1958 Murphy U698 AC/DC mains MW/LW 4 valve radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

howard · 5th Dec 2011, 11:28 pm

Hello again,

This recently acquired Murphy U698 didn't need much work so a quick write up for a change. This one arrived complete and in good but grubby original condition and still working quite well and so was a doddle to overhaul.

Its dusty chassis needed a clean with white spirit, and DeoxiT was used to clean the volume pot, waveband switch, valve pins and bases. The dial cord had been replaced with a piece of string incorrectly so a new cord was fitted. Two large wax capacitors connected to the mains fuse were replaced with class X2 275vac caps and other wax, Hunts and torpedo shaped tubular caps with new vishay polyesters. Then set then worked well, although the UCL82 output valve was flashing occasionally so a new one obtianed from Mike Lewis for £2 at the BVWS event yesterday was fitted. HT and LT measured good and then RF alignment was performed and the set then worked perfectly.

The bakelite cabinet was dismantled, cleaned and then polished with Brasso followed by beeswax in turpentine polish and the set reassembled.

This is a pretty little set and it is very similar in appearance to my Murphy AM/FM U472. About 1 days work and it looks like new again, its virtually unmarked and works remarkably well.

Howard

Hybrid tellies · 6th Dec 2011, 2:18 am

Another nice restoration job Howard.

howard · 6th Dec 2011, 9:18 pm

Thanks Simon,

This was a cheap and cheerful little set in its day but it does work very well and it has an attractive cabinet. It doesn't drift during warm up either unlike some other contemporary cheap sets.

I've done some better pics of the set now, despite it being rather a gloomy day.

Howard

mark pirate · 6th Dec 2011, 11:23 pm

That looks up to your usual standard

I must admit they are attractive little sets, I have the dark green version with VHF, original and working, still on the roundtuit pile!

Mark

peter_sol · 7th Dec 2011, 12:17 pm

Hi Howard

Nice job.

Did you notice that the chassis is the same as the 198. with additional ends.

Norman Raeburn · 7th Dec 2011, 1:01 pm

Hi Howard, Another good restoration job, I don't think I have seen anything from you for a while. Is your unrestored pile much reduced? Keep up the good work. Norman

howard · 7th Dec 2011, 5:35 pm

Hello Norman,

I'm pleased with this little Murphy, it didn't take much effort to restore it either. I had a second scrap U698 on standby for spares but didn't need to break it.

No I'm still at it and I've done one or two write-ups recently but I haven't been well so there are a few sets waiting to be restored. WIP includes a Murphy AD94, a Tefag K5A, 2 x Philips 470As, a B&O Beolit 1000, another 1939 Pilot Little Maestro, a couple of Masteradio D120 Sandown Stars, a McMichael 235, a Pilot X65 and a McMichael 137 is on its way, etc. etc. etc.

Howard

5th Dec 2011, 11:28 pm	#1
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	1958 Murphy U698 AC/DC mains MW/LW 4 valve radio Hello again, This recently acquired Murphy U698 didn't need much work so a quick write up for a change. This one arrived complete and in good but grubby original condition and still working quite well and so was a doddle to overhaul. Its dusty chassis needed a clean with white spirit, and DeoxiT was used to clean the volume pot, waveband switch, valve pins and bases. The dial cord had been replaced with a piece of string incorrectly so a new cord was fitted. Two large wax capacitors connected to the mains fuse were replaced with class X2 275vac caps and other wax, Hunts and torpedo shaped tubular caps with new vishay polyesters. Then set then worked well, although the UCL82 output valve was flashing occasionally so a new one obtianed from Mike Lewis for £2 at the BVWS event yesterday was fitted. HT and LT measured good and then RF alignment was performed and the set then worked perfectly. The bakelite cabinet was dismantled, cleaned and then polished with Brasso followed by beeswax in turpentine polish and the set reassembled. This is a pretty little set and it is very similar in appearance to my Murphy AM/FM U472. About 1 days work and it looks like new again, its virtually unmarked and works remarkably well. Howard Attached Thumbnails

6th Dec 2011, 2:18 am	#2
Hybrid tellies Nonode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: 1966-1976 Coverack in Cornwall and Helston Cornwall. 1976-present Bristol/Bath area. Posts: 2,965	Re: 1958 Murphy U698 AC/DC mains MW/LW 4 valve radio Another nice restoration job Howard. __________________ Simon BVWS member

6th Dec 2011, 9:18 pm	#3
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: 1958 Murphy U698 AC/DC mains MW/LW 4 valve radio Thanks Simon, This was a cheap and cheerful little set in its day but it does work very well and it has an attractive cabinet. It doesn't drift during warm up either unlike some other contemporary cheap sets. I've done some better pics of the set now, despite it being rather a gloomy day. Howard Attached Thumbnails

6th Dec 2011, 11:23 pm	#4
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: 1958 Murphy U698 AC/DC mains MW/LW 4 valve radio That looks up to your usual standard I must admit they are attractive little sets, I have the dark green version with VHF, original and working, still on the roundtuit pile! Mark

7th Dec 2011, 12:17 pm	#5
peter_sol Octode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,906	Re: 1958 Murphy U698 AC/DC mains MW/LW 4 valve radio Hi Howard Nice job. Did you notice that the chassis is the same as the 198. with additional ends.

7th Dec 2011, 1:01 pm	#6
Norman Raeburn Heptode Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Leven, Fife, Scotland Posts: 823	Re: 1958 Murphy U698 AC/DC mains MW/LW 4 valve radio Hi Howard, Another good restoration job, I don't think I have seen anything from you for a while. Is your unrestored pile much reduced? Keep up the good work. Norman

7th Dec 2011, 5:35 pm	#7
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: 1958 Murphy U698 AC/DC mains MW/LW 4 valve radio Hello Norman, I'm pleased with this little Murphy, it didn't take much effort to restore it either. I had a second scrap U698 on standby for spares but didn't need to break it. No I'm still at it and I've done one or two write-ups recently but I haven't been well so there are a few sets waiting to be restored. WIP includes a Murphy AD94, a Tefag K5A, 2 x Philips 470As, a B&O Beolit 1000, another 1939 Pilot Little Maestro, a couple of Masteradio D120 Sandown Stars, a McMichael 235, a Pilot X65 and a McMichael 137 is on its way, etc. etc. etc. Howard