Help me identify this Radiogram! - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

jbourne · 27th Oct 2017, 9:20 pm

Hello, I’m new to all this so bear with me.

I’ve been given this Radiogram but know nothing about it. Please help me with finding out what it is so I can begin sourcing parts for restoring and repairing

music-centre · 27th Oct 2017, 9:45 pm

It's not going to be a common one, possibly a Civic or something like that but isn't there a maker's name or model number on the back if it's present?

If not, if you take some internal photos I am sure someone can help.

jbourne · 27th Oct 2017, 10:21 pm

There’s a company name on the rear reading “A.J.BALCOBME LTD”

Michael Maurice · 27th Oct 2017, 10:31 pm

Probably ALBA then

Edward Huggins · 27th Oct 2017, 10:36 pm

This looks like the kind of budget, AM only, mono Radiogram sold through Furniture stores in the mid 1960s. I regret it has little or no value other than maybe the (BSR?) autochanger within it. Do you have the legs for it? What experience do you have in servicing/fault finding these?

dave walsh · 27th Oct 2017, 10:42 pm

Hi Jbourne. How new are you?

Dave W

RojDW48 · 27th Oct 2017, 11:52 pm

Looks like a version of the Alba model 3 - for people who wanted to leave stuff on the top when they wanted to play a record (the model 3 had a lifting lid to the record section).

jbourne · 28th Oct 2017, 10:13 am

I have no experience with radios but plenty of fixing experience (taking things apart) What are the main things I need to consider in order to get this thing working again. I'm a very visual learner so are there any videos I can check out that would explain the internals?

ms660 · 28th Oct 2017, 10:44 am

The radio panel layout looks very similar to the one in the Alba 206c radiogram:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=104607

Lawrence.

Nuvistor · 28th Oct 2017, 10:51 am

I would be surprised if there was a video for this particular radio but there are plenty that explain the principles of a superhet radio and some on how valves work.

Usual caution about live chassis and high voltages in this radiogram, if it is not live chassis there are still high voltages to be aware of.

AC/HL · 28th Oct 2017, 4:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbourne

There’s a company name on the rear reading “A.J.BALCOBME LTD”

Does it also have a model number?
Photograph the whole of the written area if you're not sure. Also, take off the back and photograph the internal workings as best you can. It will help us to help you.

Edward Huggins · 28th Oct 2017, 5:33 pm

Yes, this uses "U" series valves, so it has a live chassis. Your Post suggests you may have little or no experience of these, so do be careful and do not touch this with it plugged in. There are Stickys on this site about "Live Chassis". Bear in mind this is Mono only, has no FM waveband and has very little value and you might be dissappointed with the finished job. If not, treat it as a learning project. Do be careful, there are far safer units to learn on than this!

dave walsh · 28th Oct 2017, 7:07 pm

As Frank says, there are visual guides on You Tube etc but they may not give you a structured learning approach which is usually the best way to avoid subsequent confusion and stay safe while getting a good outcome. There's a number of good stickies in this section particularly "Reviving You're Record Player" 2011 [a Radiogram just being a bigger version that includes a Radio section]. It's very detailed and step by step with some illustrations. It's all a learning curve really and it may be difficult to source parts without knowing what you are doing.

Dave W

27th Oct 2017, 9:20 pm	#1
jbourne Diode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 3	Help me identify this Radiogram! Hello, I’m new to all this so bear with me. I’ve been given this Radiogram but know nothing about it. Please help me with finding out what it is so I can begin sourcing parts for restoring and repairing Attached Thumbnails

27th Oct 2017, 9:45 pm	#2
music-centre Heptode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 687	Re: Help me identify this Radiogram! It's not going to be a common one, possibly a Civic or something like that but isn't there a maker's name or model number on the back if it's present? If not, if you take some internal photos I am sure someone can help.

27th Oct 2017, 10:21 pm	#3
jbourne Diode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 3	Re: Help me identify this Radiogram! There’s a company name on the rear reading “A.J.BALCOBME LTD”

27th Oct 2017, 10:31 pm	#4
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,223	Re: Help me identify this Radiogram! Probably ALBA then __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

27th Oct 2017, 10:36 pm	#5
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Help me identify this Radiogram! This looks like the kind of budget, AM only, mono Radiogram sold through Furniture stores in the mid 1960s. I regret it has little or no value other than maybe the (BSR?) autochanger within it. Do you have the legs for it? What experience do you have in servicing/fault finding these? __________________ Edward.

27th Oct 2017, 10:42 pm	#6
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Help me identify this Radiogram! Hi Jbourne. How new are you? Dave W

27th Oct 2017, 11:52 pm	#7
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: Help me identify this Radiogram! Looks like a version of the Alba model 3 - for people who wanted to leave stuff on the top when they wanted to play a record (the model 3 had a lifting lid to the record section). __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

28th Oct 2017, 10:13 am	#8
jbourne Diode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 3	Re: Help me identify this Radiogram! I have no experience with radios but plenty of fixing experience (taking things apart) What are the main things I need to consider in order to get this thing working again. I'm a very visual learner so are there any videos I can check out that would explain the internals?

28th Oct 2017, 10:44 am	#9
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Help me identify this Radiogram! The radio panel layout looks very similar to the one in the Alba 206c radiogram: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=104607 Lawrence.

28th Oct 2017, 10:51 am	#10
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,432	Re: Help me identify this Radiogram! I would be surprised if there was a video for this particular radio but there are plenty that explain the principles of a superhet radio and some on how valves work. Usual caution about live chassis and high voltages in this radiogram, if it is not live chassis there are still high voltages to be aware of. __________________ Frank

28th Oct 2017, 5:33 pm	#12
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Help me identify this Radiogram! Yes, this uses "U" series valves, so it has a live chassis. Your Post suggests you may have little or no experience of these, so do be careful and do not touch this with it plugged in. There are Stickys on this site about "Live Chassis". Bear in mind this is Mono only, has no FM waveband and has very little value and you might be dissappointed with the finished job. If not, treat it as a learning project. Do be careful, there are far safer units to learn on than this! __________________ Edward.

28th Oct 2017, 7:07 pm	#13
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Help me identify this Radiogram! As Frank says, there are visual guides on You Tube etc but they may not give you a structured learning approach which is usually the best way to avoid subsequent confusion and stay safe while getting a good outcome. There's a number of good stickies in this section particularly "Reviving You're Record Player" 2011 [a Radiogram just being a bigger version that includes a Radio section]. It's very detailed and step by step with some illustrations. It's all a learning curve really and it may be difficult to source parts without knowing what you are doing. Dave W