I have a 1948 Bendix radio, typical five tubes. The radio's tuning dial is not synchronized with the proper frequencies. It's about 500 Kc. off. One local station, which should come in clearly, isn't heard at all. I'm guessing the radio's IF coils are not in alignment. I don't have a signal generator, which is called for in the radio's service papers. Two questions: Does this sound like an alignment problem as I surmise? How difficult is the alignment procedure? Can it be done without special equipment? Thanks for your help.

Hi Mike

You can align an AM radio without equipment. It may not be perfect but works well.

First be sure your dial pointer isn't set wrong. Being off 500 kc is quite a lot.

There will be trimmers on your tuner. The one on the oscillator section will move stations. The antenna section peaks up signals. At the high end of your dial adjust the oscillator until the proper station is heard. Peak up the antenna section for loudest signal.

Your radio may have a padder which adjust the low end of the band. This one is usually under the chassis and larger than trimmers. Adjust it while rocking tuning back and forth. Volume will increase and stations will move on the dial.

Finally adjust IF Transformers for max volume. Each should have two adjusting screws. This is reverse procedure as done when you have a signal generator.

Norm

:I have a 1948 Bendix radio, typical five tubes. The radio's tuning dial is not synchronized with the proper frequencies. It's about 500 Kc. off. One local station, which should come in clearly, isn't heard at all. I'm guessing the radio's IF coils are not in alignment. I don't have a signal generator, which is called for in the radio's service papers. Two questions: Does this sound like an alignment problem as I surmise? How difficult is the alignment procedure? Can it be done without special equipment? Thanks for your help.