My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Radio Scotland · 3rd Dec 2020, 2:10 pm

Recently purchased as non working. Applied power and she fired right up with no problems other than the usual scratchy volume control, Although the tone is a bit deep. So maybe needs a capacitor or two. And for a wee change the case doesn't have chunks missing from it.

It has the thickest ferrite rod I've ever seen.

Radio Tech · 3rd Dec 2020, 3:46 pm

You have been very lucky to find one of these in such good condition, the two electrolytic caps that are seen in second picture may want changing.

Nice set and worth hanging onto

Ken

AC/HL · 3rd Dec 2020, 4:23 pm

STC transistors too, a bit different from the ubiquitous Mullards.

crackle · 3rd Dec 2020, 4:29 pm

This is a KB OP21/1 from 1959, so a good bit before the notorious AF11x transistors.
I have always found all the radios in this family of Rhapsodies to be reliable, with good tone and sensitivity.
But it may benefit from changing the red yellow black 100uF capacitors, they are usually rather leaky. You could check the current through each capacitor.
I have never had to change any of the black hunts caps in these low voltage circuits.

Mike

Radio Scotland · 3rd Dec 2020, 4:44 pm

Thanks for the comments folks regarding caps that might need changing etc.

Very pleased with the radio, Its been happily playing away for the past few hours with no issues. Condition wise it has a few light scratches and the handle has a split in it. Bit of chrome worn off below the volume control & the usual faded graphics but overall very nice

It should clean up nicely.

Lovely looking set with lots of chrome, Obviously styled on 1950s american cars.

Definitely a keeper.

Nuvistor · 3rd Dec 2020, 4:45 pm

The cabinet is a classic design, well I think so, that one looks in excellent condition.

Radio Scotland · 3rd Dec 2020, 4:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuvistor

The cabinet is a classic design, well I think so, that one looks in excellent condition.

It was lucky to survive in transit as the sellers packing skills were a bit lacking

Radio Scotland · 3rd Dec 2020, 5:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackle

I have always found all the radios in this family of Rhapsodies to be reliable, with good tone and sensitivity.

Mike

It certainly is sensitive, Hearing a few stations on both bands that I've never heard before

3rd Dec 2020, 5:20 pm

Quote:

Bit of chrome worn off below the volume control

Those silver "Pentel PAINT MARKER" pens do a good job of hiding the wear. Not a shiney as real chrome, better than that cream plastic underneath. I have a fine point gold one to refresh the cookers lettering which is gold paint on black with no protective coat, I do it about once a year.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentel-MSP1...s%2C145&sr=8-6

Radio Scotland · 3rd Dec 2020, 5:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlinmaxwell

Quote:

Bit of chrome worn off below the volume control

Those silver "Pentel PAINT MARKER" pens do a good job of hiding the wear. Not a shiney as real chrome, better than that cream plastic underneath. I have a fine point gold one to refresh the cookers lettering which is gold paint on black with no protective coat, I do it about once a year.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentel-MSP1...s%2C145&sr=8-6

Ideal. Thanks for that. much appreciated

Cheers
Jay

tim.norris · 4th Dec 2020, 8:47 pm

Jay, search for` Molotow liquid chrome` pens , available in different nib sizes highly regarded in the modelling world, probably the nearest you will get to anything resembling chrome and reasonably priced . Hope this is of help, Regards, Tim

Radio Scotland · 4th Dec 2020, 9:05 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim.norris

Jay, search for` Molotow liquid chrome` pens , available in different nib sizes highly regarded in the modelling world, probably the nearest you will get to anything resembling chrome and reasonably priced . Hope this is of help, Regards, Tim

Thanks tim, Should have it looking as good as new without to much effort, Good clean and a polish and touch up the worn chrome with one of those pens

Jay

Radio Scotland · 5th Dec 2020, 1:58 am

Was browsing the net looking at various pics of this radio and noticed mine is missing the two black circular objects in the pic below, Thermistors ?

AC/HL · 5th Dec 2020, 2:38 pm

They're different radios. Yours is an OP21A and the other is an OP21/1. They are thermistors though.

Radio Scotland · 5th Dec 2020, 2:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC/HL

They're different radios. Yours is an OP21A and the other is an OP21/1. They are thermistors though.

Thanks. Although it has holes on the PCB where they should be it doesn't look like they were ever fitted

crackle · 7th Dec 2020, 9:30 am

Oh dear, I forgot about the OP21A.
So you will need a PP11 battery for this radio, 2 x 4.5v in one case.
2 x 9 volt batteries will possibly damage this radio.
Mike

Radio Scotland · 7th Dec 2020, 1:50 pm

Just checked the label its definitely an OP21/1

Radio Scotland · 15th Dec 2020, 6:52 pm

A few pics for crackle.

3rd Dec 2020, 2:10 pm	#1
Radio Scotland Heptode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Posts: 671	My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody Recently purchased as non working. Applied power and she fired right up with no problems other than the usual scratchy volume control, Although the tone is a bit deep. So maybe needs a capacitor or two. And for a wee change the case doesn't have chunks missing from it. It has the thickest ferrite rod I've ever seen. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Help!! I've been electrocuted by a glass thing that glows

3rd Dec 2020, 3:46 pm	#2
Radio Tech Nonode Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Bocking, near Braintree, Essex, UK. Posts: 2,071	Re: My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody You have been very lucky to find one of these in such good condition, the two electrolytic caps that are seen in second picture may want changing. Nice set and worth hanging onto Ken

3rd Dec 2020, 4:23 pm	#3
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody STC transistors too, a bit different from the ubiquitous Mullards.

3rd Dec 2020, 4:29 pm	#4
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody This is a KB OP21/1 from 1959, so a good bit before the notorious AF11x transistors. I have always found all the radios in this family of Rhapsodies to be reliable, with good tone and sensitivity. But it may benefit from changing the red yellow black 100uF capacitors, they are usually rather leaky. You could check the current through each capacitor. I have never had to change any of the black hunts caps in these low voltage circuits. Mike

3rd Dec 2020, 4:44 pm	#5
Radio Scotland Heptode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Posts: 671	Re: My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody Thanks for the comments folks regarding caps that might need changing etc. Very pleased with the radio, Its been happily playing away for the past few hours with no issues. Condition wise it has a few light scratches and the handle has a split in it. Bit of chrome worn off below the volume control & the usual faded graphics but overall very nice It should clean up nicely. Lovely looking set with lots of chrome, Obviously styled on 1950s american cars. Definitely a keeper. __________________ Help!! I've been electrocuted by a glass thing that glows

3rd Dec 2020, 4:45 pm	#6
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody The cabinet is a classic design, well I think so, that one looks in excellent condition. __________________ Frank

4th Dec 2020, 8:47 pm	#11
tim.norris Hexode Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 282	Re: My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody Jay, search for` Molotow liquid chrome` pens , available in different nib sizes highly regarded in the modelling world, probably the nearest you will get to anything resembling chrome and reasonably priced . Hope this is of help, Regards, Tim

5th Dec 2020, 1:58 am	#13
Radio Scotland Heptode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Posts: 671	Re: My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody Was browsing the net looking at various pics of this radio and noticed mine is missing the two black circular objects in the pic below, Thermistors ? Attached Thumbnails __________________ Help!! I've been electrocuted by a glass thing that glows

5th Dec 2020, 2:38 pm	#14
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody They're different radios. Yours is an OP21A and the other is an OP21/1. They are thermistors though.

7th Dec 2020, 9:30 am	#16
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody Oh dear, I forgot about the OP21A. So you will need a PP11 battery for this radio, 2 x 4.5v in one case. 2 x 9 volt batteries will possibly damage this radio. Mike

7th Dec 2020, 1:50 pm	#17
Radio Scotland Heptode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Posts: 671	Re: My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody Just checked the label its definitely an OP21/1 __________________ Help!! I've been electrocuted by a glass thing that glows

15th Dec 2020, 6:52 pm	#18
Radio Scotland Heptode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Posts: 671	Re: My latest acquisition KB Starlight Rhapsody A few pics for crackle. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Help!! I've been electrocuted by a glass thing that glows