolytics as some were completely gone and some were way out . The Hunts black caps...yeah , these too were out of tolerance and about half had split along the seams . I know I am not dealing with HT's in the 100's of volts range but for the price of new ones I decided to go the whole hog and just replace them . This really did make a difference in the tone and in reception and was , in my opinion ,a good choice . I also decided to add a nice feature of some dial lights , these being some 3v LED Warm White 3mm and were simply resistored down . These are pennies and one is placed at each end of the dial scale for a nice warm glow on an evening. I find it makes life easier in a dimly lit room and enables me to whizz up and down the band without having to turn the set into the light all the time . These LEDs are out of sight but the light they give off is just about the same as a normal filament bulb but only draw 8ma for the pair .
I cleaned up the knobs and repainted them as the paint was missing . The inner 2 knobs as most will realise are incorrect for the set but will do for now until I can source a good set of used ones.
I had to replace the grille cloth with some repro stuff as someone had been overly keen with the PVA glue and had ruined the original cloth. I don't think the replacement cloth looks to bad at all . I have not done anything with the wooden cabinet and it looks worse in the photos than in normal daylight. I am not going to restore the wooden cabinet as I rather like the original patina and dings . I think it is possible sometimes to over-restore a radio !
All in all it is a nice sounding set and has good tone . Reception is good and can pull in all the continental stations as one would expect.
I have compared my set alongside a friends un-restored set and they both sound exactly the same .

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

Nice radio and great job on the restoration. I've been on the lookout for one of these after restoring a TP11. It sounds better than most of the radios I have on MW.

Graham

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

Very nice work indeed. The new grille cloth really looks the part, and I love the idea of a battery set that looks like a valve one, even down to the dial illumination.

I like the way the PCB has the semicircular cutout for the TP11's LS even though it's entirely redundant in this set. Is the Celestion LS original? My TP11 has what looks like an R&A elliptical unit.

I have a TP11, and touch wood, the transistors are still fine, but all the Hunts Mouldseals, and Plessey electrolytics needed changing for reliable operation.

BTW, how long did this twin ferrite aerial business continue for? I can't say that I've ever seen it in later sets.

N.

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

I do believe that the Celestion LS is original, every TP12 I have seen has them in.

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

Lovely job, well done!

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

Thanks Phil ,
Here is a photo of it lit at night.

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

You'd never know it wasn't built like that! Superb and very authentic-looking.

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

I would like to thank forum member neil24-7 for his kind input on this project. He has very generously donated a pair of knobs that will finish this little set off beautifully .

Thanks also to all that have given feedback on this set.

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

Here it is finally completed with the correct knobs . It is just sat ontop of my ITT CVC5 TV for the evening and sounds good ! ;D

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

For period looks, only those modern black electrolytics look a bit out of place.

A bit of blue heatshrink might help.

Is it at all top heavy? The high level batteries look a bit instability inducing.

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

Does not seem top heavy . Seems very stable and sounds fairly good for what it is.

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

I should be able to sort you out with some period NOS Philips blue ones if you feel like changing them again.

John.

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

It's working leave well alone, they look fine to me , superb restoration looks fantastic. Mick.

Re: Dynatron TP12 Linnet Lives!
 

A well executed simple set, does what it says on the tin.
I want one!