Roberts R707 renovation
Posted: 29 Oct 2020, 07:10
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.
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.