Antique Radios

Chocaholic · 02:45 PM

The "collection" thread inspired me to snap a few pics of radios around the house. I'm guessing there are probably hundreds of these collecting dust in the rafters of Pelican homes. Haven't collected in years, but was fun to blow the dust off to snap some pics. What old radios do you have lying around the house?

the only one still in occasional use (and the first one I ever bought...for $15):

...and I'm guessing not many have a pair of antique radio boxer shorts...

and happily guarding them all...

IROC · IROC's Garage

My cousin makes low-wattage guitar tube amps and he puts them in old antique radios that my Dad refinishes for him. I have one at home, but no pics...

Jim Richards · 02-08-2013, 05:08 AM

That Crosley looks pretty cool.

Les Paul · Les Paul's Garage

I've got a old Zenith that was my Grandparents. I refinished it and had it converted to an amp even though it was only used for that purpose a couple of times. Annoying buzz. Ill take some pics. Your's are really nice.

VaSteve · 02-08-2013, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IROC

My cousin makes low-wattage guitar tube amps and he puts them in old antique radios that my Dad refinishes for him. I have one at home, but no pics...

Take some. That sounds cool.

Those old radios are cool, but the only thing on AM these days is sports talk, PARF fodder and stuff I no comprendo.

intakexhaust · intakexhaust's Garage

Chocaholic- Terrific radios! Just sold an exact Crosley 'dashboard' like you have in the top photo. It has the AUX jack in the back so I simply connected a wireless bluetooth reciever to it. Would send any audio source from the net, or other to it. For nostalagia, would play old radio programs (endless selection to stream) and the kids sure had a kick out of it. Thanks for the showing.

dan88911 · 02-08-2013, 09:52 AM

Wow! that's some cool stuff you have Chocaholic.

rturbo 930 · 06:27 PM

My great grandfather repaired radios for a living. He died over 50 years ago, but for whatever reason, we still have a lot of his things, such as tubes, repair books, tools, and of course, radios. Unfortunately, a lot of them have been neglected, so most of them need to be repaired, or completely restored.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves - pardon the poor quality.

ledhedsymbols · 04:43 PM

Cool radios Chocaholic! Is that a Philco 70 or 90? That Zenith is pretty straightforward to restore if you ever decide to.
Is that Gothic console with the repwood front a Fada?

Les Paul... The hum is likely the result of failed electrolitic capacitors. A pretty easy fix if you can solder and read a schematic.

Chocaholic · 02-08-2013, 04:13 PM

It's a model 90. And I'm impressed....yes, it's a F.Ada. I know nothing about electronics, so haven't messed with internals at all. Had the model 90 re-capped many years ago and it worked for a while afterward, but no more.

Baz · Baz's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

Cool radios Chocaholic! Is that a Philco 70 or 90? That Zenith is pretty straightforward to restore if you ever decide to.
Is that Gothic console with the repwood front a Fada?

Les Paul... The hum is likely the result of failed electrolitic capacitors. A pretty easy fix if you can solder and read a schematic.

Choc- beautiful radios! Wow!

Ledhed: What if there's still a low hum after a re-cap? Could it be a rheostat? This is on a Magnavox console. Thanks!

ledhedsymbols · 02-08-2013, 05:37 PM

What kind of console? Do you have a model # or a schematic? Some hum happens on some radios. Does this one have a hum-bucking coil on the speaker(s)? Can you hear the hum if it is playing music or voice?

Baz · Baz's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

What kind of console? Do you have a model # or a schematic? Some hum happens on some radios. Does this one have a hum-bucking coil on the speaker(s)? Can you hear the hum if it is playing music or voice?

Thanks for getting back to me.

I don't have a schematic. It's an older console - not sure what year. I'll try to find a model #.

Has an Astrosonic turntable.

Hum comes on as soon as it is turned on and is present on radio and record player.

Probably has a hum-bucking coil because it's so old.

The hum seems to lessen when I turn the Bass up, though. Wonder if that means anything.

Thanks - sorry Choc - not trying to thread-jack.

Baz · Baz's Garage

Pics:

I have another one behind it with tubes that works flawlessly and 2 more solid state ones. I love these old consoles but would love to get rid of the hum in this one. The guy I bought it from said he re-capped it himself - he was a retired air force electronics specialist so I figured he knew what he was doing. He showed me all the capacitors he changed out when I bought it too. I could always drop the chassis off at a repair shop too but it hasn't been a big priority for me thus far.

ledhedsymbols · 02-08-2013, 07:14 PM

It's tough to say for sure (especially over the internet) but I would still suspect the electrolytics. They only last for so long before they start to have issues. This isn't really my forte... my stuff is a good 30 or 40 years older, but I would start there. PM me a model number and I would be happy to see what I can find out. These old stereo consoles don't have much of a following right now, but I have a buddy who specializes in them. Particularly Magnavox consoles from the early hi-fi era.

ledhedsymbols · 02-08-2013, 07:22 PM

With respect to the content available on AM radio... I built a small transmitter from a kit, I can play what I want. Benny Goodman, Run DMC, Rage against the Machine, CSNY, Zeppelin, I can play them all. less than $100 and an evening soldering. I can receive on any working radio in my collection.

Chocaholic · 02-09-2013, 02:54 AM

Couldn't it be from a tired tube? In a similar vein...I have a 38 year old Sansui receiver (AU-717 solid state) that I still use daily. Never had the cover off. Works and sounds like it did the day I bought it in 1975. Also a Marantz quadraphonic receiver and a Rotel of the same era. Same thing....no hum. How long can I expect these things to keep working without hum?

Laneco · 02-09-2013, 05:14 AM

Chocoholic - that Zenith is simply gorgeous!

angela

911dean · 911dean's Garage

This is an old Norelco, I found, at my great uncle's house when he passed. Turned it on and didn't think it worked, untill a minute later when the tubes warmed up. It's in like new condition and sounds really nice.

Les Paul · Les Paul's Garage

Listened to many a 45 in the late 50's early 60's. Elvis, and all those hits because my aunt was 10 years older than I was and my Grandparents owned the only drugstore in town. They had the requisite soda fountain and a huge jukebox. Whenever new music came in my aunt latched onto the old stuff. This thing has a 12 inch speaker and could crank it out.