| Overview | Replacement Parts | Re-Capping | Troubleshooting | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Heathkit FM-3 is a 7-tube FM tuner that measures 12 9/16 x 3 5/8 x 5 7/8 inches. There are two RCA outputs on the back, one a high-level
This radio was sold as "Non-Working," so I assumed it would be an easy re-cap job to get the radio playing again. When turned on initially, it wouldn't make any sound at all.
| Original Rating/Part | New Part Quantity | New Replacement | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20/20 MFD. @ 150V | 2 | Sprague TVA-1413 | ||
| .01 MFD. @ 400V | 2 | Mallory C-MD01-630**, Generic C-TD01-630** | ||
| .005 MFD. @ 600V | 1 | Cornell-Dubilier (CDE) C-SD005-600** | ||
| .05 MFD. @ 200V, 400V | 2 | Cornell-Dubilier (CDE) C-SD05-600** | ||
| .2 MFD @ 200V | 1 | Cornell-Dubilier (CDE) 715P-22452LD3 | ||
| Output Transformer | 1 | Hammond P-T125ASE** (Untested), Merit A-2998 (Out of Production - Click for Specs) | ||
The re-cap was kind of difficult because of the small chassis size, so I wouldn't recommend this as a starter radio (I would recommend a General Electric 514, 542, or 543). However I did manage to fit everything in.
DOCUMENTATION: Riders Schematic, Jewel 920 Sam's Photofact
The radio still wouldn't play after the re-cap, so I checked the tubes, volume potentiometer, and the output transformer. From there, I found that the primary of the output transformer was open (it should be 170 ohms using a VOM/VTVM), so I ordered a N.O.S. Merit A-2998 transformer (the one specified in the service manual). After replacing the output transformer, the radio played and got pretty good reception.
This was the first ever radio I repaired and I'm glad that some of my amateur mistakes didn't harm anything. I guess it goes to show that these radios were and are durable.