The PHILCO Phorum
Rogers Majestic R-646 - Printable Version

+- The PHILCO Phorum (https://philcoradio.com/phorum)
+-- Forum: Various and Sundry Categories (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=37)
+--- Forum: Other Radios/Phonographs (Non-Philco) (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=12)
+--- Thread: Rogers Majestic R-646 (/showthread.php?tid=25794)

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 12-04-2025

After testing, the receiver turned on. But it didn't work right away. Testing all voltages revealed no abnormalities. The audio amplifier worked. Connecting the antenna (as if with a finger Icon_smile ) directly to the grid of the first amplifier allowed radio stations to be received. Further testing revealed an open circuit in the matching coil of the first RF circuit.
I had to remove the shield, which required drilling out the rivets. And yes, the coil was broken. Judging by its scorched appearance, this was caused by a lightning strike on the antenna.

   

But the open circuit was found and repaired. After that, the receiver worked quite reliably. To increase sensitivity, it was necessary to adjust the tuning capacitors of the RF coils.
In our opinion, the receiver doesn't work very well; a lack of gain in the audio path is clearly noticeable. Indeed, the very insensitive push-pull triode output stage is trying to operate directly from the grid detector. There is no additional gain stage. Therefore, the final volume was quite mediocre.
And yes, the aforementioned Philco-20A, whose circuit is largely identical, performs much better. At least the sound level is impeccable. This is precisely because the audio circuit includes an additional phaseinvertor driver after the detector.

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 12-04-2025

This is what the chassis looks like after restoration.
Now it's time to finish assembling the cabinet. Work has already begun, all the defects have been repaired and eliminated. The finishing materials just arrived, so the project is nearing completion.

   
   
   
   

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 12-04-2025

[Video: https://youtu.be/5fI0RbbSo4g]

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 12-05-2025

Chassis inside before and after.

              

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 12-05-2025

So, this grandfather of radio is completely finished inside. It's time to get his clothes done.
First, here's what the cabinet looked like before restoration.

                                 

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 12-05-2025

First, all body defects needed to be repaired. Using a medical syringe, we repaired the plywood delaminations, reglued all joints, and glued back any loose decorative parts.
Unfortunately, complete authenticity is impossible here, using bone glue, as in the original, is technologically difficult and unreliable. Therefore, regular modern carpenter wood glue was used.

               

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 12-16-2025

The case is completely glued together. The damage to the veneer on the front panel has been repaired. 
Now the last step before final finishing is puttying and final sanding.


   

   

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - KCMike - 12-16-2025

Very good job on the radio chassis.
Sounded like it was picking up stations really well.
Cabinet work looks good too.
Regards, Mike

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 12-16-2025

Especially considering that the antenna used was a piece of wire about 6 feet long lying on the floor.

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 12-18-2025

The cabinet is stained and ready for finishing.

   

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 01-04-2026

Cabinet readi for final assembling.

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 01-04-2026

The first coat of primer - "Tung oil".
The second and third coats - "Danish oil".
The final polish - "Restor & Finish. Neutral"

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 01-07-2026

The project is nearing completion.
Replacing the protective grille. Precise placement of the grille is crucial to ensure the correct texture lines and even tension.
To achieve this, the grille was pre-stretched and pinned to a foam board. The speaker board was glued in place with wood glue.
After the glue dried, the grille was further stapled and trimmed.

   

   

All parts are ready for the final step—assembling the chassis and speaker into the cabinet.

   

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - Vlad95 - 01-08-2026

The radio is assembled, the first test of the project's completion.

[Video: https://youtu.be/8gvzpXutwuk]

RE: Rogers Majestic R-646 - morzh - 01-08-2026

Sound well. Get it to play some music, this helps with assessing the sound quality.