Panasonic RQ2102 mono cassette player - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Trevor Leese · 28th Feb 2020, 6:20 pm

Hi everyone, i need help with an issue, ive just aquired for free a brand new boxed Panasonic RQ2102 mono cassette and recorder. It was built some years ago but i suspect it has not worked since the day it was originally sold, upon testing the unit there appears to be no sound at all, the higher the volume is turned up the hum from the motor starts to appear, how can i restore the sound please, all suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks Trev.

DMcMahon · 29th Feb 2020, 12:22 pm

Trev,

There is no easy or magic answer to this.

First start with the basics (which you may well have done already).

1. Ensure the cassette (s) you are trying, do actually have music on, prove on another machine.

2. Ensure (may be difficult to see without dismantling the unit) that the tape is making good contact with the combined Play/Record head, also ensure head is really clean.

3. Try low impedance headphones in the J1 Monitor socket to see if any sound.

4. Try spray of switch cleaner to the Playback/Record switch, I do not know its physical location, but it will be the only electrical switch that is actuated by the Play & Record buttons.

All the active electronics are contained in one IC, so there is not a lot to go wrong, other than a bunch of passive components. If you can see the IC then ensure that the battery volts or the DC supply derived from the mains (around 6 volts) is being switched through OK by the motor switch to pin 14 of the IC, pin 11 is the 0V/battery -ve.

David

Rubberfingers · 29th Feb 2020, 1:26 pm

Also check that the wires are still attached to the record/replay head. As this moves every time the play key is pressed, it used to be quite common for one or more to break off. Likely to be quite a bit of dismantling to get to this though.

TonyDuell · 29th Feb 2020, 4:06 pm

Another 'first check' :

Check that the tape is actually moving. Are the cassette spools turning? If not you'll get no sound (of course). Check for a broken drive belt or other mechanical problems.

camtechman · 1st Mar 2020, 12:42 pm

Trevor,

You can get a full free PDF service manual from www.hifiengine.com. (but you'll have to register.)

Tony

Nickthedentist · 1st Mar 2020, 12:44 pm

David's advice re. cleaning the record/play switching is very valid on machines that have been dormant for a long time.

Trevor Leese · 11th Mar 2020, 8:04 pm

Thanks everyone for your help and advice on this one, it turns out tobe a soldered joint on the rec/playback head. Happy now. Thanks. Trevor

DMcMahon · 11th Mar 2020, 9:53 pm

Well done, thank you for the feedback.

28th Feb 2020, 6:20 pm	#1
Trevor Leese Pentode Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 141	Panasonic RQ2102 mono cassette player Hi everyone, i need help with an issue, ive just aquired for free a brand new boxed Panasonic RQ2102 mono cassette and recorder. It was built some years ago but i suspect it has not worked since the day it was originally sold, upon testing the unit there appears to be no sound at all, the higher the volume is turned up the hum from the motor starts to appear, how can i restore the sound please, all suggestions gratefully received. Thanks Trev.

29th Feb 2020, 12:22 pm	#2
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,603	Re: Panasonic RQ2102 mono cassette player Trev, There is no easy or magic answer to this. First start with the basics (which you may well have done already). 1. Ensure the cassette (s) you are trying, do actually have music on, prove on another machine. 2. Ensure (may be difficult to see without dismantling the unit) that the tape is making good contact with the combined Play/Record head, also ensure head is really clean. 3. Try low impedance headphones in the J1 Monitor socket to see if any sound. 4. Try spray of switch cleaner to the Playback/Record switch, I do not know its physical location, but it will be the only electrical switch that is actuated by the Play & Record buttons. All the active electronics are contained in one IC, so there is not a lot to go wrong, other than a bunch of passive components. If you can see the IC then ensure that the battery volts or the DC supply derived from the mains (around 6 volts) is being switched through OK by the motor switch to pin 14 of the IC, pin 11 is the 0V/battery -ve. David

29th Feb 2020, 1:26 pm	#3
Rubberfingers Pentode Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 240	Re: Panasonic RQ2102 mono cassette player Also check that the wires are still attached to the record/replay head. As this moves every time the play key is pressed, it used to be quite common for one or more to break off. Likely to be quite a bit of dismantling to get to this though.

29th Feb 2020, 4:06 pm	#4
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,208	Re: Panasonic RQ2102 mono cassette player Another 'first check' : Check that the tape is actually moving. Are the cassette spools turning? If not you'll get no sound (of course). Check for a broken drive belt or other mechanical problems.

1st Mar 2020, 12:42 pm	#5
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Panasonic RQ2102 mono cassette player Trevor, You can get a full free PDF service manual from www.hifiengine.com. (but you'll have to register.) Tony __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

1st Mar 2020, 12:44 pm	#6
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: Panasonic RQ2102 mono cassette player David's advice re. cleaning the record/play switching is very valid on machines that have been dormant for a long time.

11th Mar 2020, 8:04 pm	#7
Trevor Leese Pentode Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 141	Re: Panasonic RQ2102 mono cassette player Thanks everyone for your help and advice on this one, it turns out tobe a soldered joint on the rec/playback head. Happy now. Thanks. Trevor

11th Mar 2020, 9:53 pm	#8
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,603	Re: Panasonic RQ2102 mono cassette player Well done, thank you for the feedback.