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Old 12th Nov 2017, 8:07 pm   #1
Whatsmyusername
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Default Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

I was recently lucky enough to find a Sony TR-360 (https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sony_d...630_tr630.html) at a boot sale. It works but the problem is that the volume is very very low even when I put it on max. In a normal position e.g. a table, it's almost silent. When I stick it on my fridge the volume increases but it's still very low, it increases even more with my hand on it but it's still not that good.

I know this normally would be an antenna thing but I wasn't able to locate it on the radio. I've never owned a radio this old so perhaps it could be the different technology used. Can anyone assist me? Thank you.
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Old 12th Nov 2017, 11:46 pm   #2
Herald1360
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

The antenna is internal. In RM picture 2 it's the grey slab thing with a coil on one end. The grey bit is a ferrite (magnetic material that works at radio frequencies) and the coil is part of the tuning circuit for the set.

Check carefully that all the wires from the coil are still connected to the circuit board, and that the battery connections are clean and good.

The set could have been "got at" by the "phantom twiddler" and may need realignment or replacement parts. If this isn't a task you're happy to do, then if you really want the set to work, try asking for help here:

http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/f...play.php?f=145

Bear in mind there isn't much on medium wave these days and the set would only have been an an average sort of performer when new. (Tinny tranny was a contemporary term!).

Maybe just treat it as a display piece?
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Old 16th Nov 2017, 12:14 am   #3
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

Thanks for your reply. The 'grey slab thing' is the one on the top-right corner of the picture?

Regarding 'there isn't much on medium wave these days', I actually listen on an almost daily basis in my kitchen! (BBC 5 Live, Talksport and Sunrise to be specific). So I definitely wouldn't treat this as a display piece since I would actually use it.
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Old 16th Nov 2017, 11:18 am   #4
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

I've outlined the ferrite rod aerial in blue on the attached picture.
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Old 16th Nov 2017, 12:03 pm   #5
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

In the picture (not of your actual radio) of the ferrite aerial with the MW aerial coil around it, make sure the coil hasn't moved along the 'slab' then check to see if the tuner trimmers have been moved (the red painted screw tops in the picture on top of the tuner). The top trimmer (usually) adjusts the aerial for a good range across the band, the lower one adjusts the oscillator to put the stations on the right place on the dial. Only adjust these if they have been previously moved, as they shouldn't be moved from the factory setting.
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Old 16th Nov 2017, 1:39 pm   #6
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

Do you have the means of correcting the alignment of this radio if it were found to be incorrect?
i.e: Signal Generator and maybe a 'scope. Often the tops of the IF transformers had wax or another sealant poured on to fix the adjustment. This may not always happen.
I think it would be best to take the radio to another Forum member (if possible). These tiny radios are the devil to work on as the tracks of the printed circuit are rather delicate and components are not always so easy to get hold of to extract them.
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Old 18th Nov 2017, 4:56 pm   #7
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

I have recently repaired my TR630 (you can find my thread as Orit on Antique Radio Forums, transistor section). It was totally silent, but all it needed was new electrolytics.
Not too difficult to replace, despite the tiny board.
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Old 21st Nov 2017, 5:28 pm   #8
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

I've taken a look inside and the ferrite seems alright, as do the two screws. I played around a bit with them (with care) to see any changes but without any significant luck. But I've noticed two things:

-It seems that BBC 5 Live is significantly louder than Sunrise is (though it's still too quiet)
-With earphones, the sound is loud and hearable - wouldn't this suggest that the radio's speaker has depreciated?
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Old 21st Nov 2017, 5:52 pm   #9
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

Try connecting a known good 8 ohm speaker via the headphone jack.

I assume you've cleaned the contacts on the headphone jack? The internal speaker is connected via these.
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Old 21st Nov 2017, 6:34 pm   #10
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

May I suggest that you replace all the electrolytics .Mick
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Old 21st Nov 2017, 6:58 pm   #11
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

Yes change the electrolytics
You might get away in just changing the low value ones as they tend to go low value / open circuit
Ones to look for are the af coupling from the volume control and the agc capacitor
Both will be around 2.2uf to 20 uf
Obviously better to replace all of them
Also check the aerial trimmer cap is peaking on a local station around 1 meg
Cheers Pete
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Old 22nd Nov 2017, 11:54 am   #12
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

If the sound is loud through an earphone then it is unlikely there is anything wrong with the electrolytic capacitors, they seldom need changing in these small transistor pocket style radios, especially if from a good brand like Sony. It is more likely that the earphone socket has corrosion that needs cleaning.
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Old 29th Nov 2017, 12:01 am   #13
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

Alright thanks. I'll soon take a look inside and see if there's any corrosion, before deciding whether I need electrolytics. Also what's the safe way of removing corrosion?
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Old 29th Nov 2017, 1:43 pm   #14
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

Please try simple things first like cleaning the switch contacts of the headphone jack and trying an external speaker.
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Old 29th Nov 2017, 9:32 pm   #15
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Default Re: Got a Sony TR-630 transistor radio but volume is very low

thisismyusernam

Quote:
I'll soon take a look inside and see if there's any corrosion, before deciding whether I need electrolytics.


Electrolytics that don't leak can also be faulty and replacing all won't be expensive.
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