When will I ever learn? (SB-101)

[Robert Groh]

First step: get a manual and schematic. There are a number of good sources for these for $25 or so.  Or you put out an inquiry for a electronic copy - I'm sure someone out there has one that can be of help.

First I would do a simple visual scan (e.g. are all the tubes lit, does the bandswitch rotate easily, all controls free) and then a quick look at the various voltages throughout the unit. This will also get you familiar with the radio - i.e. where the various sections are, etc. You will need a volt/ohm meter but those are cheap if you don't already have one. Something may jump out during this check - i.e. plate voltage missing, grid voltage out of wack, etc.  If something found out of sorts, give it some thought and see if you can fix it.  Some things to watch for: shorted capacitors, resistors way out of value, bad solder joints (very possible) - all of these very high probability in a piece of equipment this old.

Then you tackle your problems in the good  old fashioned "block by block" method. For example - do you have any audio?  Inject a signal into the audio chain and follow it back.  If audio is ok, can you inject a signal into the detector and hear it?  Etc, etc.  Work from audio back up the stream.

Oh, and don't forget to use this list and others!  Have fun (if you can) - very good experience.

73
Bob Groh, WA2CKY

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