Dansette Companion - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Paul_A_R · 30th Jun 2020, 6:21 pm

I picked up this Dansette Companion which performs somewhat poorly and was hoping to get better reception out of it.

I see there are schematics for two versions but the radio does not look much like either the new or the old versions posted on the Radiomuseum. The circuit board is shorter on the left hand side and there are fewer components. There is a note on the Radiomuseum entries saying late production sets used a Mixer/IF module. Is this one of those?

Is there a schematic for this version?

Reception is poor. It picks up only 1 station on LW and one on MW; both poorly. This is not a good AM reception area but I can still pick up several stations on other AM sets I have.

Can anyone give some advice on where to start with trying to improve reception?

Nuvistor · 30th Jun 2020, 6:43 pm

This is the module version but it does not give a circuit for the modules only the AF and RF tuned circuits.
https://www.service-data.com/product...05/1497/a11105

unitelex · 30th Jun 2020, 6:48 pm

Hi Paul,
Yes it looks like it has an IF module or Mixer/IF this would be the metal can lower LHS of the 1st picture.

For better reception you could try adding an external antenna wire, a few metres should improve it quite a bit.
Remember MW reception is usually better at night, more stations due to better reflections from the ionosphere. So try daytime and night time reception.

If it is still not picking up stations it may have a fault in the IF or there is a distinct possibility that the RF/IF alignment has been disturbed by the previous owner. If that is the case then it will need re-alignment using a signal generator.

Best Regards
Chris

Paul_A_R · 2nd Jul 2020, 9:52 pm

Thanks for clarifying about the service sheet.

I will try adding an external antenna when the Companion gets back on to the bench.

30th Jun 2020, 6:21 pm	#1
Paul_A_R Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland, UK. Posts: 56	Dansette Companion I picked up this Dansette Companion which performs somewhat poorly and was hoping to get better reception out of it. I see there are schematics for two versions but the radio does not look much like either the new or the old versions posted on the Radiomuseum. The circuit board is shorter on the left hand side and there are fewer components. There is a note on the Radiomuseum entries saying late production sets used a Mixer/IF module. Is this one of those? Is there a schematic for this version? Reception is poor. It picks up only 1 station on LW and one on MW; both poorly. This is not a good AM reception area but I can still pick up several stations on other AM sets I have. Can anyone give some advice on where to start with trying to improve reception? Attached Thumbnails

30th Jun 2020, 6:43 pm	#2
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Dansette Companion This is the module version but it does not give a circuit for the modules only the AF and RF tuned circuits. https://www.service-data.com/product...05/1497/a11105 __________________ Frank

30th Jun 2020, 6:48 pm	#3
unitelex Hexode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 496	Re: Dansette Companion Hi Paul, Yes it looks like it has an IF module or Mixer/IF this would be the metal can lower LHS of the 1st picture. For better reception you could try adding an external antenna wire, a few metres should improve it quite a bit. Remember MW reception is usually better at night, more stations due to better reflections from the ionosphere. So try daytime and night time reception. If it is still not picking up stations it may have a fault in the IF or there is a distinct possibility that the RF/IF alignment has been disturbed by the previous owner. If that is the case then it will need re-alignment using a signal generator. Best Regards Chris Last edited by unitelex; 30th Jun 2020 at 6:49 pm. Reason: incomplete

2nd Jul 2020, 9:52 pm	#4
Paul_A_R Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland, UK. Posts: 56	Re: Dansette Companion Thanks for clarifying about the service sheet. I will try adding an external antenna when the Companion gets back on to the bench.