So what brings people to Radio Retro on Christmas day?

Here’s a summary of the top ten reasons why some folks are looking for answers at Christmas.

1. Roberts R250 / R550 – No Sound Faults  12.86%
2. BeoCenter 9000 CD Fault  11.43%
3. Pioneer X-HM71 CD stuck jammed fault  8.57%
4. Pioneer X-HM71-S Timer Light Flash Blink Fault  5.71%
5. Beocord 1200 belt change and repair  4.29%
6. Braun Alarm Clock AB30vs Repair  4.29%
7. VIDEOTON MINIMAX SPEAKERS  4.29%
8. BANG & OLUFSEN BEOMASTER 3000-2  2.86%
9. Grundig Archives  2.86%
10. Grundig Concert Boy no sound fault repair  2.86%

It’s interesting to see how people return to retro technology at Christmas time and a few are disappointed that their trusty tech no longer works. Some turn to search for an answer and end up here at Radio Retro. There are some quick fixes, like the Pioneer blinking led light and others need a little more time to restore.

Can AI help you fix your radio?

But suppose there’s no answer for your faulty radio here at Radio Retro–could AI help?

Given the recent media coverage of ChatGPT I thought I’d see how helpful its AI could be. So I asked:

How can I repair a roberts radio?

And here’s its reply:

There are a few steps you can take to try to repair your Roberts radio:
    1. Check the power source: Make sure that the radio is plugged in and that the outlet is working.
    2. Check the fuse: If the radio has a fuse, make sure it is not blown. If the fuse is blown, you will need to replace it.
    3. Check the battery: If the radio is battery-powered, make sure the batteries are fresh and installed correctly.
    4. Check the antenna: Make sure the antenna is fully extended and in good condition. If it is damaged, it may need to be replaced.
    5. Check the connections: Make sure all of the connections are secure and not loose.
    6. Reset the radio: Some radios have a reset button that you can press to try to reset the radio. Consult the user manual for your specific model to see if it has a reset button and how to use it.
If none of these steps help, it may be necessary to have the radio professionally repaired. You can try contacting Roberts Radio or a local electronics repair shop to see if they can help.

These are very basic first steps that many will already know but no help if you want to self repair. Judging from the contact suggestion it seems the information has been sucked from Roberts web site. Overall it’s an intelligent response given the question, so I need to be more intelligent in what I ask.

Let’s try a more specific question:

How can I repair a Roberts R250 with no sound?

And the result:

If your Roberts R250 radio is not producing any sound, there are a few steps you can try to troubleshoot the issue:
    1. Check the power source: Make sure that the radio is plugged in and that the outlet is working.
    2. Check the volume: Make sure that the volume on the radio is turned up and that the mute function is not activated.
    3. Check the connections: Make sure all of the connections are secure and not loose.
    4. Check the speakers: Make sure the speakers are securely connected and not damaged.
    5. Check the audio settings: Make sure the audio settings on the radio are set correctly and that the audio source is set to the correct input.
    6. Reset the radio: Some radios have a reset button that you can press to try to reset the radio. Consult the user manual for your specific model to see if it has a reset button and how to use it.
If none of these steps help, it may be necessary to have the radio professionally repaired. You can try contacting Roberts Radio or a local electronics repair shop to see if they can help.

The answer relates to a sound fault rather than the general problem with a radio but even though it includes the R250  is no real help. Maybe I need to ask about a specific fault:

How do I replace the audio chip in a Roberts R250 radio?

And here’s the reply:

Replacing the audio chip in a Roberts R250 radio can be a complex process that requires disassembling the radio and soldering the new chip in place. Here are the general steps you can follow to replace the audio chip in a Roberts R250 radio:
    1. Gather the necessary tools and materials: You will need a soldering iron and soldering wire, a screwdriver, and the new audio chip.
    2. Disassemble the radio: Carefully remove the screws that hold the radio case together and gently lift off the top and bottom halves of the case.
    3. Locate the audio chip: The audio chip is typically located on the main circuit board of the radio. It may be covered by a metal shield or other components, so you may need to carefully remove these to access the chip.
    4. Remove the old audio chip: Use the soldering iron to carefully heat and remove the old audio chip from the circuit board. Be careful not to damage the circuit board or any other components.
    5. Install the new audio chip: Carefully position the new audio chip on the circuit board and solder it in place. Make sure the chip is securely in place and that all of the connections are secure.
    6. Reassemble the radio: Carefully reassemble the radio, making sure that all of the components are securely in place and that the case is properly sealed.
It is important to note that replacing the audio chip in a Roberts R250 radio requires a high level of technical skill and experience with electronic components and soldering. If you are not comfortable with this type of work, it is recommended that you have the radio professionally repaired.

This response is better, offering general practical advice but not specific to the R250 which does not have metal shield and has several variants not mentioned. It fails to highlight the audio chip must be inserted in the right way round – it can be fitted in two orientations 180 degrees apart. Given the step by step explanation the answer seems convincing and some may try to follow the advice. But removing an 8-pin chip with just a soldering iron is practically impossible unless a special bit is used or a solder sucker. Without practical experience the AI advice could result in damaging the radio as it helpfully points out.

With more training I’m sure ChatGPT could offer expert advice but it’s not quite ready now. As an experiment ChatGPT is amazing and getting to this point must have been a monumental effort.

Compared with Google, ChatGPT provides one result, rather than pages of links to possible answers, so is a far better experience. And there’s no distracting promoted links to persuade you to buy another radio—for now at least.

You can ask it to regenerate another answer which may give new insight. Here’s a second attempt for the previous question:

Replacing the audio chip in a Roberts R250 radio can be a complex process that requires technical knowledge and specialized tools. If you are not familiar with electronics repair or do not have the necessary tools, it is recommended to have the radio professionally repaired.

If you do choose to attempt the repair yourself, here are some general steps you can follow:
    1. Gather the necessary tools and materials: You will need a soldering iron and solder, a desoldering tool, wire strippers, and a replacement audio chip.
    2. Locate the audio chip: Consult the user manual or schematic diagram for your radio to locate the audio chip. It is usually located on the main circuit board of the radio.
    3. Disconnect the power source: Make sure the radio is unplugged or the batteries are removed to avoid the risk of electric shock.
    4. Remove the circuit board: Refer to the user manual or a service manual for your radio to determine how to access the circuit board. You may need to remove screws or other fasteners to access it.
    5. Desolder the old audio chip: Use a desoldering tool to carefully remove the old audio chip from the circuit board. Be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions for your desoldering tool to avoid damaging the circuit board.
    6. Solder the new audio chip: Place the new audio chip onto the circuit board in the same location as the old one. Use a soldering iron and solder to carefully secure the new audio chip to the circuit board, following the manufacturer's instructions for your soldering iron.
    7. Reassemble the radio: Carefully reassemble the radio, making sure all of the connections are secure.
It is important to be careful and precise when replacing the audio chip in a radio. Any mistakes made during the repair process can potentially damage the radio or make it unsafe to use. If you are not comfortable performing the repair yourself, it is recommended to have the radio professionally repaired.

This answer includes desoldering advice and some safety advice to avoid electrocution and damage to the components if powered during chip replacement. I wonder what the outcome could have been if the first answer was followed without such advice? Hmmm.

Am I worried that ChatGPT will make Radio Retro redundant? No. I’d be happy to find an expert system I could train to pass on what little knowledge I’ve acquired over the years. I haven’t found one yet but guess it won’t be too long coming.

AI Images using DALL-E 2

DALL-E 2 conjured up this post’s imagery that looks the part at first glance, then on closer inspection is rather strange. Items are morphed representations of I guess real images it’s ingested from the Internet. Like each item has been through a time warp—similar to Dali’s Persistence of Memory with melted clock faces. Dall-e 2 can create impressive results and these were all a first attempt.

AI generated image showing wire cutters with imagined electro tech AI generated image showing tools with imagined electro tech AI generated image showing screw drivers with imagined electro tech at Christmas