3-RF-91 (3RF91) "Woodland" Ch= RC1129 (RC 1129)

 I have a 3-rf-91 that has random volume increases. It will sudenly get louder and stay that way for five minuets or so then jump back to normal volume again. Also When it Has been playing for 30 minuets it will start crackling just on the fm band.If any one has any idea what could be causing these problems, pleas post.

We can now select for questions and answers/statements. Later this post will come up again if there was no answer. I hope that helps.

Hello Wyatt,

I have the earlier version of your set, the 1951 1R81 Livingston which although 4 years older is almost identical in appearance and has the same tubes. Mine works very well here in the UK but it did need some work.

I should start by cleaning the volume and tone potentiometers, waveband switch and all the tube bases and pins with switch cleaner. If you haven't replaced the old wax capacitors then do so (in particular the audio coupling capacitor) as that made a tremendous improvement to mine and while you're working on the chassis check for any loose or dry joints. If you know someone who can test your tubes then get them tested and replace any that are worn (I replaced the 5Y3GT (rectifier), 6X8, 6CB6 and 6AV6). 

I hope that fixes yours as these are very good radios. If the problem persists then write again. 

Regards .......... Howard

Hello again Wyatt,

And.here is a pic of seven of the wax capacitors which were replaced, the eighth and most important one, the audio coupling capacitor is not there but is the same type. One of the Aerovox capacitors was found to be open circuit, all the others were leaky. 

I forgot to mention that I had the same problem with the Livingston, after 20 minutes the sound started to break up but since replacement of these capacitors the set has worked perfectly. I think you will find much the same capacitors in your Woodland and once they are replaced for around $5 the lot your set will work fine.

Regards ......... Howard

I found out that the problem with mine was a bad silver mica in an IF can.  Those capacitors were half of the problem.

Well done Wyatt,

Glad it's working now. I haven't had that problem with my RCA Victor Livingston .... yet ..... but I am aware that the capacitors embedded in the mica discs in the base of US built IF transformers tend to deteriorate, indeed all the capacitors in the IFTs in my Zenith H-615 had to be replaced. Fingers crossed my RCA won't need its IFTs repaired just yet.

I hope now it's working that you're as impressed with the performance of your Woodland as I am of my Livingston.

Regards .......... Howard