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Identify STC radio
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Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 6:35:32 PM on 30 October 2021.
	Robbbert Location: Hill Top, NSW Member since 18 September 2015 Member #: 1801 Postcount: 2014
I've got a STC radio in a wooden case and 4 white knobs. On the back it says Model -------- (in other words, it doesn't say). I want to get a schematic because the local oscillator has failed. Valves: 12AH8, 6BA6, 6N8, 6BW6, 6X4. It has short wave, broadcast, and PU. There's tone, volume and tuning. Any ideas?

Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 7:30:29 PM on 30 October 2021.
	GTC Location: Sydney, NSW Member since 28 January 2011 Member #: 823 Postcount: 6687
STC used that line-up in quite a few models in the 1950s. The closest mantel set I can find in timber case is A5240S: https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/stcaus_a5240s.html

Return to top of page · Post #: 3 · Written at 7:33:20 PM on 30 October 2021.
	JFB Location: Milton, NSW Member since 27 June 2016 Member #: 1945 Postcount: 55
The HSRA radio models spreadsheet lists the STC A2540 (1954) with that valve line up. The radio museum lists the STC Emperor A5240BB as having a wooden case but no picture to confirm. The A2540 schematic is available from Kevin Chant's site:- http://www.kevinchant.com/stc2.html Joe

Return to top of page · Post #: 4 · Written at 9:33:27 PM on 30 October 2021.
	Robbbert Location: Hill Top, NSW Member since 18 September 2015 Member #: 1801 Postcount: 2014
Thanks for the suggestions. They led me to the A5240BC, although mine isn't red. The picture shows the sides as sloping but that is an illusion; the sides are straight. I've downloaded the A5240 diagram from Kevin Chant, and when the laptop's battery charges up I'll go out to the workshop (garage) and begin the fight. I'll get back with the results.

Return to top of page · Post #: 5 · Written at 12:24:10 AM on 31 October 2021.
	Robbbert Location: Hill Top, NSW Member since 18 September 2015 Member #: 1801 Postcount: 2014
The schematic allowed me to prove that the problem was caused by the number one issue on Australian multi-band radios - the band switch. After a while it started to conduct, and MW was working. SW only works with careful positioning of the switch. Unfortunately the bad switch segment is under everything else and almost impossible to reach. It also took a while to get the thing back together too. Anyway, at least it works on MW most of the time now. There's what appears to be a price scribbled on the back - 34 pounds 13 shillings.

Return to top of page · Post #: 6 · Written at 12:50:12 AM on 31 October 2021.
	GTC Location: Sydney, NSW Member since 28 January 2011 Member #: 823 Postcount: 6687
I've been fooled for hours by a bad rotary switch. I now treat them as guilty until proved otherwise. According to the Reserve Bank, £34/13/- in 1954 equates to $1,237 today.

Return to top of page · Post #: 7 · Written at 1:34:53 AM on 31 October 2021.
	Robbbert Location: Hill Top, NSW Member since 18 September 2015 Member #: 1801 Postcount: 2014
That's a lot of dough for an average quality radio. Most STC radios, certainly the later ones, are nothing special. Especially, the plastic cased ones are very susceptible to damage. Fortunately the knobs are similar if not the same across the range.

Return to top of page · Post #: 8 · Written at 2:31:21 PM on 31 October 2021.
	GTC Location: Sydney, NSW Member since 28 January 2011 Member #: 823 Postcount: 6687
That's a lot of dough for an average quality radio. The basic wage in 1954 was about £12/6/- so about 3 weeks wages to buy that radio. Many people would have bought radios on hire purchase.

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