The Wonderbar radio in my '62 only receives stations with a strong signal. I am assuming that I have a problem with the sensitivity adjustment, since moving the lever left or right of center causes no change. Im guessing it's time for repair. Can anyone help with the name or names of some radio restorers. Your help will be appreciated. But please don't tell me to look in the Driveline. I need to hear from you with personal experiences. Thanks in advance.
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Re: '62 Wonderbar Radio
The people you want to talk to are Charles Siegfried 707-823-7927 or Tony MacCrutchfield www.wonderbarman.com.
Terry -
Re: '62 Wonderbar Radio
Second the recommendation for Charles
JohnComment
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Re: '62 Wonderbar Radio
There is a proceedure for "t*******" the antenna. I haven't done this in 30 years, but if I remember correctly, there is a screw on the back of the radio that can be turned to adjust the tuner. Put it on a channel that you are receiving and adjust forbest reception. I'd try that before sending the radio off.
Also, bear in mind that there aren't a lot of AM stations around in many parts of the country. Here in the Birmingham, Alabama area, I can pick up one sports talk show on AM. The rest of the dial is pretty much silent. Others I have spoken with who have AM only radios report similar experiences.Comment
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Re: '62 Wonderbar Radio
I agree with antenna trim adjustment - easy to do. Also agree with AM station transmitting strength and location as being very important. Beyond that, also agree with the Charles recommendation. Have used his services for years. DCComment
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Minor disagreement....
Poster said the WB only stopped on station when the selectivity switch was in it's center position. This is the setting for 'normal' signal strength station selection. Moving the selectivity switch to the left should increase selectivity with the radio stopping on only 'strong' stations. In the right setting, 'weak' station selectivity is engaged and the radio should stop on just about every station on the dial.
The fact the radio only seeks/stops with the selectivity knob in it's middle or 'normal' selectivity setting says tweaking the antenna t******* capacitor will be of no avail here! The radio needs bench work to resolve.
I don't have a problem with either recommended repair service, but poster should expect a difference in turnaround time, price and service(s) rendered. Siegfried does full electrical restoration work vs. standard repair and time and $$$ increase accordingly.
Instead of finding the thing or thing(s) wrong with your Wonderbar today and fixing them, he'll do a wholesale restoration by pulling out each/every electrical component that's known to age/drift and cause problems. Then, he'll replace all these components with modern technology equivalents that do NOT age/drift.
Next, he'll apply ALL of the circuit updates/improvements Delco Remy published for that particular radio. Similar inspection and replacement of mechanical items (a Wonderbar radio is very much a 'Swiss watch' with the lion's share of it's seek function done mechanically vs. electronically) is also provided.
Last, Charles will 'burn' the radio in for the better part of a week and periodically exercise the seek function in all three modes of selectivity. But, while all this sounds great, don't expect the chassis case to be bead blasted and replated, the pot metal knobs and face plate to be pulled, have pit polished out and be re-chromed, Etc. Yes, you can buy reproduction push buttons and face plate, but there ARE tiny differences between Delco Remy original parts and the repro parts and some judges are savvy enough to look for these differences.
So, it's a question of simple repair, wholesale electro-mechanical restoration or FULL restoration (including cosmetics) that each wrestle with. The only way I know of getting a FULL restoration is to do it yourself....Comment
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Re: Minor disagreement....
Jack,
What's your take on later non- wounder bar radios? my 67 has the same problem with only bringing in the strongest FM station and no AM. L.A. has tons of strong AM stations, the strongest originate south of the border. I don't want cosmetics just a good working radio, I like the idea of the modern components and like your idea to do it yourself if I can?
KevinComment
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