UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Powered By Google Custom Search Vintage Radio and TV Service Data

Go Back   UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum > General Vintage Technology > Success Stories

Notices

Success Stories If you have successfully repaired or restored a piece of equipment, why not write up what you did and post details here. Particularly if it was interesting, unusual or challenging. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE!

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 12th Dec 2015, 2:03 pm   #1
Paul Adams
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 253
Default Hacker Black Knight RP74

I purchased this FM only Transistor Portable set as a non worker, totally dead as it had water damage internally which had in time corroded the AF PCB, the IF PCB, the aerial was damaged and also the volume potentiometer & on-off switch was faulty, as well as other components within the set.

Firstly a replacement potentiometer/on-off switch was sought, (50Kohm) but wasn’t as straight forward as first thought, larger ones are available, but due to the space limitations within the set, I decided upon obtaining the replacement from a scrap Hacker Autocrat II RP73 which I had, and had been cannibalised previously for parts for other sets.

Click image for larger version

Name:	RP73 Pot.JPG
Views:	187
Size:	143.4 KB
ID:	116841

Fitting the replacement pot from the RP73 had further problems as I found to my dismay, as the shaft length was much shorter on the RP73, which meant that the knob for the volume control would not go on when the front extruded aluminium was fitted onto the RP74, faced with this conundrum, I decided to swap the internal potentiometer track and switch from the RP73, to that of the longer shafted faulty potentiometer of the RP74.

Click image for larger version

Name:	Doner Track & switch from rp73.JPG
Views:	188
Size:	150.7 KB
ID:	116842Click image for larger version

Name:	Faulty on-off Switch on rp74.JPG
Views:	180
Size:	136.9 KB
ID:	116843Click image for larger version

Name:	RP74 faulty Pot .JPG
Views:	170
Size:	138.6 KB
ID:	116844

This sounded a fairly simple task, but in fact turned out to be a right , however an hour later and several cups of tea, rewarded me with a fully functional volume/on-off switch, which was installed in the RP74.

Click image for larger version

Name:	RP74 faulty track removed & new track fitted from RP73.JPG
Views:	186
Size:	150.2 KB
ID:	116845

The badly corroded tracks on the various PCB’s were repaired and cleaned off with IPA, any faulty capacitors and other components replaced, dial cord re-stringed also the damaged aerial was replaced, this was purchased online, the ‘Hacker’ front badge was repainted, so were the small blemishes on the front tuning scale (the matt black strip where the knobs are) this was touched up using matt black alloy wheel paint using a small brush, and the sorry looking black Rexine was treated with ‘Kiwi’ shine and protect shoe polish. (the liquid one with the sponge applicator)

The only thing which I don’t have is the small aluminium cap on the AFC button, I had one somewhere but can I find it

I like repairing these transistor portables, as they are relatively easy to work on, and this one compliments my collection of Hacker Radio’s, I nearly have as many as my AVO Meter collection!

The set was well worth the effort put into it, and so another one of these fabulous Hacker sets are saved.

More Photo's of the finished radio to follow....

Paul.
Paul Adams is offline  
Old 12th Dec 2015, 2:06 pm   #2
Paul Adams
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 253
Default Re: Hacker Black Knight RP74

More Photo's of the repaired radio...

Paul.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	completed pot fitted.JPG
Views:	320
Size:	176.9 KB
ID:	116846   Click image for larger version

Name:	Completed set.JPG
Views:	321
Size:	173.2 KB
ID:	116847   Click image for larger version

Name:	damaged aerial.JPG
Views:	307
Size:	134.7 KB
ID:	116848   Click image for larger version

Name:	repainted badge.JPG
Views:	325
Size:	152.8 KB
ID:	116849  
Paul Adams is offline  
Old 12th Dec 2015, 5:57 pm   #3
Paul Adams
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 253
Default Re: Hacker Black Knight RP74

How annoying, I just found the aluminium AFC button bright, looks a lot better now, now I can say it's finished.

Click image for larger version

Name:	AFC button.JPG
Views:	327
Size:	176.6 KB
ID:	116859

Paul.
Paul Adams is offline  
Old 12th Dec 2015, 6:01 pm   #4
Nickthedentist
Dekatron
 
Nickthedentist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,820
Default Re: Hacker Black Knight RP74

Very nice, Paul.

I the similar Silver Knight and was delighted with its performance.

Annoying? Surely that's a bit of luck
Nickthedentist is offline  
Old 12th Dec 2015, 6:58 pm   #5
Paul Adams
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 253
Default Re: Hacker Black Knight RP74

It’s annoying in the fact I wasn’t looking for it, why do these things turn up when your looking for something else, now I can’t find the solder must be my age!

Paul.
Paul Adams is offline  
Old 15th Dec 2015, 10:33 am   #6
Karen O
Rest in Peace
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Bridgnorth, Shropshire, UK.
Posts: 787
Default Re: Hacker Black Knight RP74

That is a very nice radio. Good repair!

I remember overhauling my Sovereign II. There were stickers on the dial (I remember these being handed out in the 70s) and they were hard work to remove.

I have to say: I had no idea Indian Pale Ale was so good for cleaning PCBs

Merry Christmas to all.
Karen O is offline  
Old 15th Dec 2015, 7:18 pm   #7
Herald1360
Dekatron
 
Herald1360's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,527
Default Re: Hacker Black Knight RP74

Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen O View Post
I have to say: I had no idea Indian Pale Ale was so good for cleaning PCBs
It's better as a lubricant for repair technicians. A distant cousin does the PCBs
__________________
....__________
....|____||__|__\_____
.=.| _---\__|__|_---_|.
.........O..Chris....O
Herald1360 is online now  
Old 15th Dec 2015, 8:25 pm   #8
paulsherwin
Moderator
 
paulsherwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,787
Default Re: Hacker Black Knight RP74

I can vouch for that

Congratulations on this one. I particularly like these 'back from the dead' success stories.
paulsherwin is offline  
Old 16th Feb 2016, 11:29 pm   #9
Phil G4SPZ
Dekatron
 
Phil G4SPZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 4,736
Default Re: Hacker Black Knight RP74

Just seen this thread, Paul. Nicely done, particularly on the volume pot which could have been a show-stopper. Have you got a separate "Hacker Room" similar to your Avo Room?!
__________________
Phil

Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts
Phil G4SPZ is offline  
Old 21st Feb 2016, 5:46 am   #10
batterymaker1
Heptode
 
batterymaker1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Posts: 674
Default Re: Hacker Black Knight RP74

Elegant.

Bet it can rattle the windows.
__________________
Just playing with high voltage....
batterymaker1 is offline  
Old 24th Feb 2016, 8:42 pm   #11
FERNSEH
Dekatron
 
FERNSEH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 7,444
Default Re: Hacker Black Knight RP74

It certainly does. Let's just hope FM broadcasting continues.

DFWB.
FERNSEH is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 1:36 am.


All information and advice on this forum is subject to the WARNING AND DISCLAIMER located at https://www.vintage-radio.net/rules.html.
Failure to heed this warning may result in death or serious injury to yourself and/or others.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2002 - 2023, Paul Stenning.