Philharmonic AM/FM

[Robert Feenstra]

Ever since I first heard of EH Scott radios and joined this forum, I've been looking for a Philharmonic to "fall into my lap". Well, when Ron R. sold me his Marine SLRM I saw his AM/FM Philharmonic sitting in the corner.  When he offered it for sale, I knew I would own it, I just didn't know how soon.  Now, a couple of months later, it's here in my possession.  Thank you Ron!

This will be a major project including some re-chroming.  I want to do the radio and Ron proud!  I heard Dave's (in Northern Michigan) Philharmonic (and a lot of other radios!) and decided I needed to get right on it.  So, the work has begun.  I decided to start with the amp/power supply as that is the easiest.  Because of all the small parts around the transformers, it's also the most expensive to re-chrome (driver transformer cover, IF shields and tube shields will not be re-chromed as they can easily be destroyed, though I may give Dave's re-chroming shop in Milwaukee a try.)

This Philharmonic did not have tweeters.  I would like to add them if i can find a set.

Also, since the FM is useless without a converter to the current FM frequencies, I'll be looking for a converter.  i saw the schematic in the archives.  Maybe i'll have to build one.

DSC_1091.jpg

DSC_1094.jpg

DSC_1096.jpg

[Robert Feenstra]

In the photo, I drew a rectangle of where the shield should be.  It has holes in it to allow access to the trimmer capacitors.  My BOL Philly has it and I assume this radio should as well.  All of the holes for screws are threaded.

[Karl Sherwin]

Robert, I don't have either of the covers for sale, but my AM FM Philly only has the entire bottom cover, on mine it looks like there never was a smaller cover. Could you post a picture of the area that should have the smaller cover? Maybe I'm looking at the wrong spot. Thanks, Karl

[Robert Feenstra]

Electronic restoration of this radio is almost finished.  I am missing the shield that goes over the RF/Osc. coils on the bottom of the chassis.  Plus, I'm missing the entire bottom panel. Does anyone have a parts Philly with these 2 parts.  I WTB!!!

[Michael Lawton]

Congratulations, Robert ! It is always a great feeling of satisfaction when a project you have worked hard on turns out well.

[Robert Feenstra]

The FM has been aligned and I've been using Bill's band converter.  It sounds great!  the FM tubes are all at the minimum strength according to my Heath Kit TT1.  Bill says good tubes are necessary for quiet operation.  I have NOS tubes coming. and I'll re-align when I install those.  For now, I'm enjoying great sounding FM on a 1941 radio!

[Robert Feenstra]

Friday, I completed the AM alignment. Everything turned out good except the middle of a couple of bands, including the BC band is a bit off.  I don't really want to go in and play with coil spacing to correct!

Saturday, I was able to align the FM system.  the discriminator took a bit to zero in but I think I got it pretty close.  Linearity is good for +-80 kHz.  It starts to become a bit non-linear beyond that.  If and RF tuned up good. Waiting or Bill's converter to get here!

All seems to be great so far!

[Robert Feenstra]

Thank you, Kent.  Bill sent me those as well.  Thanks.  I think I'm up to getting the FM aligned.  Setting my signal generator up with FM modulation, I get a good signal through even though the dial is off quite a bit.  At least I know the FM is working.  I just need to get things aligned.  I also have new tubes for the FM on order as all of mine test at just below the minimum on my HeathKit TT1.

[Bill Liers]

Thanks for digging those up Kent. The FM manual 1 has the discriminator curve (fig 5) that is all important for making these sets sound good.

[Kent King]

For all of you discussing FM - I added a number of documents to the Archive tonight - Set Folders >> FM Tuner. There are a number of FM technical items for everyone.

Kent

[Robert Feenstra]

I've done a bit more tweaking today and have been able to keep the IF more centered and symetrical at the expense of a little sensitivity.  I can live with that.

I also peaked out the IF and RF and audio diodes  Now on to the RF.

Then I'll start work on the FM section.  I have some NOS tubes on order for that.  Bill Lier indicated that very good tubes are fairly essential for proper FM operation.

Using my HiFi transmitter, this radio is sounding great.  A little shy on bass until I get the speaker in the cabinet.  I'm thinking I need another HiFi transmitter.  I'll set the 2 Phillharmonics sin proper locations, transmit R and L channels on different frequencies and enjoy 1940's stereo.