Lafayette Comstat 23

[Raccoon]

Hey everyone ,
I bought a really nice Lafayette Comstat 23 base radio from back in the 60's a little while ago . But I'm having a hard time finding anything out about these radios online . I can find Comstat 23 Mark IV & V .... and I can find the Comstat 25 , but not the Comstat 23 .

So I was just wondering if anyone knows where I can find out more about the Lafayette Comstat 23 ... like the owners manual , reviews , or basically just anything in general .

Thanks

 

[OldTech03]

Sams photofact book #12 I have one but I still work on them so you might give eBay a shot.

 

[sunbulls]

I think I also have #12, so if you need anything in particular like mic or power plug wiring, let me know. Several used SAM's #12 books are available now on Ebay for around $10.

 

[Raccoon]

I think I also have #12, so if you need anything in particular like mic or power plug wiring, let me know. Several used SAM's #12 books are available now on Ebay for around $10.

it has a hum with it's audio when I key it up ... is that the audio tube , or something else ?

 

[Dmans]

Raccoon,
Yes it could be an audio tube but chances are greater, with the age of this unit, that it has some sketchy electrolytic capacitors in it. The normal life span of them is about 20 years.
If it were mine, I would replace all of the electrolytic capacitors and all resistors larger than 1 watt, test all of the tubes, replace the rectifier diodes and perform a factory alignment.

73
David

 

[Raccoon]

Raccoon,
Yes it could be an audio tube but chances are greater, with the age of this unit, that it has some sketchy electrolytic capacitors in it. The normal life span of them is about 20 years.
If it were mine, I would replace all of the electrolytic capacitors and all resistors larger than 1 watt, test all of the tubes, replace the rectifier diodes and perform a factory alignment.

73
David

Thanks David ,
It was already recapped recently ... that's why I was suspecting a bad audio tube . The lettering on the audio tube in it is faded , and I can't find a manual ... so I don't know which tube to replace it with . Would it be the 6BQ5 , like with so many others ?

 

[Dmans]

Raccoon,
May be time to invest in SAM's CB-12. Lots of information to be had and answers to lots of questions. Perhaps someone with that manual can confirm the audio tube type for you? Chances are good that it is a 6BQ5 but confirmation is best.

Your hum could be a 60Hz (or 120Hz?) hum. In which case I would lean towards rectifier diodes and double check the filter caps for the correct values.

73
David

 

[sunbulls]

Was the multi-section can type capacitor next to the transformer simply disconnected with new single caps inserted underneath? If so, I’d check to see if it was done correctly. Also, some people buy “new old stock” multi-section cans because it’s difficult to find any of those that were recently made with the correct values and mount type. IMO that's a bad idea. It’s best to either carefully repack the old can with new caps or disconnect it entirely. There’s usually enough room underneath to mount the new caps, especially since they’re much smaller nowadays for the same or greater working voltage value. The latter method is done most often, but mistakes are easily made in the process. Double check that work. It’s possible one of those capacitors was not grounded correctly or a wrong value was selected.

 

[Raccoon]

I broke down and bought a SAM's CB-12 for the Comstat 23 ... and a SAM's CB-45 for the Kris 23+ that I have too ... so I'm sure I'll get it figured out now. Thanks for the advice , and the help everyone .

 

[sunbulls]

I broke down and bought a SAM's CB-12 for the Comstat 23 ... and a SAM's CB-45 for the Kris 23+ that I have too ... so I'm sure I'll get it figured out now. Thanks for the advice , and the help everyone .

Good luck with your endeavors. Those older radios deserve preservation for historical reasons if nothing else. IMO the golden era of all 23 channels was the best. It was a period of time when CB moved away from being just a business tool into something more as a hobby. As you know, many also considered it an essential for security and safety reasons.