USER MANUAL
for
Etronic RA640
Project No. 5051
USER MANUAL Etronic RA640 Project No. 5051
Table of Contents
1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 2
2 Power Connection ............................................................................................................. 2
3 Controls ............................................................................................................................. 3
3.1 On-Off ...................................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Volume ..................................................................................................................... 3
3.3 Tuning ...................................................................................................................... 3
3.4 Unused ..................................................................................................................... 3
3.5 VU Meter ................................................................................................................. 3
4 Bluetooth Operation .......................................................................................................... 4
5 Care and Cleaning ............................................................................................................. 5
5.1 Positioning the Radio ............................................................................................... 5
5.2 Cleaning ................................................................................................................... 5
6 Guarantee .......................................................................................................................... 6
7 Specifications .................................................................................................................... 6
8 History ............................................................................................................................... 7
Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd
High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England
Tel: +44 (0)1494 526270 Email: [email protected] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk
Page 1
USER MANUAL Etronic RA640 Project No. 5051
1 Introduction
Thank you for buying one of our beautiful radios! We hope it will provide hours of troublefree, high quality entertainment.
Your radio is easy to set up and use and, with a few simple precautions, will continue to look good and operate efficiently for many years.
WARNING
ELECTRIC SHOCK RISK
This unit contains no user serviceable parts.
Under no circumstances remove the rear panel with the mains voltage connected.
2 Power Connection
The power mains power connection is via an IEC connector fitted at the rear. Insert the supplied power lead and connect to a mains outlet. Switch on the supply at the mains outlet, and then operate the mains switch on the unit. The switch will illuminate if power is present, which means that the unit is in standby mode.
Fuse
If your radio is equipped with rechargeable batteries, this is also the batteries will now be charging. Charge the batteries for at least 2 hours before running on batteries alone.
If the switch fails to illuminate, first check that the mains supply is present, then disconnect the supply and check the fuse in the mains plug and the unit inlet connector. In the unlikely event that any of the fuses have blown the unit may be faulty.
Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd
High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England
Tel: +44 (0)1494 526270 Email: [email protected] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk
Page 2
USER MANUAL Etronic RA640
3 Controls
The radio controls are as shown below:
VU Meter
Project No. 5051
Off - On(1) - On(2)
Volume
Tuning
Unused
3.1 On-Off
This is a three-position switch. Turn fully anti-clockwise to turn the radio off. The first switch position turns the radio on with the dial illumination on. The second position turns off the illumination.
3.2 Volume
Turn fully anti-clockwise to reduce the volume and clockwise to increase.
3.3 Tuning
This is decorative only and moves the tuning dial indicator.
3.4 Unused
This control has no function.
3.5 VU Meter
The original unit had a ‘magic-eye’ tuning level indicator. The radio does not have a tuning function, or the high voltages necessary to drive a ‘magic-eye’ valve so this has been replaced with a miniature VU meter which indicates audio signal level.
Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd
High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England
Tel: +44 (0)1494 526270 Email: [email protected] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk
Page 3
USER MANUAL Etronic RA640 Project No. 5051
4 Bluetooth Operation
The radio requires an audio signal from a Bluetooth device such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC. If your device is already paired with an audio device such as headphones or a hands-free headset you may have to un-pair it first.
Please refer to your device’s instructions to place the unit in scan mode to scan for
Bluetooth devices. With your device in scan mode, turn the volume control up by about one-third, switch the radio on to standby mode at the power inlet, and then turn on using the front panel control.
You should hear ‘Bluetooth Mode’ from the radio, and the device named ‘YET-M1’ should appear in the list of available devices on your Bluetooth device. Select ‘YET-M1’ to pair with it and, if prompted, enter ‘0000’ as the code. You should then hear ‘Paired’ from the radio.
Play some audio from your device and you should hear it through the radio. After pairing for the first time the two devices should pair automatically when you power up the radio unless you actively disconnect, or un-pair it from your device.
If you have difficulty pairing you may have to turn off the radio at the front panel then turn on again to initiate the pairing process, and reset your device to scan mode.
The range of the Bluetooth receiver in the radio is about 10 metres. Outside this range you may experience drop-outs, especially if you are in another room, although reception is good throughout an average family-sized house.
Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd
High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England
Tel: +44 (0)1494 526270 Email: [email protected] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk
Page 4
USER MANUAL Etronic RA640 Project No. 5051
5 Care and Cleaning
5.1 Positioning the Radio
Do not allow this product to be exposed to water, steam or sand. Do not leave your radio where excessive heat could cause damage such as in a parked car or in a conservatory where the heat from the sun can build up even though the outside temperature may not seem too high. Do not position the radio close to a radiator or other type of heater.
Your radio should not be exposed to dripping or splashing water and no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, should be placed on the radio.
It is recommended to operate the product such that there is a minimum distance
(10cm recommended) to adjacent objects in order to ensure good ventilation. The ventilation of the product should not be restricted by covering it or its ventilation openings with items such as newspapers, tablecloths, curtains etc.
No naked flame sources such as lighted candles should be placed on or near the product.
Do not place this product in an area which receives direct sunlight, as this can cause fading to the finish.
5.2 Cleaning
Your radio will only need cleaning from time to time with a soft duster or lint-free cloth. Splashes and other marks can be wiped with a damp cloth.
Under no circumstances use household cleaning products, solvents or cleaners as they are liable to damage the finish. Do not use silicone based polishes.
Your radio has been sealed with a modern synthetic varnish and polished with furniture wax, which provides a long-tasting durable protection. The wax finish can be refreshed with energetic buffing. Occasionally apply a thin coat of wax and buff to a high sheen, but avoid frequent over-waxing as the wax layers can build up trapping fine dirt and dust which dimishes the appearance.
Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd
High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England
Tel: +44 (0)1494 526270 Email: [email protected] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk
Page 5
USER MANUAL Etronic RA640 Project No. 5051
6 Guarantee
This product is guaranteed for six months from the date of delivery to the original owner against failure due to faulty workmanship or component breakdown, subject to the procedure stated below. Should any component or part fail during this guarantee period it will be repaired or replaced free of charge.
This guarantee does not cover:
Damage resulting from incorrect use
Products which have been altered or tampered with externally or internally
Consequential damage
Any claim under this guarantee should be made by contacting Retro-Lux or the dealer from whom the product was purchased to see if the problem can be rectified. Should it be necessary to return the product for repair or replacement instructions for its return will be provided by Retro-Lux.
These statements do not affect your statutory rights as a consumer.
7 Specifications
Power Supply
Input Supply
Batteries
Amplifier
Power Output
Mode
Distortion
Audio Source
Tone Control
Loudspeaker
Type
Impedance
Frequency
Power
Dimensions
Width
Depth
Height
Weight
90-264 VAC (wide range) 127-300 VDC, 74W, 47-440 Hz, inrush < 50 A peak @ 230 VAC, cold start @ 25C
2 x 12V, 1.2aH sealed lead-acid rechargeable (lasts approx. 4 hours at moderate volume)
20.4W RMS / 30W Music Power
Mono
2% at maximum power
Internal Bluetooth receiver
None
8 inch Dual Cone Full Range
8 ohms
40Hz - 16kHz
60W RMS / 120W Peak SPL @1W/1m: 90dB
48cm
25cm
31cm
11.5kg (with batteries)
Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd
High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England
Tel: +44 (0)1494 526270 Email: [email protected] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk
Page 6
USER MANUAL Etronic RA640 Project No. 5051
8 History
The Etronic RA640 AC mains valve radio was originally made in 1948 by the Hale Electric Company
Limited based in West Ealing, London W13. The price was £21 13s 9d, equivalent to £760 in today's money.
The set is housed in a very attractive wooden cabinet constructed from plywood decorated with several different types of wood veneer.
The control knobs (left to right) were originally: on/off and treble, waveband, tuning, and volume and the radio was capable of receiving short (15 to 51 Metres), medium, (190 to
550 Metres) and long (900 to 2200 Metres) wavebands.
The impressive glass tuning band display also housed a 'magic-eye' tuning indicator valve.
The original varnish on this model had become opaque over the years, either through deterioration or general grime, and had the appearance of a toffee-coloured coating which completely masked the grain and figuring of the underlying veneers. The old varnish was completely stripped, and the case re-finished to a high gloss which has brought out the warmth and attractiveness of the veneers.
Internally, the valve radio components were stripped out, but the tuning mechanism and display was left in place. A PSU, power amplifier, Bluetooth receiver and 8" dual concentric loudspeaker have been fitted, the speaker cloth has been replaced, and the original 'magic-eye' replaced with an illuminated VU meter. The set is also equipped with batteries which means it will operated either from mains or battery power.
A replacement back panel to meet modern regulations completed the upgrade.
There is a mains switch on the rear, and the front panel controls have been reassigned as follows: the left hand control is a rotary switch with 3 positions: off, on (with illumination), on (power saving, no illumination). Next is the volume control, followed the tuning control which moves the tuning indicator (but has no other function). The final control is decorative only.
Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd
High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England
Tel: +44 (0)1494 526270 Email: [email protected] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk
Page 7
USER MANUAL Etronic RA640 Project No. 5051
Contrelec Ltd T/A
Tel: +44 (0)1494 526270
High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England
Email: [email protected] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk
The information contained in this document is offered in good faith and believed to be correct at the time of issue, but may be subject to alteration and amendment.
Content and images Copyright © 2015
Retro-Lux Vintage Audio Products (Contrelec T/A)
All rights reserved.
