Ever Ready 5214 (or 5215, 5216) appeal for information

[kalee20]

Are there any 5214 owners ‘out there’ who can help? I have the Trader service sheet, however, the radio in question, although basically working, has had its frame aerial rewound, possibly wrongly; the wavelength coverage does not line up with the scale markings; the coverage is less than it should be; and the RF/oscillator tracking is really bad! (The IF is at least correct, at 452kHz).

The variable capacitor MIGHT have been replaced in the past. But the Trader sheet rather unhelpfully doesn’t give the capacitance value, so there’s no way of checking. (Same goes for some of the trimmers).

The oscillator coils and the frame aerial, again, no inductances are given (this at least is fairly usual).

So… Is there anyone who can measure the variable capacitor max value for me? And (long shot!) the inductances of frame aerial and oscillator coils?

It’s a radio which, from some online research, was launched prewar, was made in quantity for Services people in the war so as a piece of social history, it would be good to have it operating back to full performance. This model is one of the later ones, with octal rather than P based valves.

Thanks!

[60 oldjohn]

I will have a look at mine later today, just in case anyone is already sorting your request out as I write this.

John.

[kalee20]

That's super, John.

If there is another set of measurements, it would be great - a sample of 2 is better than a single one. Fingers crossed that if so, the results turn out to be similar!

[60 oldjohn]

I have just got my set out and realised the trader sheet show a different valve line up. Can you please confirm this is your set before I go any further.

John.

Just one more photo to follow.

[60 oldjohn]

John.

[kalee20]

It looks right, John. Actual valves in are 1A7G, 1N5G, 1H5G, 1C5G. (Buried in the Trader sheet is a mention of this possibility, even a 1Q5, as war progressed!)

Much appreciated, especially the close-up of the tuning gang!

[60 oldjohn]

I hope the pictures speak for themselves. I would have to take the chassis out to do any IF measurements. 3rd picture LW aerial has 19 turns glued at corners, with sawdust attached. Aerial's had all wires except one unsoldered for measurements. Tuning cap left in circuit, black lead to frame.

John.

[kalee20]

Really helpful, John.

Thank you!

[Herald1360]

I can believe that 500pf, but the second (oscillator?) gang looks the same physically so should measure the same unless a series padder cap has got in on the act.

The twin gang has all the appearances of a typical 500+500pF job of the era.

[60 oldjohn]

Please let me know if you need any more photos or measurements that I can do without taking chassis out.

John.

[kalee20]

Thanks for everything so far, John. The photos have been illuminating too.

Much appreciated!

[60 oldjohn]

Originally Posted by Herald1360

I can believe that 500pf, but the second (oscillator?) gang looks the same physically so should measure the same unless a series padder cap has got in on the act.

The twin gang has all the appearances of a typical 500+500pF job of the era.

I don't know how I missed this post. I have to agree with Chris. If I get chance later I will unsolder the padder and re check.

John.

[60 oldjohn]

The padder is bolted on to the VC when unbolted the VC section measures 196 pf but looks identical to the other half. I guess that just adds to the confusion, sorry.

John.