Bench testing the radio

[Linda]

What are the steps to set up a bench test of the radio? Is there supposed to be a ground wire? Can an antenna off the car be used or does the antenna need to be mounted to the car?
Thx
Linda

[Solex68]

Pretty sure the antenna does not need to be attached to the car.
Ground the radio chassis to the negative of your 12v power source.

[MattC]

Yep...agreed. Negative side of your power supply/battery can attach to any part of the metal case. Antenna should work fairly adequately outside the car.

[vorpal]

just did this on the weekend...

+ 12V to radio power, I backed out a case screw from the back of the radio chassis and attached the -12V ground wire and snugged it back up.

Had an old speaker on the shelf, connected up the leads... neg was to the smaller connector on my speaker, although it won't damage anything if it's hooked backwards.

for antenna, any old piece of scrap wire will work, longer the better... bare one end, gently slide it into the center of the antenna connector and tape it in place, position the rest of the wire to 'tune in' radio frequencies to test.

[Linda]

Here is the back and front. Can I add a ground wire to one of the threaded holes that are empty on the case? Then that wire goes the neg battery terminal? Then a positive wire from battery + to blue wire shown?
What wire guage, 10, 12?
This radio would power on but it was static, so I want to see if anything is different while I have it off the car.

C2E7AA6C-7323-4DDB-87CD-F149A4301B2C.jpeg

E9E771D8-0F3C-47DC-A2F0-06CE426C26EB.jpeg

Thx
Linda

[jhayden]

Linda,
Static? Please remove the radio and take off the housing cover. Spray all the controls/switches with this:
https://www.amazon.com/CAIG-DeOxit-Clea ... B07YZPB8RV
Yeah, it's expensive, and worth every penny whether treating an old AM radio or a Nakamichi Dragon.
Jon

[MattC]

Yes, those threaded holes will work fine.

[Linda]

Using this, Jon. I did spray the radio front shafts but hesitated to extract the radio itself. Will test to see if there is static.
DeOxit spray

19D0E6F3-AD98-4896-9FC6-7DB1B8DBDC1C.jpeg

Will set up the test and see how it goes and report back. Hope it works.

Linda

[vorpal]

Linda,

is your static sound the consistent hum of an untuned radio frequency or the temporary crackle as you turn the volume and tuner knobs? Did you try making a wire antenna to tune in the radio?

[Solex68]

Using this, Jon. I did spray the radio front shafts but hesitated to extract the radio itself.
Linda

Linda, not sure why you would be hesitant to remove the radio. It's sure easy. a nice deep 6 pint socket will fit the nuts that hold the radio in place behind the tune/volume knobs. At that time you could spray and clean where the radio connects to the console and that will help getting a good ground as well. s
I wouldn't have high expectations of getting a great sound experience but what do I know. I am sure it will be much better when you are done.
Greg
P.S. Good luck and it looks like you are doing a great job cleaning up those electrical connections in the console.

[Linda]

Mission creep. OK, got the radio out, easy. Now what?
Should I spray contact cleaner anywhere else besides the knob dials? It looks pretty clean in there and did not see anything loose or burned.

96DD4752-E4CE-41D4-A220-44432C79C05C.jpeg

Linda

[redroadster]

Stick a 8 ? Ohm speaker to it. or weaker ohm
You get no station feed ?
Multimeter time , continueity test. Ohms test
Be great to have specs but good luck finding any
Check the antena contacts to the reciever , the amp

That purple coil on the R side of photo is power supply I'd bet. Or a filter , what volts are coming out of it
Its going to be $$ and hard to find electrical components for it unless used , by the looks of it
Ya! I have a sony 60 cd changer only says power protect
I may send you if you score with yours

[bossbob]

When your done, I'm going to send you mine. I was working on it earlier in the week, that's why I had it out and was able to send you the pictures. I haven't been able to power it up yet either.

[Solex68]

Mission creep. OK, got the radio out, easy. Now what?
Should I spray contact cleaner anywhere else besides the knob dials? It looks pretty clean in there and did not see anything loose or burned.
Linda

Take a picture of the backside. Showing the electronics and post it.
Greg

[Linda]

Irrationally, I am rehabbing everything before I have even tested the radio. Ha,ha
Following Vorpal’s instructions, a little cleanup and paint:

1675D557-2E5C-40A2-B384-423141F66499.jpeg

Linda