Grundig RF 440

This page chronicles repairs made to Grundig RF 440. Latest revisions are at the bottom of the page.

Another Achievement from Radio Headquarters

Contents

AM / FM / LW Tabletop Radio

Photo: December 29, 2023 / as found condition / camera: iPhone 13

U (FM) / L (LW) / M (AM) Radio
Made in Portugal / 1976 - 1977

Tuning Range / Push-Buttons

AUS – Off
TA – phonograph (record player) pick-up (input)
TB (see socket at back of radio) – tape recorder in/out
U (FM) 88 MHz – 108 MHz
L (LW) 150 kHz - 300 kHz
M (AM) 510 kHz – 1600 kHz


History

  1. December 28, 2023 (Thursday) – saw the radio at Little Shop of Hoarders (vintage clothing, and thrift shop) at 447 Monroe Avenue. The tag said, "$35 – 1977 Works." I took two photos for reference. It seemed complete, except for the tuning, and volume knobs on the front.
  2. December 29, 2023 (Friday) – returned to the store, tested the radio's basic functionality, and purchased it for $25. That night, disassembled, cleaned, and polished the exterior, vacuumed the interior, and used DeoxIT on the band switches.
  3. December 31, 2023 (Sunday) – purchased four 12V 30mA T1-1/2 wedge incandescent lamps, and four sockets suitable for wedge lamps from Grieder Elektronik. Note: Grieger was closed from 12/23/23 to 1/7/24 for the holidays.
  4. January 1, 2024 (Monday) – continued working on this webpage.

Specification Overview

SPECIFICATIONS GO HERE

Parts Needed

Tuning Dial Pilot Lamps and Sockets

The back panel of the radio says, "12-15 V 30 mA" (consider these values as specific to this radio).
The schematic says, "12-15 V 0.1 A" (the schematic may have been used with several models).

Wedge Base Lamp and Socket Links (For Reference Only)

The dial lamp size can be found in automotive parts stores. Look for Type 2721 wedge base lamps (Sylvania, Osram, etc.).

Needed to find, and order the correct size (believed to be "T-1 1/2" [a.k.a. "T1.5"]) wedge base socket for the remaining dial lamp.

Antique Radios Forum
06-jan-2024 (Saturday)
Posted message requesting "T-1 1/2" wedge base lamp socket on Antique Radios Forum
https://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=433837

31-jan-2024 - Ordered two T-1 1/2 wedge sockets from Mouser. Cost: $1.68 each / Total with tax, and freight (UPS Ground): $11.35.

06-feb-2024 - Two T-1 1/2 wedge sockets arrived from Mouser via UPS. The Type 2721 automotive lamp fit the socket perfectly.

Mouser Part № 560-2967-6G
T-1 1/2 wedge socket w/ two wires
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/JKL-Components/2967-6G?qs=ta3M%252BeEkqZkY7izYOYH5pQ%3D%3D


Table 1
Replacement Parts for Grundig RF 440

Compiled: 29-dec-2023 through 31-dec-2023
Vendor 1: Grieder Elektronik Bauteile (GEB)
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
Currency conversion (31-dec-2023): 1.00 CHF = $1.15 USD
Schematic part number Original component and composition Quantity / Value / Style (original) Value / Style (replacement)
 Composition of new part Vendor (Part number) Price ($) Quantity (actual) Purchased / Ordered Currency conversion / date Fees Shipping Order Date Cancelled Order Date Estimated Total ($) Received
TBD tuning dial lamp – incandescent wedge style 2@ 12-15V 30 mA per back panel of radio 12V (W1.2W) incandescent wedge style Sylvania № 2721 N/A (had in stock) 2 N/A (had in stock) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
TBD plastic socket for wedge base lamp (missing the lamp socket behind the pilot lamp) clear plastic with provision to clip on inside frame of radio black plastic w/ two leads T-1 1/2 wedge socket w/ two wires Mouser № 560-2967-6G $1.68 2 2 N/A N/A $7.99 (UPS ground) 31-jan-2024 N/A $11.35 TBD

This Section For Reference Only

Grieder Elektronik Bauteile AG
Reuslistrasse 62, 4450 Sissach, Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)61 976 95 95
https://www.griederbauteile.ch
info@griederbauteile.ch

Light Bulb 12V 30mA (5x20mm) T1-1/2 Wedge Bailey WB20120301
https://shop.griederbauteile.ch/product_info.php?products_id=1550

Lamp Holder Suitable for Wedge Base Lamps W2×4.6d
https://shop.griederbauteile.ch/product_info.php?cPath=850_870_873&products_id=1589
  • 12/31/23 - created an account, and ordered four 12V 30mA T1-1/2 wedge incandescent lamps from Grieder Elektronik.
  • 12/31/23 - Also ordered four wedge lamp sockets from Grieder.
  • Note: Grieger was closed from 12/23/23 to 1/7/24, and the final price depended on calculation of the shipping when they re-opened.
  • 1/3/24 - received message from Grieder that the total (including parts, a low-order fee, and shipping) would come to 80 CHF ($92 USD), therefore shipping worked out to 57.66 CHF ($66.30 USD), so decided to cancel the order, and notified Grieder Elektronik via email.
TBD tuning dial lamp – incandescent wedge style 2@ 12-15V 30 mA per back panel of radio 12V 30mA (5x20mm) T1-1/2 Wedge incandescent, T1-1/2 wedge GEB (TBD) 2.05 CHF each 2 4 1.00 Swiss Franc (CHF) = $1.15 (USD) Low Order Fee

< 50: 10.00 CHF =  $11.54		  Note: GEB was closed from December 23, 2023 to January 7, 2024.

CANCELLED ORDER 03-jan-2024 due to estimated shipping cost of: 57.66 CHF ($66.30 USD)		 31-dec-2023 03-jan-2024 80 CHF ($92 USD) N/A (cancelled order 03-jan-2024)
TBD lamp holder suitable for wedge base lamps W2×4.6d 2@ clear, square, plastic receptacle with provision for two lamp lead wires, and clips to inside of radio cabinet. lamp holder suitable for wedge base lamps W2×4.6d TBD GEB (TBD) 1.25 CHF each 2 4 1.00 Swiss Franc (CHF) = $1.15 (USD) Low Order Fee

< 50: 10.00 CHF =  $11.54		  Note: GEB was closed from December 23, 2023 to January 7, 2024.

CANCELLED ORDER 03-jan-2024 due to estimated shipping cost of: 57.66 CHF ($66.30 USD)		 31-dec-2023 03-jan-2024 80 CHF ($92 USD) N/A (cancelled order 03-jan-2024)

Repair History

Photo: January 3, 2024 / camera: iPhone 13

Note: the knobs in this photo were originally from a Grundig "Transistor 301" AM/FM solid-state radio. If you have an extra set of original style knobs for the Grundig "RF 440", please contact the editor.

January 3, 2024 (Wednesday) – Found some NOS Sylvania № 2721 (W1.2W) 12V, 1.2W wedge base European automobile instrument lamps in my spare parts box. Installed one in the radio's only socket (the socket behind the pilot lamp was still missing), and even though the 1.2W power rating of the Sylvania № 2721 was more than triple what the schematic specified (12V @ 30mA = 0.36W), it seemed to be the correct brightness. Hopefully, the power supply doesn't mind too much. Placed the remaining bulb, and another un-opened blister pack of Sylvania № 2721 bulbs in the back of the radio for future expeditious, satisfaction purposes.

Photo of Grundig "RF 440" with original style knobs harvested from eBay, and annotated January 13, 2024 / camera: iPhone 13

January 13, 2024 (Saturday) – The original style knobs are shown in this photo. If you have an extra set of original style knobs for the Grundig "RF 440", please contact the editor. Will pay shipping for complete donor radio. Reach out, send photos, and let me know what you have.

Photo: February 6, 2024 / T1 ½ wedge base socket held in place with Belden #20 AWG tinned copper buss wire / camera: iPhone 13

Photo: February 6, 2024 / finally – both dial lamps working / camera: iPhone 13

February 6, 2024 (Tuesday) – Installed one T-1 1/2 wedge socket (from Mouser) with a Sylvania Type 2721 wedge base lamp (from automobile parts store). Used Belden #20 AWG tinned copper buss wire to fashion a holder for the wedge socket, and eventually got the remaining dial lamp working.

Photo: February 6, 2024 / both dial lamps working (shown in reduced light for emphasis) / camera: iPhone 13

February 6, 2024 (Tuesday) – The radio is looking a bit better than when it was found. The audio quality was good, and the tuning was reasonable for what should be expected from something at this level of the product range. More comments will be added after it has been tested a bit more. First need to find a place to display it in the shack.

xxx-xx-xxxx

To Be Continued...?

Acknowledgements

References


c o n t a c t / r a d i o w o r l d
Grundig RF 440
Established: December 29, 2023
Last Update: July 31, 2024
Links Verified January 2, 2024
© Black Sparrow Photography / Jeffrey P. Miller (N2AWA)