Sony HMK-212 help in repair - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

leontiy · 28th Aug 2017, 8:41 am

Hello everyone, I'm new here, looking for help in any way in the tricky situation... Not long time ago my friend gave me a gift: Sony HMK-212. However, when I power it ON, there is several issues with it.
1. The sound from turntable is... ugly. Looks like the needle height is higher then needed (5-7mm - it's OK). I think the needle have to be replaced. The speed of the drive (it has a direct drive) is less then expected, so need adjustment.
2. The RECORD led always on, no matter what is selected: PHONO, or TAPE, or FM... Maybe that's why the tape recorder has no sound.
3. The tuner can play stations from 66 to 78MHz, however, in my case it plays up to 102,5.
My question is... can anyone help me how to fix point 2 - I cannot find any service manuals to this device, on paper or electronic form? Can also someone tell me, how to extend the FM range, so it can receive stations from 80-86 (at least) to 108FM? I can provide any photos needed. I'm attaching the photo of the front panel of my device. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. I would really want to bring this old device back to life.

Edward Huggins · 28th Aug 2017, 12:11 pm

Fixing some of these problems will not be straightforward. What kind of experience do you have in dealing with something as complex as these? These music cenres are densly packaged electronically.

peter_sol · 28th Aug 2017, 1:04 pm

The FM range on that model is for the Japanese territory.
You will not be able to alter it.

leontiy · 28th Aug 2017, 1:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Huggins

Fixing some of these problems will not be straightforward. What kind of experience do you have in dealing with something as complex as these? These music cenres are densly packaged electronically.

Yes, I understand the complexity of such repairs. I have an experience of dealing with some cassette tapes as well as with preamps and amplifiers itself. The problem is that there's no schematics. I have the necessary equipment (old analog oscill as well as the analog and digital multimeter). For now I'm trying to find service manual for something similar - HMK-119 for instance to understand the logic of electronic packing.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 28th Aug 2017, 10:06 pm

At one time a converter was available to allow Japanese market VHF radios to tune to at least the lower part of the European band from about 87 to 99Mhz. The ones I've seen were made for use with Japanese spec. Car radios, rather than domestic sets, though.

28th Aug 2017, 8:41 am	#1
leontiy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Kiev, Ukraine. Posts: 2	Sony HMK-212 help in repair Hello everyone, I'm new here, looking for help in any way in the tricky situation... Not long time ago my friend gave me a gift: Sony HMK-212. However, when I power it ON, there is several issues with it. 1. The sound from turntable is... ugly. Looks like the needle height is higher then needed (5-7mm - it's OK). I think the needle have to be replaced. The speed of the drive (it has a direct drive) is less then expected, so need adjustment. 2. The RECORD led always on, no matter what is selected: PHONO, or TAPE, or FM... Maybe that's why the tape recorder has no sound. 3. The tuner can play stations from 66 to 78MHz, however, in my case it plays up to 102,5. My question is... can anyone help me how to fix point 2 - I cannot find any service manuals to this device, on paper or electronic form? Can also someone tell me, how to extend the FM range, so it can receive stations from 80-86 (at least) to 108FM? I can provide any photos needed. I'm attaching the photo of the front panel of my device. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. I would really want to bring this old device back to life. Attached Thumbnails

28th Aug 2017, 12:11 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,335	Re: Sony HMK-212 help in repair Fixing some of these problems will not be straightforward. What kind of experience do you have in dealing with something as complex as these? These music cenres are densly packaged electronically. __________________ Edward.

28th Aug 2017, 1:04 pm	#3
peter_sol Octode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,906	Re: Sony HMK-212 help in repair The FM range on that model is for the Japanese territory. You will not be able to alter it.

28th Aug 2017, 10:06 pm	#5
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Sony HMK-212 help in repair At one time a converter was available to allow Japanese market VHF radios to tune to at least the lower part of the European band from about 87 to 99Mhz. The ones I've seen were made for use with Japanese spec. Car radios, rather than domestic sets, though.