Sobell S314 Transistor Radio

[Davey33]

Sobell S314 Transistor Radio, Poor signal initially now working fine (see images).

Just waiting for a, and I quote; "Bush TR130 Radio Vintage Brown Faux Leather Not Working Properly"
Looks tidy cosmetically but lets see when it arrives.

[Paul_RK]

I hope you're aware the Bush is the repro version from about 20 years ago! People do say they're pretty good as repro sets go.

Paul

[60 oldjohn]

Welcome to the Forum, lots of clever helpful people here, me not included. Just ask.

Yes Bush set is a modern repro. You can see the speaker through the grill.

Your Sobell set uses AF117 transistors, If you are not aware Please Google Tin Whiskers. This could have been part of the trouble, also the caps would have needed a few minutes to reform if the set had not been used for years. Pleased it is working now.

I have added a couple of pictures of my sets, originals and repro.

John.

[Davey33]

Thanks Paul.

Yes done my research on the History of this model, however I could not turn it down as although advertised as spares it is cosmetically the tidiest unit on their site so had to put an offer in which was gladly accepted. Will look nice on our kitchen windowsill once repaired. Kindest Regards.

[Davey33]

Thanks John.

I managed bring the Sobell S314 back to life by reflowing the PCB and WD on the Volume control resolved the initial crackling on the Volume control. Like your collection, may be able to obtain a genuine one day.

[Paul_RK]

Good result on the S314 - I think the only Sobell I have now is an S325 from a year or two later, a recent flea market rescue, about the same size and adding a Luxembourg bandspread to the LW/MW/SW coverage.

Interesting that your model has the wavebands also named as OC/PO/GO, meaning it must at least have been intended to be marketed in France. I'm not sure I've ever seen that before on a radio that's of completely British manufacture, French-made sets were hardly ever sold here and I've imagined not very many of ours crossed the Channel either.

[60 oldjohn]

I did not rearrange the Bush shelf, If I had done you would have seen the TR130 and TR230 versions in brown, black and red also the black VHF version and the repro cow hide radio. So plenty to look out for.

John.

[Davey33]

Thanks I'll have to Google that info had no idea, the OC PO GO. My brother in law brought it for £2 from a Car Boot a couple of weeks ago and thought I would find it useful.

[Davey33]

Thanks, got my eye on a beautiful TR-230 at the moment. Brown unit too.

[Paul_RK]

Originally Posted by Davey33

Thanks I'll have to Google that info had no idea, the OC PO GO. My brother in law brought it for £2 from a Car Boot a couple of weeks ago and thought I would find it useful.

Nice bargain there, I've been to a few car boots since moving back home to Norfolk but I don't think I've seen a single radio yet of any description.

Yes, the French is Ondes Courtes for SW, then "little waves" and "big waves" - Petites Ondes and Grandes Ondes - for MW and LW. There are plenty of interesting French radios but none of them turns up very often over here.