Acoustical FM tuner .. tuning scale repair - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

SpiggyTopes · 11th May 2016, 10:12 am

Hi All,

I have just been given this tuner which is totally unmolested internally.

The quality of the wiring is superb.

Any ideas how I can refurbish the tuning scale?

Cheers.

Edward Huggins · 11th May 2016, 11:09 am

This is a QUAD FM valve tuner. Some people have been able to re-create the tuning scale design using a graphics package and then print it out to a transperent film and then affix it. It covers the whole FM waveband. Edward

SpiggyTopes · 11th May 2016, 11:31 am

Many thanks.

Am I wasting my time to try and re do the gold?

Edward Huggins · 11th May 2016, 12:29 pm

If you want to re-do just the gold, you can get very nice gold foil card from Artist's Materials shops and this will look good. You will need to make 2 small holes with a drill to allow the centre-tuning diodes to be seen. Make these 2 holes first, then cut the card to suit. Use a stanley knife for this. Edward

SpiggyTopes · 11th May 2016, 12:31 pm

Yes, thanks.

I'll try to source some.

Leon Crampin · 11th May 2016, 12:41 pm

A paper hole punch will produce a neater result than a drill.

Leon.

SteveCG · 11th May 2016, 3:54 pm

By the way, have you actually tried using this tuner - before you get involved in the tuning scale repair?

Quite a few years ago I had an opportunity to try one (to be exact, a mono valve one) and I found the tuning just kept drifting as it warmed up - and even after it was warm. This puzzled me no end then. However looking back (and now with the benefit of this forum) I did not realise the problems that paper capacitors of the era of the tuner could give ! I would not wish you to spend a lot of time to find that the tuner had other 'issues' that could be involved to fix.

SpiggyTopes · 11th May 2016, 4:25 pm

I've sent it to Quad for service and am hopeful!

It will be part of a Quad valve family eventually.

I love the design and quality.

11th May 2016, 11:09 am	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Acoustical FM tuner .. tuning scale repair This is a QUAD FM valve tuner. Some people have been able to re-create the tuning scale design using a graphics package and then print it out to a transperent film and then affix it. It covers the whole FM waveband. Edward

11th May 2016, 11:31 am	#3
SpiggyTopes Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sintra, Portugal Posts: 50	Re: Acoustical FM tuner .. tuning scale repair Many thanks. Am I wasting my time to try and re do the gold?

11th May 2016, 12:29 pm	#4
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Acoustical FM tuner .. tuning scale repair If you want to re-do just the gold, you can get very nice gold foil card from Artist's Materials shops and this will look good. You will need to make 2 small holes with a drill to allow the centre-tuning diodes to be seen. Make these 2 holes first, then cut the card to suit. Use a stanley knife for this. Edward

11th May 2016, 12:31 pm	#5
SpiggyTopes Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sintra, Portugal Posts: 50	Re: Acoustical FM tuner .. tuning scale repair Yes, thanks. I'll try to source some.

11th May 2016, 12:41 pm	#6
Leon Crampin Octode Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,870	Re: Acoustical FM tuner .. tuning scale repair A paper hole punch will produce a neater result than a drill. Leon.

11th May 2016, 3:54 pm	#7
SteveCG Nonode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 2,495	Re: Acoustical FM tuner .. tuning scale repair By the way, have you actually tried using this tuner - before you get involved in the tuning scale repair? Quite a few years ago I had an opportunity to try one (to be exact, a mono valve one) and I found the tuning just kept drifting as it warmed up - and even after it was warm. This puzzled me no end then. However looking back (and now with the benefit of this forum) I did not realise the problems that paper capacitors of the era of the tuner could give ! I would not wish you to spend a lot of time to find that the tuner had other 'issues' that could be involved to fix.

11th May 2016, 4:25 pm	#8
SpiggyTopes Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sintra, Portugal Posts: 50	Re: Acoustical FM tuner .. tuning scale repair I've sent it to Quad for service and am hopeful! It will be part of a Quad valve family eventually. I love the design and quality.