I have a beautiful Capehart (m2 -fm) that does not have the antenna. Four wires emerge from the top of the chassis that go to the antenna system. It has an external antenna coupler. Anybody have an idea of how to hook this up and how to construct a replacement antenna?

Hi,
The diagrams for the m2 FM do not show the receiver itself. Just show the amp.
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Resources/596/M0002596.htm
Is this a seperate amplifier? Check to see if there is a model on the tuning unit, or seperate chassis/
Perhaps the m2 AM ? (Second diagram shown)
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByMode ... 002599.pdf

There is a reference to the antenna loop on that diagram.

Usually on consoles, a shortwave loop was stapled around the edge of the cabinet. There could also be the FM antenna or AM loop also stapled there.

Or there may have been some sort of movable loop, the drawings don't say.

This chassis was used in several configurations. You didn't say which model you have. If it's a Capehart Panamuse, it will have a standard Capehart/Farnsworth drop changer. The model number will be XXFM-2 or-3. The -2 model has 4 6V6 output tubes. The -3 has two 6V6s. If it has a turnover changer, it will be a 100M2 or 3 desgnation. The 100 number would probably be a 111, 112 or 113 depending on which cabinet it had.

All the Panamuse models would have a drum shaped loop antenna. The Deluxe Capeharts (with the turnover changers) never had loops that year. They had that little metal box with four wires mounted to the cabinet near the tuner. An external AM/short wave antenna was connected to the back of the tuner along with an FM antenna. Note that your set tunes the old 42-50 mHz band. I have built a couple of converters from Chuck Schwarks Philco Workbench website and these Capehart sets were well designed. With the FM converter, you can play these sets and get most of the modern FM band.

I'll have to check my original Capehart Service info and see if they show the hookup of the coupler.

I'm not that familiar with Capeharts. There's a label on the back of the cabinet that says its a model 111 m2 fm. The amplifier has four 6V6 tubes and is labeled with part # 73-501. My unit is serial number 23150. It has a turnover record changer. It appears it had a "drum" antenna...part of the wood retaining structure remains. I have the schematic but it doesn't show how the antenna coupler hooks up...? Yes, there is an external antenna input for SW and FM on the back of the chassis.

Your set is an Early Georgian cabinetand sold in the $700 price range. They did not come with a loop from the factory but dealers were known to do things custom so it sounds like a dealer installed feature where the customer did not want to be bothered with stringing antennas up. I sold off my two 111s so I can't copy the wiring. I do remember the wiring that came out of the chassis to the couplers in mine were rubber coated and had to be replaced. The loop will work fine with this set. I recall the loop had a small primary which tied into the external antenna connector. The secondary went to the RF stage.
I have to pull out my factory service data to verify the hook up.


One thing to be careful of with this set is by the serial number you gave, this is one of the last sets they built before the WWII shutdown of consumer goods. After serial number 20000, Capehart went to cast iron changers instead of aluminum and they are loaded with pot metal parts. You can verify this with a magnet. If it sticks to the main base, it's a pot metal changer. I have repaired about a half dozen of the late 16E pot metal changers and it's always different parts that are broken. I have seen broken tone arms, main cams, and lift rings, but fortunately never all in the same set. If you intend to get the turnover changer to work, most parts will interchange from other prewar years. The lift ring had a booster spring added since the war time replacements were zinc instead of aluminum. If an earlier lift ring is used as a replacement, the booster spring has to come off.

Hello Mr Kelltuck

if you can, could you post some photos of your Capehart ? These are seldom seen and I know I would enjoy some nice photos to look at.

Thanks - Bruce

Attn Fred Rice, Phila. Pa. I also have a Capehart 111 m2 fm. S/N 18660 E, so I guess it's Pre-WWII according to your S/N info. It's in better condition than the only one I've seen online. I'm not a radio guy, but the leater clutch(?) is dryrotted and torn. Are there repkacements out there or does that need to be hand made? Mike S.

Four year old thread. Might be better to start your own.

Larry

Send the clutch to me and I'll rebuild it.

Donald Cochrane
www.aladdinradio2.com