c. 1972 Astrad Cygnus 7 transistor MW/LW pocket clock radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

howard · 30th Jan 2008, 8:32 pm

Hello again,

The Astrad Cygnus was the predecessor of the Vega Ruby, with a slightly different complement of transistors. It was built in the Leningrad Radio Devices Works, now St Petersburg, in around 1972. I have to admit that this was the simplest restoration I've done for a long time, but I still think it's still worth a mention should someone acquire one of these sets not working. It was sold to me as not working and when switched on it did nothing whatsoever. The on/off switches on USSR transistor radios are often faulty, I suspect that a lttle tarnish forms on the contacts, or a little grease inside creeps onto them, but the cure is simple, just operate the on/off switch a few times and eventually away they'll go, as did this one and it works perfectly too, even the clock/timer works. I gave the case a quick clean, job done.

It's mint this little pocket clock radio, and as usual with USSR transistor sets it's remarkably sensitive on both MW and LW and despite its tiny 2.25" loudspeaker it sounds OK, if maybe just a tad on the shrill side. It's plastic case is very flimsy so it's best kept in its excellent Russian leather case.

Howard

Steve_P · 1st Feb 2008, 4:29 pm

These lovely small Russian sets do perform very well. I've got two. One thing I would like to know is can the clocks be repaired?

Cheers,

Steve P.

Mike Phelan · 2nd Feb 2008, 1:07 pm

Sounds like a challenge, Steve.

When you're passing ...

What sort of clocks are they, and what is wrong with yours?

Maybe start a thread on it?

howard · 2nd Feb 2008, 1:27 pm

Hello Mike,

I have a couple of other Leningrad built clock radios with non-working clocks, and I've been meaning to take one out for repair. They're small watch sized clockwork 24 hour clocks with a couple of connections on the back for the timer. The problem simply is that these clocks when wound up don't work, one can shake them and they'll go for a few seconds and then stall again. If I take one out of a set and send it to you, would you check it and see if it's possible to do anything with it please ?

That is if I can get it out of the set ......

Howard

Robert Darwent · 2nd Feb 2008, 2:15 pm

Hello Howard,

A very nice little set, and most unusual to see the clock face on the front where its more common to see a circular tuning dial!

A super addition to your collection!

Mike Phelan · 3rd Feb 2008, 9:58 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by howard

If I take one out of a set and send it to you, would you check it and see if it's possible to do anything with it please ?
That is if I can get it out of the set ......

Hi Howard
Yes - certainly I can.

Your description does sound a bit like a broken balance staff, but we'll have a look at it first before casting too much gloom on it. Why not send both of them?

howard · 3rd Feb 2008, 11:08 pm

Thanks Mike,

I shall try and get them out ASAP (they're exactly the same as the clock in the Cygnus, see above pic).

We can continue this discussion here in this thread .....

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=150466

Howard

30th Jan 2008, 8:32 pm	#1
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	c. 1972 Astrad Cygnus 7 transistor MW/LW pocket clock radio Hello again, The Astrad Cygnus was the predecessor of the Vega Ruby, with a slightly different complement of transistors. It was built in the Leningrad Radio Devices Works, now St Petersburg, in around 1972. I have to admit that this was the simplest restoration I've done for a long time, but I still think it's still worth a mention should someone acquire one of these sets not working. It was sold to me as not working and when switched on it did nothing whatsoever. The on/off switches on USSR transistor radios are often faulty, I suspect that a lttle tarnish forms on the contacts, or a little grease inside creeps onto them, but the cure is simple, just operate the on/off switch a few times and eventually away they'll go, as did this one and it works perfectly too, even the clock/timer works. I gave the case a quick clean, job done. It's mint this little pocket clock radio, and as usual with USSR transistor sets it's remarkably sensitive on both MW and LW and despite its tiny 2.25" loudspeaker it sounds OK, if maybe just a tad on the shrill side. It's plastic case is very flimsy so it's best kept in its excellent Russian leather case. Howard Attached Thumbnails Last edited by howard; 30th Jan 2008 at 8:39 pm.

1st Feb 2008, 4:29 pm	#2
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,645	Re: c. 1972 Astrad Cygnus 7 transistor MW/LW pocket clock radio These lovely small Russian sets do perform very well. I've got two. One thing I would like to know is can the clocks be repaired? Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

2nd Feb 2008, 1:07 pm	#3
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: c. 1972 Astrad Cygnus 7 transistor MW/LW pocket clock radio Sounds like a challenge, Steve. When you're passing ... What sort of clocks are they, and what is wrong with yours? Maybe start a thread on it? __________________ Mike.

2nd Feb 2008, 1:27 pm	#4
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: c. 1972 Astrad Cygnus 7 transistor MW/LW pocket clock radio Hello Mike, I have a couple of other Leningrad built clock radios with non-working clocks, and I've been meaning to take one out for repair. They're small watch sized clockwork 24 hour clocks with a couple of connections on the back for the timer. The problem simply is that these clocks when wound up don't work, one can shake them and they'll go for a few seconds and then stall again. If I take one out of a set and send it to you, would you check it and see if it's possible to do anything with it please ? That is if I can get it out of the set ...... Howard

2nd Feb 2008, 2:15 pm	#5
Robert Darwent Heptode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK Posts: 990	Re: c. 1972 Astrad Cygnus 7 transistor MW/LW pocket clock radio Hello Howard, A very nice little set, and most unusual to see the clock face on the front where its more common to see a circular tuning dial! A super addition to your collection! __________________ Robert G0UHF www.wavesintheair.co.uk

3rd Feb 2008, 11:08 pm	#7
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: c. 1972 Astrad Cygnus 7 transistor MW/LW pocket clock radio Thanks Mike, I shall try and get them out ASAP (they're exactly the same as the clock in the Cygnus, see above pic). We can continue this discussion here in this thread ..... https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=150466 Howard