SW Radio Restoration: Telefunken E104 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2018, 12:28:33 pm
content: The Telefunken E104Kw4/7, build in 1953.22 tubes,1,1 to 30,1MHz in 17 bands (coil revolver drum selection)double conversion super with variable 1 and fixed 2. IFit can listen anything including F3the sensitivity is typical 7kTthe weight is 90kgRESTORATION.

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2018, 12:38:43 pm
content: there is lot of cleaning and restoration to do.PSU, removing transformers and paint them, (done)polishing all silver plated parts, (done)washing complete,searching problems and repair.lubrication of the complete gear train.it is the shortwaves brother of the E108Lw4 LF Radio, in same case, same weight.I found the radio in NL.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2018, 12:14:04 am
content: Wow - that is some serious Big Iron there. I love the magnifying lens on the dial. Keep posting updates!

author: Chris Wilson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2018, 09:51:11 am
content: Probably just an "out of curiosity" question, but as an LF fan, how much would a working LF version be these days (not necessarily a cosmetically perfect one, but one that just worked correctly?) Amazing receivers, and you look to be doing a great restoration, respect to you, and it!

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2018, 03:21:52 pm
content: hello Chris,as a member of RMorg I can watch the sales tabellary there.E108Lw4sold on ebay august 21, 2011 for 352€ (371us$) unknown condition.sold on ebay dec. 07, 2007 for 665,-€ (700us$) unknown condition.transportation by trucking only, the post will not accept that heavy radioSo you can calculate to pay the same then for a fine R389/URR,additional the restoration is to do.E108 have a seperate input for a frame antenna of 1 m².This is the very best choice, it listen the SAQ, som russian alphas, the time, and some control signals for anything.Most amazing is 147kHz RTTY, the german sea weather ready for machine printers. (it works nice with a Wavecom Decoder 4010 and a little camping TV as monitor)greetingsMartin

author: Chris Wilson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2018, 03:29:09 pm
content: Thank you Martin, not a silly price for such a fine piece of radio history, it would be a pleasure owning and using such a beast!

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2018, 03:35:56 pm
content: in €/kg that is not so very expensiveIf we catch one can you pick up that here in germany?greetingsMartin

author: Chris Wilson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2018, 04:26:45 pm
content: Hmmm, let me ask the wife, just a minute.....Shit, that HURT!!Seriously, I think my restoration skills are beneath such a task, but a working one, I might be tempted if it could be crated.

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2018, 04:49:45 pm
content: the best deal with the wife is a radio tower, that requires ony 60x60cm (and you can stack the radios up to 2meter')greetingsMartin

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2018, 07:38:16 pm
content: Don't think wife would be happy if Radio Tower made a hole In the floor, must be ~300kg in that photo. But she maybe delighted if it disappeared into the hole, taking husband with it.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 03, 2018, 08:57:18 pm
content: That is very cool Martin.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 03, 2018, 09:03:39 pm
content: You just have to love a radio that comes with its own tool kit.Have fun and can't wait to see what it looks like finished.

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2018, 03:23:47 pm
content: in the second IF chassis A (down stage):bad C, I have to change them all. This chassis is soldet with EROID.the following chassis second IF-B is soldet with tropi C, no problems.You see the count of adjustable C in the second IF is extremly. They have build seperate adjustable ways for each of the selectable IF bandwiths.Telefunken is gone the best possible way: calculation is greatful, a screw is the best...the nine switching stages are part of the bandwith selection, they swap coils and adjustable C`s allover.stabi = OK

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 08, 2018, 06:36:19 pm
content: Very Cool..Nicely engineered.I have never seen this radio before, thanks for posting the pics Martin.

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2018, 05:30:15 pm
content: Dezifix 60 Ohm cable, by Rohde+Schwarz.good for the radio.. and a compatible antenna switch

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2018, 11:31:15 pm
content: Those are some very well made parts.

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2018, 05:38:13 pm
content: Recapping of the IF2-A

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2018, 05:40:56 pm
content: Looks Good Martin.

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2018, 06:54:08 pm
content: fresh tubes.I made a simply test socket with some metal film R, feed that with a tubes PSU (Heathkit IP17 relative) and with R+S Signal Generator to select from a stock of 25 pcs the input tube with the best distance of signal and noise. This one is now the first stage in the radio. Now the tuner, IF1, have allover SQ tubes, EF800, EF805s, ECC801s as mixer. The oscillator tube is not new, but 100%. Very best for long time stability. With a fresh tube as oscilltaor it will drift after some hours (burn in), so a healthy used tube is the way to go. This is NOT critical in this radio bec. the first oscillator have fixed frequencys by crystal. The second oscillator is the most critical part in the radio, it have to tune syncron to the varation of the IF1IF2 is also full of SQ. EF805s, E91AA. in the audio chassis are E81CC, and the old EL41 as loudspeaker amp.OK.The first test was amazing, but crashes in IF2 about the bad C there. The cw reception , s/n, of the old radio is shameless

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2018, 07:07:48 am
content: replacement of light bulbs, there are obsolete parts. So I have soldered E5,5 Bulbs in the used sockets and plug them in the radio..it use 10 pcs. , 2A only for the scaling light.here is a short film: the oldie wakes uphttp://www.wellenkino.de/e104/e104-1.AVIgreetingsMartin

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2018, 01:41:00 pm
content: Nice warm glow!

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2018, 07:53:22 pm
content: I found a nice old speaker for the radio.And .. the restoration is done.greetingsMartin

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 29, 2018, 01:55:37 am
content: Looks really nice Martin.

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2018, 10:33:18 pm
content: Restoration is done.We have a hard working radiogreetingsMartin

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2018, 11:55:33 pm
content: What sort of modern solid state receiver would have equal performance to that behemoth?

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 04, 2018, 12:54:22 pm
content: Nicely done Martian.

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2018, 05:01:51 pm
content: Quote from: Circlotron on June 03, 2018, 11:55:33 pmany what use 3 large coils preselection in each band. They are the one and all in fishing small signals.greetingsMartin

author: chris_leyson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2018, 06:07:14 pm
content: QuoteCan't think of anything new off hand. Redifon put preselectors in their marine receivers but I don't think they've built a receiver since the R500 and that was over 20 years ago. Harris RF590 comes with a preselector option but that's another old design. Some advocates of software defined receivers claim that you don't need preselectors but then they don't design receivers for marine and military customers. I think I will leave it there for now.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 02:32:44 am
content: Quote from: AF6LJ on June 04, 2018, 12:54:22 pmAgreed very nice job!