stern-sonn: 697/62GWU (697/62 GWU); Sekretär III

Hello. I have a problem with my Sekretär III radio. The FM doesn't work well when using the radio's own antenna. There is a lot of squealing and interference noise, especially in the higher frequency end of the scale. My theory is that the radio frequencies are coupled back into the antenna from the FM-section due to (originally) poor or weakened shielding somewhere. If I connect only one pin of the dipole-antenna or use just one wire as an external antenna the radio works quite well with only an occasional little squeal at some spots of the dial during tuning. Using it like that, normal listening is not affected very much so it is something that can be lived with. However, I would like to hear if someone else has experienced similar behaviour in their Sekretär radios or other models. Also if there is a way to fix the problem, I would appreciate your suggestions.

Timo

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I put a German translation in a separate thread now.

Kobi

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I got a suspicion: Neutralisation of the Tuner input triode. It is materialized by a 2.5 pF cap (C5). That might be off from the optimal value.

Other tuner constructions applied mostly a small trimmer cap for the purpose.

Jens Dehne told me that he would remember something alike from past experience. He made a photo of C5 location and we can look how to replace the part by a variable one. Care must be taken in such high frequency circuits, not to spoil their function by alterations to connections or wiring. Everything has an influence at 100 MHz what would be harmless in the BC band.

The UCC85 base has  C5 connected from pin 6 to 8.

It might have lost contact between wire and cap (even inside).
First of all unsolder one end and watch what will happen.

Without a dramatic change in FM behaviour I would say, C5 is defect.
Anyway try to replace it by a suitable Trimmer. If not at hand use some capacity close to 2.5 pF. Vary by 0.5 to 1 pF up and down.

Good luck!

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