Old tube radios

[Pitchy]

Bought a old tube radio, had to put up some new shelving to put everything on.
If ya got old radios post em up, can`t believe the prices they're getting for them.

[Nath]

Firestone too!

I had a German made one as a kid, it sounded lovely, way better than stuff today.

[OldWin]

Wow! Thats a looker, Pitchy! I got gramps (the warden) old Philco over in my dads gun room.

[J Miller]

I have a Hoffman made from brown Bakelite, very similar to your green one. It needs a speaker and a new face but worked the last time I tried it.
I don't have a pic of it and I don't remember where it's at right now.

Joe

[Pitchy]

Thanks fellars, Jay that`s a old timer for sure.
Those old radios sure throw off the heat didn`t they.

[OldWin]

Haha yeah they do get warm. I forgot about that!
Think I got a bakelite one too......somewhere. I will have to look.

[Blaine]

All amps distort to some degree. Tubes "distort" harmonically and that's why they sound more mellow and less harsh. All the really high-end modern stuff is tubes nowadays....

[Pitchy]

What`s BC on the right end of the dial on my radio, I thought this was AM only but picked up Chicago FM unless I heard them wrong.

[Blaine]

What`s BC on the right end of the dial on my radio, I thought this was AM only but picked up Chicago FM unless I heard them wrong.

That might have been Broadcast Channel....

[Pitchy]

What`s BC on the right end of the dial on my radio, I thought this was AM only but picked up Chicago FM unless I heard them wrong.

That might have been Broadcast Channel....

That makes sense

[marlinman93]

This one sat in my bedroom when we were kids. Big old floor model Philco that must have been sold locally as the call letters for different stations are all local stations here in town. Many still exist! I recall my dad taking all the tubes out and going to the store where they had a tube tester to check them. Then buy new tubes and bring them home to replace and it was working again.
It sits in the corner of my basement now and haven't plugged it in, in many decades. Might still work, but now it's just a reminder of my youth!

[.45colt]

I really miss the old radios. My Dad had a very small Philco all metal radio that sat on a shelf by our table. He would listen to the news in the morning before work. wish I had it now. I would Love to have one of the floor models like Marlinmans, but it seems like they start around $250.00 unrestored.

[Pitchy]

Heck 45Colt the small ones are spendy on ebay and the shipping is crazy.
Marlinman that`s a dandy old radio, thanks for showing it.

[Ji in Hawaii]

GREAT job on an old classic. Thank you for saving it from the sad fate.
I used to own an OLD Scott Receiver with tubes when I first got married (37 years Feb, 28th) and from what I remember it sounded awesome. I took awhile for the tubes to warm up but worth the wait. I used to come home from a hard days at work and hang in my hammock with an ice cold bear listening to smooth jazz. Just the other I had lunch with a friend who was visiting home (he now lives in Klamath, Or,), and he is really into music especially the hardware side of it, and he said that people have rediscovered tube amplifiers and receivers and supposedly the better sound quality they produce that many companies are now popping up that are manufacturing tube powered electronics. He said there are also companies that will refurbish and restore old tube powered electronics. He said he sent his amplifier to New York to get refurbished and he is ecstatic with the results. New tubes replacement tubes are being manufactured so easy to obtain according to him.
If you own an old tube radio it may be worth more than you think even if presently not working.

[.45colt]

Pitchy wrote:"Heck 45Colt the small ones are spendy on ebay and the shipping is crazy. "
I have seen some at different antique shops the cheapest one was $250, and the veneer was peeling on the bottom, who know how much was wrong with it.

[marlinman93]

I recall back in the 1970's having been offered a couple more floor models like the old Philco I have for free. I couldn't see why I'd need more, even for free, so they went to the dump. Now I kick myself for not finding a place to store them!

[.45colt]

If We only knew then What We know now..... .

[Alan Wood]

Neat Radio. One thing you should be aware of about tube radios. Many of the old classic US made tube radios can be or are severe electrocution hazards due to the designers omitted a power transformer to save cost . Not just off brands either my mother probably still has a Hallicrafters s-38 in the attic and reportedly the metal case on these is commonly found to be shorted directly to the 120 volt power plug! Even in good repair you can supposedly get shocked working on it with the power switch off! Must be unplugged to safely work on it. Be especially wary of anything described as AA5 or All American 5 tube radio. These usually omitted the power transformer with hazardous consequences.

[Pitchy]

Thanks Alan something to be careful about for sure.
I have another GE coming today if the mail lady can get through the snow.

[Rusty]

If you need tubes for old radios just keep in mind that the Ruskies have never stopped making them. They are available. As a ham I know there are still older hams that are still using tube type radios, they call them boat anchors if you want to do a search on them.
I heard a story about an old ham that was using an old boat anchor transceiver to make contacts for help after Katrina. He used a section of chain link fence for an antenna. You can't do that with modern day IC radios.
If you want a nice modern radio you migh want to check with the CCRANE company.

[marlinman93]

The real issue is finding a tube tester to figure out what tubes you might need today! It's nearly impossible to find a tube tester these days.

[Pitchy]

Got the GE today, works great I like how the light follows the needle on the dial.
Poor picture with reflections.

[OldWin]

Nice one buddy!
That's back when GE made stuff worth owning.

[Pitchy]

Thanks Jay, I like this one.

[Alan Wood]

Another nice one there Pitchy!

[M. M. Wright]

When I was real young we had an Atwater Kent I think it was called. Speaker on top of the receiver. Later Dad bought a Philco console that featured a green "eye" that would sweep green all around when you tuned the station in real tight. We lived about 3 miles from a 50K watt station, KVOO and Dad's amplifier, (he was a fiddle player) would pick up the station sometimes. My uncle, who lived here on the homeplace for many years was a radio and tv repairman. I inherited his junk along with my Dad's and their Dad's too. Dumped all the tvs but I think there may be a tube tester around somewhere.

[Pitchy]

Thanks Alan and Ron, tube tester sounds interesting Ron.

[M. M. Wright]

I'll see if I can find it Lenn.