[squeeker7]

I was cleaning out one of my storage rooms and discovered a Sparks-Withington Model 400 Series radio, the dial plate has Sparton Junior. The cabinet is near mint condition. I also have a Airline battery set (mint), a 20's RCA with matching external speaker. and a Zenith arm chair which plays great. The RCA sounds great with very very little AC hum (what are the odds). I haven't a clue where or when I picked up this Sparks-Withington. I'm a Victrola/Gramophone collector/restorer and its time to thin out my 40 some machines and radios.

I'm going to plug the SW set in and see what happens. I don't see anything obvious that could cause a disaster.

Bill WG4W

[squeeker7]

Plugged it in an nothing. Time for a schematic. Don't know if the volume switch was a pull for on or what. Any suggestions on where I can get a schematic for this set. Tnx

[TA Forbes]

Hello, Bill: try nostalgiaair.org for your schematic.

[squeeker7]

Thanks

[Bob Andersen]

I restored one of these not too long ago. All the caps had to be replaced ant the antenna coil had a break near one lug.

Were you lucky enough to get a good pair of 183s in it ? I had to modify mine to use 71As.

As mentioned previously, you can get the service info from nostalgia air here: http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Resources/do...029725.pdf

Note that it's actually for the 410/420 model but it matched my 400.

Good luck,
Bob
[Image: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5263/56446...c3cb22.jpg]

[Image: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5224/56441...3d50e6.jpg]

[squeeker7]

Haven't really checked the tube numbers. Poked around the other day and notice one of the tapped leads to the power transformer is broken off with no way to resolder it. Looking at the photo of your machine I see some differences between yours and the one I have. The back of the chassis is the same but the power transformer in mine is definitely different. This unit I have was certainly worked on at some point and I'm unable to find a schematic. I would really like to get it going as the case if almost perfect save for a small spot near the bottom rear which is really not noticeable.
You did a magnificent job on your machine, really looks nice - especially the chassis.. Cheers

[Bob Andersen]

Thanks! If you do have 183 or 483 output tubes, be extra careful with them.. They are very expensive and very hard to find.

The schematic from Nostalgia Air doesn't match your set ? It matches my 400 perfectly.

[Note from admin. Sorry, tink to Nostalgia Air schematic corrupted by recent Phorum conversion.]

Here are a bunch more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N0...16/detail/

I also did a whole series of YouTube videos while restoring it: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7...ature=plcp

[Arran]

With regards to the Sparton, not that it's the most esthetically appealing option but if the type 183s are bad or missing I have read that a series string TV tube called a 5V6 can be used as an substitute with an adapter.
Regards
Arran

[squeeker7]

Thanks for the info - I'm going to check the tubes Friday - I'll let you know.