Show us your radios!

[The Reno Kid]

I noticed a thread started by Wild Root on this topic but then I saw that it was a couple of years old. So in honor of the new forum, let's see your old stuff. Here's my personal favorite:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p45547f8a133b81cf0f9c3ed08a0da628/ecc965a1.jpg
1936 Fairbanks-Morse

It sounds great and it's more sensitive than my modern Sony shortwave set.

[Absinthe_1900]

My 1940 Zenith console.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/thegreenimp/zenith1.jpg

[DancingSweetie]

that is beautiful!

[LizzieMaine]

http://www.midcoast.com/~lizmcl/radio2.jpg

My Philco 37-10, built in the fall of 1936. Bought in 1984 for $5 (with free delivery!). The Fisher FM tuner on top, connected thru a phono jack on the back, was found in a yard sale around the same time. They make an excellent combination!

[The Wingnut]

On 'permanent loan' from Lounger SGB. Pulled from a barn in Morgan Hill, CA...I suspect if I croak he'll show up on my doorstep the next day looking to collect. ;)

http://www.thewingnut.com/images/airline/day_1.jpg

[SGB]

On 'permanent loan' from Lounger SGB. Pulled from a barn in Morgan Hill, CA...I suspect if I croak he'll show up on my doorstep the next day looking to collect. ;)

http://www.thewingnut.com/images/airline/day_1.jpg

Absolutely!

SGB

[jamespowers]

I would too if it were me. :D

Regards,

J

[Sweet Leilani]

1946 RCA console (the dial folds out):
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1456.jpg

1937 Zenith black dial chairside:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1618.jpg

1946 RCA tabletop (with a transistor radio in box on top):
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1621.jpg

c.1930's Detrola woodie (this is an oddball- I don't know much about it- sorry the picture is so dark!):
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1623.jpg

1946 GE tabletop (I play this one almost every day):
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1626.jpg

1958 Zenith clock radio (another daily listener):
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1433.jpg

Not a radio, but close- a 1950 Motorola TV:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1457.jpg

[Wild Root]

I noticed a thread started by Wild Root on this topic but then I saw that it was a couple of years old. So in honor of the new forum, let's see your old stuff. Here's my personal favorite:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p45547f8a133b81cf0f9c3ed08a0da628/ecc965a1.jpg
1936 Fairbanks-Morse

It sounds great and it's more sensitive than my modern Sony shortwave set.

Wow! That's a really rare radio! You should be proud of that set! What a swell late 30's design!

Here's one I restored my self... the radio was working but, the cabinet was beat and needed to be re-done. It's a 1934 Philco model 84.

http://radioatticarchives.com/images/p/Philco_84_RobSmith.jpg

Also, here's one some of you have seen... it's my Philco '38-12

http://img286.imageshack.us/img286/1892/1121202img8de.jpg
I'll post my favorite radio later tonight... it's a 1936 Coronado 686.


=WR=

[CharlieH.]

I know that some of you folks collect vintage radios, so let's see 'em!

I'll start with my entry to antique radios - My re-restored great-grandmother's Philco 38-93:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/awnuts39/DSC05590C.jpg

I just finished replacing the capacitors and giving it a few extra touches and it works beautifully! (Except for a loud whine on the volume control, but I'm working on it)

(I did see an older thread on the subject herein, but since the pictures were gone, I'd thought to start a new one)

[dhermann1]

This is my 10 tube 1941 Zenith 10S567. It's in the shop now being recapped, rewired etc. (If you have a new old radio, be sure to have it tested by someone with the correct equipment, otherwise it can go up in smoke. That's what I did to my Philco. I had to learn the hard way!) When it's ready, I'll be able to listen to all my favorite OTR songs and shows, using my nifty little short range AM transmitter, the AMT3000 made by SSTran (Google them.) Highly recommended.

http://image53.webshots.com/553/9/48/37/2175948370100525413uJOALo_ph.jpg

[CharlieH.]

Whew! And for a minute (a few days actually) I thought I was thread poison!|

(And you might want to change the link, I'm getting a nasty "403 Forbidden".)

[happyfilmluvguy]

Not my photo, but a photo of it just the same:

http://www.puzzledpictures.com/images/darkradio1.gif

[Vladimir Berkov]

http://www.early1900s.org/moscow/Bosch2.jpg

1932 American Bosch

http://www.early1900s.org/moscow/Magnavox2.jpg

Early 50s Magnavox radio/phonograph.

[Wave-mechanic]

Beautiful pictures of vintage radios in this thread! I hope this posting isn't off-topic, as the gear in the pictures below is only between 10 and 50 years old, dating to the 50's-80's. The second picture shows a JBL 15" vented base bin (2225), and a massive horn tweeter (2441/2350) was rescued from a dumpster outside the Museum of Natural History, and weighs about fifty pounds! The other speakers are AR-2ax and JBL L-88's and out of the picture is a JBL C36 folded horn that once belonged to Avery Fisher. When the Teac reel to reel, dBx expander, Yamaha DSP-1 and three Hitachi MOSFET amps are fired up. it makes a merry din indeed -- regardless of its age.

http://www.Dickbrain.com/images/BarnHiFi01.jpg

http://www.Dickbrain.com/images/BarnHiFi02.jpg

[Dinerman]

that looks really nice, now tell us about those hats you've got up there.

I've got this, an old olive drab halli, and an early '50s brown bakelite zenith k515 clock radio.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j164/dinerman/IMG_2644.jpg

[happyfilmluvguy]

and the Barnum and Bailey program. :D

[Sweet Leilani]

Here are most of mine:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1618.jpg
1937 Zenith chairside

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1626.jpg
1946 GE

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1621.jpg
1946 RCA

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1433.jpg
1958 Zenith clock radio

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1456.jpg
1946 RCA radio/phono

I'll try to take pictures of the rest ASAP, including our latest project, a 1959 Motorola console R/P.

[G_I_JIVE]

Here is my 42 Philco..with FM believe it or not..

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/8403/picture018amz9.jpg

[G_I_JIVE]

And a couple more awaiting a little work and a bigger house..... mid 30's Philco (left), and a 39 Wards Airline.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/2827/picturefl0.jpg

[The Reno Kid]

This is my favorite among the radios in my collection:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p45547f8a133b81cf0f9c3ed08a0da628/ecc965a1.jpg
1936 Fairbanks-Morse

For some reason, I tend to gravitate toward Fairbanks-Morse and Silvertone. I'm not sure why.

[MK]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/images/MK/Philco_95b.jpg

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/images/MK/mk_radio.jpg

[CharlieH.]

Beautiful radios everyone! I knew there were plenty of them in loungers' hands.

Say, seeing those phonos makes me wonder... would you trust your 78's to an automatic player?

[Cousin Hepcat]

Say, seeing those phonos makes me wonder... would you trust your 78's to an automatic player?Here's a great site with all the info you need to decide which changers you should or shouldn't trust different records to. Slicer changers are the most common kind from before & during WWII, but are some of the deadliest when either the slicers are bent even just a little, or when you play them with Post-WWII 78's where the record edges are angular rather than smooth rounded. In either case, the slicers catch on the edges, and CRUNCH! lol

http://geocities.com/midimagic@sbcglobal.net/changers.htm

Then there were the earlier "throwoff" changers: when a record was done, an arm would throw the record off into a carpeted box... :rolleyes:

http://geocities.com/midimagic@sbcglobal.net/slidechg.jpg

That was WAY more than anyone wanted to hear...

[edit] oh yeah one of mine... a fave: a cherry Montgomery Wards console.

http://www.eternalgoods.com/temp_rp10.jpg

- C H

[Sweet Leilani]

Here are a couple more- I think this is all of them, now:

The 1959 Motorola R/P- just needs the amp rebuilt and she'll be good to go- I can't wait to hear how it sounds!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1948.jpg

A 50s Westinghouse clock radio:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1950.jpg

A 30s Detrola:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1623.jpg

[dhermann1]

Ahhhh . . . . I'll never understand this technical stuff. For some reason the image I tacked up of my radio has gone to pixel heaven If you look at my MYSPACE PAGE (woohoo!!!) you'll see it. That is, if my profile updated properly. I'll never understand this . . . but I repeat myself.
I love my Zenith. And my Philco.

[Earp]

Here is my Kolster K-122 from about 1932. I have some restoration work left to do on the front. I need to spray some darker toner on the carvings and side edges, and on the fancy bookmatched veneer. That striped grain should be more subtle. My brother (retired electrical genius turned computer software genius) helped me with overhauling the tube chassis. It works beautifully and sounds as clear and fine as the day it was sold over 75 years ago.

http://www.onagocag.com/omfa/kolster.jpg

I use an AM transmitter that I built to broadcast golden era radio programs and music to it. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to hear those vintage sounds coming out of it as I watch the little dial glow. Sometimes I get lost in another time.

[dhermann1]

http://thumb13.webshots.net/t/53/553/9/48/37/2175948370100525413uJOALo_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2175948370100525413uJOALo)
My Zenith!!!

[Mr. K.L.Bowers]

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j100/canalboatman/37-116inthehouse.jpg

The 1937 Philco Model 116 High Fidelity which occupies a place of honor in our living room. 15 tubes and a sound that is beyond compare.

[CharlieH.]

I use an AM transmitter that I built to broadcast golden era radio programs and music to it. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to hear those vintage sounds coming out of it as I watch the little dial glow. Sometimes I get lost in another time.



What sort of transmitter do you use? I've been itching to pipe some shows into the ole philco for a long time, but nothing does it.

[Earp]

Please see my answer and more information in the thread titled "AM Transmitters."

[ScionPI2005]

Here are most of mine:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1618.jpg
1937 Zenith chairside

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1626.jpg
1946 GE

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1621.jpg
1946 RCA

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1433.jpg
1958 Zenith clock radio

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/susieseeburg/100_1456.jpg
1946 RCA radio/phono

I'll try to take pictures of the rest ASAP, including our latest project, a 1959 Motorola console R/P.

Very nice collection. Aside from the radios, the fan in the second picture got my attention too. Do you know what model that is?

[ScionPI2005]

Well, I know this picture has been slightly floating around, but I guess I shall post it here as well. This was my grandfather's Zenith CobraMatic. I got it restored about one and a half years ago and it works great. The record cabinet its sitting on is actually another phonograph cabinet (for a 78 player) that was never installed. My mother refurbished it, and it looks great as a furniture piece.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/jcarnby/cobraopen2.jpg

[panamag8or]

I'm so jealous. Considering I worked in radio, I don't have any good vintage ones. I do have an old RCA mic, like the ones that Letterman and Larry King have on their desks, but that's all.:(

[Django]

On old thread, but what the heck.

Here's my Philco. My grandparents bought it in '35 or '36. They lived on a farm with no electricity in those days, so it was battery powered. Unfortunately my uncles took it apart in the 50's and the chassis probably got tossed. Can't find it anywhere. My grandma gave it to me in the early 90's. I stripped it and refinished it but it was one of my first pieces so it was just ok. I've learned alot in the last 18 years, so I decided to freshen it up a bit with new cloth and some knobs and a new shellac finish. I'm on the hunt for a chassis to put in it, but no luck yet.

http://www.hotrodhucksters.com/chad/radio/philco4.jpg

http://www.hotrodhucksters.com/chad/radio/philco1.jpg

I also have a working Silvertone tombstone radio. I don't have any pics of it and it is tucked away in storage at the moment. I have a WWII radio as well, and it works. I was never 100% sure it was WWII, because it is SO NICE. It's perfect. But then I was watching a show about some vets going back to Iwo Jima and in some of the vintage footage, there was my radio! I'll get some pics.

Picked up this pile for $15. It's a Coronado. It needs some veneer work and the chassis needs gone through. Who knows when I'll get to it, if ever, but for $15? Hell, I spend that on lunch some days! :) Needless to say, my wife was less than thrilled! Hahaha! :D

http://www.hotrodhucksters.com/chad/radio/coronado.jpg

[dhermann1]

Hmmm . . . fender, headlight, grill, bumper . . . what's the story on the old car???

[Django]

It's my '36 Ford. More pics here.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=7578&page=32

[Gene]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3582970299_40f066d1ba.jpg

Not quite sure what model Zenith it is.

[GoldenEraFan]

This is my radio. It's either from the '30s or the '40s. I have no idea who the manufacturer is.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artdecofan/3747317410/

[RetroToday]

Great radios here, I hadn't seen this old thread before now.

I sold a few off to make room so I currently have about 25 tube radios ranging from the 1920s to the 1950s, but this is one of the better ones, and one of my favourites. It's a 1937 McMurdo Silver "Masterpiece VI" console radio with a "Clifton" cabinet. In working condition, but it's in need of some servicing so I don't play it.

21 vacuum tubes make it a great performer, it can pick up just about every frequency available at the time - regular AM broadcast bands, AM apex band, Police Band and Shortwave.

You can see the other radios in my collection through the link in my signature, below.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/3681127068_b1cebb1205.jpg
With chrome dust shield on.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3673682942_ee698783f7.jpg
With chrome dust shield off.

[Mr. 'H']

Here are my latest acquisitions, a both are Bush radios. I actually got both radios from a classmate who knew I was interested in the Era.

First up, a lovely 1949 Bush radio. Just look at the inscription on the top of the radio, from a retirement present (my classmate's wife's gran-uncle's retirement).

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a117/Hursonsuits/a382d4aa.jpg
I can't wait to get this one cranked up - it looks like it still works, I just need to fix the line cord.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a117/Hursonsuits/8281c8e9.jpg

[Mr. 'H']

And second up is another Bush radio:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a117/Hursonsuits/fb8da29f.jpg

My own modern reproduction is the darker one. I've had this for years - it's an excellent radio and in fact isn't so much a "repro" as it is the same company just producing the same radio to the same specifications.

[Forgotten Man]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3582970299_40f066d1ba.jpg

Not quite sure what model Zenith it is.

Hummm, not sure what model that is either... but it's early! I'd say 1934-35 I see what looks to be a "shadow indicator" a pre "magic-eye" type of method used to show how tuned in a station was.

Swell Zenith, the early sets are beautiful as well as the popular 37-40 black dial sets.

I have taken photos of the 1929-30ish Crosley high-boy I picked up on Saturday, it works but could use a new cord... I'll take photos of that so you all can truly appreciate how much it needs a new cord lol.

There are pre-purchase photos in the Crosley Radio thread: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=37056&page=4

Going to start to take more photos of radios I have... after the holidays.:rolleyes:

[Forgotten Man]

On old thread, but what the heck.

Here's my Philco. My grandparents bought it in '35 or '36. They lived on a farm with no electricity in those days, so it was battery powered. Unfortunately my uncles took it apart in the 50's and the chassis probably got tossed. Can't find it anywhere. My grandma gave it to me in the early 90's. I stripped it and refinished it but it was one of my first pieces so it was just ok. I've learned alot in the last 18 years, so I decided to freshen it up a bit with new cloth and some knobs and a new shellac finish. I'm on the hunt for a chassis to put in it, but no luck yet.

http://www.hotrodhucksters.com/chad/radio/philco1.jpg

I also have a working Silvertone tombstone radio. I don't have any pics of it and it is tucked away in storage at the moment. I have a WWII radio as well, and it works. I was never 100% sure it was WWII, because it is SO NICE. It's perfect. But then I was watching a show about some vets going back to Iwo Jima and in some of the vintage footage, there was my radio! I'll get some pics.

Picked up this pile for $15. It's a Coronado. It needs some veneer work and the chassis needs gone through. Who knows when I'll get to it, if ever, but for $15? Hell, I spend that on lunch some days! :) Needless to say, my wife was less than thrilled! Hahaha! :D

http://www.hotrodhucksters.com/chad/radio/coronado.jpg

Say, that's a nice Philco! Those knobs look Delco to me; I refinished a radio for a friend that had the same knobs... it was a Delco table model. I know Antique Electric Supply offer reproductions of the octagon cut knobs that Philco used in late 34-35 models. And originals pop up on eBay ever so often... I picked up a set of four for my '35 Philco low-boy.

Say, that Coronado console is pretty neat and pretty rare! Ya really don't see many of those around. I would have been like you had I find one for $15. bucks! Sure, some flack would ensue from the woman but, eh.[huh] $15. bucks! lol

PS: That '36 Ford is pretty swell... Some day I want a '35 Ford Phaeton!

[Radio Dazed]

Since I'm a 'do-it-yourselfer', I like vintage homebrewed radios.

Here's an early '20s one tube Regenerative receiver. Back then they were all battery powered. The '01A tube is a bit new showing a date of Nov. 28 1927.
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101059-1/1920_s+1+tuber+1.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101065-1/1920_s+1+tuber+3.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101062-1/1920_s+1+tuber+2.jpg




Here's an early 5 tube TRF set built from a kit. I love the blue silk insulated basket weave coils. The builder did a fantastic job too.
UPS almost destroyed it in shipping. I had to replace the front panel and repair the wiring. The wiring is solid copper buss wire, cross section is square not round.
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101071-1/1920_s+5+tube+TRF+2.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101074-1/1920_s+5+tube+TRF+3.jpg




The last is a cute little one tube space charged regen portable. It uses a 1Q5 tube, 1.5v filament (D-cell) and 12v B+ (AA-cells). I bought this for $20 at an Amateur Radio swapmeet. There were no batteries in it but I did find a hand drawn schematic and battery list in the little compartment in the lower left under the batteries. The first batteries were installed Dec. 26 1947. I think it was a Christmas present. On the front is ingraved the name of the owner on the lower left and the builder lower right. They both have the same last name so I'm assuming a service man fresh form WWII built this for his son. The last batteries on the list were installed in 1973.
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101077-1/1940_s+1+tuber+1.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101079-1/1940_s+1+tuber+2.jpg

John

[Forgotten Man]

Wow John, what amazing pieces those are! The photos illustrate some beautiful wiring... I've never seen blue basket woven coils! Those are something else! Oh, and don't get me started on UPS! Those guys work hard but, have little to no respect for "FRAGILE" signs... that's their code for "KICK ME HARD" :mad: Jerks.

Wonderful pieces, I'm very impressed! :eusa_clap

[Radio Dazed]

Thanks Forgotton Man!

If you like those homebrew radios then you might like this little gem I built.
It's called a Hikers Two from New Zeland. A parts supplier in NZ back in the '30s issued parts catalogs with schematics to build simple radios. This is my adaptation.
It's a protable battery powered shortwave set. I wound four plug in coils to cover the shortwave bands. These are simple sets as can be seen from my schematic and are a blast to build.
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101094-1/hikers+two+1_001.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101089-2/hikers+two+2.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101092-2/hikers+two+3.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101096-1/hikers+two+4.jpg

[Radio Dazed]

Here's a couple photos of the first vintage set I built. Plans are from a Jan. 1929 'Radio News' magazine. It's an AM band receiver. A few photos of the radio, magazine cover and image of the radio from the magazine.

All parts are original 1920's except for some hardware and wood.

http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101172-1/Radio+News+1929+1.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101182-1/Radio+News+1929+4.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101178-1/Radio+News+1929+5.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101180-1/Radio+News+1929+6.jpg






Here's my second vintage radio. Built from plans in QST magazine, Nov. 1929. This set covers from about 1200kc (top of AM band) to 4.5mc with two plug in coils. this includes the 160 meter and 80 meter Amateur bands and a little shortwave too. AM, single sideband and Morse Code are easily received with this radio.
All parts are original period, even the wood on this receiver was salvaged from an old '20s parts radio. What I call radio recycling.


http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101184-1/QST+1929+1.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101186-1/QST+1929+2.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101188-1/QST+1929+3.jpg






Being an Amateur Radio operator myself, I decided to build a vintage transmitter to go with the QST receiver. Here is a couple photos of the 1929 QST receciver and a one tube transmitter from an early '30s Frank Jones Radio Handbook. The transmitter is crystal controlled, it took two years of searching to find vintage crystals. It puts out about 7-8 watts of RF using a #46 tube, CW only (morse code).


http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101190-1/vintage+QRP+1.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101193-1/vintage+QRP+2.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101196-1/vintage+QRP+crystals.jpg


I have other sets of a little more modern design I've built, if anyone's interested I can post photos. If not, I'll not.

John

[airgrabber666]

Here are some of mine:

'37 Silvertone: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b001-2.jpg

'47 Detrola: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b013.jpg

Crosley: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b011.jpg

DeWald: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b010.jpg

Zenith: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b009.jpg

[airgrabber666]

some more
'46 Philco: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b008.jpg

'47 Westinghouse "Fridge" with Zenith:http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b007.jpg

RCA: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b006.jpg

Crosley Jeweler's Radio: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b005.jpg

Zenith "Racetrack": http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b004.jpg

Coronado "Moon & Stars": http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b003.jpg

[airgrabber666]

tired yet? Here's a few more:

Crosley "Bullseye": http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b002-1.jpg

Croslet "Bullseye": http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b001-1.jpg

Zenith 10-S-464: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b018.jpg

my only transistor, other than a Crosley book radio: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b012.jpg

Oldest radio, I did find a replacement dial cover: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/1593_1.jpg

[Forgotten Man]

Here are some of mine:

'37 Silvertone: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/airgrabber666/mackenzeaster2b001-2.jpg



I have a '37 or '38 Silvertone much the same, slightly different model but, same tele-dial and drum dial with "magic eye".
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/5139/1242478imgcopyyr6.jpg
It needs restoration and I hope to do that some day... I rescued it from my friend's radio shop... just sat there with no attention from anyone... I felt bad for it... It's such a neat design.

[airgrabber666]

Forgotten Man, your model looks like a 10-tube Silvertone 4786. Very nice piece. Wish you might post some better pics of it. My Silvertone (model 4787, with 12 tubes) was a $15 eBay purchase...just had to drive to pick it up. It also needs restoration, but I am a sucker for the "tele dial" tuning wheel and the art-deco grille design.

I learned a lot about my radio from the Antique Radio Forums (ARF). Check out some good Silvertone info here, on my thread: http://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=119533&highlight=

and here: http://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=120059&highlight=

and don't miss the Silvertone Gallery: http://www.sfhobbies.com/sfhobbies/radio/

[Forgotten Man]

$15. on eBay??? Lucky! I paid $150... I really must have felt bad for that radio to pay that for a set that needs veneer work and needs to be repaired! Doesn't even work. lol What can I say, the tele-dial and streamline design just got the better of my wallet. lol

I'm trying to talk myself into keeping it, since I bought that Crosley, I've been trying to talk myself into selling off a few pieces to make more room in the house. Deep down I don't want to sell it because I do intend to restore it at some point... which was my original intent.

Oh well, I'll try and take some better photos of it so I can post them here for you.

[Forgotten Man]

Here's a couple photos of the first vintage set I built. Plans are from a Jan. 1929 'Radio News' magazine. It's an AM band receiver. A few photos of the radio, magazine cover and image of the radio from the magazine.

All parts are original 1920's except for some hardware and wood.

http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101172-1/Radio+News+1929+1.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101182-1/Radio+News+1929+4.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101178-1/Radio+News+1929+5.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101180-1/Radio+News+1929+6.jpg






Here's my second vintage radio. Built from plans in QST magazine, Nov. 1929. This set covers from about 1200kc (top of AM band) to 4.5mc with two plug in coils. this includes the 160 meter and 80 meter Amateur bands and a little shortwave too. AM, single sideband and Morse Code are easily received with this radio.
All parts are original period, even the wood on this receiver was salvaged from an old '20s parts radio. What I call radio recycling.


http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101184-1/QST+1929+1.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101186-1/QST+1929+2.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101188-1/QST+1929+3.jpg






Being an Amateur Radio operator myself, I decided to build a vintage transmitter to go with the QST receiver. Here is a couple photos of the 1929 QST receciver and a one tube transmitter from an early '30s Frank Jones Radio Handbook. The transmitter is crystal controlled, it took two years of searching to find vintage crystals. It puts out about 7-8 watts of RF using a #46 tube, CW only (morse code).


http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101190-1/vintage+QRP+1.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101193-1/vintage+QRP+2.jpg
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101196-1/vintage+QRP+crystals.jpg


I have other sets of a little more modern design I've built, if anyone's interested I can post photos. If not, I'll not.

John



Such beautiful work! I love these photos... to build a radio out of antique parts... amazing! I just love that!

Keep it comin'!

[Radio Dazed]

If you insist.

Here's one of my latest projects.
It's a design by Walter C. Doerle called the 'Signal Gripper'. The plans are from a 1934 'Shortwave Craft' magazine. It's a shortwave receiver using three sets of plug in coils to cover all the bands from 110 - 19 meters.
The cabinet is from a 1926 Kolster, it needs a little refinishing.

http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/83311-1/Signal+Gripper+003.jpg

http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/83308-1/Signal+Gripper+002.jpg

http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/76182-2/SG+assembly+004_001.jpg

[airgrabber666]

$15. on eBay??? Lucky! I paid $150... I really must have felt bad for that radio to pay that for a set that needs veneer work and needs to be repaired! Doesn't even work. lol What can I say, the tele-dial and streamline design just got the better of my wallet. lol

I'm trying to talk myself into keeping it, since I bought that Crosley, I've been trying to talk myself into selling off a few pieces to make more room in the house. Deep down I don't want to sell it because I do intend to restore it at some point... which was my original intent.

Oh well, I'll try and take some better photos of it so I can post them here for you.

I'm sure $150 was a good deal for its condition. Mine needs veneer replacement on the top. Thankfully, the piece is just a plain rectangle in shape, so I will attempt my own repair. The rest of the cabinet really needs to be stripped and refinished. Grillecloth is intact but needs to be cleaned. Missing 2 of the tele-dial push button retainers. Your 4786 is a fine radio, and other owners of same have given positive reviews regarding its performance. These 1930's era Silvertones have wonderful design elements to their cabinets and the rotating-drum (or rolling pin) dial and deserved to be saved and enjoyed. I hope you restore yours, and I eagerly await some better pictures of same.

[Forgotten Man]

Well, like you there is veneer missing on the top of this set and some other spots are coming up some. The once tone-lacquer spots off to the side of the dial and around the grill and base need to be re sprayed... the whole thing needs to be re-done like yours.

Someday I hope to get it done... it has that unique speaker shroud in the back... a very unique radio.

[Radio Dazed]

Here are a couple more radios I built.

These both use the #49 tube. The tubes operate in what is known as 'Space Charge Mode'. So not to get too techincal and boring, I'll just say that Space Charge allows the tube to operate with very low voltages on the plate. In fact the first radio here, with the single #49 tube, only uses two batteries: one 'D' cell for filament and one 9 volt battery for plate and grid voltage. The second one uses just another 9 volt battery.This makes a very safe radio to operate and display especially for children.

Both of these are from Popular Mechanics articles. The first radio Is for the AM band, it is from a 1936 article 'One tube set works on flashlight batteries'. The second radio is a combination of two articles. In 1937 they had an article for a one tube audio amp using the #49 tube and in 1938 was the 'DX shortwave set' using the same tube.

'One tube set works on flashlight batteries'
http://antiqueradios.com/albums/Misc/Sept_36_PM_regen_6.jpg
http://antiqueradios.com/albums/Misc/Sept_36_PM_regen_3.jpg
http://antiqueradios.com/albums/Misc/Sept_36_PM_regen_4.jpg



'DX shortwave set'
http://antiqueradios.com/albums/Orphan/PM_1938_SW_set_001.jpg
http://antiqueradios.com/albums/Orphan/1938_PM_SW_1.jpg
http://antiqueradios.com/albums/Orphan/1938_PM_SW_2.jpg
http://antiqueradios.com/albums/Orphan/1938_PM_SW_3.jpg


Tubes removed to show buss wire detail.
http://antiqueradios.com/albums/Orphan/1938_PM_SW_4.jpg
http://antiqueradios.com/albums/Orphan/1938_PM_SW_5.jpg

[Radio Dazed]

Ended up making a cabinet for the 'DX shortwave set' with built in battery box. Cabinet is solid birch.
http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101317-1/Kelly_s+radio+001.jpg
http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101320-1/Kelly_s+radio+002.jpg
http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101322-1/Kelly_s+radio+003.jpg
http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/101326-2/Kelly_s+radio+004.jpg

[Forgotten Man]

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Such fine work, such attention to period authenticity and detail... lovely!

[Radio Dazed]

Thank you again.

You know, it's alot of fun building these radios. It's like a treasure hunt while searching for parts. I search antique radio and ham radio swap meets. The internet has lots of vintage radio related sites with classified ads and there's also ebay. The trick is to find the best looking (and functioning) parts to make these radio look and play good.

John

[Forgotten Man]

http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/76182-2/SG+assembly+004_001.jpg

I love the dials you choose on some of these, they look just perfect! What kind of dials are they? What make are they? Also, what material did you use for the face board? The textured black material you use on others kits seems a little more attractive but, that's just my opinion.

You know I think you have great taste in your kits, I have seen some photos from the 20s of some of these made with glass cabinets, that would be pretty unique to try out I think.

You have inspired me; I would love to make a kit once I have a workshop area and the correct parts to do it with. How fun that would be!

-=Rob=-

[Radio Dazed]

FM, the dials on the 'Signal Gripper' and some of the other radios were made by National Company, Malden, Mass. The company started in 1914 and went out of buisness in the early '90s. They had inovative designs in the early part of radio. They were the first to build a receiver for experimental TV in 1928. Here's a link to a breif history of the company. http://www.qsl.net/jms/bio_rem/bhnc.html

Some of the other dials are Marko and Pilot brand. Almost all of these dial are known as vernier dials. They have a built in gear reduction, usually around 6:1. The large National dial has a variable reduction from 6:1 - 20:1, makes for smooth tuning on the shortwave bands.

The front panel material is just Masonite, 1/4" pressed fiber board. I usually paint it black and it looks like bakelite but on the Signal Gripper I used oil stain for a dark brown look. On the 1924 kit radio I had to replace the original bakelite panel with black ABS that had a wrinkle finish on one side. As mentioned earlier, UPS damaged the radio breaking the panel in two places. It had an odd dimension thickness but I found a plastic shop that had the ABS in the thickness I needed.

As far as kits go, I built these radios from scratch they are not kits. I don't think anyone sells a kit to build an antique replica. I had to find a design I wanted to build (started with a simple set first), gathered parts, thus creating a kit of my own in effect. It's very nostalgic to build a radio from the early days just like many did back then. Most radios in the '20s and and early '30s were homebrewed not factory built. There were many radio magazins back then filled with construction articles, like Radio News, Shortwave Craft and QST.

John

[vitanola]

You asked for it!

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/eBayOctober11th2008003.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS058-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS81-2.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS023-2.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS037-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS038-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS043-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS066-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Arbesnaps060.jpg

[vitanola]

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Arbesnaps067.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Arbesnaps081.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS75-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS73-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS74-2.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/EK36Utahspeaker.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS025A.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS026.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS027.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS028.jpg

[vitanola]

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS030.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS032.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS034.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS035.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS036.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS040-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS061.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS061.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa042.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AK20cE2speaker.jpg

[vitanola]

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/GeneralElectrictombstone.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Generaltombstone.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Gloritonemodel27.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Heraldynebatteryset.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Augustfinds001-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Augustfinds006-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa018.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa019.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa020.jpg

[vitanola]

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa044.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa055.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa055.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa002-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa009-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Brunswicksnaps007.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/houseandart001-1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/houseandart016.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/ebaySeptember182008013.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/ebaySeptember112008022.jpg

[vitanola]

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/ebaySeptember112008024.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/100_34761.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/100_34871.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/100_34891.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS045.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS049.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS050.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Arbesnaps054.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa021.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/ErlaBallooncoilsetairlinespeaker.jpg

[vitanola]

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Freed-EisemannNR-5.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/Northhomebatteryset.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa031.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa060.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/AAAwa064.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS042.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS72.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS82.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk22/viva-tonal/JULYFINDS019A.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u192/vitanola/Arbesnaps073.jpg

[vitanola]

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u192/vitanola/Atwater-Kentmodel10006.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u192/vitanola/Arbesnaps043.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u192/vitanola/ebayapril152006040.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u192/vitanola/00000000000000aaa.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u192/vitanola/Beliminatpr1.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u192/vitanola/eBayNovember222006021.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u192/vitanola/August62006023.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u192/vitanola/a4f7_1.jpg


These are the sets that survived the fire, as they were in the house. In the past nine months I've acquired a hundred or so more interesting sets, but do not yet have pictures of them to post.

[Forgotten Man]

Cheese and Rice!!! That's a few radios!

Nice sets, I have the same late 30s Sears Silvertone you pictured... yours is better shape than mine.lol

[airgrabber666]

Beautiful and impressive collection, Vitanola! Some VERY nice radios in there.

[Radio Dazed]

Yep, vitanola thinks he's the Hunt bros of antique radios. :)
A million just dont go as far as it used to...

[vitanola]

Hardly!

I've a few hundred sets left after the fire, but my collection pales in comparison to that of many others, and it was largely assembled on a VERY tight budget.

I generally buy decent, original, non-working sets, restore them, and sell 2 for every one that I keep. This has allowed me to assemble a pretty representative collection over the years. I have a hundered other finished sets which have ywt to be photographed, and have a 24' trailer and a 27' box truck filled with sets awaiting restoration, but will not be able to get to them until the new shop is completed, sometime in the spring of '10.

As one can well imagine, the fire last March set me back quite a bit, but it has also freed me from quite as strong an attachment to my sets as I had in the past. I have perhaps four sets with which I will not part, but otherwise everything else is up for grabs.

Besides, radios are CHEAP!

Try a phonograph or music box auction sometime!

An entire fine collection of radios can be purchased for the price of one mediocre music box or Talking Machine.

[Forgotten Man]

Well, I know that Atwater Kent "bread board" will fetch a healthy note depending on condition and such... the one you pictured looks pretty darn good to me!

Radios are relatively cheap for the most part... most of the money is in talking machines or music boxes... however, most mid to late 30s Zenith radios with robot tuning and shutter dials can fetch over 1,000. :eusa_doh: I did find a 1938 Zenith console at an antique mall over the weekend in Redlands... needed some wood work but, had the robot tuning and shutter dial with magic eye... asking $450. or so for it... not bad for one of them even if it is a project piece.

Say, Vitanola have you had a chance to see the '29 Crosley I picked up? Quite a unique piece!

[vitanola]

Well, I know that Atwater Kent "bread board" will fetch a healthy note depending on condition and such... the one you pictured looks pretty darn good to me!

Radios are relatively cheap for the most part... most of the money is in talking machines or music boxes... however, most mid to late 30s Zenith radios with robot tuning and shutter dials can fetch over 1,000. :eusa_doh: I did find a 1938 Zenith console at an antique mall over the weekend in Redlands... needed some wood work but, had the robot tuning and shutter dial with magic eye... asking $450. or so for it... not bad for one of them even if it is a project piece.

Say, Vitanola have you had a chance to see the '29 Crosley I picked up? Quite a unique piece!

The AK 10 breadboard came out of a local attic, 2 bad audioo transformers and covered with soot. $175.00

The AK 6 was one of a pair, and came out of the proverbial roofless chicken coop. Some cracked bakelite, the amplifier can was rusty, the tube bayonet shields were corroded beyond use, as were the binding posts. The boards were split, chewed up, and warped. After a great deal of effort (including 4 re-wound audio transformers and 2 newly made RF transformers) I was left with 2 nearly perfect sets, the better of which I sold. Paid the mortgage for three months, thank heaven!

Your Crosley is a pretty scarce set, though not shockingly pricey. It is a decent performer, but did not sell too well, as the 1929-30 market was crowded with fine sets at this price point, many of which offered better eye appeal and fidelity. To our modern eye, though the art deco styling of the Crosley, which was perhaps too advanced for the market of its day, is just the ticket.

[airgrabber666]

Forgotten Man - have you gotten a chance to snap a few better pics of your Silvertone console?

[Forgotten Man]

The AK 10 breadboard came out of a local attic, 2 bad audioo transformers and covered with soot. $175.00

The AK 6 was one of a pair, and came out of the proverbial roofless chicken coop. Some cracked bakelite, the amplifier can was rusty, the tube bayonet shields were corroded beyond use, as were the binding posts. The boards were split, chewed up, and warped. After a great deal of effort (including 4 re-wound audio transformers and 2 newly made RF transformers) I was left with 2 nearly perfect sets, the better of which I sold. Paid the mortgage for three months, thank heaven!

Your Crosley is a pretty scarce set, though not shockingly pricey. It is a decent performer, but did not sell too well, as the 1929-30 market was crowded with fine sets at this price point, many of which offered better eye appeal and fidelity. To our modern eye, though the art deco styling of the Crosley, which was perhaps too advanced for the market of its day, is just the ticket.

Wow, you did a lot of work on those AK bread boards! The one you pictured looks beautiful!:)

Yes, as you mentioned Art Deco wasn't the most popular style in 1929 with most of the American' public. And the economy was ready to take a serious spill later that year. The ad I have is from June or so of '29 and by October, many people were not buying anything.


Forgotten Man - have you gotten a chance to snap a few better pics of your Silvertone console?

Nope, not yet... Time has been very thin as of late. I will try and do that this evening for you.

[vitanola]

Forgotten Man, you wrote:

"Yes, as you mentioned Art Deco wasn't the most popular style in 1929 with most of the American' public. And the economy was ready to take a serious spill later that year. The ad I have is from June or so of '29 and by October, many people were not buying anything."

Actually, sales in the latter half of 1929 were pretty good, and 1930 model year sales were poor only in comparison to those of '28 and '29. The real decline did not set in until the summer of 1931, when most Americans finally realized that a return to prosperity was NOT "just around the corner".

Unit sales in the 1931 model year approached those of '29, but industry sales totals were lower because EACH UNIT WAS SOLD AT A LOWER FIGURE, due to the advent of inexpensive "Midget" sets, like the Philco Model 20 cathedral and the Majestic model 50 tombstone. The $49.00-69.00 midget replaced the $175-225 console as the industry leader.

[Flivver]

You're right, Vitanola, the real decline didn't set in until the Summer of 1931. I'm always amused by writers who suggest that the Depression began in the 1920s.

One way I like to gauge the economic activity of that era is to look at the thickness (indicative of the number of ads) in trade magazines of the day. Looking at Radio Retailing magazine, as an example, the thickest magazines occurred in 1929. But the issues remained reasonably thick through 1930 and into 1931. They started to thin down quickly in the second half of 1931 and were sliver thin by 1932.

The auto industry trade magazines dislayed a similar trend.

[dhermann1]

A little more OT, then back to radios. What I've read is that farm prices started going down not long after the war, so there was a pretty severe agricultural depression as early as 1924 or 25, which helped spin the rest of the economy into general depression. But then again, what do I know? I was hanging out with Bueller the day the teacher covered the Great Depression.

[Flivver]

There actually was a postwar recession from 1921-1922. But, after that, the non-agricultural sectors of the economy entered a boom phase that lasted through 1929.

Getting back to radio, it's interesting that the initial radio craze that swept the country occurred during that 1922 recession.

[vitanola]

A little more OT, then back to radios. What I've read is that farm prices started going down not long after the war, so there was a pretty severe agricultural depression as early as 1924 or 25, which helped spin the rest of the economy into general depression. But then again, what do I know? I was hanging out with Bueller the day the teacher covered the Great Depression.

We had a sharp national depression related to reconversion troubles and the sharp drop in commodity prices (primarily agricultural) after the 1920 european harvest. Industrial unemployment in the 1920-21 depression approached that of the Great Depression, but it was a relatively short blip-time wise, for we were well into industrial recovery by the summer of 1921. Our industrial recovery was spurred in part by booms in the radio and motorcar industries. Agricultural commodity prices never really recovered, though.

During the Great War the european agricultural districts were greatly affected by labor shortages, and by actual battle condidtions, and so world grain prices soared. This led American farmers to mechanize much more rapidly than the would otherwise have done, greatly increasing yields, and also led to our farmers putting much more land under cultivation. With the return of normal world agricultural production, we had gross surplusses which drove commodity prices down to a point that barely approached the cost of production. The farm districts were largely in depression form 1921 onwards. The prosperity of the 1920's was largely an urban, middle and upper class phenomenon. Even factory workers did not really participate in the prosperity, with the average operative in 1929 making about fifty dollars less per year (in constant 1925 dollars) than they did in 1920.

[grundie]

I can't show a picture of it right now, but I am the proud owner of a rather run-down RCA 30. The radio is in my father-in-laws garage in Syracuse and I'm in Dublin.

The workings of the radio are completely beyond repair, they are heavily corroded and the valves are missing. The woodwork is structurally sound, but the finish has weathered off and it is now just bare wood. This is because the radio has been sitting in a garage for the last 40 or so years.

I have every intention of restoring this beast of a radio, during the few weeks each year I visit my wife's parents. The question is do I scavenge the workings of another old radio and transplant in to it, or should I fit a modern radio in to it (would that be sacrilege?).

[BinkieBaumont]

"If it is truly a piece of poop, why not install a Tv/DVd inside its "Carcass" obviously small screen, perfect for the study/guest room perhaps?

[grundie]

"If it is truly a piece of poop, why not install a Tv/DVd inside its "Carcass" obviously small screen, perfect for the study/guest room perhaps?

I have been giving serious consideration to turning it in to a music server. I have over 200GB of music that spans the first half of the 20th century. I would love to fit the old radio with a media server and some really good quality speakers so that all that music would be easily accessible, in style!

[airgrabber666]

I can't show a picture of it right now, but I am the proud owner of a rather run-down RCA 30. The radio is in my father-in-laws garage in Syracuse and I'm in Dublin.

The workings of the radio are completely beyond repair, they are heavily corroded and the valves are missing. The woodwork is structurally sound, but the finish has weathered off and it is now just bare wood. This is because the radio has been sitting in a garage for the last 40 or so years.

I have every intention of restoring this beast of a radio, during the few weeks each year I visit my wife's parents. The question is do I scavenge the workings of another old radio and transplant in to it, or should I fit a modern radio in to it (would that be sacrilege?).

I think an RCA Radiola 30 is worth saving and not gutting. Is this the model of which you speak?
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/49092-2/RCA_Radiola_30.jpg

[grundie]

I think an RCA Radiola 30 is worth saving and not gutting. Is this the model of which you speak?
http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/49092-2/RCA_Radiola_30.jpg

That's the one. It's a fine looking radio and I would love to get it going again. I used to be a radio amateur and have the skills and tools to do a restoration. But the innards are so far gone I'd need to get a transplant radio to work with.

I must say I am rather surprised at how well the wooden casing has survived compared to the inner workings. The stain/varnish is gone, but there has been no warping or cracking.

[airgrabber666]

According to the Radiola Guy website, the Radiola 30 was introduced in September 1925 at a cost of $575.00 (!) with tubes. Production amounted to 10,835 units. So your radio is a fairly scarce unit that was quite high end at the time. I would certainly consider restoration rather than irreversible modification. Or even leaving it "as is" internally and refinishing the cabinet and display it as a decorative piece. Just my respectful two cents.

[vitanola]

I can't show a picture of it right now, but I am the proud owner of a rather run-down RCA 30. The radio is in my father-in-laws garage in Syracuse and I'm in Dublin.

The workings of the radio are completely beyond repair, they are heavily corroded and the valves are missing. The woodwork is structurally sound, but the finish has weathered off and it is now just bare wood. This is because the radio has been sitting in a garage for the last 40 or so years.

I have every intention of restoring this beast of a radio, during the few weeks each year I visit my wife's parents. The question is do I scavenge the workings of another old radio and transplant in to it, or should I fit a modern radio in to it (would that be sacrilege?).

A Radiola 30?

The Radiola 30 was the first light-socket radio sold in any quantity. Being a 1925 model it is a rather unorthodox chassis design, using a modified sealed RCA battery chassis converted for AC operation. It uses expensive tubes, and is most definitely NOT a restoration project for the first-timer. Whilst this is a historically significant set, and is not terribly common, there are at this time more good survivors out there than there are collectors who seek them.

If the set is truly deteriorated you can probably modify it without guilt. Even so you might consider offering any internal parts to other collectors in the Antique Radio Forum Classified section. They will assist others in completing their own restorations

[vitanola]

According to the Radiola Guy website, the Radiola 30 was introduced in September 1925 at a cost of $575.00 (!) with tubes. Production amounted to 10,835 units. So your radio is a fairly scarce unit that was quite high end at the time. I would certainly consider restoration rather than irreversible modification. Or even leaving it "as is" internally and refinishing the cabinet and display it as a decorative piece. Just my respectful two cents.

I gather that you've never restored one of these beasts!

I have, and have found that a suprising number have survived. I've owned four. Now, were this a Radiola 32, or even a 30-A I would perhaps suggest othherwise. That said, the power amplifier chassis should be prety easily reatorable, even if it is a bit rusty. The cover can easily be repainted. The catacomb assembly can if necessary be replaced by one form a Radiola 28.

What is the condition of your loop antenna, and of your speaker? The Radio chassis (the part on the frame with the tuning mechanism) has most of the passive components (condensers, chokes and IF and AF transformers) potted into a can. Repairing these can be a mite ticklish. The set requires 2 '81 or '16 tubes (about $15.00 each) 1 876 tube (about $10.00) 1 '10 (about $40.00) 1 874 ((15.00) and 7 'X99's (about $25.00 each, if they can be found). So the tubes will cost nearly $300.00, much more than almost ny other set that one can find. Now, if the set has any tubes in it, do not assume that they must be faulty. They are often useable, and as most of the tubes used in this set have XL filaments, weak tubes can often be successfully rejuvenated.

I rather specialise in Radiola Superhetrodynes, and would probably have any parts that you need, should you decide to restore this set. Most of the parts SHOULD be quite inexpensive, with, of course, the exception of the tubes.

[airgrabber666]

Vitanola, you are correct - I have never restored a Radiola 30. But the owner of same suggested he was no newbie to the field of electronics, indicating he was not a first-timer. The cabinet is apparently solid enough to salvage, whereas the chassis is missing the tubes and exhibits corrosion. I submit that if Radiola 30 models are quite available then Grundie could possibly be able to substitute a better condition replacement chassis for his deteriorated original. Admittedly, it would not necessarily be cheap.

I respect your technical knowledge and evident passion for restoring and collecting old radios. I just do not like seeing a significant radio destroyed by irreversible modifications. It's not like we are discussing a common post-war Philco radio/phonograph console combo unit.

[vitanola]

I see your point, too, airgrabber, but these sets turn up with fine cabinets with sufficient frequency. That said, even an advanced electronic techn ician might be a bit flummoxed by the basic design of this set, which is idiosyncratic in the extreme. Even so, if the owner wishes to restore this set, and succeeds, he will end up with a large, impressive set,, one which is an extraodinarily good performer. These sets are both sensitive and selective, but perhaps the owner should consider the restoration of one or two simpler battery sets before he assays the big Radiola. If so, I would gladly send him a simple battery set (perhaps a Freshman Masterpiece) on which he can practice, as I have more of these than I will ever get around to fixing.

[grundie]

I see your point, too, airgrabber, but these sets turn up with fine cabinets with sufficient frequency. That said, even an advanced electronic techn ician might be a bit flummoxed by the basic design of this set, which is idiosyncratic in the extreme.

Thank you all for the advice. I suppose I'd better fill you in with the back story of this set.

The radio came with the house. My in-laws found it in the basement when they bought the property 25 years ago. It was in the same condition then as it is now. Due to the amount of scratching around the access panels, I suspect the inner workings were removed at some point and then left to corrode, before being replaced some time later Perhaps in a previous unskilled restoration attempt that was never completed, maybe.

Oddly, the house was also also built in 1925. Wouldn't it be great if the radio was bought for the house? Though there will never be any way to find out if that is the case.

My own electrical skills are in the field of digital electronics (ADCs and signal processing). But my love of amateur radio allowed me to dabble in some valve radio work. Mainly old 1960s military radios which were designed to be easy to use and maintain. I have a PYE 619 SW transceiver dating from 1961 in which I replaced the valves myself. At the moment it has been deactivated to comply with Irish radio experimenter laws as I have no current licence - I live in a radio black hole and recently gained a son so no time for radio stuff.

Anyways, I think working on a real old radio will be a challenge and a learning experience. I have no doubt that the Radiola will be more of a challenge to work on than the PYE. Especially since I can only work on it for a few weeks each year, and only then when my father-in-law isn't pumping me full of Whisky. The next time I'm over I will take lots of pictures and post them somewhere. In the meantime I'll go looking for schematics.

I love my in-laws they also gave me a Victor Victrola XVI in perfect working order, but that's not for a radio thread.

[vitanola]

Here is the schematic and wiring diagram:

http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByModel/325/M0040325.pdf

Many collectors choose not to repair the sealed "Catacomb" section of the set. No factory service information is available for these units, as they were intended to be returned to the factory for service. If you plan to restore the set, I can send you a continuity diagram of the "cat", so that you can determine whether it is in good condition. Should it require internal service, I would strongly suggest that you send it off to someone who has had a good deal of experience with them. This will help to insure successful restoration.

The UP-951 SPU is a pretty straightforward restoration job. If it has been exposed to high moisture it would be advisiable to bake the power transformer in a low oven (about 85 degrees C) for a day or so to drive out any moisture, and then soak it in Glyptal or some other penetrating electricla sealant. The filter and bypass condensers should be checked for leakage and opens, but being made of imported rice paper, they almost never are faulty. The plug-in resistor often fials, but it may profitably be replaced with a UX-874 voltage regulator tube (the spu was originally designed for this tube, the resistor was fitted to keep costs down). The large ceramic voltage divider resistor usually will have open sections. The best way to deal with ti is to install an insulated terminal strip in its place and use modern 5 watt wire wounds.

Now the radio chassis is something else. The set uses the Radiola 28 with the AC package. This set uses battery triodes (UX-199) which have a filament which consumes 60 ma at 3.3 volts. The battery version of this set wires the filaments in shunt, whilst the AC version wires them in series. On the rear of the catacomb you will find a terminal strip with resistors mounted to it. These resistors are connected in series with the filament string. Several of these will doubtless be open. they may be replaced with modern 5 watt units.

Note that the circuit is an all-triode superhetrodyne, with the tubes in series with the voltage divider of the HV power supply. This also provdes grid bias.

It is a pretty complicated job, but if you need help I can send you my telephone number, and I will assist as much as I am able.

[Forgotten Man]

My, a Radiola 30! That's a lovely set and I would say that the feeling of accomplishment in restoring this set to working order would be grand! ;) I would like to see a photo or two of the chassis, to see how far gone it is.

There are radio clubs all over the US and many will be able to help in parts and such... you already have much help right here being offered!

Now, my opinion would be to refinish (respectfully) and use it as a conversation piece right now and keep your eye out for a working chassis or till time comes to piece one together. I think you would derive a large amount of satisfaction from just restoring the cabinet since these earlier radios do make nice furniture.

The priority to restoring an early radio like this to working order is low since AM is void of anything very enjoyable on the AM frequency. So, you wouldn't really enjoy the working set till you fashioned an AM transmitter to your PC to broadcast some period correct music to the set.

So, right now I'd say get that cabinet restored and display it with a nice cloth runner on the top and a few old photos in vintage frames from the 20s... that would be a nice addition I think till you can locate a working chassis or figure out how to get it working again.


:)

[grundie]

Here is the schematic and wiring diagram:

http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByModel/325/M0040325.pdf

Many collectors choose not to repair the sealed "Catacomb" section of the set. No factory service information is available for these units, as they were intended to be returned to the factory for service. If you plan to restore the set, I can send you a continuity diagram of the "cat", so that you can determine whether it is in good condition. Should it require internal service, I would strongly suggest that you send it off to someone who has had a good deal of experience with them. This will help to insure successful restoration.

The UP-951 SPU is a pretty straightforward restoration job. If it has been exposed to high moisture it would be advisiable to bake the power transformer in a low oven (about 85 degrees C) for a day or so to drive out any moisture, and then soak it in Glyptal or some other penetrating electricla sealant. The filter and bypass condensers should be checked for leakage and opens, but being made of imported rice paper, they almost never are faulty. The plug-in resistor often fials, but it may profitably be replaced with a UX-874 voltage regulator tube (the spu was originally designed for this tube, the resistor was fitted to keep costs down). The large ceramic voltage divider resistor usually will have open sections. The best way to deal with ti is to install an insulated terminal strip in its place and use modern 5 watt wire wounds.

Now the radio chassis is something else. The set uses the Radiola 28 with the AC package. This set uses battery triodes (UX-199) which have a filament which consumes 60 ma at 3.3 volts. The battery version of this set wires the filaments in shunt, whilst the AC version wires them in series. On the rear of the catacomb you will find a terminal strip with resistors mounted to it. These resistors are connected in series with the filament string. Several of these will doubtless be open. they may be replaced with modern 5 watt units.

Note that the circuit is an all-triode superhetrodyne, with the tubes in series with the voltage divider of the HV power supply. This also provdes grid bias.

It is a pretty complicated job, but if you need help I can send you my telephone number, and I will assist as much as I am able.

Wow, thanks for the schematics.

Hmmm, I think the catacombe may be missing, since there is nothing that looks like a catacombe inside it. I also think the speaker was missing. I'd still have a go at repairing it. Even if I couldn't get original parts I'm sure I could substiture modern components if necesay.

I'm going to nag my fater-in-law to take pictures. I'vwe got the restoration itch now lads.

Thanks for all the help and advice everyone.

[vitanola]

Well, is there anything behind the door in the center, the one under the speaker? There should be a sort of drawer, with a sloping panel on which is the dial and dial escutcheon which will be marked "Radiola 30" If the drawer is there then a catacomb from a salvaged Victor or Brunswick phono panel, or form a Radiola 28 (all of which are essentially the same part as the Radiola 30) can be substituted. These are, to some extent, available. The speaker is a slightly modified Radiola 100. These can be had pretty easily.

If you decide to substitute a later radio chassis you might as well convert the set to a digital music player. If you wish, you could even build up a hybrid, a digital music source driving a vacuum tube amplifier and speaker.

[vitanola]

My, a Radiola 30! That's a lovely set and I would say that the feeling of accomplishment in restoring this set to working order would be grand! ;) I would like to see a photo or two of the chassis, to see how far gone it is.

There are radio clubs all over the US and many will be able to help in parts and such... you already have much help right here being offered!

Now, my opinion would be to refinish (respectfully) and use it as a conversation piece right now and keep your eye out for a working chassis or till time comes to piece one together. I think you would derive a large amount of satisfaction from just restoring the cabinet since these earlier radios do make nice furniture.

The priority to restoring an early radio like this to working order is low since AM is void of anything very enjoyable on the AM frequency. So, you wouldn't really enjoy the working set till you fashioned an AM transmitter to your PC to broadcast some period correct music to the set.

So, right now I'd say get that cabinet restored and display it with a nice cloth runner on the top and a few old photos in vintage frames from the 20s... that would be a nice addition I think till you can locate a working chassis or figure out how to get it working again.


:)

Either that, or one could use the space occupied by the set to display a couple of refrigerators.:p

[David Conwill]

the chassis probably got tossed...I'm on the hunt for a chassis to put in it...

In the meantime, I see the perfect place to stash an amplifier and an XM receiver. Forties on Four, anyone?

-Dave

[LizzieMaine]

Been meaning to post this one for a while..

http://www.midcoast.com/~lizmcl/86K7.jpg

This is a RCA Victor 86K7, part of RCA's second-tier of console models for 1937 -- sold for $39.99, with a very basic standard broadcast/shortwave six-tube chassis and few frills, but a very impressive cabinet.

This radio was abandoned on my doorstep one night last winter -- literally. My landlord found it in a house he was helping to tear down over on the other side of town, and it was headed for the dump unless he took it. And suddenly it was on my doorstep. It was an awful looking thing, too, swathed in hideous late-sixties-style "antiquing paint," a precursor to the current shabby-chic fad. Whoever did the job was real thorough, too -- they not only painted the cabinet, they also swabbed the knobs and the Tenite plastic escutcheon with the same stuff, a shade I can only call "litter-box beige."

The chassis was complete, but the dial cable was broken and the tuning capacitor mechanism, an intricate geared arrangement, was seized up. And, the speaker was missing -- apparently the cone was torn out, and the frame had been thrown away before it could be rescued.

Miraculously, I found the exact speaker needed on eBay a few days after getting the radio, for a reasonable price, and it didn't take too much searching to find a dial belt and to get the mechanism freed up. A basic re-capping job, and the radio works fine.

The cabinet took some work, though. I soaked all the plastic parts in lacquer thinner to get the paint off -- I knew the knobs would be fine, but the escutcheon worried me, since Tenite is notorious for melting and distorting under all sorts of circumstances, so I was gentle with it and managed to get the paint off, revealing an elegant marbled-effect color underneath. And amazingly, the Tenite was not warped or damaged in any way -- whatever damage the previous owner inflicted on this set, at least they didn't put it in the attic, where the heat would have destroyed the plastic in a few years' time.

I took advantage of the first warm day of the spring to get the paint off, using a combination of stripper and lacquer thinner. The original finish was far gone under the paint, so I started over, using toning lacquer in the proper shades of medium walnut and Van Dyke brown, followed by clear satin lacquer for topcoats. And there it is.

I didn't really have room for another console, but I managed to find a spot in my office for it, and it's been getting a lot of use during the day. It was a decent radio for the money in 1937, and considering what it cost me, I think it's still a bargain.

[FountainPenGirl]

Hi Lizzie, That radio is nifty. I'm impressed. I haven't met a lot of other gals that are into radio. I professionally restore radios myself so I follow everything you mentioned doing. I got hooked on radio when I was very young and spent my whole life learning electronics and how to repair these great sets. When I was a kid there were plenty of great radios still around in peoples homes and I dreamed of having ones of my own to use. Fast forward to now and we have a house full of vintage radios we use all the time. I'm also a big fan of the Golden Age of Radio Broadcasting. Jack Benny, The Shadow and so on.

[Flivver]

Gee Lizzie, that's an awfully nice radio and a beautiful restoration job. I've worked with tinted lacquer and know how hard it is to get the toning just right. Looks like you've replicated the factory finish perfectly!

I have a lot of respect for RCA Victor radios of this era, having learned radio servicing on a 1938 RCA Victor 813K when I was a teenager. In my opinion, RCA combined the excellent performance of Philco with the quality of Atwater Kent.

[W4ASZ]

I'm still admiring LizzieMaine's RCA. It's great to see a nice old radio brought back from the dead.

My older sets are never run at the house AC line voltage of 122 to 125 volts. Instead I use either a Variac or step-down isolation transformer to bring the source voltage to between 105 and 115 volts, tops. I noticed some years ago that I could not rest my hand on the top of the power transformer iof my 1934 Bosch 660 comfortably without backing the voltage down. (A rule of thumb , wink, nudge.) Let's keep the left hand in your pocket and check the temp with your right, to be safe. You could measure with a remote thermometer, but my way is more fun.

Reduce stress on those old components, I say. Yours, too !

[Forgotten Man]

Lizzie, youre RCA is beautiful! :eusa_clap Nice job! I love the dial on those mid to late 30s RCA's... just amazing designs!

[Jennifer Lynn]

Lizzie - I echo what others have said...wonderful looking radio and that is a great story of how you rescued it from an eternity of possible shabby chic-ness. ;)

I'd happened upon a few stores at Renningers (half hour drive north of Orlando), and a fella told me he'd be bringing in a radio with turntable, and the way he described it is close to the size of yours. Wish I had the room for it.

I found a store that had vintage stereos, radios, television sets and all sorts of other electronic do-dads. The guy would restore them from the inside out, if needed. I walked in as he was fiddling with a circuit board. I ended up with this Howard model from the 40's:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/trinsghost/Vintage/Finds/IMG_3156.jpg

Here are a few other pics of that particular store.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/trinsghost/Vintage/Finds/IMG_3141.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/trinsghost/Vintage/Finds/IMG_3140.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/trinsghost/Vintage/Finds/IMG_3139.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/trinsghost/Vintage/Finds/IMG_3138.jpg

[Django]

Wow, lots of great radio pics since I last dropped in!

Just a quick update. After months and months of searching, I found the exact radio as my Grandma's Philco on ebay, so I bought it. Unfortunately for me, it too was a farm set with the battery, so it will cost an extra $75 to convert it. A friend's father is going to do the swap after he gets back from "vacation" in late August. I think I am going to cannabalize the larger speaker from the Coronado for a hopefully bigger sound.

I also dug my late '30s Silvertone tabletop radio out from storage and it still works great. I had been bugging my friend Matt to build a converter for iPod to home radios. He owns RediRad (http://www.rediscoverradio.com) and sells iPod converters for old cars. After 7 or 8 months of my pestering, one day he handed me the RediRad home version serial #0001. Awesome! It works great! I'm trying to talk him into introducing them into his product line because i think it is the best thing for an old radio... to get to hear the big bands the exact way my grandparents did is truly awesome. Once I get the Philco interals restored, and hook up the iPod, I will probably be beside myself! lol

[Jesse]

Thread bump....

Wish these were mine, operating as KH6BB on the USS Missouri

Ironically had a nice QSO with a Japanese station.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2628/239/3/744939631/n744939631_1607588_7622937.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2628/239/3/744939631/n744939631_1607569_6025874.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2628/239/3/744939631/n744939631_1607579_505498.jpg

[Jesse]

Kenwood TS-520s

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/ts520s.jpg

Heathkit SB-200

http://kx5jt.net/myPictures/sb200inside.jpg

[jamespowers]

I forgot to mention that I got my Silvertone 4786 back from the repair shop a while back. It sounds great. The cabinet could use some work but man that radio can perform. The speaker is loud enough to be heard far into my backyard. :D
It kind of looks like this:
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/5139/1242478imgcopyyr6.jpg
;) :D

[Jesse]

I'd like to buy an old Zenith 12-S-267, not in the cards though right now :/

For now I have to stick to this:

http://radio.clickdx.info/images/ic-7000.jpg


Not vintage at all but I do like it :)

[Wire9Vintage]

We picked up this little beauty recently. It weighs a ton, needs work...and a speaker, but is such a piece of history. A Philco 511 from 1928:

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/eamacc/P1020840.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/eamacc/P1020860.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/eamacc/P1020839.jpg

A Google search found me some great info on this baby, but if anyone has any first-hand experience, I'd love to hear it. We foolishly plugged it in and had no explosion (or sound), but the tubes did glow, so there's a breath of life. Fortunately, I have a relative with extensive radio knowledge and access to piles of old radio bits and bobs. We'll see if that knowledge goes as far back as 1928, though!

[LizzieMaine]

We picked up this little beauty recently. It weighs a ton, needs work...and a speaker, but is such a piece of history. A Philco 511 from 1928:

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/eamacc/P1020840.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/eamacc/P1020860.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/eamacc/P1020839.jpg

A Google search found me some great info on this baby, but if anyone has any first-hand experience, I'd love to hear it. We foolishly plugged it in and had no explosion (or sound), but the tubes did glow, so there's a breath of life. Fortunately, I have a relative with extensive radio knowledge and access to piles of old radio bits and bobs. We'll see if that knowledge goes as far back as 1928, though!

I have one very similar to that out on my front porch -- it's a very basic early AC radio, and was, in fact, Philco's first model. The filter caps are large paper units mounted in those steel boxes, and they don't dry up like electrolytics, so they're likely to still be good. If you need to replace them, modern ones can be strapped in on the terminal board underneath -- you can open the cans, but you'll find the caps inside are potted with tar that can be very difficult and smelly to get out.

Do you have the speaker? It would be a large, heavy unit in a pot-metal cabinet, connected to the radio by a thick cable to that terminal board in the back. Without the speaker, obviously, you won't hear anything. You also seem to be missing a couple of tubes.

[Wire9Vintage]

Yes, there are missing tubes, and a mish-mash of one left in it. No, no speaker. There is a Philco 211 speaker to match on ebay right now, but is more than twice what we paid for the radio... so I'll keep looking. I imagine there's a match out there somewhere. The plan now is to rig up some kind of speaker.

Lizzie, you'll probably know this. There is what looks to be a head-phone jack on the front, to the left of the dial. Is that what that is? At first we thought there was a missing toggle switch, like the power switch on the right, but then thought it might be a jack. I'm communicating with my relative via skype and Web cam, so we were unable to come to a couple of conclusions on it, since he'd never seen a 1928 model!

Personally, I'm just as excited the original paint job is more or less in tact. These babies were hand painted, and while the 511 isn't as fancy as the 512s, etc. I love its beautiful self so much!

[LizzieMaine]

That jack is actually an auxiliary input -- Philco made a magnetic phonograph pickup unit that would plug into that jack, which feeds the signal into the detector tube. So, once you get it up and going, you could easily patch in a small pre-amp fed by an Ipod or other such device.

As far as the speaker goes, the original was a high-impedance magnetic type, so you wouldn't have to worry about a field coil. You would, however, need an impedance-matching transformer to use any kind of modern speaker as a temporary replacement. Info on how to rig this up is here. (http://www.philcoradio.com/tech/511spkr.htm)

[Wire9Vintage]

Lizzie, as usual, you are a wealth of knowledge. I'll pass all of this information on to my "radio man" (actually my father-in-law, who has been told to bring tubes and tools with him to Thanksgiving dinner). That is much more exciting on the jack, too. I have just the stuff on my ipod, too.

[38lasalle]

Here's a shot of the Grunow Teledial (12-B Chassis) that I completed restoring a couple of weeks ago. The electrics were in sad shape but the cabinet was ding-free and the grille cloth is original. Bought this set in late August of this year and spent 2/3 of September rebuilding the chassis and refinishing the cabinet. It works very well, rivaling my 12-S-265 Zenith in tone quality and sensitivity- and, yes, the AFC works perfectly.



http://s1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/38lasalle/?action=view&current=GrunowRestored.jpg

[jamespowers]

Here's a shot of the Grunow Teledial (12-B Chassis) that I completed restoring a couple of weeks ago. The electrics were in sad shape but the cabinet was ding-free and the grille cloth is original. Bought this set in late August of this year and spent 2/3 of September rebuilding the chassis and refinishing the cabinet. It works very well, rivaling my 12-S-265 Zenith in tone quality and sensitivity- and, yes, the AFC works perfectly.



http://s1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/38lasalle/?action=view&current=GrunowRestored.jpg


Wow! You did a great job there. :eusa_clap

[jamespowers]

http://www.oldradioparts.com/pg20p25.jpg

Setting aside spare parts of the Silvertone model 4786. A spare chasis is a good thing to have---especially with most of the parts there. :D $25 plus shipping? I'll take it.

[38lasalle]

Interesting set... with its telephone-like preset station selector and the rotating drum sliderule dial. These console sets come up on eBay from time to time and I've been tempted to bid on one, but the examples I've seen always have some unfortunate (and virtually unfixable) problem with the plastic trim- either broken or warped/terribly distorted. You see the same problem with RCA Victor sets. It's sort of ironic that the sets that are the most easily restorable are the ones made by manufacturers with insufficient product volume to use parts shot in thermoplastic. Plastics technology has come a long way in the 70 years since these sets were made.

[LizzieMaine]

That "Tenite" plastic is also responsible for all the 1939-42 Philco sets that show up with decomposed pushbuttons. It's very vulnerable to heat -- such as is found in attics -- so if one is lucky enough to find a set without degraded Tenite parts, you want to keep it in a cool room, out of the direct sun.

The good news is that most of the Philco parts originally made from Tenite have been reproduced, so replacing them is not difficult. A few RCA parts have also been reproduced, but so far nobody is doing anything for the Silvertones.

The only Silvertone set I own, a 1938 table model in my office, has only very slight warpage of its escutcheon -- it's never been in an attic, as far as I know, and my office is the coldest room in the house.

[jamespowers]

That "Tenite" plastic is also responsible for all the 1939-42 Philco sets that show up with decomposed pushbuttons. It's very vulnerable to heat -- such as is found in attics -- so if one is lucky enough to find a set without degraded Tenite parts, you want to keep it in a cool room, out of the direct sun.

The good news is that most of the Philco parts originally made from Tenite have been reproduced, so replacing them is not difficult. A few RCA parts have also been reproduced, but so far nobody is doing anything for the Silvertones.

The only Silvertone set I own, a 1938 table model in my office, has only very slight warpage of its escutcheon -- it's never been in an attic, as far as I know, and my office is the coldest room in the house.


You can have the dial bezels made. There is a guy in Southern California that can make them. Mine was broken but I temporarily fixed it by gluing it back together. I have to order a new one and see how well the guy remakes tehm. He also reproduces knobs. I'll have to see if I can find his name if there is interest.

[jamespowers]

Interesting set... with its telephone-like preset station selector and the rotating drum sliderule dial. These console sets come up on eBay from time to time and I've been tempted to bid on one, but the examples I've seen always have some unfortunate (and virtually unfixable) problem with the plastic trim- either broken or warped/terribly distorted. You see the same problem with RCA Victor sets. It's sort of ironic that the sets that are the most easily restorable are the ones made by manufacturers with insufficient product volume to use parts shot in thermoplastic. Plastics technology has come a long way in the 70 years since these sets were made.


Everything can be fixed. It just depends on how much money you want to spend. ;)
The drum dial on mine is slightly warped so I got the chasis just in case I decide to change it in the future. Always good to have spares around just in case. :D

[pgoat]

Some beautiful radios here!

I thought I'd share my "radio". It's actually a guitar amplifier, but it uses three of the latter day Post-WWII "All American Five" series heater tubes (12AU6, 50C5 and 35W4). Apparently many of these were sold to kids and amateurs back in the late 50s and early 60s. As I have learned, these were made by another company and sold as the "ElectroLab," or rebranded as Harmonys.
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/IMG_6900.jpg

Here is my '64 H303A - I got it about thirty years ago, in trade for half of a Mighty Diamonds LP (my friend's roommate was a DJ and had the other half...he wanted my LP - which I paid a quarter for - and I wanted his amp....). It was dead until I substituted the ungrounded AC cord from my mother's old 1950s Hoover Constellation...thank God this one had a power transformer!! I've since had a grounded AC cord installed and some fresh capacitors too....

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/IMG_6884.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/IMG_6870.jpg

Interestingly, Harmony sold the H303A with a small power transformer, but a few years later revised it to the H303B, which just had a "death cap." So, instead of tightening up safety as time went on, they got more lax and shipped more hazardous units in the interest of reducing weight, and thereby, overhead. That made these amps even more dangerous than a Bakelite radio with a live chassis, in that you were always touching metal (the guitar's strings!), whereas, with a radio, one could minimize the user's contact with metal parts. As you can see from the red and yellow stickers, UL went along for the ride....

Several years later, I also bought a H303B and swapped cabinets. Oddly the later, cheaper 303B had a 8" Jensen AlNiCo speaker, while the older amp with a PT had a 6". It also had an upgraded particle board cabinet, possibly to handle the extra weight of the larger speaker. There is a difference of about 1.5 pounds between the two amps.



Speaking of which - here is the H303B (in the A's original cabinet, with teensy 6" speaker - it's essentially made of thick cardboard!).

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/IMG_6907.jpg

The tech installed a Isolation Transformer (rather inelegantly on the top of the chassis, I might add). This one never sounded quite as good as the A model, despite using the same tubes and output transformer. The circuit was ever so slightly different (note choke at far right). Also notice the metal chassis on the B lacks a folded lip at the bottom - that sliver of metal must have saved about $.10 in shipping weight *Groan.* It actually was thinner sheeting too - it buckled in spots. I just sold this one, but the "A" is a keeper, especially with the 8" Jensen.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/IMG_6868.jpg

[W4ASZ]

Thanks for showing the "radios". In the absence of a power/isolation transformer you really could have plugged in your old electric guitar and gotten true Killer Tone. :cool:

[Miss Moonlight]

My sister found this 1978 Stewart Warner radio-phonograph (unfortunately before I did) and it's in pretty good shape. However, it needs new tubes, and the phonograph won't turn on. She wants to fix it. Tubes we can find. But if anyone has any information specific to this item, and can fill me in, I can pass on the info.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/bansheewail/DSCF1510.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/bansheewail/DSCF1512.jpg

[Mr. Hallack]

I'm pretty much a tube radio nut, started on accident about a year and a half ago. And I'm now just starting to get into working on these to bring them alive again. Here are a few of them: http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/jwadd13/4846250541_3a90f61907_z.jpg

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/jwadd13/rca001.jpg

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/jwadd13/Halton-1.jpg

If you want more info on radios check out www.antiqueradios.com Lots of info, helpful folks, links, etc. I love this site and quite happy there are other antique radio nuts out there, along with others who want to preserve years gone by!!

[pgoat]

Thanks for showing the "radios". In the absence of a power/isolation transformer you really could have plugged in your old electric guitar and gotten true Killer Tone. :cool:

LOL

I actually just sold the 8" speaker model, too. I never thought I would do that, but needed $ for gifts so there goes that...

[pgoat]

I'm pretty much a tube radio nut, started on accident about a year and a half ago. And I'm now just starting to get into working on these to bring them alive again. Here are a few of them: http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/jwadd13/4846250541_3a90f61907_z.jpg

What brand is this one? It looks similar to an old Kiel Radio Table I once owned.

[LizzieMaine]

My sister found this 1978 Stewart Warner radio-phonograph (unfortunately before I did) and it's in pretty good shape. However, it needs new tubes, and the phonograph won't turn on. She wants to fix it. Tubes we can find. But if anyone has any information specific to this item, and can fill me in, I can pass on the info.


That appears to be a model RA1-4210A from 1948. Your best bet would be to get the Sams Photofact (https://www.samswebsite.com/en/photofact/search/index/samsid/828_5) manual for that model -- it shows detailed diagrams and a photo chart identifying what everything is. That's the first step in fixing it up, whether she does it or hires someone to do it for her.

There's a pretty good chance the problem with the phono is simply that the grease has set up in the mechanism -- if you can hear the motor running but nothing is happening, that may be the problem, in which case the solution is to clean out the old grease with a solvent, clean the parts, regrease and reassemble.

If you don't hear the motor running when you try to engage the phono, the problem is electrical rather than mechanical. Possibly bad wiring that will need to be replaced.

[dhermann1]

My sister found this 1978 Stewart Warner radio-phonograph (unfortunately before I did) and it's in pretty good shape. However, it needs new tubes, and the phonograph won't turn on. She wants to fix it. Tubes we can find. But if anyone has any information specific to this item, and can fill me in, I can pass on the info.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/bansheewail/DSCF1510.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/bansheewail/DSCF1512.jpg

Those post war, 1945 to about 55 or 56 all purpose systems are so cool. With the 78 RPM record players, and no TV, they were a doomed format. I see that one doesn't even have an FM band. There are some that include a TV. The styling is definitely not what you'd call deco, but still very elegant. "Modernistic" for their time. Lotsa nice woodwork and grill cloths. Problem with collecting them is they're SOO cumbersome. There's always one or two available on Ebay somewhere around the country. And they always say "Local pick up". Can't imagine trying to ship one of those babies. But if I had the space time and moolah, I'd own a dozen of them.

[PADDY]

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/ROSSANDHARRY2/720458f4.jpg
Late 30's working.

[Adcurium]

I just came into something earlier today. I'll take some photos and post 'em tomorrow. I just want to make sure I'm not taking photos of a radio from the 1970's and thinking it is from the 50's...

[ScionPI2005]

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/ROSSANDHARRY2/720458f4.jpg
Late 30's working.

Wow. I love the looks of that one Paddy! Is that "marbleized" bakelite?

[Mr. Hallack]

What brand is this one? It looks similar to an old Kiel Radio Table I once owned.

American Bosch Model 5C. I have tried to find info on it, not much luck, but it works real good!!

[p71towny]

My wife says no more radios. My problem is I don't think there was ever an ugly one produced until the mid-late 50s. So if I see one, I want to buy it lol.

[PADDY]

Wow. I love the looks of that one Paddy! Is that "marbleized" bakelite?

1930's Gilfillan 'marbelized' Bakelite. Just waiting for the step-down transformer to come through so that I can play it (otherwise the UK 240 V would just blow it!!).

[dhermann1]

p71Towny: I totally agree. How can a healthy normal man not salivate over almost every radio ever built before about 1955?
Paddy: So you get the voltage step down. Do you have broadcasts on the same frequencies that this pulls in? You could probably get an SSTran AM-3000 over there as well. You'd just need a different adaptor to power it.
Sweet radio.

[ScionPI2005]

My wife says no more radios. My problem is I don't think there was ever an ugly one produced until the mid-late 50s. So if I see one, I want to buy it lol.

I can say the same thing about hats...oh...and watches....phones....lighters...

Seems like every vintage collectible is unique...too bad we can't collect them all.

[PADDY]

Gents. I've just re-gilted the famous GILFILLAN motif and signature in an old 'rose gold' similar to paints used of 'that time.' There was enough original left for me to match up. So it just 'lifts' it. I'll be polishing the bakelite (boot polish no less!) and this baby will really glow. Something about playing Dorsey, Shaw, Sinatra in the dark of the summer room, with only the glow of the valves and the Christmas tree lights shining through.

For those interested, some more photos on this *link*

http://paddy-wagon.blogspot.com/2010/12/1930s-bakelite-radio-for-21st-century.html

[bluestone120]

At my local antique mall, there are two radios for sale if anyone's interested. One's a Philco Cathedral priced at $59, and the other is (I think) a cabinet radio manufactured by Southern Pacific(?). I'm pinning it's origins between '35 and '45, and it's current price tag isn't any higher than $120. Cosmetically, both radios seem to be in good condition. As my wallet is in a perpetual state of empty, i didn't ask about function.

[Mark D]

This was given to me years ago by an elderly neighbor. I believe it to be a '36 or '37. Although Stromberg-Carlson made a ton of radios I haven't had much luck finding anything about this particular model. If anyone is familiar with it I'd like to know more.

As you can see the grill cloth suffers from an unsympathetic replacement and needs repair. The speaker cone is missing about 1/3 of its paper as well. Despite these issues it still sounds great and works on all bands. I generally use it for shortwave. It's receiver is remarkably sensitive.

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k529/DB_Cooper7/b67fabf8.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k529/DB_Cooper7/10cc8f68.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k529/DB_Cooper7/322294e4.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k529/DB_Cooper7/d3396aae.jpg

[AtomicEraTom]

Hasn't stopped me yet haha, my newest one is Gone with the wind lamps.


I can say the same thing about hats...oh...and watches....phones....lighters...

Seems like every vintage collectible is unique...too bad we can't collect them all.

[roadierfl]

My newest, and most favorite radio

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_05LCCEXN7oo/TCj3UZ4it7I/AAAAAAAAAEg/THWa1vHYa6E/s1600/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAwMTUuanBn%3F%3D-769433

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_05LCCEXN7oo/TCj3TQFpJtI/AAAAAAAAAEY/JtWXMqsyE1U/s1600/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAwMTYuanBn%3F%3D-765493

Fully electrically and cosmetically restored over many many hours

[BinkieBaumont]

How Fabulous is this

http://images.craigslist.org/3k43m13o75Y55Q25R0ac93323a642a08516a9.jpg

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Sparton-Sled-558-Peach-Mirror-Tube-Radio-/380290932137?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588b1b1da9#ht_1330wt_1141

[martinsantos]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9-bACRZEuZg/TRSq66Og64I/AAAAAAAAAcM/CLg7rBmIg7w/s512/P1030145.jpg

One of the radios I restored, a Fairbanks Morse. Never got much information about this manufacturer, and I never knew if the gabinet was produced in USA or in Brazil.

One of the most difficult forniture restorations. It had 7 different paintings over the wood. In its life it was grey, red, pink, black and "rainbow". The last one was by spray of different colors, was it was used to make a rock videoclip. And they turned on the radio to make the filming, and the power transformer was almost carbonized. And a huge community of termites was living in it. One of the foot was lost.

There is a photo of the it when I got it:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9-bACRZEuZg/TRSyCdXxGfI/AAAAAAAAAcg/6_M1qNqd7l0/fmorse.jpg

Now it is in fully working order, and have a great sound. And the light dial is an aditional charm!!!

Martin

[Kahuna]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9-bACRZEuZg/TRSq66Og64I/AAAAAAAAAcM/CLg7rBmIg7w/s512/P1030145.jpg

One of the radios I restored, a Fairbanks Morse. Never got much information about this manufacturer, and I never knew if the gabinet was produced in USA or in Brazil.

One of the most difficult forniture restorations. It had 7 different paintings over the wood. In its life it was grey, red, pink, black and "rainbow". The last one was by spray of different colors, was it was used to make a rock videoclip. And they turned on the radio to make the filming, and the power transformer was almost carbonized. And a huge community of termites was living in it. One of the foot was lost.

There is a photo of the it when I got it:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9-bACRZEuZg/TRSyCdXxGfI/AAAAAAAAAcg/6_M1qNqd7l0/fmorse.jpg

Now it is in fully working order, and have a great sound. And the light dial is an aditional charm!!!

Martin

Beautiful job! Great restoration and well worth all the hours of time you put into it.

[roadierfl]

Sweet restoration. I've never been good with wood.....passable, but nothing like the job you've done on this radio. Looks perfect :)

[martinsantos]

Roadierfl and Kahuna, thanks a lot for the kindly words!!

Wood is tricky sometimes... And usually my radios had problems with termites. Usually I got them in deposits of old forniture. But it's funny to work slowly with them. I have much more trouble about the electronics.

Merry Christmas!

Martin

[AtomicEraTom]

Martin, that is probably the best, most impressive restoration I've seen on a radio, especially when you consider the beginning product!

[Mark D]

My newest, and most favorite radio

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_05LCCEXN7oo/TCj3UZ4it7I/AAAAAAAAAEg/THWa1vHYa6E/s1600/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAwMTUuanBn%3F%3D-769433

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_05LCCEXN7oo/TCj3TQFpJtI/AAAAAAAAAEY/JtWXMqsyE1U/s1600/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAwMTYuanBn%3F%3D-765493

Fully electrically and cosmetically restored over many many hours

Beautiful. Are you a Ham?

[martinsantos]

Thanks a lot, Tom!!

When I came home with it, everybody asked me if I started to get junk in the street - or if I started to use something illegal...

But honestly, I had a lot of work, but it wasn't difficult. It's a very well made radio, you can easilly feel the care in every detail.

The most difficult radio I worked on was a Phillips 335A. The tubes are getting too scarce, and ever by internet was very difficult to find new ones. The sockets are completely different. And the system of coils was very very different, with LOTS of coils - I think it was a way to get far from the RCA patents. And when we have no one to talk about, or no books describing what you have in your front, everything turns difficult.

Martin



Martin, that is probably the best, most impressive restoration I've seen on a radio, especially when you consider the beginning product!

[roadierfl]

Beautiful. Are you a Ham?

Yes Sir, it has been known. Been a ham for 20 yrs now, and I'm only in my 30's. I've ALWAYS had nothing but tube gear. I'm more of a Shortwave/Broadcast Listener now than an operating ham, except in times of emergency.

[Big Man]

Here's the oldest radio we have in the house. My Dad and Mom bought this in 1952 (I still have the sales receipt and the instruction booklet that came with it). It doesn't work now. The last time I turned it on (about 10 years ago) it had a short and gave me quite a shock. I'd like to get it repaired one day.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/Burke1777/DSC04976.jpg

[Mr. Hallack]

if you need your radio repaired, www.radiodaze.com All sorts of parts and will fix radios too. You can get a free estimate forany repairs needed.

[Big Man]

if you need your radio repaired, www.radiodaze.com All sorts of parts and will fix radios too. You can get a free estimate forany repairs needed.

Thanks for the information. I'll check it out.

[Jish1969]

This was a Christmas present from my wife: an Emerson model 561. It is very nice looking but there are no knobs and I am going to have to replace the capacitors as it just hums really loud when I turn it on. This will give me something to do for the next few weeks at least!

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af69/jish1969/vintage/Christmas2010002.jpg

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af69/jish1969/vintage/Christmas2010001.jpg

[AtomicEraTom]

Picked this up for cheap at Goodwill and unlike many old consoles I pick up, it works!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zkab9UTb7U

[Dapper Dave]

I just picked up a radio from 1927 it cranks up and plays 78s still works. I got it on craigslist for $80 along with a vintage 1920s desk. I will try and post the pics. For some reason I have trouble loading them. The desk and the radio need work but its a deal for $80

[ScionPI2005]

I just picked up a radio from 1927 it cranks up and plays 78s still works. I got it on craigslist for $80 along with a vintage 1920s desk. I will try and post the pics. For some reason I have trouble loading them. The desk and the radio need work but its a deal for $80

That sounds like a pretty good deal. Can't wait to see the pics!

[Jish1969]

I bought new electrolytic capacitors from Radio Daze since they are evry close to me and the radio is sounding great after replacing only the large multi-section tubular capacitor. I got the knobs from Radio Shack and painted the white lines gold to match the radio case, and then jerry-rigged them on with some whittled down chopsticks. Hope you enjoy the result!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIaI58jZX4A

[JAZZmann]

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac351/BenSwanton/DSC02445.jpg
Heres my 1941 Crosley. She's in pretty rough shape though.

[roadierfl]

I bought new electrolytic capacitors from Radio Daze since they are evry close to me and the radio is sounding great after replacing only the large multi-section tubular capacitor. I got the knobs from Radio Shack and painted the white lines gold to match the radio case, and then jerry-rigged them on with some whittled down chopsticks. Hope you enjoy the result!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIaI58jZX4A

Nice. Radio Daze are great to work with, as are Tubes and More

[Dapper Dave]

Just picked up a 1940s radio with cabinet. Has art deco style. The radio and record player are separate. I got the radio working but the record player still needs some work. I picked it up in a pawn shop for $35 here in San Diego.

[roadierfl]

Just picked up a 1940s radio with cabinet. Has art deco style. The radio and record player are separate. I got the radio working but the record player still needs some work. I picked it up in a pawn shop for $35 here in San Diego.

Do you know the maker? Pics by any chance?

[PADDY]

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/ROSSANDHARRY2/6bdcee06.jpg
http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/ROSSANDHARRY2/c1813a4f.jpg
Late 30's.

[roadierfl]

Great looking radio there. Is that fan a Fresh'nd Aire?

[kpreed]

This was a Christmas present from my wife: an Emerson model 561. It is very nice looking but there are no knobs and I am going to have to replace the capacitors as it just hums really loud when I turn it on. This will give me something to do for the next few weeks at least!

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af69/jish1969/vintage/Christmas2010002.jpg

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af69/jish1969/vintage/Christmas2010001.jpg

Hello.
Nice Radio. Do you need the knobs? I have a parts set with them. P.M. me if interested.

[Dapper Dave]

Do you know the maker? Pics by any chance?


Silvertone is the name of the maker.

[Mr. Hallack]

My most recent acquisition: A PINK BEAVER!!

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/jwadd13/030.jpg

[roadierfl]

My most recent acquisition: A PINK BEAVER!!


The quest of Man since the dawn of time :P

[Mr. Hallack]

The quest of Man since the dawn of time :P

When I saw this on Ebay, I had to get it just cause of the brand and color :D My wife was taken back at first when I told her what I won!! :D

[Giftmacher]

1956/1957 Tesla Tabor II. Czechoslovak radiogramophone awaiting general repair.
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn313/Giftmacher/th_DSC_5865.jpg (http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn313/Giftmacher/?action=view&current=DSC_5865.jpg)http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn313/Giftmacher/th_DSC_5858.jpg (http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn313/Giftmacher/?action=view&current=DSC_5858.jpg)

[Mr. Hallack]

Very impressive Giftmacher. I imagine these sets are quite rare?

[Giftmacher]

Oh, not at all, many of these were preserved to these days. I've got this one with guarantee certificate, manual and records cleaning pad for 500,- CZK (aprox. $29) Glad you like it :)

[BinkieBaumont]

A Very nice Sparton Bluebird radio on ebay at present

http://www.metmuseum.org/special/americanmodern/art/1998.537.31.L.jpg

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RADIO-SPARTON-STYLE-ART-DECO-ETAT-EXCELLENT-MARCHE-/220770287677?_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26po%3D LVI%26p

[Miss Moonlight]

My sister found this 1978 Stewart Warner radio-phonograph (unfortunately before I did) and it's in pretty good shape. However, it needs new tubes, and the phonograph won't turn on. She wants to fix it. Tubes we can find. But if anyone has any information specific to this item, and can fill me in, I can pass on the info.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/bansheewail/DSCF1510.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/bansheewail/DSCF1512.jpg

Unfortunately my pics are gone, and I CANNOT believe I didn't notice that typo- 1978- it is 1948, clearly. But if anyone has a recommendation for cleaning wood that old, I would love to know. I simply have no antique experience... and my daughter took a yellow crayon to it this morning. Sigh. Luckily, the crayon is washable, and I managed to get it all off, but it seems like there is just the slightest waxiness I could not remove.

Any help appreciated.

[kpreed]

With-out seeing the radio, I am not sure this will work for you, but on many of my wood radios, I have used a hand-cleaner like "Goop" to clean the wood. I follow with a dry soft towel and buff dry, then a good paste wax on the radio that makes the wood look good, like "Johnsons". there are many chemical cleaners out-there (like 409). but I tend to use what I have and this worked well for me and I really hate using chemicals on vintage wood. Just my 2¢, I hope this helps some.

[Miss Moonlight]

It does help, thanks! It belongs to my sister so I will make the suggestion. It needs something, the wood is very dry and brittle looking and it could use a decent waxing anyway. Getting any crayon residue off is a plus.

[kpreed]

Your welcome. Good Luck! Also on wood that is real, real dry ( it happens a bunch up here at 9200 ft.) I have used Lemon oil to the wood to add some luster to wood, I never tried it yet, but I hear "Murphy's Wood Soap" is a good cleaner on vintage wood too.

[BinkieBaumont]

Another lovely mirror radio

http://www.tuberadioland.com/images/Spar557_1.jpg


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/VINTAGE-WALTER-TEAGUE-SPARTON-ART-DECO-OLD-MIRROR-RADIO-/110676141018?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BPSSI%252BSI%26its%3DI%26 itu%3DUCI%252BUA%252BUCK%26otn%3D20%26pmod%3D22077 0287677%252B220770287677%26po%3D%26ps%3D63#ht_1097 wt_1141

[dhermann1]

I have the Spartan that's the same as one of those two cobalt blue ones (don't recall which one at the moment) but with a wood case. It cost something like 1/12th of what the blue one cost. Good little radio.
But here's my latest treasure. It's a 1948 GLF AM FM radio. Yes, the same GLF that became Agway. In 1947 they decided to set up a farmers' radio network in Upstate New York, to try to hook all the dairy farmers together. They had Philips make this superb radio, and set up a half dozen stations across the central part of the state. Didn't fly. Here's the Wikipedia article with all the details:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_Radio_Network

And here's the radio:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s268/dhermann1/GLFAMFMradio.jpg

I believe it has 8 tubes. It sold for about $87, which in those days was a LOT of money. I've looked at some of the antique radio bulletin boards, and they say it's not the easiest thing to restore. But I expect the guys down at Waves LLC in Manhattan will know what to do with it. I'm really looking forward to hearing some excellent antique vacuum tube radio FM on this baby.

[FStephenMasek]

Here's the oldest radio we have in the house. My Dad and Mom bought this in 1952 (I still have the sales receipt and the instruction booklet that came with it). It doesn't work now. The last time I turned it on (about 10 years ago) it had a short and gave me quite a shock. I'd like to get it repaired one day.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/Burke1777/DSC04976.jpgThat is a very good sounding AM & FM radio. I have one. The seller had it playing, so I listened to it for an hour or so before taking it apart to begin the restoration. I normally cut the cord off as soon as I get one, as expensive damage can result if an old radio is powered-up prior to proper servicing. I collect and restore old radios for fun. I have over a dozen in my work in progress area in the garage, and over 100 radios. I'm often on http://www.Antiqueradios.com and many of my radios on on my Photobucket account (see my signature).

I'm on the board of directors of the Southern California Antique Radio Society. Any interest in some sort of joint event between members of this forum and SCARS (unfortunate acronym)?

[tonyb]

I can only wish my Sparton was as valuable (and stylish) as those two you posted, Binkie. But for 25 bucks (I got it for half off the already reduced price), I ain't complaining. It works pretty well, except that the volume control is a bit glitchy. And the dial doesn't light up, but I'm thinking a couple of new bulbs would fix that. Any of you folks got a recommendation as to where I might buy those bulbs?

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f83/tonyb56/GEDC0192.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f83/tonyb56/GEDC0216.jpg

[W4ASZ]

Interestingly, I have the same model Sparton awaiting a dial cord replacement. I paid $75.00 for mine as I recall.

Dial lamps ? Howze'bout these guys :

http://www.tubesandmore.com/

I don't know if Radio Shack can sell you a #47 bulb anymore or not. Your volume control noise can likely be cured with a squirt of contact cleaner spray.

This seems to be a nice radio. Enjoy ! :eusa_clap

[tonyb]

Thanks for that, W4ASZ. But now I'm slapping myself in the forehead. There's a Radio Shack about half a mile from here. And, according to their website, they likely have these guys in stock, a two-pack for $2.19.

Any idea why mine tunes backwards? You know, you turn the tuning knob to the right and the tuner thingy goes to the left. It's just fine the way it is, and kind of novel, but I'm thinking something got installed backwards.

As to that volume control thing ... Would WD40 do the trick? Or should I find something else? I assume I should unplug the radio before spraying anything flammable and/or explosive in there. And just where do I apply whatever I end up using? Does anything have to come apart?

Oh, and by the way ... happen to know when these things were made?

[FStephenMasek]

As to that volume control thing ... Would WD40 do the trick? Or should I find something else? Specialty cleaner / lubricant is needed. Contact cleaner or other chemical products may destroy the control - I've done it. I've had good luck cleaning potentiometers with Deoxit D100.

To help determine the age of your Sparton, look it up on NostalgiaAir http://www.nostalgiaair.org/ or Radiomuseum http://www.radiomuseum.org/

[FStephenMasek]

Finally! The house painting and re-carpeting are complete after more than a month of a mess with many things in the garage and the cars left outside.

I need to think about some shelves for table radios, as I don't like stacking them on consoles, and am about to have several more of them finished. We've also got many books and I'd like to keep some of them there. What do you think about a continuous shelf all around the room 5' above the floor?

I collect and restore them, but will eventually sell all but the ones I like the most after restoring them. Here is the radio room (I've got four more in the house, many in the garage workshop area, with about 100 total):

walking in the door, and one of our new scandanavian recliners
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/FStephenMasek/014-2.jpg

the right side
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/FStephenMasek/003-3.jpg

the left side
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/FStephenMasek/015-2.jpg

the closet
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/FStephenMasek/005-1.jpg

[AtomicEraTom]

Fantastic collection! You've done a wonderful job with it!

[BinkieBaumont]

Not sure if this link will work for folk outside of Australia

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/segments/s3246744.htm

[FStephenMasek]

Not sure if this link will work for folk outside of Australia

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/segments/s3246744.htmVery nice, and thanks for posting the link! I wonder if the video was made before the current economic mess, as radio prices have dropped.

I definitely want one of those consoles with the wolf brass hounds in the dial escutcheon. Does anyone know the make and model?

[W4ASZ]

Thanks for that, W4ASZ. But now I'm slapping myself in the forehead. There's a Radio Shack about half a mile from here. And, according to their website, they likely have these guys in stock, a two-pack for $2.19.

Any idea why mine tunes backwards? You know, you turn the tuning knob to the right and the tuner thingy goes to the left. It's just fine the way it is, and kind of novel, but I'm thinking something got installed backwards.

As to that volume control thing ... Would WD40 do the trick? Or should I find something else? I assume I should unplug the radio before spraying anything flammable and/or explosive in there. And just where do I apply whatever I end up using? Does anything have to come apart?

Oh, and by the way ... happen to know when these things were made?

I believe what you have is a Sparton Model 6521, as have I.
I seem to remember pre early 1942. (The War, you know ...)

Sorry for the delay. I tend to wander off. Yes, Nostalgia Air is a terrific resource. You should find proper contact/control cleaner/lube at the Shack. It will be overpriced, but your time is worth something. They count on that.

The "backwards" tuning may be correct, and it may explain why I have had a difficult time restringing the dial cord. (LizzieMaine is laughing at this.) Turning the dial clockwise does not always increase the frequency on these old sets. Don't mess with it, I suggest.

I have an original operating instruction brochure. Send me a PM with your mailing address and I'll send you a photocopy.

[lolly_loisides]

Here is my latest purchase, a 1936 Airzone (Airzone was an Australian company that produced radios from 1925 to 1946).
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6033/5883457504_c2596da6a9.jpg

[Chas]

Nice, Lis. I guess I may have to find something similar when (if) I get to set up house down undah.

[BinkieBaumont]

Here is my latest purchase, a 1936 Airzone (Airzone was an Australian company that produced radios from 1925 to 1946).
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6033/5883457504_c2596da6a9.jpg

Very Smart, I'm assuming its a local purchase, will you set it up so as to be able to transmit Nostalgia via your ipod?

[lolly_loisides]

Very Smart, I'm assuming its a local purchase, will you set it up so as to be able to transmit Nostalgia via your ipod?
If you are referring to your radio programme on Sundays, you are shameless Binkie.:p
I'll have to track down an AM transmitter.

[BinkieBaumont]

http://www.rtrfm.com.au/shows/nostalgia

Shameless? Moi? , Did I mention the fact I met Jill Perryman, at the Chita Rivera show last week, oh thats right I mentioned it on my Radio programme last Sunday, actually I meant Nostalgia, in general

[Sharpsburg]

Everyday radio of the war years?

I am putting together a wartime homefront display and want to feature the "everyday" or typical radio of the war years. What tabletop radio would be most appropriate - a cathedral style or something like a plilco transitone? Not too expensive, if you please.

Thanks! Mary

[AtomicEraTom]

Picked this up today at a local shop. Nothing too special, but it was a good price. Just need to do something about that Godawful material in the speaker grille.

http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu307/AtomicEraTom/Vintage%20Attire/2011-07-10233556.jpg

[Mark D]

Picked this up today at a local shop. Nothing too special, but it was a good price. Just need to do something about that Godawful material in the speaker grille.

http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu307/AtomicEraTom/Vintage%20Attire/2011-07-10233556.jpg

I don't know...that cloth is so darn unbelievably ugly that it's cool. You're into rockabilly aren't you? I think that you could make it work.:D

[AtomicEraTom]

I like a bit of rockabilly, but I also like things to be original, or close. I know, this screams rockabilly. I just get a little nauseous looking at it haha. At least it works and picks up AM and Shortwave.

[lolly_loisides]

It's a nice looking radio Tom. There's a seller on ebay that specialises in speaker fabric for radios.

[AtomicEraTom]

Thank you! That's exactly where I plan on going, too!


It's a nice looking radio Tom. There's a seller on ebay that specialises in speaker fabric for radios.

[lolly_loisides]

Thank you! That's exactly where I plan on going, too!

I was thinking of this seller (http://myworld.ebay.com.au/speaker-fabric-supply) but they don't have anything listed ATM, might be worth messaging them to see if they have any stock

[AtomicEraTom]

I will contact them. Thanks for the lead!


I was thinking of this seller (http://myworld.ebay.com.au/speaker-fabric-supply) but they don't have anything listed ATM, might be worth messaging them to see if they have any stock

[Mark D]

You could also to try this guy. I've gotten cloth from him before for my Stromberg-Carlson.

http://www.grillecloth.com/

[FStephenMasek]

Everyday radio of the war years?

I am putting together a wartime homefront display and want to feature the "everyday" or typical radio of the war years. What tabletop radio would be most appropriate - a cathedral style or something like a plilco transitone? Not too expensive, if you please.

Thanks! Mary You may wish to go to search Radio Museum to search by year for radios made in the years before the war. However, many people still were using radios from the 1930s. Here is the link: http://www.radiomuseum.org

[FStephenMasek]

I got this British HMV 468 (1933 or 1934) on Saturday:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/FStephenMasek/HMV468asfound.jpg

[The Reno Kid]

Here's a 1936-ish Silvertone that I picked up in an antique shop a while back. It plays like a dream.

http://www.kwd-radio.com/WEB_files/picture_files/silvertone_4568_001.jpg

[russa11]

here is a radio I got a few months ago. I cleaned it up and took the chassis out and replaced the broken tuning dial cord. Other than giving it a good cleaning the radio was in good working order. It's a Zenith Transoceanic. from 1951:

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg85/russa11/000_0002.jpg


http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg85/russa11/000_0001.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg85/russa11/000_0003.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg85/russa11/000_0004.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg85/russa11/000_0006.jpg

[Nathan]

http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/dSCF8LmykR08Bg2a2nsW6g.jpg http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/2W2tM6kbP.YIhlQ-tQobOg.jpg http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/RmbtbVoC-zOXs4d.9EGytg.jpg
Here's a few of mine. I'll post more later. I hope you like them!

[russa11]

http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/dSCF8LmykR08Bg2a2nsW6g.jpg http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/2W2tM6kbP.YIhlQ-tQobOg.jpg http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/RmbtbVoC-zOXs4d.9EGytg.jpg
Here's a few of mine. I'll post more later. I hope you like them!

Nice radios Nathan. I esp like the Emerson with the Civil Defense markings on the dial for 640 and 1240am. Do you listen to much shortwave on what looks like a Grundig (the second one)?

[Nathan]

Thanks Russ! No, I don't think I've ever even used the short wave function on that radio. Maybe I'll get around to it someday.

[Nathan]

http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/Nfps63xhsCZ.MnYvBN3-lQ.jpg http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/DXHQMWDO.9ttTtDm1rHq6Q.jpg
http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/BUdx4LI98wGAbopuDTY2gw.jpg
The first is from 1945... The second 1939... The last is from 1954 and was a wedding gift to my wife's aunt that year. Enjoy

[Hawkcigar]

I put my very meager photography skills to use today and took some shots of some of my radios. Thought some on here may be interested in seeing them.

1942 GE L-633
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z172/iabbqguy/IMG_1116.jpg

1946 Delco 1235
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z172/iabbqguy/IMG_1531.jpg

1941 Philco 41-295
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z172/iabbqguy/IMG_1533a.jpg

1935 Rogers Majestic Laurier
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z172/iabbqguy/IMG_1526.jpg

1937 Zenith 10S-153
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z172/iabbqguy/IMG_1522.jpg

1940 RCA 19K
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z172/iabbqguy/IMG_1518.jpg

I have a few more table radios down in the basement but they are in need of repair.

[Earl Needham]

here is a radio I got a few months ago. I cleaned it up and took the chassis out and replaced the broken tuning dial cord. Other than giving it a good cleaning the radio was in good working order. It's a Zenith Transoceanic. from 1951:

Wow, those are great radios, and that one looks to be in great shape, too!

Always wanted a Transoceanic, maybe one day I'll have room enough to put one here in the house...

[Hawkcigar]

http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/2W2tM6kbP.YIhlQ-tQobOg.jpg
Here's a few of mine. I'll post more later. I hope you like them!

I really like that Grundig. Very nice!

[Nathan]

Thanks Hawk! Mine are nothing compared to your's... Beautiful sets!

[roadierfl]

Very nice indeed :)

All better condition than most of mine so far. Got the Transoceanic to finish internally (externally restored), the Philco console is done, and the Zenith 7S363 I bought last week for $27 is complete but very rough right now. I've neglected my wood radios to get my communication receivers done, and now you've made me feel bad, lol!!

[roadierfl]

Actually, while I remember - I have a BEAUTIFUL cabinet for a 1925 Arbourphone 25. Complete with brass dial escutcheon. No chassis whatsoever. If anyone has the internals and would like the cabinet........

[Nathan]

http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/yOq8deW1ZMQCo2cnQ6-GvQ.jpg
http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/ERSiYgOGvDPHA2Mso.kLyw.jpg
http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/bwj.8fo4jeH4PJUcsv8OOw.jpg
http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/XbQcvJYKLxfPqpQnQV.ulg.jpg
http://collectorsweekly.com/assets/stories/lAPpPgdhwoszVFyU.V1ZYA.jpg

I started collecting transistor radios because they bring back fond memories of my own childhood... And because I've run out of room for the bigger sets!!

[Angus Forbes]

Interesting to see the transistor radios. I have a Zenith 50 (six transistor) that belonged to my dad. He bought it circa 1960. I remember using it nightimes to DX as a kid. Darned little thing still plays, although there is not much to hear on AM radio around here at present.

I also have two beautiful Atwater-Kents, one a tombstone and one a cathedral, whose pictures I will post if I ever figure out how. Also two 1950's era German "dentals" (an Emud and a Blaupunkt Stockholm) that work like gangbusters.

[Giftmacher]

It doesn't look best on the vid, but it's fine
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn313/Giftmacher/DSC_7408.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WGo7QeK6EQ

[Nathan]

it doesn't look best on the vid, but it's fine
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn313/giftmacher/dsc_7408.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bycoxkz5s8m


now that was cool! Thanks for sharing...

[Giftmacher]

Thank you! :)

[Mr. Hallack]

My recent acquisitions: Yes I love old radios

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/jwadd13/moreradios004.jpg

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/jwadd13/der002-1.jpg

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/jwadd13/FarnsworthATL-50.jpg

[Giftmacher]

How old they are? Those are VHF scales?

[Mr. Hallack]

The Hallicrafters on top is from 1946, The Brewster radio is early 50's, and on the bottom, Farnsworth radio i believe is before 1941. Right now only the Hallicrafters is working, just re-capped it. Need a couple of tubes for the Brewster, and nearly everything for the Farnsworth. And i have about 25 or so more radios in the collection, most i am still working on as $$ allows!!

[Mrs Chaddsley_Corbett]

Things Deco, have the reproduction BLUEBIRD radios back in stock

http://www.thingsdeco.com/homeaccessories/bluebird-radio.html

[russa11]

nice radios Mr Hallack. I too also have the S-38 Hallicrafters. They are a good work horse of a radio. I have over a dozen shortwave radios but this one is my favorite.

[Argee]

picked this one up today. It was filthy. I gave it a once over when I got home then cautiously plugged it in. It actually works. Needs some adjusting though. Here it is all cleaned up. Anybody recognize the model? I can't figure it out, there is no company name anywhere on it.


http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6099/6366091287_74e8019536_b.jpg

[dhermann1]

Dude! That's a very nice radio, don't know the make. But you should never plug in and turn on and old tube radio unless it's been gone over by a qualified tech, and had the capacitors replaced. There's a definite danger of fire. I learned the hard way many years ago.
But enjoy the radio, it's a beauty.

[Giftmacher]

Many capacitors may be salvaged following this: http://www.vcomp.co.uk/tech_tips/reform_caps/reform_caps.htm
If exchange is needed, I suggest to try dissect old capacitor and in empty tube put new, just like here:
http://www.radiohistoria.sk/Oldradio/main.nsf/wdocu/0000707
or here: http://www.radiohistoria.sk/Oldradio/main.nsf/wdocu/0000549.

[Mr. Hallack]

picked this one up today. It was filthy. I gave it a once over when I got home then cautiously plugged it in. It actually works. Needs some adjusting though. Here it is all cleaned up. Anybody recognize the model? I can't figure it out, there is no company name anywhere on it.


http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6099/6366091287_74e8019536_b.jpg

Nice radio, you did a great clean up job. Check with these guys here: www.antiqueradios.com for an ID, although today 11/20/11 I have not been able to log in to the site.

[Argee]

I'm aware you are supposed to replace all the capacitors first, but my curiosity got the better of me. I'll be replacing them in due course. After doing some research I suspect it was made by Detrola for another company.

[Amy Jeanne]

1934 Philco

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/40049_419928884163_624014163_4760681_1697807_n.jpg

[roadierfl]

http://whitechristmasradio.com/house/DSC_2243.JPG

Not quite the golden era, but it's a rather nice 1947 Zenith TO

[roadierfl]

http://whitechristmasradio.com/house/DSC_2239.JPG

My restored 1937 Philco

[roadierfl]

http://whitechristmasradio.com/house/DSC_2240.JPG
Next project - unrestored Zenith 1943 console

[Nathan]

These are all beautiful sets! Love the floor models...

[Steven180]

roadierfl, amazing work and commendable dedication to your future project. Those are significant undertakings that will long be appreciated.

Just purchased my first era radio on Radio Attic and am looking forward to watching my wife unwrap it on Christmas...pic to follow.

M.

[SheBear74]

My Father in-law gave us this beautiful radio. I think he said it was from 46. My husband plugged his phone into it and streamed music through which I thought was a fun play on new meets old. That radio sounds amazing!

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o239/urs1974/417634_2809662970099_1514467241_32310360_157227859 7_n.jpg

[The Reno Kid]

http://whitechristmasradio.com/house/DSC_2240.JPG
Next project - unrestored Zenith 1943 console
I think that's a 1939 7-S-363.
Nice radio. This model has always been one of my favorites.

[Warden]

The BBC Radio4 did a feature on vintage radio. It was repeated on thier website. Do enjoy


Knobs, dials and crackles From sleek futuristic fashion statements, to sturdy wooden cases emitting warm acoustic tones - there is something about vintage radios that reminds us of the technological advances of the past.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17608123

[triviacompanion]

I used to have an entire house full of radios! it's a terrible, terrible habit!

These days, I use transistorized, for power conservation... but there really is something magical about those older radios.

[Giftmacher]

EM11 tuning indicator on my previously posted radiogramophone. I always loved that thing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsXyYC-4knc

[FStephenMasek]

I've been away fromt his site for a while. It is unfortunate to see so many broken photo links. Here are some I've finished in the past few months:

Philco 38-7
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/FStephenMasek/Philco38-7rightobliquefinished.jpg

Silvertone 6251
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/FStephenMasek/Silvertone6251finished.jpg

Jewel 505 "PinUP" model wall clock radio
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/FStephenMasek/015-5.jpg

Gilfillan 5G8 with oak cabinet
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/FStephenMasek/008-6.jpg

Crosley 124 Playtime in our living room
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/FStephenMasek/Crosley124PlaytimeFinishedinLivingRoom.jpg

[roadierfl]

I recently found a cabinet for an Arborphone 25, aka, Arborphone Grand from the Arbor Radio Company in Ann Arbor MI, circa 1925. I ebayed it, and the buyer kindly sent me a picture of the completed radio.

http://whitechristmasradio.com/house/Arborphone%2025%20c.jpg