Radio repair shops you had good dealings with?

[R413]

Where had you sent a factory radio for service/repair that you had a good experience with? I'm talking repairing to stock, not any Bluetooth or that modern stuff.
Specifically 1967 stock am/fm and 68-70 8 track?

Sure miss Wards radio service. We were lucky to have them.

 

[Floyd]

I used JV Restorations in CA for a 70 AM radio and some dash speaker re-cones. Really pleased with his work.

jvrestorations car radio repair 8 track speaker multiplex restoration

 

[R413]

LOL that's the place that can't help me out.

A nice guy to talk to.
Reconing a speaker went fine.

 

[Biopack]

Retro Radio Restoration. They are usually at Carlisle. I can PM you the business card if needed.

 

[70gtx440dana]

Feel free to message me..I can assist with your stock radio repair needs. Joe

 

[bennysmopar]

R413,
Trying to send you a PM in the conversation we've been having it says PM is full.
Benny

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Sure miss Wards radio service. We were lucky to have them.

COMPLETELY AGREE with this statement; Wards did 3 radios for me over the years. Excellent results, very pleased and all radio's are still working flawlessly.

 

[hdwrench]

Retro Radio Restoration. They are usually at Carlisle. I can PM you the business card if needed.

have you used there services? any pros or cons?

 

[RJRENTON]

Once I determine the radio's model number/part number, thru on line radio service information sources (sometimes free or at a nominal download charge, via a PDF file) in the form of a schematic diagram. Print the PDF file. I personally have a RF signal generator, that can introduce aa RF signal (either AM or FM) modulated or not, into to the radio, to simulate a broadcast station or just the carrier wave and thru the use of my signal tracer and oscilloscope trace the injected RF signal BACKWARDS from the output (speaker connections) thru the various amplifier stages, thru the detector circuit, thru the tuned Intermediate Amplifier stages (IF), local oscillator & RF amplifier stages (dial tuning stages) thru and including the injected signal......nothing to it.....just like reading (and understanding) a road map, to locate and replace the defective component....transistor or resistor or capacitor. I can fix both AM and FM radios but not Stereo FM, as I do not have the FM stereo frequency generator accessory. Howard W. Sam's is a great source for service info and their service information shows pictorial views of the radio's components to help ID the various parts and their location. Sam's information shows part numbers, values, alternate values and how to align and reset all tuning/tuned stages. Power the removed radio with a good battery charger that can supply either 6 volts or 12 volts. .......just like installing a new cam....no big deal......just my option......
BOB RENTON

 

[Biopack]

have you used there services? any pros or cons?

Hi. Yes, had mine restored by this company.

Pros are the ability to have original controls all work even if you do a full internal upgrade. Gears and all original components overhauled. Can keep stock internal or modernize (e.g. Bluetooth, usb). Warranty is included.

Cons is they are on a long back order. Mine took around eight months. Not sure what current time frame is for process.

Summary - I will definitely use them again. If you want modern radio, than the price is a bit higher compared to buying a new retro look modern radio, but I wanted to keep my original one.

 

[JimKueneman]

@Billccm can fix it.

 

[Billccm]

Knowing that AM radio is going away in the near future I don't recommend repairing. Conversions are the smart thing to do. I've experimented with using Chinesium Dual radio chassis that Walmart sells for $29, but I can't really get a good fit for the display.

Digikey has a few modules that work really well being coupled to the original amplifier in the radio, but the user interface is just not good enough for me to invest in and resell.

The radio conversion business is sort of protected like a teamsters union. You have to invest in a large parts inventory and not everyone is allowed into the business unless you price fix. I decided to stay away.

Having said that most of the conversions I have seen are well executed and I like the way they work. It's better money spent on conversions than retro sounds which has quality issues in many radios.

Finally my plug to keep AM on the air. When the Maui fires happened the local government only gave updates on their website. Problem was cellular towers and Internet were completely down. The local AM radio station was the only reliable communication with the public during that disaster.

We will regret the end of AM radio someday.

 

[Some Car Guy]

Once I determine the radio's model number/part number, thru on line radio service information sources (sometimes free or at a nominal download charge, via a PDF file) in the form of a schematic diagram. Print the PDF file. I personally have a RF signal generator, that can introduce aa RF signal (either AM or FM) modulated or not, into to the radio, to simulate a broadcast station or just the carrier wave and thru the use of my signal tracer and oscilloscope trace the injected RF signal BACKWARDS from the output (speaker connections) thru the various amplifier stages, thru the detector circuit, thru the tuned Intermediate Amplifier stages (IF), local oscillator & RF amplifier stages (dial tuning stages) thru and including the injected signal......nothing to it.....just like reading (and understanding) a road map, to locate and replace the defective component....transistor or resistor or capacitor. I can fix both AM and FM radios but not Stereo FM, as I do not have the FM stereo frequency generator accessory. Howard W. Sam's is a great source for service info and their service information shows pictorial views of the radio's components to help ID the various parts and their location. Sam's information shows part numbers, values, alternate values and how to align and reset all tuning/tuned stages. Power the removed radio with a good battery charger that can supply either 6 volts or 12 volts. .......just like installing a new cam....no big deal......just my option......
BOB RENTON

That sounds like an interesting piece of equipment. Except they range from hundreds into the thousands.

 

[RJRENTON]

That sounds like an interesting piece of equipment. Except they range from hundreds into the thousands.

NOT TRUE....an RF signal generator and a separate Signal Tracer can be found on line as used electronic test equipment. Good brand name are: Heathkit or EICO, or Sencore or etc along with their user manuals and probes at very reasonable prices. I've accumulate my stuff over the years...easy to use and understand.....get the schematic diagram based on model number for the radio being analyzed....very simple and rewarding plus $$$ saving.....
BOB RENTON