Greetings!!

Hello,

My name is Mike, and I have been collecting antique radios/phonos ever since I can remember, but my knowledge is limited because my Grandfather (an electrician) passed away when I was only 11. I recently traded my buddy a record for a 1962 (I think) RCA console stereo, model 3VF244. It works ok, but there are several issues, would anyone be able to help me? I do have a good basic knowledge of electronics, but I definitely will need some guidance!! I will post pics soon. Thanks!

Hey Mike, welcome to the Board!

You've come to the right place where a bunch of folks deal with this older technology. Post you pics and issues and you'll surely get some help. Also check out the older posts...it makes for some interesting reading and I'm sure your issues aren't unique and may have already been answered. The more you know, the easier it will be to post more specifically what you're dealing with. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Ok, here are some pics of the set. It had been purchased by my buddy at a yard sale in 1999, and had been in his basement ever since. I spent about 5 hours cleaning and polishing, and it now resides in my bedroom! My issues with it are: 1) Cartridge cuts out, requires a light tap once in a while. I will just replace it. 2) The right speaker barely makes a sound. The tiny wire which runs from the connectors on the back of this speaker needs soldered, but when I touch it to the connector, I still barely get any sound even when rotating the balance to the right completely, volume all the way up. 3) It only softly hums when I click it to FM stereo, no station pick up at all. FM mono works fine, as does phono stereo and mono. Thanks for looking everyone!

I'm quite familier with that RCA.
1960 vintage.

Low/no sound - it needs probably re-capping of the amp, or you'll blow tubes continually.
One of the 6BQ5's are probably already bad because of it.
(swapping them will clue you in)
Additionally, sounds like you'll need a new speaker too.

As for no sound on FM Stereo - you don't have the CRK101 stereo-multiplex adapter (sold optionally at the time) so that function is basically non-functional.
I can tell from the photo it's not there, or it would be mounted near and connected to the tuner (chassis RC-1206).

The phono cartridge is shot from age too, a newer upgrade can be installed and a good healthy overhaulling/re-lubing of the changer mechanism is a wise thing to perform.
(would you drive a car on 50 year old oil and expect it to be safe?)

I've worked on plenty of them at the shop and they sound great once restored properly.
A 50+ year old console should never be even plugged in until proper servicing has been done to it.

MattTech,

Even though the changer works well, I will re-lube it. An ounce of prevention... Thanks very much for dating my RCA, I always like to know what year my sets were made.

Wow, I had no idea about the FM stereo receiver being an option!! I just figured that if it had a position on the knob for FM stereo, it should be there, but obviously is not. Is this what the 'MPX adapter' plug-ins are for? I've been wondering about those since I got it.

The right speaker is good, however, because when I connected it to the left channel (after re-soldering the wire) it played loud and clear! Which brings me to the re-capping project: I figured it would need re-capped, but I'm not sure how to do that: is it as simple as matching the color-coded bands or ratings on the old caps to new ones, then un-soldering the old and soldering in the new to the same connections (one at a time for me, of course)?? I guess I should also make a drawing of some sort to avoid shorts, etc.

Also, Is there a technical thread where I can learn more about electronics? I know that a capacitor stores and then releases electricity, but I'm not sure of its function in something like my hi fi. Sorry to ask so many questions, but I don't want to ruin my set and I want to be able to diagnose and repair them.

And Bobby, thanks for the welcome and I'm very glad to be here!!

You need to look up sites for re-capping old radios amps etc. One that comes to mind is "justradios". These sites explain in detail how to recap. justradios also sells the kind of caps you would be looking for but there are others. Read and understand before doing or try it on a sacrificial unit first . As Matt said, pull the plug or you risk popping a capacitor... cheap, which could take out a transformer... expensive, if you can find one.

Thank you Thom, this is exactly what I was looking for, I will check out justradios and any other sites I may find!