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"The Theory Of Servicing AM, FM, And FM Stereo Receivers"

dnpainting

dnpainting

Super Member
I've wanted to learn how to align tuners for some time now. I have a ST-1000A (FM Generator), a ST-1700A (Distortion Analyzer), Tek 2246 Scope, Tek ASG100 (Audio Signal Generator), Tek CFG280 (Function Generator), Fluke 287 Meter (which can read frequencies), A Kenwood Wow & Flutter (With Frequency Counter) and a complete set of Pioneer Plastic and wood tuning adjustment tools. Are there any other pieces of equipment that I should be looking into getting? RF Probe? OR, will the 10X scope probe be fine?

I understand that this is indeed an art that takes years and years of knowledge and practice. But, we all have to start somewhere.

I found "The Theory Of Servicing AM, FM, And FM Receivers" by Clarence R. Green and Robert M. Bourque book online through one of Barnes and Noble used book sellers. I beleive it is a First addition, only has the year 1980 on it, ISBN 0-13-913490-1. The condition was listed as "Acceptable". To me, the condition is excellent. The price was very Acceptable, at only $14.82 + Shipping.

From what I have read here at AK, this is a good book to start with, as well as becoming a member to FM Tuners website, which I have. I have only read the Preface and Introduction and I must say, there is a lot more to tuners than I realized.

One thing that the book states is that just reading is not enough. It recommends to go get some cheap AM/FM radios to help in the learning process and to help with picking up techniques.

I just hopw I don't end up with a lot of door stops!!!

Thanks for reading
 
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The other version of the book was dated 1987, same authors, slightly different title
"Troubleshooting, Servicing, and Theory of AM, FM, and FM Stereo Receivers (2nd Edition)"
Both books are about the same for the theory part, the earlier version is easier to find and usually cheaper.

You have what is needed, plus the service manuals for the tuners of course.

Tube and digital tuners are a little more involved, so try to start with 70's analog tuners, low or mid level ones. Almost all receivers meet this criteria, with only a few exceptions.

You may also want to procure some extra ceramic filters, for swapping out bad ones, or ones that are way off frequency. They are mostly nonadjustable, both a blessing, and curse if they are not correct in frequency. I've seen many bad ones, especially in KT-7500's.

Bottom line, understanding the theory of how tuners work is the most important thing in doing an effective alignment.

Bob
 
Seek and ye shall find

Congratulations on finding the book! I've had it on Ebay Search for a long time. Goodwill should have plenty of functioning but misaligned tuners; my local GW always has some. Good for you for taking a hands-on approach to this!

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/search/

Have fun!
 
Thank You KIM3Ce!

Thank you Bob for the advice. I do have a Kenwood KT-5500 staring at me in my work area, along with a Pioneer TX-9100 that I want to Re-Cap and align, after much practice of course.
 
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Ordered: "Troubleshooting, Servicing and Theory of AM, FM, and FM Stereo Receivers"

I have read this book, cover to cover and going to start reading again. Today, I found the other book for pretty cheap. Troubleshooting, Servicing and Theory of AM, FM, and FM Stereo Receivers, 2nd edition for about half a benny. Don't know if I would need the other one but I thought it was a good price. Funny, when I think back to my school days and how much I hated to read. Now, I try to make everynight an hour of reading time. Quite relaxing.
 
Indeed. When my knee finally craters and I stop all the out-door activities the plan is to get back into working on gear. But, am only 65, so figure have about 15 years to go. But, the books are 'on the shelf'.
 
@dnpainting,

What equipment do you have available to carry out such tasks? With out this you can never put the theory into practice.
I was just looking at the Yamaha T-2 tuner, now that is a fair bit of 1978 ckt design at its best.
I learn lots from SM's, they demonstrate the many ways of designing a tuner, & audio in general, look at
http://sportsbil.com/yamaha/
http://www.kallhovde.com/Njord Noatun's Vintage Audio Resources.html
Hours of reading at these sites for you.

Regards
Rick
 
rcs16 said:
@dnpainting,

What equipment do you have available to carry out such tasks? With out this you can never put the theory into practice.
I was just looking at the Yamaha T-2 tuner, now that is a fair bit of 1978 ckt design at its best.
I learn lots from SM's, they demonstrate the many ways of designing a tuner, & audio in general, look at
http://sportsbil.com/yamaha/
http://www.kallhovde.com/Njord Noatun's Vintage Audio Resources.html
Hours of reading at these sites for you.

Regards
Rick
Click to expand...

Hey thanks Rick for the links. The equipment I have in in my first post. Also, just stumbled onto a Heathkit RF Generator in my dads things that I am still going through.
 
FM tuners

The equipment I have in in my first post
Click to expand...
Oop's, maybe I should learn to read more thoroughly!
BTW, Nice list of equipment.
Was looking at stereo MPX generators yesterday, came up with this
http://home.telkomsa.net/jeanward/fm_stereo.html
Looks easy enough to make this on a protoboard. One day, I will take this one on. Note it says +/-12V for the CD4066, this part has a abs. maximum of +18V, so ground pin pin 7, (VSS) and connect power to pin 14, (VCC)
there are probably ways to improve on this ckt, but it is a good start
http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/CD/CD4066BC.pdf
Also Rohm makes a IC for this task & it is a FM modulators as well.
http://ca.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...GAEpiMZZMuiqkRG2l98Y9Hj0EiD%2bdu1lSkMCPVNMrE=

For RF work, tracing signals, etc, a FET probe is a good choice but they can be expensive. A passive 450ohm probe will work on a low cost budget. RF probes are usually not required for tuning, only for design/troubleshooting.

Regards
Rick
 
Really, most service manuals have very good alignment instructions and you have all the equipment you need. Sansui alignment instructions are pretty good, maybe start there. As I recall, Kenwood and Pioneer had good instructions also.
 
dr*audio said:
Really, most service manuals have very good alignment instructions and you have all the equipment you need. Sansui alignment instructions are pretty good, maybe start there. As I recall, Kenwood and Pioneer had good instructions also.
Click to expand...

But, lack the knowledge of what I am doing and how a tuner works. :D
 
dr*audio said:
Sansui alignment instructions are pretty good, maybe start there. As I recall, Kenwood and Pioneer had good instructions also.
Click to expand...

Your kidding right? Sansui, good instructions? If you have a "Genscope" maybe. Kenwood and Pioneer are usually very with theory of operation sections. Sansui, usually, block diagram, scat, parts list, and alignment procedure written for a Genscope". Throw in mistakes and changes to the actually unit that were not documented and you have some of the worse manuals out there. The 60's early 70's is better, but classic 70's is horrid. Rant off. Love Sansui's, but hate their manuals.
 
Punker X said:
Your kidding right? Sansui, good instructions? If you have a "Genscope" maybe. Kenwood and Pioneer are usually very with theory of operation sections. Sansui, usually, block diagram, scat, parts list, and alignment procedure written for a Genscope". Throw in mistakes and changes to the actually unit that were not documented and you have some of the worse manuals out there. The 60's early 70's is better, but classic 70's is horrid. Rant off. Love Sansui's, but hate their manuals.
Click to expand...

I thought of Sansui because at least some of the manuals give alternate procedures using a distortion analyzer, which the OP has. But, yeah, they do have mistakes and those manuals are probably better for someone with experience.
 
Received the 2nd edition book today. The studying begins. Just in time as I will be having surgery soon and wont have much else to do but read for a while. I have an old Raymer am/fm tuner that will be my first victim, so to speak.
 
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