I have a Westinghouse model H-914P8GPC that I have used daily for years. It's been my "shaving radio" and source of news on WBZ Boston. It is a shirt pocket sized 8 transistor model and was a good performer. Up until last Tuesday that is.
It has lost nearly all its great sensitivity but remains loud and clear on just one nearby AM station. It has not been dropped. I have its twin, not tested as it has a bad battery clip and broken switch (does not shut off) that set could be a source of a needed part if a hard to get part should be needed.
A stroke in 2006 has left me unable to do my own work. (I was decades in the TV business.) I'm "living" on a meager SS income so I can't spend a lot, but certainly can cover parts and postage.
If you can help please let me know.
My email is: radiodoc@metrocast.net

Either the oscillator stopped working, or more likely an antenna lead got D/C from the tuner or board.

Test the oscillator function by placing the working set next to it, turned on and tuned to 1000 Kilocycles, and rotate the tuner to see if you can get a squeal from the working set, 455 Kc above or below.

If so, and if you are able, take the radio out of it's case and inspect the three or four wires coming off the antenna Ferrite coil.

Hi Mal, I'll try to help. Email sent!
-Ed

Thanks Ed. No email's come as yet, I'll keep looking.

Thank you for your reply, fifties. The oscillator is working, the local station is 1420 and that's where it may be tuned on the dial. It's just that the previously good sensitivity is now very poor.
Between my limited eyesight and impaired motor skills, taking the pc board out of the cabinet is not something I can do anymore. I was hoping to find someone to repair this radio for me.
Broken wires are not likely, as the problem arose during completely normal use.

Your email came Ed and my reply has gone out. I'm grateful for your help.

Mal

This is a symptom of either the oscillator not working, or a disconnection of an antenna lead. The leads soldered on PC board pads can occasionally become D/C over time.

I would be interested in seeing Ed in SoDak post his findings in this thread, if he is going to fix it for you.

They are on their way to me. I actually hope to get the second set going first as I think it may be easier, but I'm going to try to repair both. Having two for comparison readings should help a lot. Maybe we can make a step-by-step thread about it as someone on here has asked for.

For all I know, it might turn out to be a How-Not-To instead of a How-To thread, but others can chime in and it may be educational for everyone including me. I'm no graduate tech, but I once watched Emmett Clark from Mayberry fix a radio on TV.

-Ed

It's a long way from the woods of New Hampshire to South Dakota. At noon today, I sent the two little radios by parcel post (the cheapest way) so it will be interesting to see how long they take to reach Ed.
Perhaps we can call the report Ed's Thread

Will be watching... Hope all goes well.

John

Well there it is right there...What more could one ask for?

Here's a shot of Ed's future project.
It was, until lately, a great performing little radio.

Hi Mal and the group,

I received the radios today and had a brief inspection. They are the GP and GPC models made in different plants, so there are differences between them.

The working set seems fine on the upper end but quiet below that. Works great picking up my SStrans at 1530, but it's only 10 feet away. However, it can tune out interference from my computer monitor, which many other radios have a problem with.

The non-working set has a resistor laid on top of one of the transformers. This seems to have been shorted or had a battery reaction, as the resistor is damaged and I can see bare wires from the transformer at the contact point. That will be my first point of attack in repairing that set once I install a new battery connector.

-Ed

Pretty good mail service (5-days) for parcel post. The working radio lost about 75-80% of it's former sensitivity over night. Perhaps that's the underlying reason it is less bothered by your computer than other sets! I've never heard the "parts radio" work. Thank you for your efforts.

Hi all,

I have some NOS transistor radio volume pots/switches if needed.
Here's a pic:


~ Mitch ~

Oh, joy!
I am almost overjoyed to see a transistor radio how-to thread. And watching Emmit Clark fix a radio got me interested in radio repair. However, watching James (a.k.a. Ivan) "Kinch" Kinchloe assemble the world's only fully functioning "Gonkulator" propelled me straight into the world of instrumentation R&D!

Ed---do you see any evidence of something getting into radio to cause that damage ? Are the transformers interchangeable between the two sets if that one has damaged winding(s) ?

Mitch---do need a volume ctl./switch for my Sony TR-84... Original had shaft like a couple of yours do---what are actual physical measurements & resistances of ones you have ? Thanks...

John

My intention was to help Mal with repairing his old radio, not to advertise my parts.
However, I will extend the same offer to John or anyone else who might need these.
(Don't want to start off on the wrong foot with anyone, especially the mods.)

This has a 4mm diameter shaft, about 5/8th in height, with an overall length of one inch.
Markings stamped on side of pot are: 10KΩCW10% JAPAN 868B933-1

No charge... just cover the postage,
~ Mitch ~

And thank you Mitch for your offer of help. Ed's in the driver's seat, so we'll see his response.

As for the model numbers, the one set's model number is:
H-914P8GPC and the other one is:
H-914P8GP-Black

One's charcoal and the other black. The radios should be essentially the same but for the color.