Hi,

I have been given a Reliance Sky-Raider Radiogram and I would like to get more information (model, year etc.) along with any restoration recommendations if possible. I'm new to the topic but keen to learn more and restore if possible as the radio has been passed down in the family.

Thanks very much.

Hi

There is a green transfer on the back apron of the chassis. Read the 2nd link in Articles and Tutorials in the right-hand sidebar for how to use the information on it.

The valve lineup (a list of the valve types in the radio - many radios have this printed somewhere) usually identifies the model number.

Oh - VERY IMPORTANT!!

<<< DO NOT PLUG IT IN! >>>>

No matter how tempting it is to try it.
You can do irreparable damage.

Thanks Ian,

I'll be sure not to plug it in! The licence transfer has worn away unfortunately. Only a small patch remains but it does't have the serial number.

I sent through a photo of the valves from the back but it looks like the front pic has been uploaded twice. I'll try and get a pic of the valves put up.

Would it be possible to restore a radiogram like this? The chassis is a bit rusty and the parts look a bit worn.

Cheers!

All fixed.

OK, from the pics we can date it to early 1950's because of the Noval (9 pin alll glass) valves.

The turntable is 78 RPM only. Would you want that?

The chassis is definitely restorable and the rest of it seems to be all there so yes it could be done. Not a particularly desirable model though.

Thanks Ian,

A big collection of 78's came with it so I think I will have a go at restoring it.

I'll start my own research but if anyone has any advice on where to start that would be awesome!

A good start would be to get rid of that mains cable. That is a particularly dangerous plug as there is a real risk of fingers touching the live terminal screws: Three wire cable after its proven a viable repair. No cable stops it being plugged in, which is a No No anyway.

Is that damage on the top of the power transformer?

Marc

If you were planning a trip to Sydney I could look at it for you and get it going if you like.
Or at least advise if it's impractical - it looks like mice have been chewing at the mains transformer which is not good.

I'm just off Forest Way at Belrose and pretty easy to find. My email is unhidden.

You OK to do the cabinet?

Ian

The whole package needs to be looked at and assessed; Ian has the right idea if you have not had experience with these. There are many traps. That transformer being one of them.

One hopes that the primary is on the inside and the wiring has not been damaged. These critters also consider caps & cloth wire as ratatouille. So we also need to appraise the inside of the pan.

Marc

Thanks Ian and Marc,

I've taken the chassis out and will upload some pics. It does look like mice have been nibbling on some of the parts. I'll wait to hear what you think of the inside before I go any further.

Ian, if I'm heading Sydney way I might take you up on your offer. It wouldn't be for a little while though. We'll wait and see what you think of the inside. I can take care of the cabinet if it looks like it can be done.

Cheers!

Photos uploaded to Post 11.

I wonder if the genius that designed that worked for Stromberg- Carlson? Albeit that is not the first radio or bit of radio equipment that has caps in the most inaccessible positions. This could be a chassis that is not a beginner even it is not complex.

The transformer looks ok and the damage is superficial, however, if it was here it would not escape testing (but not with that wire). The silver cap may be original? Otherwise it does not look to have been messed with.

The big issue with me is getting at some of those paper caps around & under the switch. If they are soldered to the chassis that means a bigger wattage soldering iron; The catch 22 with bigger wattage is bigger size. My concern as a beginner is that you may find yourself faced with a similar situation as I recently had (and not a unique one) where in the case of a WWII BC-221-N Frequency meter, I had to dismantle things in layers to get at layers of expired components culminating in a resistor with parallel cap, sandwiched between a switch and the wall.

There is a large degree of patience and a need for a careful labelling,methodology, & thinking, required if you have to dismantle. It often looks easy, but the crunch comes when it goes back together.

Germans designed things so much better. At this point I do not consider that chassis irreparable. Take a close look at the wooden pulleys. Some of them are quite brittle, bits chunk out and I have have made replacements. If they look like doing that, or one has, I normally remove them & thinly coat each side with the High strength Araldite. It reacts slowly, soaks in & turns it into a high density timber.

Marc

Looks like a bit of a project. One hint I will give you is to scrub the top of the chassis down with white vinegar and a old tooth brush, you will find it will come up fine . Vinegar neutralises the rust pretty well. You wont regret restoring it, the Reliances are a good set. I didnt know they made table grams . You will find scant info on Reliance but I can tell you that for quite a while they were the Rolls Royce of Australian radio.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback. I'm going to see if there is anyone local who might be able to give me hand as it does sound like I would be a bit out of my depth. I'll give an update when I make some progress.

Cheers!