RCA Model A39 - Canadian Vintage Radio Society

This topic has 8 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 6 months, 2 weeks ago by Dan Walker.

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March 23, 2021 at 6:28 am #16480

Joseph Skrypka
CVRS Member

Hi guys
I’m bringing an RCA A39 radio back to life. I’ve recapped all of the electrolytic and wax/paper caps, and replaced all of the out of spec resistors (about 1/3 of the resistors). I’ve not changed any of the mica caps (there are many).
It has come back to life (it was dead), but the audio quality is quite raspy.
I have the technical information, it’s good, but does not have voltage information, which I find odd – does anyone have access to point voltage information for this radio?
Can anyone give me direction on where to look for a possible reason for the raspiness?
The tubes all test well.
I haven’t re-aligned the radio yet.
Thanks for any advice that you folks may have!

March 23, 2021 at 6:46 am #16481
Joseph Skrypka
CVRS Member
I’ve attached a copy of the schematic. The entire file was too large to send.
Joe
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1. Notes_210323_094230_6d1.jpg
March 23, 2021 at 6:56 am #16483
Dan Walker
CVRS Member
I have found that once the radio is aligned it usually makes quite a difference.
I have the rad books on RCA, so I will have a look
Dan in Calgary
- This reply was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by Dan Walker. Reason: added information
March 23, 2021 at 7:21 am #16485

Dan Walker
CVRS Member

I did check my books and there are no voltages for that model
Dan in Calgary

March 23, 2021 at 7:22 am #16486

garykuster
CVRS Member

Looks like all the info is at Radiomuseum.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/rca_victor_a_39.html

March 23, 2021 at 9:28 am #16487

Joseph Skrypka
CVRS Member

Dumb me. I found the voltages on a separate page in the document that I had downloaded so I’ll check them out later today.
Any other ideas on the raspiness before I do any more? It kind of sounds over-driven so dealing with any over-voltages may fix that problem.
Failing that and an alignment, are there any other typical reasons for a raspy sound?

March 16, 2025 at 7:44 am #33951

Dan Walker
CVRS Member

Hello Gary;
I just picked up a model A 39, and I was wondering how you made out with yours [back in 2021]?
I have not got to mine yet but I hope to in the next week.
Dan in Calgary

March 25, 2025 at 4:15 pm #34397

Lee Whitehead
CVRS Member

Speaker problems?

March 25, 2025 at 6:02 pm #34398
Dan Walker
CVRS Member
I just removed the speaker from the cabinet and I find that the cone is not attached to the cage [no glue or anything]
It had a large felt ring between the edge of the cone and the speaker board.
I am not sure if I will put a few dabs of glue to hold the cone
to the cage. Was the cone attached to the cage on your speaker?
Thanks
Dan in Calgary
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