Its a shame these tube type radio are part of our history,plus they sound better,I glad you save this stuff ,I fixed two radios so far from watching videos of people who save these radios.
It's a shame more people don't value these old sets. I agree this one was a basket case. Unfortunately radio on the a.m. band even here in the canadian prairies is boring. No good oldies stations only talk radio. If there were better music stations on the a.m. dial maybe these old radios would be used more. Just because a cell phone or ipod is trendy now they certainly will not be restored by future generations of collectors or even be loved as much as vintage tube radios. Good work being the vintage electronics physician. You have saved many a radio from the landfill. I look forward to your next video sir!
Bryan, You may consider this series of videos time-wasters, but I learned something so it wasn't a time-waster for me. Thanks for showing the details of what you have to go through to repair one of these radios. I especially liked that you showed how to use a signal tracer in your troubleshooting procedure. Regards, Tom
I have found that radio restoration is something you love to do, because like auto restoration or modding... you don't get your $$$ back , I have a few radios ( about 50 ) , and no one wants them unless I give them away or sell for almost nothing, my trouble is I like the consoles and no one ever wants those....
Good job. I had a junker like this a while back. Drove me crazy. I finally tore it apart, kept the parts and cabinet and threw the chassis in the trash. Problem solved.
Cool video It was good seeing you use that signal tracer in this video I just got one myself along with a ton of parts and other stuff from a TV repair shop that closed. Just getting into electronics so i need to learn how to use all this stuff. I enjoy the videos.
Hi there! New subscriber here! I think the only types of people that would be interested in old electrical items like these radios are collectors of such items.
I think this guy can fix anything,as long as he has the parts.its a shame you can't buy any more five tube type radios new,or if someone made a kit for a tube radio.I think the sound is better.
That was fun to watch, I hope you do some more vids with those radios he wanted you to fix. Silver migration; it's getting to the point now where I'm only buying sets with mica trimmers, because I'm fed up with slug-tuned IF's.
A great instructional repair video. Thanks for demonstrating the use of your signal tracer! It appears you've made your own probe. I'll have to do the same for my Paco tracer I just restored. Thanks also for pointing out the silver migration issue. Another helpful tool if you get stumped on a repair. I just restored a AA5 and had to spend hours and hours. It had sentimental value and will be part of my collection. It wasn't worth the time just as you say.
I totally agree with what you say. I have to laugh at times because there are some Junkers worth money and some are not. love your videos keep them coming. Thank You
I willing to pay a fair price ,for ,a restored by you tube radio ,and if you have a 1960 ,s clock type radio that would be great I want a daily user ,if you ever get one or have one ,I would love a chance to buy one of your radios ,I watch your videos for a long time,I no you are the best at what you do .either way I love your videos,and I no how much work you put into your work.I hope to see a lot more videos
The only radios which are selling here in Adamstown, PA, "The Antiques Capital of the USA", are (very) high-end consoles, like Zenith Shutter-Dials, pre-1990 McIntosh tuners and amps, or well-polished and reconditioned Bakelite radios from '46 thru '57. What one of the dealers has done is to photograph and catalog each radio (including lower-end clock radios, and AA5 tabletop plastic radios like the General Electric C403-A which "Joernone" did his demos on), and sell them as "Retro-Decorator Specials". All radios come with guarantees ranging from 30 to 90 days on "tubes and capacitors", and 30 days only on transformers and chokes (of any type). There is a guy in a small town called Stevens, PA, who is repairing IF transformers (windings must be intact, no opens), who utilizes an old stereoscopic surgical microscope for his work. He's expensive, though, and I haven't spoken to anyone whom he's done work for - as of this time.
Neat. Maybe it's time to reverse engineer an IF transformer and see if they can be made at home. No matter how good you are repairing and changing caps, as time goes by you will more frequently stumble into unrepairable ones, with open windings, etcetera. Specially since there are some ridiculously fragile ones. There was one, I believe it was a danish one, that fell apart when I lifted it's cover to check a capacitor. There were two, the remaining one, I don't even dare to breathe close to it.
I have watched many of your videos, very informative and I have learned a thing or two. One never knows too much that he can't learn something from someone else. I often find "sick" IF cans of the late 40's through the 60's. My junk box is being readily depleted of these transformers so the originals need to be repaired. I know the fundamentals of making the repair, but is there a basic value mica capacitor that I should stock to make the repair? What is a good source for a supply of these, and do you use silver micas? Lastly, would you consider doing a video on such a repair? Thanks, and keep those videos coming. Bill
If someone approaches me to get an old radio restored I first ask them if they're looking to sell it afterwards. If so I say don't get it fixed. If they say something like it's of sentimental value, and they want it working again, I'll say I can fix it. But on the basis of 2 rules: 1) Don't ask me how much it will cost. 2) Don't ask me how long it will take. I mean it, too. After this there are further caveats. 1) The radio will work for as long as it works, then likely a tube will fail that will be hard to find and expensive to buy. 2) The radio is a serious fire hazard, so don't leave it running unsupervised, and get into the habit of switching it off AND unplugging it when done using it. There are parts that generate copious amounts of heat even when the radio is working well. If the radio is not working well there is seldom a fuse to protect it. (I DO provide fuse protection if I restore a set!) 3) The radio is a shock hazard. Your radio will be happy to give you a hearty handshake at any time, and often for reasons you may never figure out. Other than that, happy nostalgia trip. :)
+David Locke I think anyone my age (64) who values the quality of the older sets isn't too worried about spending a few bucks to get them back in working order. I know I am not.
I have something I'd like repaired. But not sure if it's worth it. It's a portable AM/PHONO That runs on batteries or external AC adapter. The radio works, but the phono had no sound except a hissing sound. I suspect the cartridge is bad, but I also think the amp isn't working. Also, the idler wheel needs replaced. Slips badly. Even after cleaning with alcohol. Maybe one day.
Not super critical in this use, getting in the ball park is OK then you can re-align the slug to the right frequency, I have seen those mica sheets vary a lot +-10% or so.
I just wander where in hell that radio had been dumped before your pall had got hod of it. Yep got to agree with you. If anyone asked me to fix that and I had seen inside I would have laughed in their face and asked where's the magic wand to go with my soldering iron. My name is Cliff not C---t. One of my old computer pals said I should call myself Mr. Fix-it as I could usually make things work in a short time. But has you well know there is a limit to that. All the very best regards de John-G0WXU.
He'll probably put a $50 price tag on it and justify the price by mentioning it was a 70 year old radio.When I was a kid,those weren't worth a plug nickel except from a learning stanpoint.An "antique radio" to me in 1965 was an early to mid '30s Atwater Kent or something similar.
This is why cheap AA5s are not worth the bother. Like you said, fix them for yourself, but not worth resale. Even a fine receiver doesn't get much. This is why I like the German table radios, they have some value. About the only old amplifiers that may get some moola are guitar amps. Ham radio stuff can also get moola. Don
Ron Thompson You can remove the cone and voice coil and mount a smaller speaker inside the basket with jb weld and connect the speaker leads to the smaller speaker you just installed
Sony Trinitron Some people with OCD think they're being ripped off if they don't get the highest possible price for something. They're not good business people. They'd rather go hungry than submit to taking a loss.
Nice troubleshooting! Making a business fixing and selling old radios? That's tough. In my area (Baltimore) I've been following Craigslist for years. In order to sell, here's what I've seen. 60s & 70s transistor table radios working go $5 - $15. 50s and 60s plastic case tube radios working go $15-$25. 40s and 30s in wood or bakelite cases working go $35-$75. These prices will get them sold. Those that go higher can sit there on Craigslist for months if lucky sold. Old radios are fun to collect and work on, but making a business out of it, you better have something else to bring in some money to eat off. See ya -- Atco
I no I'm 2020 the price of vintage tube radios have gone through the roof price wise people are asking some pretty steep prices ,a few years ago I got some great deals on eBay ,not lately .maybe with people stuck at home has something to do with it.
Its a shame these tube type radio are part of our history,plus they sound better,I glad you save this stuff ,I fixed two radios so far from watching videos of people who save these radios.
It's a shame more people don't value these old sets. I agree this one was a basket case. Unfortunately radio on the a.m. band even here in the canadian prairies is boring. No good oldies stations only talk radio. If there were better music stations on the a.m. dial maybe these old radios would be used more. Just because a cell phone or ipod is trendy now they certainly will not be restored by future generations of collectors or even be loved as much as vintage tube radios. Good work being the vintage electronics physician. You have saved many a radio from the landfill. I look forward to your next video sir!
You made a Junker radio into a great presentation!! Thank You
Carl
Bryan,
You may consider this series of videos time-wasters, but I learned something so it wasn't a time-waster for me. Thanks for showing the details of what you have to go through to repair one of these radios. I especially liked that you showed how to use a signal tracer in your troubleshooting procedure.
Regards, Tom
Great video. Do more of these detailed repair videos. I learn so much that I would never have guessed could have been issues. Thanks!
"Here is exploded view, literally, of the capacitor. " That is funny
Good vid. Always nice to see some tracing. The silver mica deal is a growing.pain in the rear.
Thanks
Carl
I have found that radio restoration is something you love to do, because like auto restoration or modding... you don't get your $$$ back , I have a few radios ( about 50 ) , and no one wants them unless I give them away or sell for almost nothing, my trouble is I like the consoles and no one ever wants those....
you're lucky, I just turned 14 today and my parents don't let me buy radios like these. I really wish they would
Good job. I had a junker like this a while back. Drove me crazy. I finally tore it apart, kept the parts and cabinet and threw the chassis in the trash. Problem solved.
Cool video It was good seeing you use that signal tracer in this video I just got one myself along with a ton of parts and other stuff from a TV repair shop that closed. Just getting into electronics so i need to learn how to use all this stuff. I enjoy the videos.
Me too! Love your flag.
I had an Admiral identical to this one that was in a Bakelite cabinet factory painted Ivory color. It's from 1951.
Very informative about electronics and the business / people side! Thank You!
Oh no !!!! Not another broken dial cord!!!!
Very informative!! I had never seen the inside of an IF transformer... learned something new. Keep up the great work :-)
Hi there! New subscriber here!
I think the only types of people that would be interested in old electrical items like these radios are collectors of such items.
I have a phobia about repairing IF cans. I have already attempted to repair 2 of them only to snap the fine wire.
Practice makes perfect-!!
I think this guy can fix anything,as long as he has the parts.its a shame you can't buy any more five tube type radios new,or if someone made a kit for a tube radio.I think the sound is better.
That was fun to watch, I hope you do some more vids with those radios he wanted you to fix.
Silver migration; it's getting to the point now where I'm only buying sets with mica trimmers, because I'm fed up with slug-tuned IF's.
A great instructional repair video. Thanks for demonstrating the use of your signal tracer! It appears you've made your own probe. I'll have to do the same for my Paco tracer I just restored. Thanks also for pointing out the silver migration issue. Another helpful tool if you get stumped on a repair. I just restored a AA5 and had to spend hours and hours. It had sentimental value and will be part of my collection. It wasn't worth the time just as you say.
I totally agree with what you say.
I have to laugh at times because there are some Junkers worth money and some are not. love your videos keep them coming. Thank You
I willing to pay a fair price ,for ,a restored by you tube radio ,and if you have a 1960 ,s clock type radio that would be great I want a daily user ,if you ever get one or have one ,I would love a chance to buy one of your radios ,I watch your videos for a long time,I no you are the best at what you do .either way I love your videos,and I no how much work you put into your work.I hope to see a lot more videos
The only radios which are selling here in Adamstown, PA, "The Antiques Capital of the USA", are (very) high-end consoles, like Zenith Shutter-Dials, pre-1990 McIntosh tuners and amps, or well-polished and reconditioned Bakelite radios from '46 thru '57. What one of the dealers has done is to photograph and catalog each radio (including lower-end clock radios, and AA5 tabletop plastic radios like the General Electric C403-A which "Joernone" did his demos on), and sell them as "Retro-Decorator Specials". All radios come with guarantees ranging from 30 to 90 days on "tubes and capacitors", and 30 days only on transformers and chokes (of any type). There is a guy in a small town called Stevens, PA, who is repairing IF transformers (windings must be intact, no opens), who utilizes an old stereoscopic surgical microscope for his work. He's expensive, though, and I haven't spoken to anyone whom he's done work for - as of this time.
Neat. Maybe it's time to reverse engineer an IF transformer and see if they can be made at home. No matter how good you are repairing and changing caps, as time goes by you will more frequently stumble into unrepairable ones, with open windings, etcetera. Specially since there are some ridiculously fragile ones. There was one, I believe it was a danish one, that fell apart when I lifted it's cover to check a capacitor. There were two, the remaining one, I don't even dare to breathe close to it.
90pf is usually a good choice for these ift's also most automatic radio types too.
My biggest question is how much does he think he's going to get for a cracked radio with a dud speaker and missing knobs?
Ask the right dud!
I have watched many of your videos, very informative and I have learned a thing or two. One never knows too much that he can't learn something from someone else. I often find "sick" IF cans of the late 40's through the 60's. My junk box is being readily depleted of these transformers so the originals need to be repaired. I know the fundamentals of making the repair, but is there a basic value mica capacitor that I should stock to make the repair? What is a good source for a supply of these, and do you use silver micas? Lastly, would you consider doing a video on such a repair? Thanks, and keep those videos coming. Bill
If someone approaches me to get an old radio restored I first ask them if they're looking to sell it afterwards. If so I say don't get it fixed. If they say something like it's of sentimental value, and they want it working again, I'll say I can fix it. But on the basis of 2 rules: 1) Don't ask me how much it will cost. 2) Don't ask me how long it will take. I mean it, too. After this there are further caveats. 1) The radio will work for as long as it works, then likely a tube will fail that will be hard to find and expensive to buy. 2) The radio is a serious fire hazard, so don't leave it running unsupervised, and get into the habit of switching it off AND unplugging it when done using it. There are parts that generate copious amounts of heat even when the radio is working well. If the radio is not working well there is seldom a fuse to protect it. (I DO provide fuse protection if I restore a set!) 3) The radio is a shock hazard. Your radio will be happy to give you a hearty handshake at any time, and often for reasons you may never figure out. Other than that, happy nostalgia trip. :)
+David Locke I think anyone my age (64) who values the quality of the older sets isn't too worried about spending a few bucks to get them back in working order. I know I am not.
That radio is the TRUE meaning of what a TURD is, LOL!
I have something I'd like repaired. But not sure if it's worth it. It's a portable AM/PHONO That runs on batteries or external AC adapter. The radio works, but the phono had no sound except a hissing sound. I suspect the cartridge is bad, but I also think the amp isn't working. Also, the idler wheel needs replaced. Slips badly. Even after cleaning with alcohol. Maybe one day.
Is it possible to change my old tube admiral sw, 78 record player to modern amp
and whatever else I need?
Exactly, if it doesn't have a damn touchscreen, no one wants t!
When you measure the small capacitors inside the if transformer, do you allow for the capacitance of the test leads on the capacitor meter?
Not super critical in this use, getting in the ball park is OK then you can re-align the slug to the right frequency, I have seen those mica sheets vary a lot +-10% or so.
I just wander where in hell that radio had been dumped before your pall had got hod of it. Yep got to agree with you. If anyone asked me to fix that and I had seen inside I would have laughed in their face and asked where's the magic wand to go with my soldering iron. My name is Cliff not C---t. One of my old computer pals said I should call myself Mr. Fix-it as I could usually make things work in a short time. But has you well know there is a limit to that. All the very best regards de John-G0WXU.
He'll probably put a $50 price tag on it and justify the price by mentioning it was a 70 year old radio.When I was a kid,those weren't worth a plug nickel except from a learning stanpoint.An "antique radio" to me in 1965 was an early to mid '30s Atwater Kent or something similar.
This is why cheap AA5s are not worth the bother. Like you said, fix them for yourself, but not worth resale.
Even a fine receiver doesn't get much. This is why I like the German table radios, they have some value.
About the only old amplifiers that may get some moola are guitar amps.
Ham radio stuff can also get moola.
Don
Can that speaker be fixed,or can a modern one be used
Ron Thompson You can remove the cone and voice coil and mount a smaller speaker inside the basket with jb weld and connect the speaker leads to the smaller speaker you just installed
all them who put vintage radios for that high of a price will learn one day (hopefully)
Sony Trinitron Some people with OCD think they're being ripped off if they don't get the highest possible price for something. They're not good business people. They'd rather go hungry than submit to taking a loss.
***** That's a fine collection! But yeah, a good price is about $40-$50 NZD which is roughly equivalent to that in pounds.
Nice troubleshooting! Making a business fixing and selling old radios? That's tough. In my area (Baltimore) I've been following Craigslist for years. In order to sell, here's what I've seen. 60s & 70s transistor table radios working go $5 - $15. 50s and 60s plastic case tube radios working go $15-$25. 40s and 30s in wood or bakelite cases working go $35-$75. These prices will get them sold. Those that go higher can sit there on Craigslist for months if lucky sold. Old radios are fun to collect and work on, but making a business out of it, you better have something else to bring in some money to eat off. See ya -- Atco
i have never had a problem so far with silver migration!!, Aussie made radios were better designed and used better IF TX capacitor layouts!!
I have read here on YT that Australia had comercial AM bcb station online as early as 1919 - -?
That's before here in the US
...aou, tie me kangaroo down, sport...tie me kangaroo down...
Hay do you have some 1960's record player's for sell or a 1960's radio's for sell😀😊😊😉
I no I'm 2020 the price of vintage tube radios have gone through the roof price wise people are asking some pretty steep prices ,a few years ago I got some great deals on eBay ,not lately .maybe with people stuck at home has something to do with it.
good job repairing that piece of crap radio nice video thank you sir
3054573838rW On another one of his videos you said you disliked it, what the hell?
If you have the parts, then you can restore.
RADIOTVPHONONUT
I love the older electronic's this new made in china crap ALL NEEDS TO BE EOL!!!! just my feelings
i have a late 1960's stereo that needs some work.
The only way to solve the problems with that radio is to throw it in the trash where it belongs
EVERYTHING has a limited life span...