Hmv 1117 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Maxwell Frere · 10th Apr 2006, 5:21 pm

Over a period of 2-3 years, I acquired a couple of these monsters.
Each had (differing) good points, and some bad:-
Example 'A' had no o/p valve, ripped speaker cloth, a broken back-cover and no drive cord. Inside it was filthy.
Example 'B' had no o/p valve, and a rotten cabinet, inside it was rusty.

I decided to take the example which was visually in better condition (Example 'A'), and use the other one as a donor set.

But neither set had the required KT61 (or equiv.) o/p valve; and these go for 30-odd quid each!

The best example was taken and dismantled. The dirt had kept the chassis rust-free, but despite lots of cleaning, it's still not 100% clean, but near enough.

The speakers were checked out and found to be ok. The mains and o/p TX ditto.

All wax caps were replaced with the yellow poly ones from RS.
A number of resistors were replaced (I don't have the list to hand of which ones, sorry)
The smoothing caps reformed ok.

A kind gentleman on another forum supplied me with a couple of KT61s to play with.

The chassis was fired up valve-less at first via a lamp limiter the bottles were added gradually and then the lamp was switched out of circuit.
Voltage readings were monitored during this process on a couple of DMMs.

An aerial was draped around the workshop and......bingo! Rod Stewart asking the world (yet again) if we think he's sexy!

Full working order on all wave-bands (very sensitive on SW, incidentally) and it sounds amazing! Manily due, I guess to the KT61.

This was a real Rolls-Royce radio, built like a tank, as an example, the speaker grille assembly is held together with about 16 screws!
It's interesting to note, that despite having two speakers, plus seperate bass and treble knobs to twiddle, it's just a standard 4VR inside.

A fabulous radio.

howard · 11th Apr 2006, 7:47 pm

Hello Maxwell,

I'd love to see a pic of your completed radio, any chance ?

Howard

Maxwell Frere · 12th Apr 2006, 4:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by howard

Hello Maxwell,

I'd love to see a pic of your completed radio, any chance ?

Howard

Sorry old chap, I'm camera-less at the moment.
I'll see if I can borrow one.

JoshWard · 13th Apr 2006, 9:46 am

Type it in on Google images. They're lovely sets and I have been thinking about getting one. Next time I see one I will. Josh.

Maxwell Frere · 13th Apr 2006, 9:56 am

Yes, I think they're real crackers

Alan Lord has a write-up and picture here

Maxwell Frere · 14th Apr 2006, 8:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshWard

Type it in on Google images. They're lovely sets and I have been thinking about getting one. Next time I see one I will. Josh.

There is one listed for sale here http://www.valve.demon.co.uk/Wanted.htm

JoshWard · 15th Apr 2006, 2:28 pm

Bit to far for me! Still though nice condition

. Josh.

radioman · 19th Apr 2006, 1:31 pm

Hello Maxwell,

I also have one of these sets but it's in a poor condition. The biggest problem is that the previous owner has removed the main tuning capacitor and drive cord drum

The drum in particular is rather unusual as it has a semi-circular slot cut in it through which I think the leads for some components go.
Is there any chance that you could spare me these items from your donor set ??
Any costs gladly reimbursed.

Thanks, Andy

Maxwell Frere · 19th Apr 2006, 5:15 pm

Hello Andy,
How strange! Yes, some wiring does pass through it; can't remember what.
Yep yours for the cost of postage.
Send me a PM to discuss, etc.

10th Apr 2006, 5:21 pm	#1
Maxwell Frere Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ashford, Kent. Posts: 14	Hmv 1117 Over a period of 2-3 years, I acquired a couple of these monsters. Each had (differing) good points, and some bad:- Example 'A' had no o/p valve, ripped speaker cloth, a broken back-cover and no drive cord. Inside it was filthy. Example 'B' had no o/p valve, and a rotten cabinet, inside it was rusty. I decided to take the example which was visually in better condition (Example 'A'), and use the other one as a donor set. But neither set had the required KT61 (or equiv.) o/p valve; and these go for 30-odd quid each! The best example was taken and dismantled. The dirt had kept the chassis rust-free, but despite lots of cleaning, it's still not 100% clean, but near enough. The speakers were checked out and found to be ok. The mains and o/p TX ditto. All wax caps were replaced with the yellow poly ones from RS. A number of resistors were replaced (I don't have the list to hand of which ones, sorry) The smoothing caps reformed ok. A kind gentleman on another forum supplied me with a couple of KT61s to play with. The chassis was fired up valve-less at first via a lamp limiter the bottles were added gradually and then the lamp was switched out of circuit. Voltage readings were monitored during this process on a couple of DMMs. An aerial was draped around the workshop and......bingo! Rod Stewart asking the world (yet again) if we think he's sexy! Full working order on all wave-bands (very sensitive on SW, incidentally) and it sounds amazing! Manily due, I guess to the KT61. This was a real Rolls-Royce radio, built like a tank, as an example, the speaker grille assembly is held together with about 16 screws! It's interesting to note, that despite having two speakers, plus seperate bass and treble knobs to twiddle, it's just a standard 4VR inside. A fabulous radio.

11th Apr 2006, 7:47 pm	#2
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: Hmv 1117 Hello Maxwell, I'd love to see a pic of your completed radio, any chance ? Howard

13th Apr 2006, 9:46 am	#4
JoshWard Octode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 1,962	Re: Hmv 1117 Type it in on Google images. They're lovely sets and I have been thinking about getting one. Next time I see one I will. Josh.

13th Apr 2006, 9:56 am	#5
Maxwell Frere Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ashford, Kent. Posts: 14	Re: Hmv 1117 Yes, I think they're real crackers Alan Lord has a write-up and picture here Last edited by Paul Stenning; 13th Apr 2006 at 2:51 pm. Reason: Fixed Link

15th Apr 2006, 2:28 pm	#7
JoshWard Octode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 1,962	Re: Hmv 1117 Bit to far for me! Still though nice condition . Josh.

19th Apr 2006, 1:31 pm	#8
radioman Heptode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ayr, Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 631	Re: Hmv 1117 Hello Maxwell, I also have one of these sets but it's in a poor condition. The biggest problem is that the previous owner has removed the main tuning capacitor and drive cord drum The drum in particular is rather unusual as it has a semi-circular slot cut in it through which I think the leads for some components go. Is there any chance that you could spare me these items from your donor set ?? Any costs gladly reimbursed. Thanks, Andy __________________ G-QRP #12697

19th Apr 2006, 5:15 pm	#9
Maxwell Frere Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ashford, Kent. Posts: 14	Re: Hmv 1117 Hello Andy, How strange! Yes, some wiring does pass through it; can't remember what. Yep yours for the cost of postage. Send me a PM to discuss, etc.