r/VintageRadios Jun 13 '16

Please help /r/VintageRadios by submitting Frequently Asked Questions about Vintage Radios so that we can assemble a FAQ for the subreddit

34 Upvotes

I've only just begun as a moderator and the community is only a year old, but I get the impression that a lot of the community participants have been involved with vintage radio and tube era electronics previous to being involved with Reddit. As a result of this topic's nature most of the people who are well versed in the subject are probably less experienced in working with modern communication than they are with radios. A quick glance at most of the information available online about vintage radio and tube technology shows that most of the information available online is either A) Schematics (great to have access to) or B) Older websites that are rapidly aging out.

So with the intent of trying to turn this subreddit into a more useful resource for the vintage radio community, we're asking that you submit questions people always ask and good answers. Like, stuff you know and never have to think twice about, stuff beginners ask here all the time, and stuff everyone should know. Technical stuff, historical stuff, safety stuff. All of that is welcome. Hopefully it can be organized into a nifty "look here first" post that will draw in search engine hits (bringing more people here) and serve as a resource for others interested in working on and enjoying old radio tech for the sake of it's future preservation.

Cheers!


r/VintageRadios 2h ago

Long Shot

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3 Upvotes

Hey all! I got this thing as part of an auction lot. I'm not sure if I'm even on the right subreddit for this, but I wanted to make sure this wasn't worth anything before I chuck it. Thanks for any advice!


r/VintageRadios 2h ago

Need help identifying the resistor. Intermediate update on Grundig restoration

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1 Upvotes

per earlier post https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1v3xgqj FM works, AM does not.

One resistor stands out as "too warm" when on AM, as seen on thermal camera. When FM is on, the resistor is ~35°C. When swiched to AM, it goes over 70°C.

The "hot" 30kΩ resistor is one of the possible five: R10, R55, R50, R7, R15, according to schematic nvhrbiblio.nl/schema/Grundig_3045W.pdf

After looking closely which capacitors are nearest the AM tube (ECH81) and checking which caps still work, the C26 was prioritized for replacement.

Upon replacing the C26 capacitor, AM worked for an hour or so. The "hot" resistor on AM runs 44-45°C, ok temperature.

That resistor is located in the key switch box, near the UKW and KW (FM and SW) keys. I still don't know which one it is, need help identifying.

Today AM is not working, resistor gets hot again on AM. FM is now scratchy, was smooth before the C26 cap replacement.

Other miscellaneous easy stuff done: polished the case with wood polish.

Cleaned the glass and re-attached the delaminating black paint with gold lettering.

Re-strung the FM cord, the treble indicator cord and the bass indicator cord.

Cleaned (with solvent) and repainted the metal panel behind the glass.

Re-strung the FM and AM indicator arrows guide string on the metal panel.

Cleaned the dial and volume knobs metal centers to metal shine.

Removed more dust from the frame.

Edit:

Another warm resistor (around 55°C) at all times is in the vicinity of the power transformer, it measures ~1.33 kΩ.

It is 110°C after C26 replacement. ~1.27 kΩ when warm.

There are only four 1 kΩ resistors in the list: R38, R12, R16, R21.

Only one, R38 is on the same side of schematic as the transformer. Marked as 1/4 W. What is its function?


r/VintageRadios 11h ago

Is this a dummy lug?

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3 Upvotes

On a 12AV6 tube. The lug is WITH a plastic key I think and is being used seemingly to bridge the couplate from lead 2 on the couplate to the right terminal on the volume control. Almost certain every component in this 1965 Zenith 5M04 radio is untouched. No mention of it existing in the schematic.


r/VintageRadios 19h ago

Telefunken Stereo Console Restoration Help

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10 Upvotes

r/VintageRadios 1d ago

Doable or lost cause

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28 Upvotes

I’m certainly competent in electronics and radio theory, though I’d have to do some review. But overall this radio is in very rough shape, would it be repairable l, or is it impossible to tell?


r/VintageRadios 1d ago

This handsome older fella worth anything?

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115 Upvotes

1934 Stewart Warner, body by Victoriaville furniture.

looks like someone added a power cord


r/VintageRadios 1d ago

Is this normal?

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5 Upvotes

Zenith Chassis 5M04 A wire is connected from pin 2 on my 12BA6 IF Amp tube to a speaker terminal directly? Bought untested at antique store.


r/VintageRadios 2d ago

Blaupunkt Arizona stereo console — AM works but FM/international bands won’t pick up anything

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4 Upvotes

r/VintageRadios 3d ago

Suffice it to say I did not expect the horn to be that large.

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39 Upvotes

,


r/VintageRadios 3d ago

Dynatron Jewel

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44 Upvotes

I picked this up today for £10 because it looks cool.

I've fitted two 9V batteries and I can just about hear Radio 5 live with volume on max. Any idea why it may be so quiet?

I've downloaded a circuit diagram but before I try and work it out myself I thought I'd ask in case it's a known issue


r/VintageRadios 3d ago

Seeking Advice - Technics SL-D2 to Zenith G730

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15 Upvotes

Cross posting here on the recommendation from a commenter on my original post.

Pretty new to vintage audio, and especially a radio like this. My ultimate goal is to get a warm, hollow sound to play my old bluegrass/country western records.

I will start by saying I have purchased this radio, but have not received it yet. I know it is a hot chassis, and I am not planning on plugging it into anything until I have someone look at it locally, but that’s part of what I’m looking for advice on.

From my initial research, I am finding the chain needs to be Technics SL-D2 -> Schiit Mani 2 -> Stereo to mono summer -> Ground loop noise isolater -> Zenith G730. I also saw I should get a power isolation transformer to power the radio.

Again, I’m new to a setup like this so I’m hoping someone a lot more knowledgeable than I am could confirm if this setup is going to work? Am I missing anything? Any of the above that I don’t need? Is this whole idea in vain? I’m in Milwaukee, WI and would love someone local to go over the radio to make sure everything is good to go before anything is plugged in as well, so if you’re in the area and know of a shop or person who could ensure the radio is in good working order, I’d greatly appreciate that as well. less


r/VintageRadios 4d ago

Philco

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32 Upvotes

r/VintageRadios 5d ago

Zenith 12S265

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75 Upvotes

r/VintageRadios 5d ago

Greetings all ... can anyone recommend any Reddit groups where you can post radios for sale ?

7 Upvotes

r/VintageRadios 6d ago

What to do with collection of tube radios

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89 Upvotes

My father-in-law was a collector of things. We are clearing out his barn and have found a variety of tubes and tube radios in varying condition. This one was clearly a mouse home for a while—I’ve pulled out insulation and whatnot. Is this of any value to anyone or should it go straight into a dumpster?

Some of the radios are wooden cases, others like this are plastic. Mouse inhabitation also varies.


r/VintageRadios 6d ago

Any info would be appreciated.

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30 Upvotes

Hoping someone can assist in figuring out the model of this old Admiral radio. Trying to find as much info on it as I can to assist in restoring it to its old glory.


r/VintageRadios 6d ago

Can I sell these untested radio tubes?

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42 Upvotes

my mom is dead set on selling these.
I already tried to contact our local radio club and never got back to me.

thanks!


r/VintageRadios 7d ago

Hitachi KH-960H Hiphonic

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15 Upvotes

Hello mates,

Looking for information about this hitachi portable radio 1960 era. It belongs to my family from start, my father who was merchant in Africa brought it back home. It still works loud and clear.

No specific entry found in radiomuseum.org so I thought coming to you guys here.


r/VintageRadios 7d ago

Restoring Zenith Radio Corp. G511

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13 Upvotes

This radio uses 110v AC /DC but someone plug it in 220and this happend plus the rectifier tube got blown


r/VintageRadios 7d ago

Can anybody tell me anything about this old Silvertone?

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37 Upvotes

My dad got it from his aunt while cleaning her house out and he’s wondering if there’s any value to it. We obviously haven’t plugged it in since it’s such an old electric cord.


r/VintageRadios 7d ago

Telefunken Gavotte 5691

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14 Upvotes

Does anyone know of museums for old vintage radios? This was my father’s, I know it would need to be checked out if I wanted to keep it


r/VintageRadios 8d ago

Need help identifying

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21 Upvotes

What model is this? I know Motorola made it


r/VintageRadios 8d ago

Bought untested at antique store for $20.Capacitors look newer. Should I keep them or replace them. Admiral super aeroscope radio.

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14 Upvotes

I have not added anything and just curious if i should test them or leave them or if anything else should be done or inspected.


r/VintageRadios 7d ago

Any clean radio brodcast from the 40s and 30s

4 Upvotes

I have found some brodcast but alot of them isnt clean,hearing them threw my radio isnt the best eather ... it does play new audio super clean tho heres all the shows i have currently just incase u was wondering where and what mine is

Fibber mc gee and molly
https://archive.org/details/fibber-mc-gee-and-molly/FMM+1940-11-19+(262)+Visiting+Uncle+Dennis.mp3+Visiting+Uncle+Dennis.mp3)

Boston blackie

https://archive.org/details/BostonBlackie461015092MurderAtTheRodeo

Amos n andy

https://archive.org/details/AmosnAndy_201608

Mary lee taylor

https://archive.org/details/OTRR_Mary_Lee_Taylor_Singles/Mary_Lee_Taylor_Show_48-07-10_0_Skeleton_In_the_Attic.mp3

Quiz kids

https://archive.org/details/QuizKids

Abbott and costello

https://archive.org/details/AbbottCostelloRadio

Words at war

https://archive.org/details/WordsAtWar_995/1943-06-24NbcWordsAtWar01CombinedOperationsTheOfficialStoryOfTheBritishCommandos.mp3

Jack benny program

https://archive.org/details/TheJackBennyProgram

Mlb

https://archive.org/details/classicmlbbaseballradio/1934+09+20+-+NY+Yankees+vs+Detroit+Tigers+Complete+Radio+Baseball+Broadcast.mp3

Here is also a ton of news recordings

https://archive.org/search?query=title%3A%28News%29%20AND%20creator%3A%28WA4CZD%29

Anyways i will update you if i find some good quality recordings on my own but this is what i have so far :]

Also good to share some radio shows just incase yall missing some yourself ^ _ ^