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Ed Morris
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Post subject: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio--UPDATED Posted: Aug Wed 14, 2019 2:47 am |
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Joined: Jan Sun 06, 2008 3:28 am Posts: 4396 Location: Richmond, VA
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I found this Sylvania 8P18-1 transistor radio at an antique store this weekend. I haven't found any information on it on ARF or Google, so they must not be very common. It's about the same size as an Emerson 888 coat pocket radio. It uses a 9-volt Eveready 2709 battery. I temporarily connected a modern 9-volt battery and could hear a click in the speaker when I made contact, but no hiss, static, hum, or RF of any kind. It's a nice looking radio, but I don't know if the build quality is up to the Emerson or similar Zenith 500 radios. It is not as heavy as either of those radios. Cosmetically, it is in very good condition. I might just set it on a shelf for now until I find time to mess with it. Attachment:
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_________________ Ed
Last edited by Ed Morris on Aug Sun 18, 2019 9:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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xrhonda91
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Wed 14, 2019 2:58 am |
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Joined: Oct Mon 26, 2009 10:02 pm Posts: 6655 Location: Indianapolis, IN
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Hey Ed,
Neat radio !
I made an offer on a somewhat rough (backside) yellow one that was missing battery compartment cover awhile back on Ebay, but it was rejected.
I'd at least replace the electrolytics as most times that will bring 'em back from the clicking state---as I'm sure you know...
Thanks for the pics---always like to see the "innards" !
Let us know how it goes when you begin project !
John
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fifties
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Wed 14, 2019 2:59 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 37038 Location: SoCal, 91387
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Hey Ed, that's a somewhat rare set. I don't think I've seen another in that style. I've got two Sylvania 4 Transistor sets with a similar case and PCB/speaker setup. Here's one, notice the same dial arrangement;
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Sylvania 4TR.JPG [ 217.77 KiB | Viewed 2845 times ]
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_________________ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\He Who Dies With The Most Radios Wins/////////////////////////
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egg
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Wed 14, 2019 3:05 am |
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Joined: Jan Tue 31, 2012 1:55 am Posts: 15300 Location: Mountains of Mourne. Ireland.
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Ed Morris
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Wed 14, 2019 3:19 am |
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Joined: Jan Sun 06, 2008 3:28 am Posts: 4396 Location: Richmond, VA
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Greg, thanks for that eBay link. I bought the SAM's schematic for the radio
I'll see if I have the right caps on hand, John. It should be easy to work on with the large PCB. I've given up trying to fix the small shirt pocket transistor radios. It seems I do more damage than good trying to work on the small PCBs.
What kind of performance do you get on your Sylvanias, Fifties? I don't think I've run across any Sylvania radios before, tube or transistor.
_________________ Ed
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egg
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Wed 14, 2019 3:35 am |
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Joined: Jan Tue 31, 2012 1:55 am Posts: 15300 Location: Mountains of Mourne. Ireland.
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fifties
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Wed 14, 2019 6:13 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 37038 Location: SoCal, 91387
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I have several Sylvania sets Ed, both tube and Transistor. The 4 Transistor sets perform adequately, and certainly better than the Regency TR-1 and TR-1G, but not as well as the Philco 4 Transistor radios. With 8 Transistors, your set should perform quite well once you recap and align it.
_________________ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\He Who Dies With The Most Radios Wins/////////////////////////
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metzman
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Wed 14, 2019 1:11 pm |
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Joined: Nov Wed 14, 2007 11:37 pm Posts: 1482
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Looks like its in great condition!
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CJ Design
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Wed 14, 2019 9:19 pm |
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Joined: Jan Tue 23, 2018 11:53 pm Posts: 201 Location: Appleton, WI 54914
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Very clean and sharp radio. Always liked those crazy asymmetrical Sylvania's
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xrhonda91
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Wed 14, 2019 9:30 pm |
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Joined: Oct Mon 26, 2009 10:02 pm Posts: 6655 Location: Indianapolis, IN
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Ed,
The only U.S. made Sylvania I have is their first, the Thunderbird. After carefully disabling original electrolytics and adding new beneath PCB, it is an excellent performer with very good sound for it's size. Haven't compared schematics, but do wonder how similar your circuit may be five years later ?
John
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3Transistors
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Wed 14, 2019 11:57 pm |
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Joined: Aug Sat 16, 2014 2:19 am Posts: 1827 Location: Palos Verdes, CA
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Ed - I have a Sylvania model 7P12 7 transistor radio that I got some years ago with some other radios. The 7P12 doesn't appear to have been used much and has a good sound quality, well-made and somewhat larger than a Zenith Royal 500, although the battery box is missing and I haven't replaced it yet. - Mark
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Colin Ames
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Thu 15, 2019 12:38 am |
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Joined: Aug Wed 26, 2009 1:50 am Posts: 1529 Location: Mesquite NV 89027 (from Coventry, UK)
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Nice find Ed. I like the design of the dial pointer.
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Ed Morris
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio Posted: Aug Sun 18, 2019 9:33 pm |
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Joined: Jan Sun 06, 2008 3:28 am Posts: 4396 Location: Richmond, VA
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Yea! It works. After a recap, it is playing great. I was a little concerned at first because I replaced C4, the 80uF and 50uF caps in the multi-cap with no improvement. I then replaced C3, between the AF Amp and Driver. Still no change, just a click when power was applied. Then I replaced C2, the 5uF cap between the volume control and the AF Amp, and the radio came alive (see Schematic detail below). The schematic showed C2 and C3 as 3uF caps, but 5uF caps were installed, and they appeared original. The chassis appeared undisturbed. I then replaced C1, which completed the recap. I added a 9-volt snap connector for a modern 9 volt cell. I cleaned the dial plate and clear cover with Novus #1. I also cleaned the front of the case with Novus #1 as it was in pretty good shape. One the back of the case, I used Novus #2, which restored some shine. The RF reception is very good. I'm getting all the local AM stations and some faint distant stations here in the late afternoon. Sound quality is also good, maybe a tad less quality than the Zenith 500's. Attachment:
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_________________ Ed
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Colin Ames
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio--UPDATED Posted: Aug Sun 18, 2019 9:45 pm |
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Joined: Aug Wed 26, 2009 1:50 am Posts: 1529 Location: Mesquite NV 89027 (from Coventry, UK)
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Glad you got it working, it’s a nice looking set.
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fifties
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio--UPDATED Posted: Aug Sun 18, 2019 9:49 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 37038 Location: SoCal, 91387
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Looks great, Ed! Of course you get what you pay for, and I'm sure this radio sold for less than the Zeniths did, so understandable that it's not quite up to their level of performance in all categories.
Yeah, the Electrolytic going to the wiper on the VC opening due to aging is usually the prime reason Transistor sets don't play.
_________________ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\He Who Dies With The Most Radios Wins/////////////////////////
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egg
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio--UPDATED Posted: Aug Sun 18, 2019 10:01 pm |
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Joined: Jan Tue 31, 2012 1:55 am Posts: 15300 Location: Mountains of Mourne. Ireland.
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Schematic errors are not uncommon. Sams service information has a lot of them!
Greg.
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xrhonda91
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio--UPDATED Posted: Aug Sun 18, 2019 10:16 pm |
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Joined: Oct Mon 26, 2009 10:02 pm Posts: 6655 Location: Indianapolis, IN
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Glad you got it goin', Ed---and it looks great !
Another neat, U.S. made set for your collection !
John
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Ed Morris
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio--UPDATED Posted: Aug Sun 18, 2019 10:59 pm |
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Joined: Jan Sun 06, 2008 3:28 am Posts: 4396 Location: Richmond, VA
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The radio was $15 in the antique shop, which surprised me as most transistors, if you can find one, seem to go for $20 and up. With no shipping, I thought it was a good buy, working or not.
Thanks, Fifties, I will have to remember to suspect and replace that cap first in the future when I encounter similar symptoms.
_________________ Ed
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kc8adu
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio--UPDATED Posted: Aug Mon 19, 2019 12:03 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 969 Location: dayton oh usa
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this is where an esr meter is handy. mine can also be used as a signal injector. a quick poke at each cap will let you know if they are the cause of your quiet set. then with 1 lead on chassis ground you poke the volume tap,detector,ect to see if you can hear the tone. http://www.bobparker.net.au/esr_meter/esrmeter.htm
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fifties
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Post subject: Re: Sylvania 8P18-1 Coat Pocket Transistor Radio--UPDATED Posted: Aug Mon 19, 2019 7:21 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 37038 Location: SoCal, 91387
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Well guys, to do it right, you really do want to replace the normally 4 Electrolytic's in a 6 Transistor set. Quick 'n dirty is normally just the VC wiper cap.
_________________ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\He Who Dies With The Most Radios Wins/////////////////////////
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