ever ready sky queen 2

[Yorkie]

I wouldn't worry about the audio couplng cap - C24, commonly termed 'that cap'. In a mains powered valve radio it's invariably a 'waxy' paper cap and as they become leaky (in the electrical sense) over time, instead of doing its job of blocking DC from getting onto the grid of the outut valve while passing AC signals as is its role in life, it allows DC to pass, which can over-run the output valve, stressing the valve, output transformer etc. However, in the Sky Queen2, 'that' cap (C24) is encapsulated in the module and has a much lower capacitance than in a valve radio 5,000 pF (.005uF) so it won't be a waxy paper one. (It's value isn't critical as the tolerance stated is+80%/-20%!).

There are a few caps which - on the diagram of the layout look like either waxies, or mouldseal (brown or black plastic looking) - but I doubt they'll be problematical. EG: C6, 14, 16, 22 are all 0.04uF and C15, 0.1uF. It looks a nice radio and in nice condition. As with all battery powered radios, the bargain price of a tenner is less than it would otherwise fetch, due to the lack of appeal to many restorers because of the battery issue. However, there's plenty of room inside for a mains powered battery eliminator such as the excellent design by forum member Tony Thompson ('Aerodine') in his Radio Bygones No 124 (April/May 2010) article, 'Power for a Queen' - the Queen in this case being none other than the Sky Queen!

Maybe C26, 8uF electrolytic, is past its best and would benefit from being changed.


Enjoy the set Rob!