Philips BG500A nearly working again. - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Pete_kaye · 24th Jan 2018, 4:48 pm

Latest problem. I want to know what kind of reception I should get from the internal aerial in this set. On mine it is poor; only two stations on MW, weak R4 and nil on SW. It is not described in the Trader Sheet which is for the earlier model 400A which has no internal aerial. The long wire aerial is still working well.

Also, where would the internal be connected? In the same place as the external? It came to me with the feed disconnected and rolled up out of the way. Hence my question.

crackle · 24th Jan 2018, 8:18 pm

If you are using the manufacturers 500A service information then the plate aerial is labelled on the circuit diagram as a "capacity aerial" and yes it connects to the normal aerial socket.

Mike

crackle · 24th Jan 2018, 8:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete_kaye

I used that technique to extract contents and tried leaving it in hot water for 10mins but the main part would not respond to a corkscrew well inserted in the centre .In fact the corkscrew broke off inside the goo. Still it was 60 + years inside!

Leaving it in hot water whilst cut open was probably a mistake, it would tend to soften and swell the contents of the electrolytic. A heat gun would be a better option, and as mentioned already a large and long wood screw (no. 12 x 3 inches), screwed into the centre and then pull.
Mike

Sideband · 25th Jan 2018, 9:37 am

Different people have other ideas but personally I don't like squirting switch cleaner into valve bases. A better method (I think) is to clean the valve pins with a wire brush and then spray the pins sparingly with switch cleaner. This always seems to give better results.

Those black tar capacitors are really no better than the old waxy Hunts type and will require replacement. Only a very slight leakage will upset the AGC rail.

The internal aerial is only any good for local station reception....and there are fewer of these on MW now so only the very strongest stations will be heard......basically you'll need a decent aerial. However replacement of the capacitors as mentioned above may make a vast improvement since the AGC will then work properly.

Pete_kaye · 1st Feb 2018, 5:08 pm

Strangely , set now working perfectly with excellent sound.. I found the reception on internal aerial much better than before once refitted . Not sure why. Even some SW in evenings. External AE improves everything . Only the EM34 is a disappointment, but after 65 years , I cannot complain.
Replacing the knobs was very slow as the tiny grub screws were worn.

Pete_kaye · 9th Feb 2018, 7:21 pm

Around 0600 today I was listening to what sounded like sea waves on 6035KHz (checked on a modern set). It cut out at 0627. It is listed as Radio Bhutan some 7000kms away . What was I hearing?

24th Jan 2018, 4:48 pm	#21
Pete_kaye Octode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,227	Re: Philips BG500A nearly working again. Latest problem. I want to know what kind of reception I should get from the internal aerial in this set. On mine it is poor; only two stations on MW, weak R4 and nil on SW. It is not described in the Trader Sheet which is for the earlier model 400A which has no internal aerial. The long wire aerial is still working well. Also, where would the internal be connected? In the same place as the external? It came to me with the feed disconnected and rolled up out of the way. Hence my question. Last edited by Pete_kaye; 24th Jan 2018 at 4:55 pm.

24th Jan 2018, 8:18 pm	#22
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: Philips BG500A nearly working again. If you are using the manufacturers 500A service information then the plate aerial is labelled on the circuit diagram as a "capacity aerial" and yes it connects to the normal aerial socket. Mike

25th Jan 2018, 9:37 am	#24
Sideband Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 7,577	Re: Philips BG500A nearly working again. Different people have other ideas but personally I don't like squirting switch cleaner into valve bases. A better method (I think) is to clean the valve pins with a wire brush and then spray the pins sparingly with switch cleaner. This always seems to give better results. Those black tar capacitors are really no better than the old waxy Hunts type and will require replacement. Only a very slight leakage will upset the AGC rail. The internal aerial is only any good for local station reception....and there are fewer of these on MW now so only the very strongest stations will be heard......basically you'll need a decent aerial. However replacement of the capacitors as mentioned above may make a vast improvement since the AGC will then work properly. __________________ There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman.....

1st Feb 2018, 5:08 pm	#25
Pete_kaye Octode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,227	Re: Philips BG500A nearly working again. Strangely , set now working perfectly with excellent sound.. I found the reception on internal aerial much better than before once refitted . Not sure why. Even some SW in evenings. External AE improves everything . Only the EM34 is a disappointment, but after 65 years , I cannot complain. Replacing the knobs was very slow as the tiny grub screws were worn.

9th Feb 2018, 7:21 pm	#26
Pete_kaye Octode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,227	Re: Philips BG500A nearly working again. Around 0600 today I was listening to what sounded like sea waves on 6035KHz (checked on a modern set). It cut out at 0627. It is listed as Radio Bhutan some 7000kms away . What was I hearing?