Hello. Help with resto of Roberts R606MB - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

jhockridge · 1st Jul 2019, 5:31 pm

Hello. I am new here and after some advice on the restoration of a roberts A606M. All seems to work ok on inspection but it is lacking the FM aerial which I hope to replace with that of another similar roberts radio purchased for spares.

I would like to know if anyone can recommend a product or technique for cleaning the leather type covering.

I would also like to know if anyone has had success integrating a simple Aux input into the circuit. I have watched a lot of tutorials of adding one to a more recent radio with an audio controller chip but none for a simple radio.

Finally, could anyone shed some light on the function of the AFC button?

Thanks a lot for any help offered.

James

paulsherwin · 1st Jul 2019, 5:36 pm

Do you mean a Roberts R606MB?

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/robert...mbr_606_m.html

Viscount · 1st Jul 2019, 5:47 pm

i have an aeriel for the 606mb if you want it pm me with you details and i will send it

WaveyDipole · 1st Jul 2019, 6:11 pm

AFC = Automatic Frequency Control. After tuning an FM station, engaging AFC is meant to prevent the tuner from drifting off frequency so that the station remains ‘locked in’ and tuned.

G6Tanuki · 1st Jul 2019, 6:15 pm

The "AFC" button on some Roberts radios works in a non-intuitive way; you tune the radio with the button DOWN (so deactivating the AFC) then when you've found the best reception you press the button - which pops UP - to enable the AFC.

This eccentric piece of user-interface design has caught me out on occasions.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 1st Jul 2019, 6:40 pm

Adding an 'aux-in' to a radio such as the R606MB, which has a conventional rotary volume control, is quite straightforward. Basically the connection between the detector output and the volume control is cut and an input added (via a 'radio/aux' switch) at this point. There is a 'sticky' thread at the head of this section, which explains the procedure in detail. Although the thread is headed 'Adding an 'aux-in' to Car Radios, it applies equally to portables.

jhockridge · 1st Jul 2019, 8:02 pm

Thank you for all the replies so far. I do mean the R606MB so sorry for the confusion there. Thanks for the explanation of how the AFC button works. I will check out the sticky thread for the Aux in connection and let you know how I get on. So far I am really impressed with the quality of the little thing compared to some of the modern radios I have used. I will just email Viscount and take him up on the kind offer of the aerial.

1st Jul 2019, 5:31 pm	#1
jhockridge Triode Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Harwich, Essex, UK. Posts: 39	Hello. Help with resto of Roberts R606MB Hello. I am new here and after some advice on the restoration of a roberts A606M. All seems to work ok on inspection but it is lacking the FM aerial which I hope to replace with that of another similar roberts radio purchased for spares. I would like to know if anyone can recommend a product or technique for cleaning the leather type covering. I would also like to know if anyone has had success integrating a simple Aux input into the circuit. I have watched a lot of tutorials of adding one to a more recent radio with an audio controller chip but none for a simple radio. Finally, could anyone shed some light on the function of the AFC button? Thanks a lot for any help offered. James

1st Jul 2019, 5:36 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: Hello. Help with resto of Roberts A606M Do you mean a Roberts R606MB? https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/robert...mbr_606_m.html

1st Jul 2019, 5:47 pm	#3
Viscount Heptode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Folkestone, Kent, UK. Posts: 711	Re: Hello. Help with resto of Roberts A606M i have an aeriel for the 606mb if you want it pm me with you details and i will send it

1st Jul 2019, 6:11 pm	#4
WaveyDipole Nonode Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Leicester, UK Posts: 2,535	Re: Hello. Help with resto of Roberts A606M AFC = Automatic Frequency Control. After tuning an FM station, engaging AFC is meant to prevent the tuner from drifting off frequency so that the station remains ‘locked in’ and tuned.

1st Jul 2019, 6:15 pm	#5
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 14,007	Re: Hello. Help with resto of Roberts A606M The "AFC" button on some Roberts radios works in a non-intuitive way; you tune the radio with the button DOWN (so deactivating the AFC) then when you've found the best reception you press the button - which pops UP - to enable the AFC. This eccentric piece of user-interface design has caught me out on occasions.

1st Jul 2019, 6:40 pm	#6
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Hello. Help with resto of Roberts A606M Adding an 'aux-in' to a radio such as the R606MB, which has a conventional rotary volume control, is quite straightforward. Basically the connection between the detector output and the volume control is cut and an input added (via a 'radio/aux' switch) at this point. There is a 'sticky' thread at the head of this section, which explains the procedure in detail. Although the thread is headed 'Adding an 'aux-in' to Car Radios, it applies equally to portables.

1st Jul 2019, 8:02 pm	#7
jhockridge Triode Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Harwich, Essex, UK. Posts: 39	Re: Hello. Help with resto of Roberts R606MB Thank you for all the replies so far. I do mean the R606MB so sorry for the confusion there. Thanks for the explanation of how the AFC button works. I will check out the sticky thread for the Aux in connection and let you know how I get on. So far I am really impressed with the quality of the little thing compared to some of the modern radios I have used. I will just email Viscount and take him up on the kind offer of the aerial.