Admiral radio with 4 tubes AA4

This was my wife's radio as a child! I re-capped it, but it will only pick up our local station?https://2img.net/h/i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb371/jrr1211/b2ca6d52.jpg

The radio has these four tubes and one I.F. transformer:
50c5-12av6-12au6-35w4. It does have a loop antenna.https://2img.net/h/i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb371/jrr1211/0d199fa6.jpg

I guess this ain't an interesting radio!

No, that's not the case. I have had a rough week end, and, couldn't get back earlier. I remember that model, now. It was a cheap radio. I don't think the reception was all that great on it. Have you tested the tubes?
Is there any noticeble static while you turn the tunning knob?
If not, o.k. May also be you are in a fringe area where reception isn't that great. How is it on other radios?
Bill Cahill

Thanks Bill ,just humor, the only reason I fixed it is because it was my wife's as a child. It looks pretty cheap.
I will try some different tubes in it. I can get WSB and a few stations in Rome, Ga. also, on most sets. I saw the same radio on YouTube without a clock,a real cheapo!
Thanks for all your help, and I have not given up on the Zenith with the silver mica disease either! Lol

The radio plays good thru the isolation transformer, but regular house current seems to make it buzz? Also, it is very sensitive to my hand when I wave it over it also rotating it make a huge difference!

Not surprising. That's normal for that set.
Bill Cahill

Have you tried reversing the power cord to the wall socket? If you can pass your hand over it and get an increase in volume, then the RF trimmer cap on the tuning cap may be in need of adjustment, or one of the antenna connections is loose or broken. As far as rotating the radio, that is normal with most radios because of the antenna position. You could have a weak tube in the front end (RF) section. If it has 4 tubes then the design is pretty much standard, and almost any schematic with the same tube lineup should help.

That is one of the following models Y3303, Y330B, Y3309, Y3337, Y3443.
The Schematic can be found in 1964, Beitmans Vol 24, page 4.
It has a couplate which shouldn't effect reception operation normally.

I have seen sets like that.They left out the IF amp tube and and the extra IF transformer to make a very low cost radio in order to compete with the sets inported from Japan I guess.

Hi folks,
I am working on an Admiral 4 tube radio.
It works, but is weak on receiving, and audio output.
So...I just ordered 4 tubes NOS, and will see if that helps any.

I have a couple of those cheap little four tube Admirals. I live in a fringe area, so all I get on them is static. They are not known for great sensitivity. I have a large outdoor antenna, and sometimes, at night, I can actually get a station to come in. If you have a strong LOCAL AM station, you may get fairly good results. They are cute, but cheap. Not the greatest radio ever made for reception. Everything needs to be in perfect order for them to work at all.

Regards

WC

WC...
my radio is model Y1189 and 4E3
I can get some stations..but weak...except for one that is loud.
So , with new tubes and a passive Am atenna, I hope to bring in the weaker stations better.
I would like to get a schematic on this little radio....and see if it can be upgraded?

Putting new tubes in that four tube Admiral and expecting anything approaching good performance would be like putting premium fuel in your riding lawn mower and expecting to win the Indy 500. The best way to upgrade is to buy a "hotter" radio, one with more stages of amplification. A long outside antenna may help some, but you will still have a four tube radio. Good for receiving strong local stations only. It might work well with a transmitter in your house. Sorry, but that is just how it is.

Regards

WC

I agree with Wildcat.

Try to find a 6 tube radio if you're looking for performance.

Good advise I suppose.
I will look for a 6 tube radio, even though I insist on doing the best I can with this old 4 tuber.

A bit belated, but that set looks identical to my Y3337.

(See: http://www.radioatticarchives.com/radio.htm?radio=9523 )

Yes, it is a very cheap PCB set with four tubes from the very end of the tube era.  I have not yet tried to work on it, I'm mainly afraid that I'll break the circuit board trying to change out the filter can.

Mike

Welcome to TRF, Mike! The method I use to change the filter can on a PCB is to first make a drawing of the terminals on the original filter can, so you will know how to wire the new caps. Then I take side cut pliers and cut the lugs on the original filter can. Then I use needle nose pliers, applying gentle upward pressure on the lugs while I melt the solder. I wire in radial lead caps for a neater job.

Regards

WC