HMV 494 vintage wireless - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

stevenmair · 18th Jun 2019, 11:13 pm

Hi thanks for allowing me to join the forum. I have my first valve radio A HMV 494, being totally inexperienced, I am looking for an instruction /operators book if there were any available. My first question is where to plug in the aerial and is there a standard size jack plug type available ?

Graham G3ZVT · 19th Jun 2019, 12:22 am

Looking at the rear, the aerial will be the top one of the pair of sockets on the left.
The type of plug I imagine is a "Wander plug" which is little more than a split-pin

Has this set been bought as a restored working item?
If not there are some important checks you really need to carry out before applying power.

Have you found the service manual yet? Trader sheet 605 covers various various Marconiphone and HMV models including 495, 494 & 559

PJL · 20th Jun 2019, 2:21 pm

This set is 82 years old and will need servicing before it is switched on. Already said by Graham but you would get the same message from all members here!

crackle · 20th Jun 2019, 3:55 pm

See this thread here, https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=119671 or you can just bare the wire back, fold over a few times and bend back over the insulation then poke in the hole so it is a nice snug fit.
But as already said DONT put any power into this radio until it has been serviced by an experienced person.

Mike

dave walsh · 20th Jun 2019, 9:57 pm

Welcome to the Forum Steve. This is a relatively superior set of it's type. Did you buy it simply expecting it to work or is it supposed to be serviced? If so you should have been told how to switch on and tune in. This is usually simple but not if you don't know anything. Most radios would have had a user leaflet when sold but a manual wasn't required and these original instructions aren't usually around anyway. Tell us more and what you are aiming to do? The priority is to have it safe and working before adding an external aerial. If you have applied power and not had much joy don't do it again [as advised already] or make assumptions [eg "all it needs is aerial"] without further info from members who may have worked on one. Put your Model Number into "search this site" in the panel at the top and you will find a number of threads of interest even if you don't understand things at first. There is also a very helpful section [written by the site owner] available re how to find and restore a radio set, explaining the whole thing very well. I hope this helps you!

Dave W

TrevorG3VLF · 20th Jun 2019, 10:49 pm

Aerial Connector.
Find a split pin of the correct diameter and solder the aerial wire to the loop. Shorten the pin if you like.
This will make a much more reliable connection than stuffing the wire in the hole even with the addition of a match stick.

dave walsh · 21st Jun 2019, 12:44 am

He said he was "totally inexperienced" Trevor

Dave W

18th Jun 2019, 11:13 pm	#1
stevenmair Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Posts: 1	HMV 494 vintage wireless Hi thanks for allowing me to join the forum. I have my first valve radio A HMV 494, being totally inexperienced, I am looking for an instruction /operators book if there were any available. My first question is where to plug in the aerial and is there a standard size jack plug type available ?

19th Jun 2019, 12:22 am	#2
Graham G3ZVT Dekatron Join Date: May 2010 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 18,711	Re: HMV 494 vintage wireless Looking at the rear, the aerial will be the top one of the pair of sockets on the left. The type of plug I imagine is a "Wander plug" which is little more than a split-pin Has this set been bought as a restored working item? If not there are some important checks you really need to carry out before applying power. Have you found the service manual yet? Trader sheet 605 covers various various Marconiphone and HMV models including 495, 494 & 559 __________________ -- Graham. G3ZVT Last edited by Graham G3ZVT; 19th Jun 2019 at 12:30 am.

20th Jun 2019, 2:21 pm	#3
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: HMV 494 vintage wireless This set is 82 years old and will need servicing before it is switched on. Already said by Graham but you would get the same message from all members here!

20th Jun 2019, 3:55 pm	#4
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: HMV 494 vintage wireless See this thread here, https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=119671 or you can just bare the wire back, fold over a few times and bend back over the insulation then poke in the hole so it is a nice snug fit. But as already said DONT put any power into this radio until it has been serviced by an experienced person. Mike

20th Jun 2019, 9:57 pm	#5
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: HMV 494 vintage wireless Welcome to the Forum Steve. This is a relatively superior set of it's type. Did you buy it simply expecting it to work or is it supposed to be serviced? If so you should have been told how to switch on and tune in. This is usually simple but not if you don't know anything. Most radios would have had a user leaflet when sold but a manual wasn't required and these original instructions aren't usually around anyway. Tell us more and what you are aiming to do? The priority is to have it safe and working before adding an external aerial. If you have applied power and not had much joy don't do it again [as advised already] or make assumptions [eg "all it needs is aerial"] without further info from members who may have worked on one. Put your Model Number into "search this site" in the panel at the top and you will find a number of threads of interest even if you don't understand things at first. There is also a very helpful section [written by the site owner] available re how to find and restore a radio set, explaining the whole thing very well. I hope this helps you! Dave W

20th Jun 2019, 10:49 pm	#6
TrevorG3VLF Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Matlock, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 1,378	Re: HMV 494 vintage wireless Aerial Connector. Find a split pin of the correct diameter and solder the aerial wire to the loop. Shorten the pin if you like. This will make a much more reliable connection than stuffing the wire in the hole even with the addition of a match stick.

21st Jun 2019, 12:44 am	#7
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: HMV 494 vintage wireless He said he was "totally inexperienced" Trevor Dave W