McMichael Duplex (Battery)Transportable 1934 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Alan Jones · 1st Jul 2020, 4:18 pm

I have one of these radios, and after building a battery eliminater the set is working. However the reactive part of the receiver seems to short-out as the tuning knob is rotated. As this circuitry is enclosed in a metal can and seems to be a major job to disassemble and reassemble I am wondering if it is worth the risk of damaging the whole thing. Has anybody out there had any experience of repairing such an item? I have a copy of the "Service Engineer" supplement to "The Broadaster" for November 1934 which briefly outlines how to remove the metal container but would like some reassurance that this is a task I could accomplish. I am very much an amateur at this vintage stuff.
Thanks very much.

vinrads · 2nd Jul 2020, 10:33 pm

Any chance of a picture Alan ,It does sound like the variable capacitor is shorting in the can. Mick.

Alan Jones · 3rd Jul 2020, 4:41 pm

Hi Mick,
I will send you a picture in a few days as one of our dogs has been ill and we are dealing with him at the moment.
Thanks for your reply and will send you a pic when I can. Alan

Alan Jones · 9th Jul 2020, 8:33 pm

Hi Mick,
I have now managed to take a couple of photos but not sure if they are any help, as there is very little room around the components.
One picture shows the central tuning capacitor area, and the other shows part of the casing enclosing the reactive components.
I am also still getting used to using the camera on my phone!

Cheers
Alan

1st Jul 2020, 4:18 pm	#1
Alan Jones Triode Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: West Sussex, UK. Posts: 10	McMichael Duplex (Battery)Transportable 1934 I have one of these radios, and after building a battery eliminater the set is working. However the reactive part of the receiver seems to short-out as the tuning knob is rotated. As this circuitry is enclosed in a metal can and seems to be a major job to disassemble and reassemble I am wondering if it is worth the risk of damaging the whole thing. Has anybody out there had any experience of repairing such an item? I have a copy of the "Service Engineer" supplement to "The Broadaster" for November 1934 which briefly outlines how to remove the metal container but would like some reassurance that this is a task I could accomplish. I am very much an amateur at this vintage stuff. Thanks very much.

2nd Jul 2020, 10:33 pm	#2
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,762	Re: McMichael Duplex (Battery)Transportable 1934 Any chance of a picture Alan ,It does sound like the variable capacitor is shorting in the can. Mick.

3rd Jul 2020, 4:41 pm	#3
Alan Jones Triode Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: West Sussex, UK. Posts: 10	Re: McMichael Duplex (Battery)Transportable 1934 Hi Mick, I will send you a picture in a few days as one of our dogs has been ill and we are dealing with him at the moment. Thanks for your reply and will send you a pic when I can. Alan

9th Jul 2020, 8:33 pm	#4
Alan Jones Triode Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: West Sussex, UK. Posts: 10	Re: McMichael Duplex (Battery)Transportable 1934 Hi Mick, I have now managed to take a couple of photos but not sure if they are any help, as there is very little room around the components. One picture shows the central tuning capacitor area, and the other shows part of the casing enclosing the reactive components. I am also still getting used to using the camera on my phone! Cheers Alan Attached Thumbnails