Realistic Model 12-666 AM/FM Radio Repair and Restore
This radio was given to me by a relative that was given to him by someone who was throwing it out and did not want anymore. Stating that it turned on but the volume did not work and it would not pick up any radio stations.
He also stated that the AM/FM sector switch did not work either. Upon opening the radio I found it to be dirty and the battery compartment a mess from batteries that have leaked and caused corrosion.
The first Thing I spotted was the wire coming from the circuit board to the antenna was broken off at the bottom of the antenna. This was the cause of the radio not pick up any stations.
The wire was soldered to a ring terminal connector at the end of the antenna. There is a screw that goes through the case of the radio and the ring terminal connector and in to the end of the antenna.
To fix this I just attached a new ring terminal connector to the end of the wire and inserted the screw back into the antenna.
The next step was to inspect the volume, tone and AM/FM sector switch. Before testing them with my multimeter set on continuity mode. I sprayed them with electrical contact cleaner and moved them back and forth a few times.
This fixed the problem. I turned the radio on and tried the AM/FM sector switch, volume and tone. Everything worked fine and I was able to pick up some radio stations.
The last step was to give it a careful cleaning. This took me a long time to do. I started with the battery compartment. I used a basic small flat head screw driver; fine grit sandpaper and isopropyl alcohol.
Here is the inside of the radio and circuit board cleaned up.
The radio all put back together and cleaned up.
The last two pictures I tried to take in better lighting.
If anyone is interested here is a link to service manual and schematic diagrams to a model similar to this one. https://audiocircuit.dk/downloads/realistic/Realistic-12_655-pr-sm.pdf
This was pretty much an easy repair mostly dirt and corrosion. Too bad I do not have a replacement knob cover. It would have made it complete.
This article was prepared for you by Mark James; Pennsylvania U.S. Mark is a computer Technician and electronics hobbyist. Holds two associate degrees one in Computer systems technology and one in electronics engineering technology.
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Note: You can check his previous repair articles on GE 3-5025A Tape Recorder Repair and Restore
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Albert van Bemmelen
May 9, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Nice job Mark! Whenever someone throws out such still fine fixable receivers we can only praise our luck after it gets completely fixed this easily.
Mark J
May 10, 2026 at 1:23 am
Thanks Albert. My relative works in home remodeling and repair. He use to to work for customer that owned sixteen properties. When the tenants would move out and leave things. He would keep them put them in storage and forget that he had them. All of those things would pile up up. He would throw the stuff out. He would ask my relative if wanted any of the things before he would get rid of them. My relative knows that I am into electronics and repairing them. He would give them to me.
Parasuraman S
May 9, 2026 at 4:23 pm
Excellent work there, dear Mark! Glad to see one more article containing fruitful information! The tidy battery compartment and other parts of the Radio needs special mention! Many thanks for sharing!
Mark J
May 10, 2026 at 1:28 am
Thank you Parasuraman. I know it was not to exciting of a repair. This is a nice vintage receiver from the 1970's. Your inspire me to work on these vintage radios.
Yogesh Panchal
May 10, 2026 at 6:43 pm
Good Job! Mark
This is called Passion,If it was not exciting job you would have not touched,we technicians work not for interest but for passion & that is what you proved.
Mark J
May 12, 2026 at 2:47 am
Thank you Yogesh for the positive comments.