I have a RCA 811K that works fine except for the volume control that is intermitent (like my spelling).It is a 2Meg unit with several taps with a RCA part number of 13144. Is their a source for original parts or someone who does restoration work. The unit itself looks like it can be disassembled by opening the metal tabs holding, but I would prefer to have someone more familiar tith the process look at it.

This is also the version that came with the electromechanical remote control that attaches via wire cable and controls the radio via a set of servo motors. Has anyone seen a recent add for one of these units for sale - I occacaionly look for them but haven't seen one for sale in the lat ten years or so.

Thanks in advance. Dave G.

The volume control pot has some taps that facilitate loudness compensation for low volume setting levels. This is an interesting function but can be eliminated by using a standard 3-terminal pot and disregarding the tap connections. This changes the set's response to the volume control physical setting slightly, but in my opinion not very much. It was a subtle effect to begin with.

The RCA K series remotes come up on eBay periodically, but seem to sell for about 5-6 times the price of an entire, working 811K radio- so I have resisted the impulse to acquire one.

By the way, these remotes are nothing more than a set of switches which are "gated" by a simple pushbutton mechanism which only allows one button to be pushed down at any time. It is very similar to the pushbutton mechanism on the front of the radio.

When the set is in "automatic" mode, pressing any station preset button on the remote sends power to the tuning drive motor, and it starts to crank the tuning cap around. When it encounters the button's corresponding preset disk's "dead spot", it shuts off. The radio's AFC then takes over to fine-tune the set to the station preset. Sort of a Rube Goldberg apparatus, but it works OK.

It would be very simple to make an ersatz remote control with a 10-position rotary switch and a small bundle of wires.

:The volume control pot has some taps that facilitate loudness compensation for low volume setting levels. This is an interesting function but can be eliminated by using a standard 3-terminal pot and disregarding the tap connections. This changes the set's response to the volume control physical setting slightly, but in my opinion not very much. It was a subtle effect to begin with.
:
:The RCA K series remotes come up on eBay periodically, but seem to sell for about 5-6 times the price of an entire, working 811K radio- so I have resisted the impulse to acquire one.
:
:By the way, these remotes are nothing more than a set of switches which are "gated" by a simple pushbutton mechanism which only allows one button to be pushed down at any time. It is very similar to the pushbutton mechanism on the front of the radio.
:
:When the set is in "automatic" mode, pressing any station preset button on the remote sends power to the tuning drive motor, and it starts to crank the tuning cap around. When it encounters the button's corresponding preset disk's "dead spot", it shuts off. The radio's AFC then takes over to fine-tune the set to the station preset. Sort of a Rube Goldberg apparatus, but it works OK.
:
:It would be very simple to make an ersatz remote control with a 10-position rotary switch and a small bundle of wires.
:
Thanks, what do you think about repair or cleaning of the existing Pot?
I have seen a couple like you mentioned. I wasn't so interested aboout using it, but to use it as a "remote control" conversaiton re how much we have or have not progressed in 70 years - which is my age. Dave G.

(Thanks, what do you think about repair or cleaning of the existing Pot?
:I have seen a couple like you mentioned. I wasn't so interested aboout using it, but to use it as a "remote control" conversaiton re how much we have or have not progressed in 70 years - which is my age. Dave G.)

It might be possible to repair the pot- depends of course on what's wrong with it. If it's just dirty or the wiper is loose, it's probably fixable. If the resistance track is broken or worn off, probably not.
I think that I would give it a shot of electronics volume-control cleaner (or make your own with kereosene and naptha) and see if that cleans it up. If not, it will need to be replaced.

As many people who are into this hobby, it would not surprise me that someone is out there who can remanufacture these pots. But I am not aware of anyone doing it.

Your comment about the remote was interesting. The last few I've seen on eBay were never installed, and were probably sold to those who specialize in collecting early remote controls, which might account for their high selling prices.

My favorite remote control is the wireless Philco "Mystery" unit dating from 1939. Big and clunky, it is thought to be the first no-wires consumer electronics remote unit.