If your radio doesn't pick up at least one station, you should go to the CPR page. You are not ready for this.
As of 16 August 2026, the main effort is still to complete this section. Current status of each part is given in footnotes. Please explore and comment but don't get upset if you run across something stupid or just plain wrong.
This is the top-level page for everything alignment related.
The pages are in multiple levels and categorized by functional blocks:
Please note that the sections are presented in order - most important first.
The crystal is supposed to resonante at 455 KHz but like all components, it varies.
Knowing the exact resonant frequency of your crystal is critical to making the
radio work as it's supposed to.
Follow the instructions here1.
The IF chain, which consists of transformers T1, T2 & T3 and tubes V5 and V6, has four inputs:
The cathode return voltage via R16 and R21.
The screen voltage via R17 and R22.
B+ via V18, R23, and R30.
The output of the mixer V3 pin 3 via T1.
The only inputs to the oscillator are the tuning capacitors and the band switch position.
There are two parts to this section: the 6 feedback capacitors C7‐C12 and the 12 frequency adjustments.
The adjust procedure is a cgi script that takes the crystal frequency determined above as an input and adjusts all the expected values for the different bands accordingly.
The IF chain must be adjusted to the same frequency as the crystal. If the crystal is way off frequency, this isn't going to work.
Adjust3 Theory6The AVC is used in the procedures below as a measuring device. It uses two of the fifteen tubes in the radio. It's probably a good idea to see if it works properly.
Test2There are no knobs to twiddle in the 1st RF section.
TheoryThe BFO is independant of everything except power.
Adjust Theory
The crystal is supposed to resonante at 455 KHz but like all components, it varies.
Knowing the exact resonant frequency of your crystal is critical to making the
radio work as it's supposed to.
Follow the instructions here2.
The IF chain, which consists of transformers T1, T2 & T3 and tubes V5 and V6, has four inputs:
The cathode return voltage via R16 and R21.
The screen voltage via R17 and R22.
B+ via V18, R23, and R30.
The output of the mixer V3 pin 3 via T1.
The only inputs to the oscillator are the tuning capacitors and the band switch position.
There are two parts to this section: the 6 feedback capacitors C7‐C12 and the 12 frequency adjustments.
The adjust procedure is a cgi script that takes the crystal frequency determined above as an input and adjusts all the expected values for the different bands accordingly.
The IF chain must be adjusted to the same frequency as the crystal. If the crystal is way off frequency, this isn't going to work.
Adjust3 Theory5The AVC is used in the procedures below as a measuring device. It uses two of the fifteen tubes in the radio. It's probably a good idea to see if it works properly.
Test2There are no knobs to twiddle in the 1st RF section.
TheoryThe BFO is independant of everything except power.
Adjust Theory
Footnotes:
Page: /Alignment/Alignment_root.shtml
Last modified: Monday, 17 Aug 2026