Just got an AR88 D + MI-8303D - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

JanWra1 · 21st Feb 2018, 1:05 am

During the few weeks since I joined this forum I managed to get my hands on a very nice AR88D Complete with CL-meter and speaker and all the tools. Here are some details

Serial number 101172 and thus made in Bloomington.
Dated July 1944
Speaker is dated 1-44-5, does this mean January 5th or May 1:st?
Speaker has no backside.
Capacitors C118 and C122 has already been replaced by a 10 nF capacitor by a previous owner. (see picture)
Some "bathtub" are leaking.
Tube 6k6GT substituted by 6V6 by previous owner.
Frontpanel and speaker has a nice wrinkle finish but cabinet has matt plain black paint.
Panel lamps were rated 12V

Work done:
CL-meter adjusted with R21, was out of adjustment on delivery.
AF Gain potentiometer taken apart cleaned and lubricated now all scratching noises are gone.
NL, HF tone and RF Gain cleaned and lubricated
Band-, Range, and selectivity switches have been cleaned.
Power cable replaced by one with 3 conductor, one being earth.
Panel lamps replaced by 6V units.
Result no scratching or other unwanted noise when touching the controls.

Missing parts:
Thumbscrew for tuning lock
Thumbscrews holding the RF cover.
Rubber feet for the cabinet

Next to do:
Locate and fit the missing parts - got any for sale?
Fix the leaking capacitors
Instal fuse holders - any suggestions where the fuse should be placed. on the incoming power cable or some other place, rating on the fuses?
Cabinet: Strip the paint and give it a cover of wrinkle paint.

Performance: With my dipol antennas for the hambands the radio works very nice and a number amateurs have been heard, not to mention all the MW stations.

Well that is all for now, enjoy the pictures , more will follow.

Jan

JanWra1 · 21st Feb 2018, 1:10 am

Here are some more pictures.

Jan

Radio Wrangler · 21st Feb 2018, 3:37 am

Some things don't seen to go with your serial number.

The all-yellow tuning scale was used only on very early AR88s. Later sets had the usual alternating yellow/black/yellow/black scales.

The original S-meters are very rare. I've only seen them on early sets.

Usually all yellow tuning scales go with engraved front panels.

The chrome strips are usually rectangular in cross section, presenting a flat fce to the user.

Has someone modified the tuning knob to make a dimple for a finger to spin it?

David

ms660 · 21st Feb 2018, 10:20 am

So far as I know the meter was also available as an upgrade kit which could be fitted to any AR88D.

Kit number MI-17210, the fitting instructions are on this forum.

The AR88D I had was not an early serial number but it had an engraved front panel with a flat paint finish and a black/yellow tuning scale, all of which looked to be original fitment to me.

Lawrence.

JanWra1 · 21st Feb 2018, 10:33 am

Hi David

Yes somebody has worked on the radio in the past, but before 95. the main dial can be a Canadian Aircraft replacement dial. (source Henry /WA7YBS)

Chrome strips: Yes they look strange and not correct and they been there since before 95.

(The guy I bought it from bought it in 95)

Jan

G6Tanuki · 21st Feb 2018, 11:05 am

Nice!

Interesting that your front panel shows evidence of it once having been an "Air Ministry-modified" receiver: there's a little patch of discolouration below the on/off/trans/rec switch and another one just by the "1" on the bandswitch.

Under this discolouration you'll find metal plugs, which have been fitted to fill the holes where the Ministry-modification would once have provided an on-off switch and an additional jack-socket for high impedance 'phones.

Yours also has the big non-standard coax socket on the rear panel - this was again part of the RAF modifications, same goes for the 2 holes, one small, one larger' to the left of the rear-panel "L4" hole - these 2 extra holes were used for a plug/socket to connect into a diversity setup.

The Air Ministry/RAF-modified version of the AR88 was known as the R1556/A. There was a thread about these here a few years back:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=90185

including a photo of the 'diversity' plug/socket and the front panel as would have been in 'modified' form with the white label.

M6SPW1974 · 8th Mar 2018, 4:24 am

I agree,the holes in the set also tell me it was / is a version of the R1556,i would say it is an R1556 as this is the modified AR88 designated for the RAF which would explain the solid yellow dial scale,here are the models & their equivalents...

R1556 = AR88

R1556A = AR88D

R1556B = AR88LF

Here is my R1556A which came to me with a total PVC coated rewire & all bath tub capacitors replaced,works a treat

21st Feb 2018, 1:05 am	#1
JanWra1 Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 78	Just got an AR88 D + MI-8303D During the few weeks since I joined this forum I managed to get my hands on a very nice AR88D Complete with CL-meter and speaker and all the tools. Here are some details Serial number 101172 and thus made in Bloomington. Dated July 1944 Speaker is dated 1-44-5, does this mean January 5th or May 1:st? Speaker has no backside. Capacitors C118 and C122 has already been replaced by a 10 nF capacitor by a previous owner. (see picture) Some "bathtub" are leaking. Tube 6k6GT substituted by 6V6 by previous owner. Frontpanel and speaker has a nice wrinkle finish but cabinet has matt plain black paint. Panel lamps were rated 12V Work done: CL-meter adjusted with R21, was out of adjustment on delivery. AF Gain potentiometer taken apart cleaned and lubricated now all scratching noises are gone. NL, HF tone and RF Gain cleaned and lubricated Band-, Range, and selectivity switches have been cleaned. Power cable replaced by one with 3 conductor, one being earth. Panel lamps replaced by 6V units. Result no scratching or other unwanted noise when touching the controls. Missing parts: Thumbscrew for tuning lock Thumbscrews holding the RF cover. Rubber feet for the cabinet Next to do: Locate and fit the missing parts - got any for sale? Fix the leaking capacitors Instal fuse holders - any suggestions where the fuse should be placed. on the incoming power cable or some other place, rating on the fuses? Cabinet: Strip the paint and give it a cover of wrinkle paint. Performance: With my dipol antennas for the hambands the radio works very nice and a number amateurs have been heard, not to mention all the MW stations. Well that is all for now, enjoy the pictures , more will follow. Jan Attached Thumbnails Last edited by JanWra1; 21st Feb 2018 at 1:16 am. Reason: Missed one item

21st Feb 2018, 1:10 am	#2
JanWra1 Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 78	Re: Just got an AR88 D + MI-8303D Here are some more pictures. Jan Attached Thumbnails

21st Feb 2018, 3:37 am	#3
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,874	Re: Just got an AR88 D + MI-8303D Some things don't seen to go with your serial number. The all-yellow tuning scale was used only on very early AR88s. Later sets had the usual alternating yellow/black/yellow/black scales. The original S-meters are very rare. I've only seen them on early sets. Usually all yellow tuning scales go with engraved front panels. The chrome strips are usually rectangular in cross section, presenting a flat fce to the user. Has someone modified the tuning knob to make a dimple for a finger to spin it? David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

21st Feb 2018, 10:20 am	#4
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Just got an AR88 D + MI-8303D So far as I know the meter was also available as an upgrade kit which could be fitted to any AR88D. Kit number MI-17210, the fitting instructions are on this forum. The AR88D I had was not an early serial number but it had an engraved front panel with a flat paint finish and a black/yellow tuning scale, all of which looked to be original fitment to me. Lawrence. Last edited by ms660; 21st Feb 2018 at 10:28 am.

21st Feb 2018, 10:33 am	#5
JanWra1 Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 78	Re: Just got an AR88 D + MI-8303D Hi David Yes somebody has worked on the radio in the past, but before 95. the main dial can be a Canadian Aircraft replacement dial. (source Henry /WA7YBS) Chrome strips: Yes they look strange and not correct and they been there since before 95. (The guy I bought it from bought it in 95) Jan

21st Feb 2018, 11:05 am	#6
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	Re: Just got an AR88 D + MI-8303D Nice! Interesting that your front panel shows evidence of it once having been an "Air Ministry-modified" receiver: there's a little patch of discolouration below the on/off/trans/rec switch and another one just by the "1" on the bandswitch. Under this discolouration you'll find metal plugs, which have been fitted to fill the holes where the Ministry-modification would once have provided an on-off switch and an additional jack-socket for high impedance 'phones. Yours also has the big non-standard coax socket on the rear panel - this was again part of the RAF modifications, same goes for the 2 holes, one small, one larger' to the left of the rear-panel "L4" hole - these 2 extra holes were used for a plug/socket to connect into a diversity setup. The Air Ministry/RAF-modified version of the AR88 was known as the R1556/A. There was a thread about these here a few years back: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=90185 including a photo of the 'diversity' plug/socket and the front panel as would have been in 'modified' form with the white label.

8th Mar 2018, 4:24 am	#7
M6SPW1974 Pentode Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Millom, South Cumberland, UK. Posts: 114	Re: Just got an AR88 D + MI-8303D I agree,the holes in the set also tell me it was / is a version of the R1556,i would say it is an R1556 as this is the modified AR88 designated for the RAF which would explain the solid yellow dial scale,here are the models & their equivalents... R1556 = AR88 R1556A = AR88D R1556B = AR88LF Here is my R1556A which came to me with a total PVC coated rewire & all bath tub capacitors replaced,works a treat Attached Thumbnails