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Murphy Radio Service Data Sources

Murphy wireless receivers were very well built, and can continue to work effectively even today. But unlike radios today, which are very reliable, it is likely an old Murphy may need repairing. Many companies will undertake this work on behalf of the owner (see Links list), but if you have sufficient experience and expertise, you may be able to effect repairs yourself. Usual warning now: Beware – high voltages can exist within valve radios (typically 350v and more). Safety standards relating to receiver safety and design were lower in the past than today. Do not work on valve equipment unless you have sufficient knowledge and skill.

To service a Murphy radio, it is much easier if you have a circuit diagram. This page lists suggestions for obtaining that information. I’d try one of the first three options first.

First.

There is an excellent site in the internet called murphy-radio.co.uk that has the circuit diagram for virtually every Murphy valve receiver online and available for free download. murphy-radio.co.uk is really what the internet should be about, sharing information to enable people with a specific interest like ours to keep their receivers working in a cost effective way. The diagram quality is excellent, but it is the schematic only. At best there may be a voltage table included, but not alignment information or anything like that. That said, a schematic is often enough to deal with a fault. Only potential problem with the site is perhaps if you are using a dial-up ISP service. The files are large, (say 300k to 400k). Nonetheless, I’d check here first.

Second

“Trader” sheets. Issued as a supplement to Wireless And Electrical Trader from the early 1930’s onwards. However, because Murphy Radio restricted service information to its dealer network, comparatively few receivers are covered. (And many of the early sets that are covered are as a result of the drive to keep sets going during WW II). Not many people have sets of the original service sheets, (more the 3000 were issued), but members of the British Vintage Wireless Society (BVWS) can obtain two CD ROMs with service sheets 1-800 and 801-1600, enough to cover receivers up to the late 1950’s. Worth joining the BVWS for alone. As well as supplying a schematic diagram “Trader”sheets also include an operating description, alignment information, valve voltage analysis, chassis divergences information, dismantling information and often release dates and prices. Listed at this link are the Murphy Radio’s covered, and the respective sheet number.

Third

Radio and Television Servicing Volumes by Molloy, Poole and Hawker. These books were available to shops and businesses engaged in radio and television repair. They have the advantage that they turn up are collectors fairs etc quite frequently and are quite common. Like the “Trader” sheets discussed above Murphy service information is quite scant owing to Murphy’s policy of restricting service information to its own dealers. Therefore there is not much more information than a circuit schematic. Two series of the volumes were issued, and each can be distinguished by the editors listed on the book’s spine and cover. One set is edited by Molloy and Poole, the other by Molloy Poole and Hawker. Unfortunately the page numbers for the circuit diagrams are different depending on which series you own. Costing only a couple of pounds each they are worth looking out for, obviously they include diagrams for other manufacturers too, normally several hundred per volume. Listed at this link are the Murphy Radio’s covered, and the volume/page number.

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