Howdy,

Don't know if this belongs on this forum or not. If not,
please accept my apologies.

I found a Sony TR-630 transistor radio at my Mom's
house. Put in a battery and it worked, weakly, for
about 15 minutes. Then there was a small pop sound
and now the unit barely works. Anybody got any
suggestions on how to start the repair process? I'd
Like to get this unit working. My first guess would
be to replace the small electrolytic caps. I'm assuming
the small ceramic ones are probably OK? Any help to
point me in the right direction would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Steve Jones
sjones@fgm.com

Hi,
Normally there seem to be fewer problems with electrolytics in the transistor radios, so I would really only replace the cap that blew- you will see fiberglass, or something similar, a bulged can, or some other physical manifestation to indicate the totally failed cap. The ceramics should be fine.

You may need to tweek the IF stages, and tune the trimmer caps. Transistor radios were often slapped together with such poor alignment that it was a wonder how some of them even sold.

: Howdy,

: Don't know if this belongs on this forum or not. If not,
: please accept my apologies.

: I found a Sony TR-630 transistor radio at my Mom's
: house. Put in a battery and it worked, weakly, for
: about 15 minutes. Then there was a small pop sound
: and now the unit barely works. Anybody got any
: suggestions on how to start the repair process? I'd
: Like to get this unit working. My first guess would
: be to replace the small electrolytic caps. I'm assuming
: the small ceramic ones are probably OK? Any help to
: point me in the right direction would be appreciated.
: Thanks.

: Steve Jones
: sjones@fgm.com