My Panasonic RF-1101 Radio needs HELP!!

[pkwiecien]

I have a old Panasonic RF-1101 Portable Radio, I cant find any date codes on it, so I assume it was built sometime in the late 70s to early 80s, its a really nice radio but it shows signs of wear, I just got around to working on it and the controls were really scratchy, I sprayed them and things started working better, not the only problem left is that the FM, TV1 and TV2 bands have a really hard time picking up any station, for the radios age I'm pretty sure its bad electrolytic capacitors, the thing is I dont want to do a full recap because of the cosmetic condition, I just want to bring it back to working order, and I forgot to let you guys know that the AM band works really well, I just want to bring the FM and TV bands to good working order

any help will be greatly appreciated

and attached is a picture of the radio I found online

http://www.jackbergsales.com/electronics/Panasonic_RF_1101_AMFMTV_BAND_Radio_1.JPG

[Cobalt Crimson]

My grandpa had one like that when i was little lol. I wish i could help but I'm out of practice but I'll do some research tonight to see what i can dig up while i'm nosing around for stuff. IF you want a challenge we have a 1940s radio in the attic that needs new tubes lol.

[pkwiecien]

thanks, I know with the older tube based radios, its usually not a tube thats bad, its mostly coils, paper caps, electrolytic caps and resistors

[Cobalt Crimson]

I'll see what i can dig up on your radio. Hell there may be factor plans for it someplace on here lol. Now if someone would leak the blueprints of Stan Winston's T-800 terminator designs lol. I'm actually almost affraid to plug in that old radio and risk losing a nice antique.

[Shy Wolf]

One of the problems you may have with the TV band is the switch to digital. That radio won't handle the new digital transmissions. So if your off the air TV stations have already made the switch, you may be out of luck.

Have you opened the radio up and made sure the FM antenna lead is hooked up to the rod antenna.

[pkwiecien]

One of the problems you may have with the TV band is the switch to digital. That radio won't handle the new digital transmissions. So if your off the air TV stations have already made the switch, you may be out of luck.

Have you opened the radio up and made sure the FM antenna lead is hooked up to the rod antenna.


it dose pick up the tv channels that have not gone digital yet, and it has the original antenna, and like I said earlier everything in the radio is original when I'm able to pull in a station, it plays really well, the best working band right now is the AM band, and I've cleaned all the switches and controls which improved it, I dont want to burn too much on it because of the cosmetic condition, I only use it when the power goes out or when there is a big strom or tornado, so I'm in no rush to fix it since it dose pull in WBBM News Radio 780

[Shy Wolf]

The reason for checking, that the rod antenna is connected, is for FM and TV reception. You indicate you're having trouble with these modes. AM is received on a device called a loop stick and is inside the radio. Rarely, is the loop stick connected to the rod antenna.

So, my original suggestion is still worth your checking it out. It doesn't cost anything to remove a few screws and verify that the rod is connected to the FM converter portion of the radio.

[pkwiecien]

The reason for checking, that the rod antenna is connected, is for FM and TV reception. You indicate you're having trouble with these modes. AM is received on a device called a loop stick and is inside the radio. Rarely, is the loop stick connected to the rod antenna.

So, my original suggestion is still worth your checking it out. It doesn't cost anything to remove a few screws and verify that the rod is connected to the FM converter portion of the radio.

yes, the rod antenna is connected to the circuit board, I did take it apart to do a cleaning, even with the antenna extended it still has a hard time picking up any stations, I have a newer boom box that the antenna busted off on and it picks up the local stations alot better

[Xaiver Wolf]

Hey all I have a Yasu 101 that i talk all over with...73's to ya..