National panasonic RQ305SD - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

John G8MWF · 12th Dec 2025, 9:11 pm

Hi,

I have just become the "owner" of this cassette deck that looks to be from around 1976 - I can just about remember owning the Philips version in 1973 and recording the top 20, without a microphone!, on it Sunday evenings!!

I am definitely outside of my comfort zone with this one - Does anyone know how to replace the belt, if I can get one, without destroying what is now a getting to be a delicate piece of kit?

Cheers

John

DMcMahon · 15th Dec 2025, 4:38 pm

Do not know the deck but from photos it looks like it should not be difficult.

Basically need to lift up the metal plate that sits on top of the capstan flywheel several mm at least to enable the belt to be lifted off from the end of the capstan/shaft.

Difficult to be sure from the photos, but it looks like the PCB on the right hand side will also need to be lifted up to enable the plate to be lifted up. It looks like the PCB is a seperate PCB from the one that is on the left hand side.

Before you disturb anything take lots of photos showing how everything is now. When lifting/moving the PCB be careful for any wires that might break away and when lifting the plate watch out for a possible ball bearing that may sit on top of the capstan shaft and make contact with the underside of the plate.

David

John G8MWF · 15th Dec 2025, 10:10 pm

Thanks David - it certainly doesn't appear to be a quick job!

Cheers

John

DMcMahon · 16th Dec 2025, 7:59 pm

It may not be a quick job, but it should not be that difficult, I think once you have done it, you will find it fairly straight forward.

You just need to have a good look at everything, do not rush, see what needs to be removed and gently trying lifting up the relevant parts watching out for anything snagging etc.

Does the belt actually require to be replaced ?

The ball bearing referenced previously may not exist on your unit, the end of the capstan shaft may just interface to a greased nylon pad on the underside of the metal plate.

David

DMcMahon · 16th Dec 2025, 9:03 pm

I have been looking at the photo images shown on radiomuseum, from this it looks like there is only 1 PCB, in your photo with the black tape over the PCB I thought that there could have been 2 PCB's.

When the PCB is lifted up watch out for an actuating lever that may engage into the PCB, such as the Playback/Record switch, so for example when Record is selected the lever moves the Playback/Record switch to the Record position. So if possible before disturbing the PCB, select record mode and look out for a lever that moves and try and note where and how it engages into the PCB switch.

David

John G8MWF · 16th Dec 2025, 9:18 pm

All noted - I am certainly going to take my time on this one and wait for a quiet moment to carry it out!.

Unfortunately the belt does need replacing as it slips very badly.
I contacted a belt supplier but it isn't standard and they want me to remove it for measuring and then reducing the current length by 10%

DMcMahon · 17th Dec 2025, 9:45 am

With the recorder upside down grab hold of the flywheel to see if there is any vertical play/movement, if there is then you may be able to remove the belt using long nosed tweezers/pliers and then replace it, will be very fiddly but possibly doable, i.e. with it upside down there may be a gap between the end of the flywheel/capstan shaft and the metal plate that the shaft interfaces to, which could allow the belt to be removed/replaced without taking anything apart.

David

12th Dec 2025, 9:11 pm	#1
John G8MWF Hexode Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 457	National panasonic RQ305SD Hi, I have just become the "owner" of this cassette deck that looks to be from around 1976 - I can just about remember owning the Philips version in 1973 and recording the top 20, without a microphone!, on it Sunday evenings!! I am definitely outside of my comfort zone with this one - Does anyone know how to replace the belt, if I can get one, without destroying what is now a getting to be a delicate piece of kit? Cheers John Attached Thumbnails

15th Dec 2025, 4:38 pm	#2
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 7,279	Re: National panasonic RQ305SD Do not know the deck but from photos it looks like it should not be difficult. Basically need to lift up the metal plate that sits on top of the capstan flywheel several mm at least to enable the belt to be lifted off from the end of the capstan/shaft. Difficult to be sure from the photos, but it looks like the PCB on the right hand side will also need to be lifted up to enable the plate to be lifted up. It looks like the PCB is a seperate PCB from the one that is on the left hand side. Before you disturb anything take lots of photos showing how everything is now. When lifting/moving the PCB be careful for any wires that might break away and when lifting the plate watch out for a possible ball bearing that may sit on top of the capstan shaft and make contact with the underside of the plate. David

15th Dec 2025, 10:10 pm	#3
John G8MWF Hexode Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 457	Re: National panasonic RQ305SD Thanks David - it certainly doesn't appear to be a quick job! Cheers John

16th Dec 2025, 7:59 pm	#4
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 7,279	Re: National panasonic RQ305SD It may not be a quick job, but it should not be that difficult, I think once you have done it, you will find it fairly straight forward. You just need to have a good look at everything, do not rush, see what needs to be removed and gently trying lifting up the relevant parts watching out for anything snagging etc. Does the belt actually require to be replaced ? The ball bearing referenced previously may not exist on your unit, the end of the capstan shaft may just interface to a greased nylon pad on the underside of the metal plate. David

16th Dec 2025, 9:03 pm	#5
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 7,279	Re: National panasonic RQ305SD I have been looking at the photo images shown on radiomuseum, from this it looks like there is only 1 PCB, in your photo with the black tape over the PCB I thought that there could have been 2 PCB's. When the PCB is lifted up watch out for an actuating lever that may engage into the PCB, such as the Playback/Record switch, so for example when Record is selected the lever moves the Playback/Record switch to the Record position. So if possible before disturbing the PCB, select record mode and look out for a lever that moves and try and note where and how it engages into the PCB switch. David Last edited by DMcMahon; 16th Dec 2025 at 9:10 pm.

16th Dec 2025, 9:18 pm	#6
John G8MWF Hexode Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 457	Re: National panasonic RQ305SD All noted - I am certainly going to take my time on this one and wait for a quiet moment to carry it out!. Unfortunately the belt does need replacing as it slips very badly. I contacted a belt supplier but it isn't standard and they want me to remove it for measuring and then reducing the current length by 10%

17th Dec 2025, 9:45 am	#7
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 7,279	Re: National panasonic RQ305SD With the recorder upside down grab hold of the flywheel to see if there is any vertical play/movement, if there is then you may be able to remove the belt using long nosed tweezers/pliers and then replace it, will be very fiddly but possibly doable, i.e. with it upside down there may be a gap between the end of the flywheel/capstan shaft and the metal plate that the shaft interfaces to, which could allow the belt to be removed/replaced without taking anything apart. David