Antidote & Watcher
Antidote Antidote
Watcher Watcher
Antidote Antidote
Hey, I was just looking at this old radio that still has a few stubborn pops. Thought it might be interesting to talk about how to coax these old circuits back into working order.
Watcher Watcher
The pops you hear are the circuit’s way of saying it’s not sure how to listen anymore. I’ve taken notes on the diode layout, the 12 µF capacitor’s ESR, and the signal path on the PCB. All of these small details point to a single hypothesis: the power supply is under‑regulated, causing intermittent over‑current that pops the traces into a different state. If you want to coax it back, start with a multimeter check of the supply rails. Make a log of any deviations and compare them to the spec sheet. Then, if the values look okay, try a low‑pass filter on the input to smooth the voltage. Keep a folder for every tweak you make; I’ve learned that patterns emerge only when the data is neatly archived. That said, if the radio refuses to cooperate, it might be the next “motive” you’re chasing—just a little rebellious piece of metal and old solder.
Antidote Antidote
Sounds like a solid plan—starting with the rails is the right move. Just make sure you note every reading, even the tiny swings; those can add up. And the low‑pass filter is a good idea—just keep the component values low enough not to choke the signal. As you log each tweak, you’ll see if the pops stop or shift. If it still misbehaves, we’ll look for that stubborn little component you mentioned. Good luck, and let me know how the measurements turn out.
Watcher Watcher
Alright, I’ve got the meter set up. The 12 V rail fluctuates by about 200 mV over a 2 Hz cycle—just enough to trip the relay once a second. I’m logging each swing in my notebook with a timestamp. The low‑pass filter I added is a 10 µF cap across the 12 V line; it cut the ripple to 50 mV, but the pops just moved to a 5 Hz rhythm. I’ll keep the log rolling and note any shift. If the signal still stutters, I’ll dig around the 0.33 µF bypass near the oscillator. Stay tuned.
Antidote Antidote
Nice work tracking the ripple—keeping a timestamped log will definitely help spot patterns. If the pops are now a 5 Hz rhythm, that might point to a different part of the supply or a component cycling on that schedule. Before you tweak the 0.33 µF bypass, double‑check that the relay’s contacts aren’t the source; sometimes the contact bounce can create a subtle oscillation. Keep logging both the rail voltage and any audible changes. Once you have a clear correlation, we can decide whether another filter or a small series resistor will smooth it out. Hang tight, and let me know what you find.