1972 Hacker RP73 Autocrat2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

howard · 8th Oct 2007, 4:32 pm

Hello again,

Hot on the heels of John's Harrier is this RP73 Autocrat2 MW/LW set which was released around the same time as the RP71 Harrier FM set and is housed in the very same cabinet. I picked this one up at the last Harpenden meet while waiting in the queue to pay for my auction win, no-one wanted it and I got it for £4.

The cabinet on this set was unmarked, a bit grubby, its grille slighly pushed in and with very mild pitting on its handle. It was sold as non-working and when I loaded 2 batteries, sure enough it didn't, the amp was working but no signal. This Hacker model uses the TAD100 IC and it was initially suspected that it was that that had failed as the set was in such good undamaged condition both outside and in ... but it wasn't that.

Ron Bryan very kindly fixed this one ..... the fault turned out to be dry/broken PCB joints to the three switches, all were resoldered and the set then worked. It then needed realignment as it failed to pick up County Sound on 192 metres and the quiescent current was checked. I simply cleaned the swiches and the pots with Servisol 10.

Cleaning this one up was straightforward, the front grille was removed and flattened, the case cleaned with upholstery cleaner, and the handle polished with brasso. The set was reassembled and polished with Mr Sheen wax polish.

The Autocrat2 isn't one of Hackers best built models but nevertheless for a MW/LW set it works very well with excellent sensitivity and top notch AM sound quality and plays very loud, and this one is now in mint condition.

Howard

avro · 8th Oct 2007, 6:28 pm

Howard,

These are nice little sets. I wish I had brought mine out with me now that I know that BBC WS is on 1323 khz but then it would have been tempting to bring the Roberts Starry Nights! (moving limits meant most of my collection has gone into storage for 2 years)

I have ordered a Roberts RT8 from Richard at Past Times to make up for this lack of knowledge.

.

Autocrat Mk2, a good little MW/LW set and not unattractive.

GJR 11L · 8th Oct 2007, 7:18 pm

That is very nice indeed! Must do one of my RP73s soon, then I'll have the pair to display together!

howard · 9th Oct 2007, 11:09 am

Hello avro, John,

I have several of these Autocrat Mk 2 and Harrier sets both in rosewood and teak cases, they are good little radios and this is the first one that had serious problems. I was very surprised that it was on sale all day at Harpenden and nobody wanted it

Bargain basement Hacker radios these ..... at the moment....

Howard

Tim · 9th Oct 2007, 8:50 pm

Is your Autocrat still working OK Brian?

avro · 10th Oct 2007, 4:19 pm

Tim,

Almost all my radios are in storage for the next 2-3 years

while I am in Cyprus. It was working well when I last tested it.

8th Oct 2007, 4:32 pm	#1
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	1972 Hacker RP73 Autocrat2 Hello again, Hot on the heels of John's Harrier is this RP73 Autocrat2 MW/LW set which was released around the same time as the RP71 Harrier FM set and is housed in the very same cabinet. I picked this one up at the last Harpenden meet while waiting in the queue to pay for my auction win, no-one wanted it and I got it for £4. The cabinet on this set was unmarked, a bit grubby, its grille slighly pushed in and with very mild pitting on its handle. It was sold as non-working and when I loaded 2 batteries, sure enough it didn't, the amp was working but no signal. This Hacker model uses the TAD100 IC and it was initially suspected that it was that that had failed as the set was in such good undamaged condition both outside and in ... but it wasn't that. Ron Bryan very kindly fixed this one ..... the fault turned out to be dry/broken PCB joints to the three switches, all were resoldered and the set then worked. It then needed realignment as it failed to pick up County Sound on 192 metres and the quiescent current was checked. I simply cleaned the swiches and the pots with Servisol 10. Cleaning this one up was straightforward, the front grille was removed and flattened, the case cleaned with upholstery cleaner, and the handle polished with brasso. The set was reassembled and polished with Mr Sheen wax polish. The Autocrat2 isn't one of Hackers best built models but nevertheless for a MW/LW set it works very well with excellent sensitivity and top notch AM sound quality and plays very loud, and this one is now in mint condition. Howard Attached Thumbnails

8th Oct 2007, 6:28 pm	#2
avro Heptode Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Kapellen, Belgium Posts: 656	Re: 1972 Hacker RP73 Autocrat2 Howard, These are nice little sets. I wish I had brought mine out with me now that I know that BBC WS is on 1323 khz but then it would have been tempting to bring the Roberts Starry Nights! (moving limits meant most of my collection has gone into storage for 2 years) I have ordered a Roberts RT8 from Richard at Past Times to make up for this lack of knowledge. . Autocrat Mk2, a good little MW/LW set and not unattractive. __________________ Avro in Belgium __________________ BVWS member

8th Oct 2007, 7:18 pm	#3
GJR 11L Heptode Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ellington, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 815	Re: 1972 Hacker RP73 Autocrat2 That is very nice indeed! Must do one of my RP73s soon, then I'll have the pair to display together! __________________ John.

9th Oct 2007, 11:09 am	#4
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: 1972 Hacker RP73 Autocrat2 Hello avro, John, I have several of these Autocrat Mk 2 and Harrier sets both in rosewood and teak cases, they are good little radios and this is the first one that had serious problems. I was very surprised that it was on sale all day at Harpenden and nobody wanted it Bargain basement Hacker radios these ..... at the moment.... Howard

9th Oct 2007, 8:50 pm	#5
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: 1972 Hacker RP73 Autocrat2 Is your Autocrat still working OK Brian? __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

10th Oct 2007, 4:19 pm	#6
avro Heptode Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Kapellen, Belgium Posts: 656	Re: 1972 Hacker RP73 Autocrat2 Tim, Almost all my radios are in storage for the next 2-3 years while I am in Cyprus. It was working well when I last tested it. __________________ Avro in Belgium __________________ BVWS member