1967 Roberts R303 8 transistor MW/LW portable in green - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

howard · 21st Oct 2008, 4:35 pm

Hello again,

This little green Roberts R303 s/n 14544 I bought from Paul Stenning when it was offered on the forum. It didn't work and the bottom kept falling out but apart from a scratch on one of the chrome knob trims it was absolutely unmarked.

The R303 has a Mullard LP1159/1 IF module in it which I reckonned probably had AF117 transistors in it and sure enough after a couple of firm taps on the module box away it went. I gave the case a quick clean and stopped the bottom door from falling out by reinstating two small strips of rubber pinched off a scrap R600 on one of the chrome door retainers.

Ron Bryan very kindly fixed this set, the LP1159/1 module was removed, the 3 x AF117s inside replaced with AF126s and the module replaced. The set now worked fine but while checking the quiescent current Ron noticed that the output transistors were getting hot and the current was unstable. It was then noticed that the BA114 stabilising diode MR1 was cracked, indeed when shoved it broke in half so a suitable replacement was fitted. The quiescent current and output transistor biasing was then successfully adjusted.

The R303 is not one of Roberts most interesting offerings but it works well and is a sensitive little set and will play remarkably loud. This one is unmarked but like most R303s (and RIC1s) one can see darkening of the edges of the rexine cover where the glue was applied under it when it was assembled. Many thanks to Ron for fixing it.

Howard

John12868 · 21st Oct 2008, 7:10 pm

Howard,

How interesting. My own R303, serial number 33703, differs significantly from yours in several ways.

The trim on the dial plate is plated brass and not chrome, neither are the knob brights, they're brass too.

Also the green rexine is the lighter olive green seen on the R300's & 500's instead of the darker forest green which yours appears to be.

I have another R303, nominally in red, but the rexine is so bald it's difficult to tell. I think that has brass trim too.

It seems odd that Roberts would change the triming of a model which enjoyed such a limited production run.

Regards

John

howard · 21st Oct 2008, 7:42 pm

Hello John,

Yes I saw an olive green one like yours at Harpenden, with brass trim and with wooden end panels whereas this one has rexine covered end panels.

Roberts managed to build more than 56000 R303s in 1967-8 before the RIC1 was released so I daresay there are a few variants around. I've got red, blue and black R303s too.

Howard

John12868 · 21st Oct 2008, 10:13 pm

Hi Howard,

Just to add, my green R303 has rexine covered sides!! You've got me thinking now, what does my red one look like? I think it's a fully rexine covered example too.

Regards

John

Paul_RK · 22nd Oct 2008, 12:23 am

As far as I know, only black R303s were ever available with teak rather than fully-covered sides.

Very nice one, Howard. Somehow I much prefer the older-looking (to me) cream tuning dial on these to the bright metal one of my own R303.

Paul

Paul Stenning · 22nd Oct 2008, 8:23 am

Excellent stuff, Howard. I'm pleased to see it restored to its former glory.

Incidentally I bought it from a charity table sale in Sandown, Isle of Wight when I was on holiday there about two years ago. I think I paid about what I sold it to you for. The bottom was loose when I got it.

ronbryan · 22nd Oct 2008, 10:41 am

Here are a few pictures of the LP1159/1 module when removed from the R303. Removal and refitting is straightforward, as access to the module is unrestricted once the radio is removed from the cabinet.

The local oscillator coil L6 is included with the module in the /1 version of the LP1159, rather than being on the circuit board as in the larger LP1164 module fitted to R600 and R707 AM/FM sets.

Ron

newlite4 · 22nd Oct 2008, 12:15 pm

Very nice looking set Howard. I particularly like the cream dial, this puts it in the same class as the earlier Roberts radios. I would prefer one of these to the RIC1 on looks alone.
Neil

geofy · 22nd Oct 2008, 4:18 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by howard

Roberts managed to build more than 56000 R303s in 1967-8 before the RIC1 was released so I daresay there are a few variants around. I've got red, blue and black R303s too.

Howard

That's 168000 AF11*'s to change

Nice repair Howard

21st Oct 2008, 4:35 pm	#1
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	1967 Roberts R303 8 transistor MW/LW portable in green Hello again, This little green Roberts R303 s/n 14544 I bought from Paul Stenning when it was offered on the forum. It didn't work and the bottom kept falling out but apart from a scratch on one of the chrome knob trims it was absolutely unmarked. The R303 has a Mullard LP1159/1 IF module in it which I reckonned probably had AF117 transistors in it and sure enough after a couple of firm taps on the module box away it went. I gave the case a quick clean and stopped the bottom door from falling out by reinstating two small strips of rubber pinched off a scrap R600 on one of the chrome door retainers. Ron Bryan very kindly fixed this set, the LP1159/1 module was removed, the 3 x AF117s inside replaced with AF126s and the module replaced. The set now worked fine but while checking the quiescent current Ron noticed that the output transistors were getting hot and the current was unstable. It was then noticed that the BA114 stabilising diode MR1 was cracked, indeed when shoved it broke in half so a suitable replacement was fitted. The quiescent current and output transistor biasing was then successfully adjusted. The R303 is not one of Roberts most interesting offerings but it works well and is a sensitive little set and will play remarkably loud. This one is unmarked but like most R303s (and RIC1s) one can see darkening of the edges of the rexine cover where the glue was applied under it when it was assembled. Many thanks to Ron for fixing it. Howard Attached Thumbnails Last edited by howard; 21st Oct 2008 at 4:46 pm.

21st Oct 2008, 7:10 pm	#2
John12868 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Crayford, London, UK. Posts: 181	Re: 1967 Roberts R303 8 transistor MW/LW portable in green Howard, How interesting. My own R303, serial number 33703, differs significantly from yours in several ways. The trim on the dial plate is plated brass and not chrome, neither are the knob brights, they're brass too. Also the green rexine is the lighter olive green seen on the R300's & 500's instead of the darker forest green which yours appears to be. I have another R303, nominally in red, but the rexine is so bald it's difficult to tell. I think that has brass trim too. It seems odd that Roberts would change the triming of a model which enjoyed such a limited production run. Regards John

21st Oct 2008, 7:42 pm	#3
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: 1967 Roberts R303 8 transistor MW/LW portable in green Hello John, Yes I saw an olive green one like yours at Harpenden, with brass trim and with wooden end panels whereas this one has rexine covered end panels. Roberts managed to build more than 56000 R303s in 1967-8 before the RIC1 was released so I daresay there are a few variants around. I've got red, blue and black R303s too. Howard

21st Oct 2008, 10:13 pm	#4
John12868 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Crayford, London, UK. Posts: 181	Re: 1967 Roberts R303 8 transistor MW/LW portable in green Hi Howard, Just to add, my green R303 has rexine covered sides!! You've got me thinking now, what does my red one look like? I think it's a fully rexine covered example too. Regards John

22nd Oct 2008, 12:23 am	#5
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,256	Re: 1967 Roberts R303 8 transistor MW/LW portable in green As far as I know, only black R303s were ever available with teak rather than fully-covered sides. Very nice one, Howard. Somehow I much prefer the older-looking (to me) cream tuning dial on these to the bright metal one of my own R303. Paul

22nd Oct 2008, 8:23 am	#6
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	Re: 1967 Roberts R303 8 transistor MW/LW portable in green Excellent stuff, Howard. I'm pleased to see it restored to its former glory. Incidentally I bought it from a charity table sale in Sandown, Isle of Wight when I was on holiday there about two years ago. I think I paid about what I sold it to you for. The bottom was loose when I got it. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

22nd Oct 2008, 10:41 am	#7
ronbryan Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Guildford, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,960	Re: 1967 Roberts R303 8 transistor MW/LW portable in green Here are a few pictures of the LP1159/1 module when removed from the R303. Removal and refitting is straightforward, as access to the module is unrestricted once the radio is removed from the cabinet. The local oscillator coil L6 is included with the module in the /1 version of the LP1159, rather than being on the circuit board as in the larger LP1164 module fitted to R600 and R707 AM/FM sets. Ron Attached Thumbnails

22nd Oct 2008, 12:15 pm	#8
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,805	Re: 1967 Roberts R303 8 transistor MW/LW portable in green Very nice looking set Howard. I particularly like the cream dial, this puts it in the same class as the earlier Roberts radios. I would prefer one of these to the RIC1 on looks alone. Neil __________________ preserving the recent past, for the distant future.