RSM Vol 29 - How To Fix An Intermittent Receiver

This 1947 training manual from the National Radio Institute provides a comprehensive guide for technicians on diagnosing and repairing intermittent radio defects. The text defines these issues as temporary faults—such as noise, distortion, or total signal loss—that appear and disappear due to thermal expansion, mechanical vibrations, or faulty electrical components. To locate these elusive problems, the manual suggests the "brute force" method of physically jarring the chassis, as well as using signal tracers and voltmeters to monitor circuit stability. Detailed sections analyze how specific parts like vacuum tubes, paper condensers, and resistors typically fail in an inconsistent manner. The guide also offers practical shop tips, such as using a cardboard box to trap heat and force a failure to occur more quickly for testing. Throughout the booklet, diagnostic tables help repairmen correlate specific symptoms with their most likely internal causes.