Classic Hifi Care

You might try using a dummy antenna to see if reception improves. Just a length of hookup wire, strung out on the floor, then connected to where the antenna connects to the radio. If reception improves, either your antenna or the alignment is faulty. If reception doesn't improve, even a little, you may have problems in the electronics, such as a capacitor or transistor.

Here's the schematic. Sams 1105-4.

I believe I'd check the function switch, S2, to make sure it's making good contact. That switch could kill both the output from the cartridge as well as from the radio.

Also, the headphone jack has a contact that, when closed, lets the speaker operate. Plug in headphones it cuts out the speaker. I have a Sherwood receiver with this problem. It drove me nuts diagnosing it. I kept looking for something electronic and it was mechanical after all. Poke a plug in and out to see of the action helps.

Chris Campbell

The OP said he had some output from the radio, just weak. No output from the cartridge at all, hence my suggestion to check the function switch. My understanding is that the audio is not completely dead.

I was thinking that the speaker bypass contact on the headphone jack might just be crudded up a bit, not completely open. I am a fan of simple fixes whenever possible.

Chris Campbell

I don't see an antenna at all on the schematic. Where is the loopstick on the schematic?

Is it L1, which shows a core? Kind of a combo antenna coil & antenna.

Chris Campbell