Currently working on an RCA 19K. Schematic located here: http://www.nostalgiaair.org/resources/802/m0014802.htm

When I got this one it was working, albeit not well, so I began my usual process of cleaning, testing, recapping etc.

After I completed all of my work I got to my bench testing. Brought it up on the variac, all tubes lighting, no smoke, smells etc.

The issue is that I get nothing out of this unit just a very soft hum. Adjusting volume does nothing. So I fire up my signal gen and get it near the set (usually I can pick up my signal gen on radios 10 ft away) and still nothing. So I connect directly up to the tuning gang and I get signal, soft signal, but signal at least. Same if I couple to the antenna.

I adjust the signal gen to the frequency of my local AM station (their towers are a mile from my house and they usually boom in through all my sets) track the dial till I get signal from the gen at that frequency, remove the gen and listen carefully to see if I hear the station. Nuttin, nada, zilch, zero.

I can't seem to get any reception at all yet I can get signal from the generator coupled directly which tells me my stages are working I assume.

Where do I start looking????

:Currently working on an RCA 19K. Schematic located here: http://www.nostalgiaair.org/resources/802/m0014802.htm
:
:When I got this one it was working, albeit not well, so I began my usual process of cleaning, testing, recapping etc.
:
:After I completed all of my work I got to my bench testing. Brought it up on the variac, all tubes lighting, no smoke, smells etc.
:
:The issue is that I get nothing out of this unit just a very soft hum. Adjusting volume does nothing. So I fire up my signal gen and get it near the set (usually I can pick up my signal gen on radios 10 ft away) and still nothing. So I connect directly up to the tuning gang and I get signal, soft signal, but signal at least. Same if I couple to the antenna.
:
:I adjust the signal gen to the frequency of my local AM station (their towers are a mile from my house and they usually boom in through all my sets) track the dial till I get signal from the gen at that frequency, remove the gen and listen carefully to see if I hear the station. Nuttin, nada, zilch, zero.
:
:I can't seem to get any reception at all yet I can get signal from the generator coupled directly which tells me my stages are working I assume.
:
:Where do I start looking????

CMcKenna,

It has been said many times before but, do you get a loud hum when touching the center terminal of the volume control with with a screwdriver? You should get a loud hum if the audio preamp, inverter and output tubes and etc. are ok.

Radiodoc

Rookie Mistake !!!! I moved a lead from one of the IF cans out of my way to get at one of the caps I needed to replace and forgot to hook it back up. When I looked at it with fresh eyes, I found it right away.

:Rookie Mistake !!!! I moved a lead from one of the IF cans out of my way to get at one of the caps I needed to replace and forgot to hook it back up. When I looked at it with fresh eyes, I found it right away.

CMcKenna,

I have done the same thing a few times myself.

Radiodoc