26-08-2011, 08:39 PM
Excellent result John!
To have restored an existing cabinet to that standard would have been praiseworthy, but to build it from start to finish, including the inset Pye Logo is really quite outstanding. Did you spray the cabinet with lacquer, and if so, was it an aerosol acrylic spray or someting else?
You mention the engraved lettering on the knobs and how best to re-do the lettering. Personally, I've always picked the old paint out carefully with a needle or pin, then I apply white modelling enamel paint, which comes in little tins, (you can get 'antique white' if you don't want it to look too 'new'), not worrying too much about getting the paint on the knob around the lettering. Then having left it to dry overnight, (as you appear to have done), I use a fine cotton cloth - an old handkerchief is ideal, lightly soaked in enamel thinners, and gently wipe off the surplus paint around the letters. It's best to do this a little at a time, so as to not risk softening the pint within the engraved letters. If the lettering is quite deep, it's best to give it two light coats, repeating the process, because if you 'flood' the lettering, the paint in the letters takes much longer to harden off, and you risk removing it when you wipe off the surplus paint around the letters.
In the UK, the two main brands of modelling paint sold are Humbrol and Revell.
Seeing your SSTRAN AM transmitter in use on youtube would raise a few eyebrows within EU countries, where such equipment is illegal, though perfectly legal in paranod America under FCC rules. The UK regulator (OFCOM) has taken action against one UK supplier of an AM micro-transmitter, who - as a condition of purchase - now requires buyers to agree that they will not use the equipment anywhere in Europe, except for RF experiments in an enclosed screen cabinet. (Yes, of course!). If Ofcom had a mind to, I guess it could take further enforcement action, but I don't think it's keeping them awake at night! Like when did they last get a complaint about intereference? (They didn't).
Finally, of course, it must be said that the prime purpose of a radio isn't just to look nice, but to sound nice - after all, that is its primary pupose in life! It fulfills that requirement magnificently!!
Really, your youtube clips deserve to attract a much lager audience.
What next? :D
David
To have restored an existing cabinet to that standard would have been praiseworthy, but to build it from start to finish, including the inset Pye Logo is really quite outstanding. Did you spray the cabinet with lacquer, and if so, was it an aerosol acrylic spray or someting else?
You mention the engraved lettering on the knobs and how best to re-do the lettering. Personally, I've always picked the old paint out carefully with a needle or pin, then I apply white modelling enamel paint, which comes in little tins, (you can get 'antique white' if you don't want it to look too 'new'), not worrying too much about getting the paint on the knob around the lettering. Then having left it to dry overnight, (as you appear to have done), I use a fine cotton cloth - an old handkerchief is ideal, lightly soaked in enamel thinners, and gently wipe off the surplus paint around the letters. It's best to do this a little at a time, so as to not risk softening the pint within the engraved letters. If the lettering is quite deep, it's best to give it two light coats, repeating the process, because if you 'flood' the lettering, the paint in the letters takes much longer to harden off, and you risk removing it when you wipe off the surplus paint around the letters.
In the UK, the two main brands of modelling paint sold are Humbrol and Revell.
Seeing your SSTRAN AM transmitter in use on youtube would raise a few eyebrows within EU countries, where such equipment is illegal, though perfectly legal in paranod America under FCC rules. The UK regulator (OFCOM) has taken action against one UK supplier of an AM micro-transmitter, who - as a condition of purchase - now requires buyers to agree that they will not use the equipment anywhere in Europe, except for RF experiments in an enclosed screen cabinet. (Yes, of course!). If Ofcom had a mind to, I guess it could take further enforcement action, but I don't think it's keeping them awake at night! Like when did they last get a complaint about intereference? (They didn't).
Finally, of course, it must be said that the prime purpose of a radio isn't just to look nice, but to sound nice - after all, that is its primary pupose in life! It fulfills that requirement magnificently!!
Really, your youtube clips deserve to attract a much lager audience.
What next? :D
David
