Philips radio ID? Philips 170A - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Pilot Mariner · 13th Jun 2018, 8:53 pm

A mate of mine has found this old Philips radio in the loft of an old house he is working on. Can anyone ID it, save me from trawling through radiomuseum etc

Cobaltblue · 13th Jun 2018, 9:03 pm

Philips 170A?

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/philip...5_170_a15.html

Nice set

Cheers

Mike T

peter_scott · 13th Jun 2018, 9:05 pm

I think it's a 170A.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/philip...5_170_a15.html

Peter

SNAP!

Pilot Mariner · 13th Jun 2018, 9:06 pm

Many thanks, sadly its missing the back, but otherwise complete.
Wonder how long it had been in the loft patiently waiting to be discovered

Mark

Edward Huggins · 14th Jun 2018, 10:11 am

One of the best sounding AM radios ever made and with an excellent specification. Not the easiest to repair though.

MurphyNut · 14th Jun 2018, 12:05 pm

Very nice set, obviously it will need looking at before it's powered up but these Phillip sets seem to stand the test of time more than most, I think they must have used good quality components.

Philips210 · 14th Jun 2018, 12:27 pm

Hi

They're a very nice set. Mine is in the loft awaiting service. I have the back cover which I can take a few photos/measurements if required.
From memory, I believe the mains plug/socket arrangement is associated with the back cover so if the cover's missing then you'll also need to find the socket to fit the chassis mounted plug.

Regards
Symon.

Pilot Mariner · 14th Jun 2018, 3:03 pm

That would be good Symon if you can take a photo of the back when you get chance, then maybe I could fabricate one. There's a bundle of wires hanging out from the back which looks mains associated.

Mark

Sideband · 14th Jun 2018, 3:12 pm

These sets have an RF amplifier (EF39) and will pull in stations where others fail. Excellent results across all wavebands.

Leon Crampin · 14th Jun 2018, 4:13 pm

The big weakness with this set is an open circuit output transformer primary. There's a simple work around using a standard transformer and the remaining sections of the original - report back for more details if needed.

Leon.

Studio263 · 14th Jun 2018, 5:38 pm

This was their first post-war set in the UK. The odd valve line up is partly to do with the non-availability of double diode triodes at the time (this type was not made for services use), hence the RF stage to make up the gain.

Not a hard set to get working, but lots of gain before the detector makes for touchy stability if anything is amiss. In particular, the metallised paint on the EF39s has to be in first class condition and properly bonded to the relevant pin or the whole thing just oscillates at its IF frequency and you get -20V (or more) of AGC bias, meaning that sensitivity effectively drops to zero. I fixed the last one by wrapping the EF39s in cooking foil with a loop of wire wrapped around between the 'hip' of the glass and the plastic base. This was then soldered externally to the pin on the base. It worked a treat, but I'm sure there are more elegant ways of doing it...

neutronic · 14th Jun 2018, 8:30 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Studio263

In particular, the metallised paint on the EF39s has to be in first class condition and properly bonded to the relevant pin or the whole thing just oscillates at its IF frequency and you get -20V (or more) of AGC bias, meaning that sensitivity effectively drops to zero. I fixed the last one by wrapping the EF39s in cooking foil with a loop of wire wrapped around between the 'hip' of the glass and the plastic base. This was then soldered externally to the pin on the base. It worked a treat, but I'm sure there are more elegant ways of doing it...

Maybe the solution at the end of this link can give some help:
http://www.glowbug.nl/radio/170A.html
Jard N.

Philips210 · 14th Jun 2018, 8:55 pm

Hi.

I've just taken a few pics of the back cover and chassis mains plug. My set is not in the best of condition and the cover shows signs of water damage plus it's heavily nicotine tar stained unfortunately. The cover is also a little warped but hopefully the pics will give you the scheme of things. When you're ready to make your cover I'll provide some dimensions. Something that could be done I suppose is to take it to the college print facility and get them to scan it on their A3 scanner. Else I could scan it in sections on my A4 scanner with reference markers so the combined images can be stitched together.

Note also there's a reinforcing angled plate at the top of the inside of the cover and there's a foil screening plate with a wire riveted to this.
The mains input socket, which is fixed to the cover, appears to be identical to the type fitted to the continental Philips V6U. The pics to appear over three posts. Hope this helps.

Regards,
Symon.

Philips210 · 14th Jun 2018, 8:59 pm

Five more pics of the 170A cover.

Symon.

Philips210 · 14th Jun 2018, 9:03 pm

...and the last five pics.

Regards
Symon

Pilot Mariner · 15th Jun 2018, 10:41 am

Thankyou very much for the pictures Symon and offering to scan it, sections would probably be OK but it looks quite a complex back. but a really nice looking set. I'm itching to start work on it to the extent of letting it jump the queue of many other sets still waiting restoration.

Mark

Philips210 · 15th Jun 2018, 8:03 pm

Hi Mark.

PM sent re back cover scans.

Regards,
Symon

13th Jun 2018, 8:53 pm	#1
Pilot Mariner Hexode Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Burntwood, Staffordshire, UK or Kabaty in Warsaw Poland. Posts: 438	Philips radio ID? Philips 170A A mate of mine has found this old Philips radio in the loft of an old house he is working on. Can anyone ID it, save me from trawling through radiomuseum etc Attached Thumbnails

13th Jun 2018, 9:03 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,857	Re: Philips radio ID? Philips 170A? https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/philip...5_170_a15.html Nice set Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

13th Jun 2018, 9:05 pm	#3
peter_scott Dekatron Join Date: May 2003 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 3,274	Re: Philips radio ID? I think it's a 170A. https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/philip...5_170_a15.html Peter SNAP! __________________ http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk https://www.youtube.com/c/PeterScott/videos

13th Jun 2018, 9:06 pm	#4
Pilot Mariner Hexode Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Burntwood, Staffordshire, UK or Kabaty in Warsaw Poland. Posts: 438	Re: Philips radio ID? Many thanks, sadly its missing the back, but otherwise complete. Wonder how long it had been in the loft patiently waiting to be discovered Mark Last edited by Pilot Mariner; 13th Jun 2018 at 9:12 pm.

14th Jun 2018, 10:11 am	#5
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,326	Re: Philips radio ID? One of the best sounding AM radios ever made and with an excellent specification. Not the easiest to repair though. __________________ Edward.

14th Jun 2018, 12:05 pm	#6
MurphyNut Heptode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 979	Re: Philips radio ID? Very nice set, obviously it will need looking at before it's powered up but these Phillip sets seem to stand the test of time more than most, I think they must have used good quality components. __________________ Clive

14th Jun 2018, 12:27 pm	#7
Philips210 Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,573	Re: Philips radio ID? Philips 170A Hi They're a very nice set. Mine is in the loft awaiting service. I have the back cover which I can take a few photos/measurements if required. From memory, I believe the mains plug/socket arrangement is associated with the back cover so if the cover's missing then you'll also need to find the socket to fit the chassis mounted plug. Regards Symon.

14th Jun 2018, 3:03 pm	#8
Pilot Mariner Hexode Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Burntwood, Staffordshire, UK or Kabaty in Warsaw Poland. Posts: 438	Re: Philips radio ID? Philips 170A That would be good Symon if you can take a photo of the back when you get chance, then maybe I could fabricate one. There's a bundle of wires hanging out from the back which looks mains associated. Mark

14th Jun 2018, 3:12 pm	#9
Sideband Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 7,566	Re: Philips radio ID? Philips 170A These sets have an RF amplifier (EF39) and will pull in stations where others fail. Excellent results across all wavebands. __________________ There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman.....

14th Jun 2018, 4:13 pm	#10
Leon Crampin Octode Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,870	Re: Philips radio ID? Philips 170A The big weakness with this set is an open circuit output transformer primary. There's a simple work around using a standard transformer and the remaining sections of the original - report back for more details if needed. Leon.

14th Jun 2018, 5:38 pm	#11
Studio263 Octode Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,575	Re: Philips radio ID? Philips 170A This was their first post-war set in the UK. The odd valve line up is partly to do with the non-availability of double diode triodes at the time (this type was not made for services use), hence the RF stage to make up the gain. Not a hard set to get working, but lots of gain before the detector makes for touchy stability if anything is amiss. In particular, the metallised paint on the EF39s has to be in first class condition and properly bonded to the relevant pin or the whole thing just oscillates at its IF frequency and you get -20V (or more) of AGC bias, meaning that sensitivity effectively drops to zero. I fixed the last one by wrapping the EF39s in cooking foil with a loop of wire wrapped around between the 'hip' of the glass and the plastic base. This was then soldered externally to the pin on the base. It worked a treat, but I'm sure there are more elegant ways of doing it...

14th Jun 2018, 8:55 pm	#13
Philips210 Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,573	Re: Philips radio ID? Philips 170A Hi. I've just taken a few pics of the back cover and chassis mains plug. My set is not in the best of condition and the cover shows signs of water damage plus it's heavily nicotine tar stained unfortunately. The cover is also a little warped but hopefully the pics will give you the scheme of things. When you're ready to make your cover I'll provide some dimensions. Something that could be done I suppose is to take it to the college print facility and get them to scan it on their A3 scanner. Else I could scan it in sections on my A4 scanner with reference markers so the combined images can be stitched together. Note also there's a reinforcing angled plate at the top of the inside of the cover and there's a foil screening plate with a wire riveted to this. The mains input socket, which is fixed to the cover, appears to be identical to the type fitted to the continental Philips V6U. The pics to appear over three posts. Hope this helps. Regards, Symon. Attached Thumbnails

14th Jun 2018, 8:59 pm	#14
Philips210 Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,573	Re: Philips radio ID? Philips 170A Five more pics of the 170A cover. Symon. Attached Thumbnails

14th Jun 2018, 9:03 pm	#15
Philips210 Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,573	Re: Philips radio ID? Philips 170A ...and the last five pics. Regards Symon Attached Thumbnails

15th Jun 2018, 10:41 am	#16
Pilot Mariner Hexode Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Burntwood, Staffordshire, UK or Kabaty in Warsaw Poland. Posts: 438	Re: Philips radio ID? Philips 170A Thankyou very much for the pictures Symon and offering to scan it, sections would probably be OK but it looks quite a complex back. but a really nice looking set. I'm itching to start work on it to the extent of letting it jump the queue of many other sets still waiting restoration. Mark

15th Jun 2018, 8:03 pm	#17
Philips210 Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,573	Re: Philips radio ID? Philips 170A Hi Mark. PM sent re back cover scans. Regards, Symon