Roberts R707 renovation

Any old or new electronic projects on the go
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RON
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Roberts R707 renovation

Post by RON »

So here is my latest project. Completed just last night.
It’s the Roberts R707, 12 transistor 4 band radio. LW/MW/SW & VHF. Superheterodyne 470/10700 Khz intermediate frequency
Several of the transistors are of the germanium type. OC71/AC128 and AF115/6
Considered as one of the best transistor radios Roberts ever produced.
This particular one was manufactured in 1972.

This was given to me as a basket case so I decided to renevate it to the best of my ability.

All electronics sorted, replaced all the old Philips axial elecrolytics, blimey these capacitors have shot up in price.
Repaired the broken telescopic aerial. Needed two shims to hold one of the segments in.

The cabinet has been totally gutted.
I had to re glue it all as it had a lovely big split in the wood inside, must have been dropped at sometime, this is a heavy beast at nearly 7 Lbs in weight.
Decided to use a burgundy leather on this one with a contrasting light grey on the rear door.
I phoned the very helpful Roberts tech department and purchased a brand new gold scroll badge to add the finishing touches.
The strap handle was totally shot but managed to pick up a spares/repair R707 from eBay which luckily the strap was like new.
Had to make a new rear door from 5mm plywood as the original hardboard version was dropping to bits. It was fun cutting the precise hole out for the rear grille!! Not.
The solid teak sides have had a sand down and 4 coats of danish oil. Look new again!

It uses 2 PJ996 6 volt lantern batteries in series, the type that are used in road works lanterns. I thought these would be expensive but sourced some Varta ones from screwfix at a mere £2.90 each. Great value.

I’m really proud of the finished article and wow that bass sounds absolutely wonderful from the 7 inch oval speaker.
This radio should last many more years to come, not bad considering it’s already 48 years old.

Here are a few photos from start to finish.

Thanks for reading.

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G0MBV Class A Radio Amateur, North Yorkshire
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tiptipflyer
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Re: Roberts R707 renovation

Post by tiptipflyer »

Well done Ron,

those vintage electronics have much more soul than the new ones. Looks better than new.
You can be very proud about your work.
I use an old (45+ years) Dual receiver-turntable combo in my workshop.
I repaired only the electronics (receiver and ampifier) and the 10discs automatic record changer to working condition again and left the case as it was, so it looks old (vintage) but works great.

Cheers
Frank
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Phil_G
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Re: Roberts R707 renovation

Post by Phil_G »

Better than new Ron, looks fantastic. Perfect leatherwork and the panel is superb :D
Excellent job. You should post it on https://www.vintage-radio.net/, they would love it :D
Cheers

Phil (I rotated your sideways photos ;) )
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Wayne_H
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Re: Roberts R707 renovation

Post by Wayne_H »

Terrific craftsmanship Ron, well done. You have every right to be proud :)

So Frank, what type(s) of music currently sit on that 10 stack record changer??
Cheers,

Wayne
Once a Retrobate, always a Retrobate............ ;)
Martin
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Re: Roberts R707 renovation

Post by Martin »

Lovely job as always, Ron. Better than when it left the factory.
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tiptipflyer
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Re: Roberts R707 renovation

Post by tiptipflyer »

So Frank, what type(s) of music currently sit on that 10 stack record changer??


Most of the time, I use the FM radio, there are not much records left to choose from, most of it is rock music from the seventies (Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Uriah Heep etc.).
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RON
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Re: Roberts R707 renovation

Post by RON »

Thanks for the comments guys.
Just love the old Roberts stuff. You can pick this stuff up really cheap at the moment, doesn’t take much doing electrically, as for the cosmetics, you go on forever with them. There is odd bits still left at Roberts but not much.
I’m getting quite a collection of parts for them so if anyone fancies a go and needs a part, just give me a shout.

Ron.
G0MBV Class A Radio Amateur, North Yorkshire
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Wayne_H
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Re: Roberts R707 renovation

Post by Wayne_H »

tiptipflyer wrote: 29 Oct 2020, 16:23 ...... most of it is rock music from the seventies (Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Uriah Heep etc.).
👏👏👏👍👍 :lol:
Cheers,

Wayne
Once a Retrobate, always a Retrobate............ ;)
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RON
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Re: Roberts R707 renovation

Post by RON »

So I managed to pick up another R707 but this time I have re covered it in black leather as per original.
This radio is in even better condition than the red one. The grill is immaculate.

Ron
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G0MBV Class A Radio Amateur, North Yorkshire
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