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Alignment is the adjustment of the positions of the compressed powdered iron "slugs" in several interstage transformers in the IF amplifier section of the circuit. This tweeks up amd "aligns" the resonant frequency of the several transformers, and is essential to achieve proper sensitivity. AM radios also need alignment, but are less critically dependent on it.
The need for good alignment was always a weak point of analog tuners. The adjustment procedure requires various electronic bench instruments, and is a bit of an art, rather than pure science. The iron slugs could shift if the radio was bumped, and also over time due to temperature variations. Furthermore, with an old radio the powdered iron slugs may come apart so that the entire interstage transformer needs replacement, and lots of luck finding one.
The problems you describe could be need for alignment, but make sure that other things are checked before anyone messes with the IF transformers. Good luck!
.
Alignment is the adjustment of the positions of the compressed powdered iron "slugs" in several interstage transformers in the IF amplifier section of the circuit. This tweeks up amd "aligns" the resonant frequency of the several transformers, and is essential to achieve proper sensitivity. AM radios also need alignment, but are less critically dependent on it.
The need for good alignment was always a weak point of analog tuners. The adjustment procedure requires various electronic bench instruments, and is a bit of an art, rather than pure science. The iron slugs could shift if the radio was bumped, and also over time due to temperature variations. Furthermore, with an old radio the powdered iron slugs may come apart so that the entire interstage transformer needs replacement, and lots of luck finding one.
The problems you describe could be need for alignment, but make sure that other things are checked before anyone messes with the IF transformers. Good luck!
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