Philco A527 De Luxe Peoples Set.

[Geordie McBoyne]

I'm servicing a Philco A527 Peoples set. This is the "de luxe" version of the model 444.
The circuit consists of a four + one superhet receiver for long and medium wavebands.
valve line-up is: 6A7 frequency changer, 78E IF amplifier, 85 or 75 double-diode-triode and type 42 output. Type 80 HT rectifier.
The set works but the audio amplifier was not delivering much output. Replacing the 75 DDT improved matters considerably.
The circuit diagram indicates the double-diode-triode to be a type 85. It's possible the diagram is for "run one" receivers. The set I'm servicing had a Philco 75.
So now we more audio power but when the volume control is advanced to maximum the audio becomes distorted. This was found to be negative going DC component biasing the amplifier to near cut-off. The volume control also functions as the second detector load resistor. The solution is to insert a 0.005uF capacitor between the volume control slider and the control grid of the triode. For grid current biasing connect a 10Megohm resistor between the grid and chassis. Change the triode's anode load resistor from 47Kohms to 270Kohms.

The IF transformers peak-up OK but the signal generator will be connected up to confirm that the IF is 451Kc/s.

The A527 is at the left side of the picture. The other Philco receiver is a model 333 which has a chassis from a model 296, the wood cabinet version of the 444.

Geordie McBoyne.

[bobhowe]

Hi i was in Davids shop today to drop a radio chassis for a future project and the superb Philco A527 was on his service bench and if its is like the Murphy A24 that was in the workshop was very loud with no distortion when it is finished it will be a great set kind regards Bob

[SeanRegan]

That brings back memories.
My parents had one of these. I don't know when they purchased it, but I was born in 1940 and I can remember it always being in our home. They still had it in the early sixties after I left home. They then bought a Sobell radiogram, so I guess it got chucked out. But for decades afterwards, one would appear in different BBC TV dramas.

[Richard_FM]

That brings back memories.
My parents had one of these. I don't know when they purchased it, but I was born in 1940 and I can remember it always being in our home. They still had it in the early sixties after I left home. They then bought a Sobell radiogram, so I guess it got chucked out. But for decades afterwards, one would appear in different BBC TV  dramas.

Queen used one in the video for Radio Gaga.

[bobhowe]

Hi this Radio is in my collection now as it is a birthday present for my wife Sheila . Many thanks David you have done a great job servicing it works well on the 2 remaining MW Bands i can receive where i live & Sheila is really pleased with the Radio & is in pride of place in the living room kind regards Bob & Sheila