Atomic Era Radio Teardown, Explained With Repair

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  • Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
  • Neat technology from the past explained. Did you know this radio (1956 era) has an early integrated circuit? Follow along as I explain and repair this very cool piece of history. To visit my Patreon page click here: / mrcarlsonslab
  • Наука та технологія

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  • @ve1arn
    @ve1arn 7 років тому +55

    Been a subscriber to your Patreon page for a couple of months now and worth every bit. Awesome video! Just gearing up a radio play room and have about 40 of these AA5 & 6 radios to work on. This was timely for sure. Thanks for the education on these. Wondering if you plan on doing anything that uses Telechron motors in them? Wouldn't mind learning a bit about them as well.

    • @MrCarlsonsLab
      @MrCarlsonsLab  7 років тому +14

      Thanks Bob! When I do another radio with a clock, I will focus on the Telechron motor a little more. This motor ran so quiet, there was really nothing to do.

    • @MrBrymstond
      @MrBrymstond 7 років тому +8

      This may sound insane, but I always wondered what went through the persons head that created these devices to begin with? I'm sure it wasn't hey I'm going to invent a radio not to mention having to invent certain parts on the fly and what went through their head when they had to do that? Having to repair or modify a device as such is one thing, but to create a finished working product is another. I always wondered if we had a advanced civilization that was wiped out to near extinction and they were the advanced elites that chose to retain these ideas and we fed off of that. Either way you're a extremely intelligent man and I thank you for sharing this incredible knowledge with random people that don't have the money, but want to know and apply so I wish you the best. Mr Carlson

    • @Korey47
      @Korey47 7 років тому

      ve1arn BobC mr carlson. Were you ex Navy?

    • @ve1arn
      @ve1arn 7 років тому

      If it's me you're asking, sorry, I'm not ex service.

    • @inerlogic
      @inerlogic 5 років тому

      looking forward to that, i have an "Esquire 550u" clock radio with a noisy motor, no idea what type of motor it has in it though.... i've been afraid to try and pull the knobs off to remove the clock from the case since they wouldn't come easily.... the clock knobs are brass... so i wonder how they're isolated...

  • @mike4330
    @mike4330 7 років тому +35

    Rebuilding IF transformers?. You're a madman! Great stuff

  • @johnsimms3957
    @johnsimms3957 7 років тому +14

    My grandmother had one of these radios. It used to wake us up with music in the morning so I could go to school in the 1960s.

    • @MrCarlsonsLab
      @MrCarlsonsLab  7 років тому +6

      How many times did you hit that blue button?

    • @johnsimms3957
      @johnsimms3957 7 років тому +6

      We didn't hit the top button because we kept the radio in the kitchen. Our bedroom doors were open so we could hear it.

  • @BillyLapTop
    @BillyLapTop 7 років тому +79

    Fabulous presentation! Especially the segment dealing with silver mica disease. You make it look so easy for resolving that issue and you instinctively answer a viewer's questions in your commentary making it a fluid and coherent learning experience.
    You are a fabulous educator. Thank you for your good work here on UA-cam.

    • @tinicum54
      @tinicum54 7 років тому +2

      Nice to see the kids dealing with these issues. I regularly used solvents for 15 years that were eventually banned Look up CRC Electro-Clean. 1 16 oz clan would de-grease a car engine. 63, I do not have cancer, yet!. As a joke, give it a squirt on a styrofoam coffee cup. Watch the cup melt.

    • @tommybewick
      @tommybewick 7 років тому +1

      gas will melt a styrofoam cup too, i did that as a kid and thought i had invented the next "flubber" LOL

    • @anthonyshiels9273
      @anthonyshiels9273 Рік тому +1

      I never heard of Silver Mica Disease until I saw this video.
      I found Mr Carlson's Lab by accident 3 weeks ago and I have a lot of catch up to do.

  • @MrShobar
    @MrShobar 7 років тому +4

    This old radio shows up to 1600 kHz on the dial. Medium wave was extended in ITU Region 2 (including the U.S, Canada and Mexico) up to 1705 kHz in the mid 1990's. A great job, Mr. Carlson, as always.

    • @tjoelfoster
      @tjoelfoster 7 років тому

      That's why the digital tuner in my '93 F150 only went to 1630. Around 2002 the new talk radio station in Augusta GA was at 1650. I could only listen to it on the analog tuner in the shop, but when I jumped in the truck I had to listen to the other station at 580.

  • @JohnBerthoty
    @JohnBerthoty 7 років тому +1

    What fun for us geeks! I haven't delved this deep into an all American 5 since high school! Thanks for the video. Took me back to radio-tv lab at Queens Vocational High School, Queens NY, 1965!

  • @minkorrh
    @minkorrh 4 роки тому +1

    This s channel really is the go-to and the epitome of 'how to fix your antique electronics'. (Not to pidgeon-hole you, but the older stuff is prevalent).

  • @retrotubethegamingbroadcas7589
    @retrotubethegamingbroadcas7589 7 років тому +1

    I can't get enough of this video; the clock's distinct design just captivates me. Truly an amazing piece of vintage technology.

  • @geckoproductions4128
    @geckoproductions4128 7 років тому +13

    Mr. Carlson: This was an OUTSTANDING video. You are a patient and thorough teacher. Between you and McWhorter, I think I know enough to start troubleshooting some old tube radios successfully and SAFELY! Thanks a bunch, VERY well done.

  • @robsmith1835
    @robsmith1835 6 років тому +63

    I don't know why you have 40 thumbs down? You are a brilliant teacher of electronics and have Excellent videos. Keep up the good work.

    • @inerlogic
      @inerlogic 5 років тому +11

      haters gonna hate

    • @QoraxAudio
      @QoraxAudio 5 років тому +12

      They probably thought 'atomic era' meant it's powered by an onboard nuclear power source and decided to count it as clickbait.

    • @pumpkin6429
      @pumpkin6429 5 років тому +5

      @@QoraxAudio Wouldn't surprise me. 😑

    • @Shnick
      @Shnick 5 років тому +8

      Thumbs down is pointless. Not sure why UA-cam even has it.

    • @CharlesM-dp4xe
      @CharlesM-dp4xe 4 роки тому +2

      Could be a local competitor maybe trying to boost his own rating by demeaning others in his path of self-gratified glory ... Im not sure why people do these things, we are all here to learn and Mr Carlson is well liked even loved perhaps, You can't knock what he does, even if you don't agree with everything he says. He's got to have a huge heart to give his time to us freely like he does.

  • @stevelacy316
    @stevelacy316 7 років тому +6

    These old radios are so cool and there are surprisingly a lot of them awround yet to be had.

  • @mikesradiorepair
    @mikesradiorepair 7 років тому +10

    I love the look of classic radios. I have a lot of "cool" radios like this that had real style. Don't have this model but maybe someday. Another cool looking radio is the old GE refrigerator radio. Looked exactly like the refrigerators of the era. Thanks for sharing.

  • @jeannekedb
    @jeannekedb 4 роки тому +2

    I know nothing about electronics but I watch your videos from start to finish because your knowledge of the subject is mesmerizing and captivating to my fascination of the electronic world. Thank you.....

  • @bills48321
    @bills48321 7 років тому +1

    I'm impressed with Mr. Carlson's depth of knowledge. His soft spoken, upward inflected speaking style is also soothing and pleasant to hear, like Bob Ross, the TV painter.

  • @mlbumller
    @mlbumller 5 років тому +5

    We had one if these on top of refrigerator while growing up. My dad listened to the local radio for road conditions before commuting to work. Ours was off white

    • @JerryEricsson
      @JerryEricsson 4 роки тому

      When I was growing up, I used to see this type of radio in the bedrooms of most of the homes I visited, they were quite popular, at the time I wished we had electric power in our house so we could listen to the radio any time we wished. As it was, we had to economize and only use the radio when OUR SHOWS were playing in the evenings and when mom had her soaps on during her morning chores around the house. Oh and when we were preparing for school, there used to be a guy on the radio who would look into his magic mirror and tell we children where our lost socks and such were as we were getting ready. It was kind of cool he would say like "Billy, you left your pencil on the kitchen table, Susie, your socks are under the bed, Bobbie, your notebook is in your bedroom on top of your dresser." Many times, of course he would be right, and we came to believe he was really looking through our radio and seeing all of these things. Of course I was in the 2nd grade at the time I would guess, so I would believe most anything an adult told me.

  • @MrUbiquitousTech
    @MrUbiquitousTech 7 років тому +7

    Paul's work consists of such care and precision it's like he's an electronic artist!
    Excellent video as always, thanks for taking us along!

  • @wagsman9999
    @wagsman9999 2 роки тому +1

    I'm getting addicted to these. Wish I understood electronics better. Very nice content.

  • @Zodliness
    @Zodliness 6 років тому +3

    Cool teardown, I used to love owning an old teas maid that had a tube radio inside, forever faithfully worked like a charm!

  • @bobcosgrove3235
    @bobcosgrove3235 3 роки тому

    We had one of these radios in our kitchen when I was growing up. The square cutout next to the power input jack was for an outlet. The outlet was controlled by the alarm on the clock. My mother plugged in an electric coffee pot she would set up the night before. My father had to get up very early in the morning to go to work and the coffee would be ready when he got up. As soon as I saw this it brought back a lot of childhood memories.

  • @davidchristensen6908
    @davidchristensen6908 5 років тому +3

    Mr. Carlson I don’t have a testing meter just the little twigs with a light. I don’t work on electronics at all. I just enjoy watching your videos and learning. Love 50, 60 or 70 electronics. Have owned a radio like this even had a short wave radio when I grew up. Don’t even want to learn to work on this stuff. You explain everything in your videos so I understand enough about what’s going on. Another hour and 10 mins of your lab that is so much more entertaining then anything any network tv puts on. My wife enjoyed this too. Thank you.

  • @edwardroberts2997
    @edwardroberts2997 2 роки тому +1

    Mr. Carlson,
    For many years I have been watching you do your thing I am a male 80 years old how use have a small shop In the town of Manchester Ct.when I was in my twenties some sixty years ago worked on Radio,s, and TV,s tubes so when you bring back some of the old Radio, lots of members, THANKS.

  • @jamesdenney9653
    @jamesdenney9653 7 років тому

    Tube receivers of this era and through early 60's are a BLAST to repair. I had an early model of the Lloyd's TM-939 my grandfather gave me. Replaced a broken tube, all of the interstage capacitors, restrung the dial and patched up the speaker cones, but never could get rid of all the static. Now I suspect why. Anyhow, it was good enough to sit above my bench and I enjoyed it for years.

  • @TruthPoliceLegend
    @TruthPoliceLegend 5 років тому +5

    I always learn from and enjoy your videos. I think we can always tell when a radio is from the "atomic era" by the conelrad signs on the 640 and 1240 radio dial indicator which this one bears. Started by civil defense in 1953 until maybe ten years later mainly as a warning channel for atomic radiation fallout if we were attacked. They are especially prominent on car radios of the era. Thanks always for your videos.

  • @BeckyTx1
    @BeckyTx1 7 років тому +5

    Excellent Video! I enjoyed your clear description of how the radio components worked and your technique for fixing the transformers. Thanks.

  • @thomasrice2888
    @thomasrice2888 3 роки тому

    An elderly lady that I went to church with ask me to do some repair work on her barn. When I went to her farm where she had lived most of her life, when I went inside the barn the walls were lined with antique radios of every type from ground to attic. I was so amazed at the number of radios she had that I had to ask her where she got them. She said her husband collected them until he died and she just never could bring herself to get rid of them. She passed away about five years later and I never found out what happened to the radios. I’ve always wanted to go back to that farm and see if those radios are still there!

  • @trek0024able
    @trek0024able 5 років тому +3

    I've watched many many UA-cam videos, and I have to say that this was the most professional and detailed presentations I've seen yet. Thank you so much, I've learned a whole lot from this one. Looking foreward to watching more of yours.

  • @xofcenter5576
    @xofcenter5576 4 роки тому +2

    My grandma had a pink model. She used to sit her coffee mug on the top to keep it warm.

  • @richardvg7670
    @richardvg7670 3 роки тому

    This is one of my favorite models of clock radios and in fact is what got me started am I collecting and working on old radios like these

  • @callmeishmael7452
    @callmeishmael7452 3 роки тому +1

    I was 6 years old and standing in the kitchen of our edmonton home listening to Cassius Clay defeat Sonny Liston for the world heavyweight title on this radio. My dad and three friends were there, nobody was even sitting down it was so exciting. A couple of the men had the old long neck beer bottles in their hands. The radio sound was flawless, I heard every word of the announcer. What a time that was.

  • @mxskelly
    @mxskelly 7 років тому +1

    Seeing this in my subscription feed made my day. There's no better way to spend an hour than watching one of your videos, Mr. Carlson! Thanks for the amazing content!

  • @gwesco
    @gwesco 7 років тому +1

    I also noticed the 640 and 1240 Conelrad markings on the dial. I remember them on all radios as well as having to "Duck and Cover" in grade school in the mid-fifties.
    Great job in bringing an all-American five back to life.

  • @stephenrock4541
    @stephenrock4541 2 роки тому +1

    I'm 60 years old and it's so nice to see somebody that appreciates all technology

  • @MAURICIOFALCAOPY5MZ
    @MAURICIOFALCAOPY5MZ 7 років тому +11

    FANTASTIC Carlson!!! Congratulations!!!

  • @ao2528
    @ao2528 5 років тому +1

    Your detailed work to restore the old electronic jewels like that radio always amazes me, I can say that now I'm a new person with some totally new information about old things I did not knew about despite fixing them for years and years when I was younger, I really appreciate your hard and extremely precise work.

  • @drubradley8821
    @drubradley8821 7 років тому +1

    This was not only great to watch, but perfect timing too... Thank you, again, for the all of your effort. Drew

  • @SauvikRoy
    @SauvikRoy 5 років тому +1

    Loved how you opened the IFT. Still could resalvage it. I never saw one of those ever taken apart. Great work!

  • @terrystearns9463
    @terrystearns9463 6 років тому

    Thank you so much for this one... My mother received this same radio as a gift when I was born in 1956. She had it on her headboard for as long as I can remember. I can remember even as a teenager see it glowing when I would come into her room a night bringing her medication. I bought one of these a couple of years back and tried to repair it myself but it was well beyond my skill level. You are so through explaining every part of your restoration I love your channel watching you fix all of the equipment...

  • @derkeksinator17
    @derkeksinator17 7 років тому +16

    I always love how you go in so much detail with things like restoration. Really informative and helpful, thanks a lot!

  • @hassanhan9124
    @hassanhan9124 5 років тому +4

    Repair with class, knowledge and elegance. Thank for sharing your skills and knowledge.

  • @Hopeless_and_Forlorn
    @Hopeless_and_Forlorn 3 роки тому

    Your designation of "Atomic Era" for this radio got me to thinking. I was born on the morning of November 16, 1942. On that same morning, in Chicago, Fermi and crew laid down the first layer of graphite blocks that would serve as the base of the first, continuously operating, man-made nuclear reactor. But I suppose that if anyone wanted to call themselves an Atomic Kid, it would be those people born on December 2, 1942, when the reactor went critical. I guess I am pre-atomic.

  • @cbranalli
    @cbranalli 5 років тому +2

    two degrees in ee didn't teach me
    as much practical knowledge about radio
    as this wonderful video.
    thanks very much !

  • @ardenmccartney5406
    @ardenmccartney5406 7 років тому +2

    Great video! it is nice to know that these radios can be brought back to life, they sound clean when you are done with them. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

  • @trainliker100
    @trainliker100 4 роки тому

    While a Navy Electronics technician at the transmitter site at Midway Island 1966-1968, I also had a part time job at the "Navy Exchange Repair Shop" where we repaired TV's, radios, etc. Fixed a LOT of "5 tube" radios. Our workbench had the usual spray cans like tuner cleaner and freeze spray. But also Raid - the bug killer. Some of the radios that came in had spent their lives in a kitchen and had a yucky coating of grease. But some of those from kitchens spewed forth scurrying cockroaches when opened. Therefore, a quick grab for the Raid. Also, perhaps the most common failure was the big electrolytic capacitor. They came in way too many sizes and shapes to stock. So we took one of a type we had in bulk and taped it to the existing capacitor in the radio which held it fine. Then wired it in. Perhaps not elegant, but fast, cheap, and a happy customer.

  • @MichiganPeatMoss
    @MichiganPeatMoss 4 роки тому

    Jan 2020: I just picked up an "All American 6" today for only a few bucks and it pulled in an AM station 350 miles as the crow flies from my basement (when correctly oriented on the bench)! :) This radio stuff is growing on me! Thanks for so much great info!

  • @MichaelLloyd
    @MichaelLloyd 7 років тому +4

    That's a gorgeous radio Paul. Nice restoration. The circuit board really cleaned up nice!

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 7 років тому +2

      Yeah like the day it was made. Maybe nicer even?

  • @enceladusfox2247
    @enceladusfox2247 5 років тому +3

    Nice work and restore on this fine old radio my friend !

  • @randallraha9843
    @randallraha9843 7 років тому +2

    Another great and informative video. Love the way you explain how and why things should be done including safety in your presentations. Awsome!

  • @alphabeets
    @alphabeets 3 роки тому +2

    Gorgeous vintage radio. And another fantastic video from Mr. Carlson.

  • @mikesmuseum
    @mikesmuseum 7 років тому +1

    Thank you so much for going over this Alignment procedure on this beautiful GE radio! Your videos are fantastic. Your camera and your audio are impeccable and easy to listen to. Keep up the great work!

  • @michaelcarey
    @michaelcarey 7 років тому

    There is just something I love about an AC motor driven sweep second hand in a clock.
    Great video Mr. Carlson!

  • @explorer1251
    @explorer1251 7 років тому

    I used to tinker with that kind of stuff while growing up during the '60s, but didn't know much about what I was doing. Your presentation, including the video work, was very impressive and informative...plus you're nice to listen to. Surprised I watched the whole thing, but I enjoyed it!

  • @loydisham6492
    @loydisham6492 3 роки тому +2

    Isolation transformer you say?! I collected and “tinkered” with these all American 5’s for years as a kid. I didn’t know about those at the time. Lucky I am still alive, took these apart and traced the wiring around trying to determine how things worked. Ask my burned knuckles how I figured out how hot tubes can get and how long they can hold their heat, especially the 50C5 and the 35W4 in these sets. Also didn’t know about the “live chassis” aspect of these units either. Live (luckily!) and learn.

  • @fichambawelby2632
    @fichambawelby2632 7 років тому +1

    As ever, excellent job. Nice, clean, and well explained. You are always doing a great contribution to the electronics knowledge. Thank you for your time and dedication.

  • @chetpomeroy1399
    @chetpomeroy1399 7 років тому +27

    AM radios that sold in the U.S. back then had little triangles at 640 kHz and 1240 kHz positions on the dial, which were frequencies set aside to warn U.S. residents of an imminent Soviet attack.

    • @314Tazo
      @314Tazo 7 років тому +11

      You're talking about. CONELRAD (Control of Electromagnetic Radiation). It's a former method of emergency broadcasting to the public of the United States In 1951, Truman established this alert.

    • @Motorman2112
      @Motorman2112 7 років тому +1

      Why 1240 and not 1280?

    • @314Tazo
      @314Tazo 7 років тому +1

      1240AM could have been defined as a clear channel where no transmission frequency existed.

    • @chetpomeroy1399
      @chetpomeroy1399 7 років тому

      This was likely arbitrary. I guess it would seem to be easier to remember, since the last two digits match each other on the AM frequencies.

    • @chetpomeroy1399
      @chetpomeroy1399 7 років тому +4

      I seem to recall that this was an act of Congress,and was in effect for about 10 years. It was replaced by the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) in 1963.

  • @denniscarlson1262
    @denniscarlson1262 6 років тому +1

    Thanks for another excellent video!
    It took me back to a simple performance modification and a safety modification I made to my 50's era AA5 radio in the 1960's.
    Sound fidelity improved noticeably after I wrapped some negative feedback around the audio chain from the speaker to the cathode of the 50C5 to deal with nonlinearity in the tube and the transformer. First I connected one speaker lead to signal ground to provide a reference point. I connected the other speaker lead to the cathode of the audio output tube through an RC network, the values governing how much audio level I sacrificed for improvement in the audio quality. And of course the selection of speaker wire connections governed whether I got negative feedback and stable higher fidelity or positive feedback and an audio oscillator. Primitive, but it worked.
    My radio had a wire loop antenna attached to the inside of the fiberboard back of the radio. The loop connected to the electronics by means of a pair of metal eyelets. I soldered one leg of a neon circuit tester to one of the eyelets (essentially a chassis ground connection), and left the other tester lead unconnected. I Duco-cemented the tester to the back of the radio. Our house wiring in those days had only two-pronged non-polarized receptacles, but I was always able to tell whether the chassis was "hot" or "neutral" depending on whether the neon bulb glowed dimly or not at all when I touched the free lead of the tester, my body acting as a capacitor to ground, which was not far away from our first floor dwelling. I was a kid without an isolation transformer to his name, but with plenty of respect for 117VAC.

  • @Penfold8
    @Penfold8 7 років тому +22

    48:29 "There's no bean counters here"...............I'm an accountant by trade and tinker with electronics as a hobby so there is a bean counter in your midst!! ;-)

  • @Fredy5100
    @Fredy5100 6 років тому

    Same as always, great video Mr. Carlson! An absolute joy to watch.

  • @davidportch8837
    @davidportch8837 7 років тому

    Excellent as always Paul. Many thanks for taking us through from start to finish... David

  • @knottreel
    @knottreel 5 років тому +3

    Brilliant presentation. I learn so much from these videos.

  • @aramboodakian9554
    @aramboodakian9554 11 місяців тому +1

    Wow what a beauty! It’s in fine condition.

  • @BoboLaTuque
    @BoboLaTuque 6 років тому +2

    Great video. I really enjoy that type of radio; the look, the sound, etc. Thanks for this.

  • @MrArfisher
    @MrArfisher 7 років тому

    Thanks, Paul, for giving us some tips and tricks to aligning radios.A good confidence builder!

  • @marcusdudley7235
    @marcusdudley7235 7 років тому

    Mr Carlson. I'd like to thank you for all your work in making these videos, I've learned so much from them.

  • @MarkSeve
    @MarkSeve 7 років тому

    I enjoyed this video immensely. thank you for your time, wisdom and skills Mr. Carlson.

  • @billharris6886
    @billharris6886 7 років тому +4

    Hello Paul, my complements on your nice video, restoration, and detailed information regarding the addressing of problem areas, you sound exceptionally experienced for someone your age. Keep up the good work!
    Since this radio came out the year I was born, thought I would add my 2 cents in the way of history/trivia. I worked on a number of 5 tube radios in the early and mid 1970's and still do an occasional antique (1930's) radio restoration. That particular General Electric clock-radio was one of the higher end models. Slide-rule tuning, clock, dial light, and sleep switch, they didn't get much fancier than that.
    General Electric was very big into cost cutting measures in their TV's and radios then (1950's and 1960's). They were the first ones with a PC board (whereas must companies had point-to-point wiring or were converting over to a PC board), ferrite rod antenna, ceramic disk capacitors (in lieu of tubular paper), and R-C networks/hybrids (you referred to these as a "Cuplet", a term I had never heard used). I was surprised to see that your PC board even had soldermask. In the 1960's, General Electric designed a new tube set series called Compactrons in a 12 pin base for their TV's, with 2 - 4 separate sections (diodes, triode, pentodes) to minimize tube count and lower cost.
    Occasionally I would come across a radio where a capacitor or resistor would open up in one of those Cuplets. This part was not available because it was custom; made for a 1 or 2 year Production run. To accomplish a fix, I would add an external component to replace the open part, if that point in the circuit was accessible. If not accessible, I would have to construct the entire network from discrete parts and jury-rig it into place.
    In the 1970's, the number one problem with these radios was (not surprisingly) a dry (open) cardboard cased electrolytic capacitor. I had never come across a radio where the makeshift mica capacitors in the IF transformer where intermittent. I didn't realize General Electric was doing this, which is really crude. I'm not surprised there are problems with these capacitors with the packaging used. Silver in the presence of air, moisture, heat, and significant DC voltage is guaranteed to migrate.
    I do my receiver alignments a bit different than what you are showing. I connect the signal generator (DC blocked, 0.1uF cap) directly to the RF terminal of the tuning capacitor for the IF alignment. I short out the AGC or maintain the 455 kHz input to where the signal level is below the AGC point so the AGC won't affect the peaking process. I peak from the output to the input, which is the opposite of your method. This is the way we did it when I designed for Collins Radio but, it's not that critical.
    The 5 tube radio (which all used the same tube lineup, due to RCA licensing) was a low-cost refinement of an early 1930's Superhetrodyne radio. A transistorized radio using the same circuit block scheme is not quite equivalent. The 12BE6 (pentagrid converter) combines a local oscillator and mixer with gain (10 - 20 dB). The 12BA6 (remote cutoff pentode), with it's super low plate-to-grid capacitance, enabled super-high, but stable gain (60 - 80 dB). A transistorized equivalent receiver needs an additional IF amp and also results in a noticeably higher noise figure due to the converter stage.
    On all of these radios, I have never come across one where the antenna inductance is set properly. Since you can't really set this without destroying the antenna, the result is reduced sensitivity at the bottom end of the band.

    • @MrCarlsonsLab
      @MrCarlsonsLab  7 років тому +2

      Hi Bill. Thanks for taking the time to write, that's a great story! Also, thanks for your input as well!

  • @parsifal40002
    @parsifal40002 3 роки тому

    Mr. Carlson, your depth of knowledge of electronics is mind-boggling impressive!! I know absolutely NOTHING about electronics but I enjoy listening to your explanations! This video is amazing! I was about 5 years old when this radio was made in 1956.

  • @wildrootsfarm1975
    @wildrootsfarm1975 7 років тому

    There are alot of features on this radio that mimic the cars built in that era. You mentioned the knobs being made of metal. They are made from PotMetal which was very cost effective in that time. Cars used alot of pot metal for tail light/parking light bezels, trim pieces, hood ornaments and garnish trim. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. It was very informative and I always enjoy watching you work. It's an enjoyable experience.

  • @acidfuzzpedals9986
    @acidfuzzpedals9986 7 років тому

    Love your videos. It's nice to see you stewarding the older technology and design for future generations.

  • @tallperson9422
    @tallperson9422 4 роки тому

    Loved this teardown as it helps me understand more about electronics. Great job!

  • @slam854
    @slam854 6 років тому

    Paul, I had this very radio as a kid. Mine was Ivory.
    This video is helpful in that I am doing cap replacement and IF alignment on a Hallicrafters S-120 radio. Toward the end of this video you showed how to adjust sensitivity on the tuning cap. That is information I did not have. Also your section on "silver mica death" for the IF transformers is of particular interest.
    Keep Radiating!

  • @oQsR
    @oQsR 7 років тому

    All of your videos are so well put together and very informative!

  • @TheRangerDale
    @TheRangerDale 7 років тому +2

    Very Good Paul, Brought back few memories working in the Radio/Tv Shop.Yes turn out real nice, You do have a lucky Finds about your area.Thanks for the tib bits of info always nice to refresh ones memories like this Ole Man. 73's Paul

  • @Pwaak
    @Pwaak 7 років тому

    Thank you for this informative video! The shape of the response curve, via sweep, before and after repair of the IF cans is interesting to see.

  • @itisonlyadream
    @itisonlyadream 7 років тому +2

    Very well done! I was in high school in the late fifties and I used to make pocket money by repairing tube equipment in my neighborhood. At that time, 98 percent of repairing a radio or TV set consisted of testing and replacing tubes, so it's interesting to see how different it is more than fifty years later after time has taken it's toll. I thought I knew it all, but I picked up some good tips from your video. I grew up in Texas where the "L" in solder is silent and I've never heard the "L" pronounced before.

    • @MrCarlsonsLab
      @MrCarlsonsLab  7 років тому +1

      Thanks for taking the time to write!

  • @outthereassociates7155
    @outthereassociates7155 7 років тому +1

    Thanks Paul, Most enjoyable. Happy to see a new one.

  • @billmoran3812
    @billmoran3812 7 років тому +2

    Great tutorial on the IF can mods and basic alignment procedure.

  • @jjl6519
    @jjl6519 7 років тому +1

    Thanks for another great video, I learn something every time I watch one of your videos..

  • @germas369
    @germas369 4 роки тому +1

    this is probably the best channel for anyone who is in the slightest interested in electronics. very informative, educational and entertaining

  • @rebelba42
    @rebelba42 7 років тому

    Your repair turns it into a brand new device, great job! Btw: Perfectly styled b/w title picture at the beginning of the video. A very good desktop background or poster. Thanks Paul for giving a closer look on such a nice device.

    • @MrCarlsonsLab
      @MrCarlsonsLab  7 років тому +1

      Hi Reb, I will post some of this video's original artwork in a new post. (large file's) Thanks for your kind words!

  • @shyleshsrinivasan5092
    @shyleshsrinivasan5092 4 роки тому

    A whole Mr. Carlson's Lab season to finish in this month of quarantine ! Very enlightening and entertaining electronics videos ! Why the dislikes I wonder

  • @telstarvision1509
    @telstarvision1509 7 років тому

    You sir, are a pure out & out genius,I have & am still learning a lot from your many videos in spite of being a fellow ham/enthusiast for a number of years.

  • @johnseymour5223
    @johnseymour5223 7 років тому

    A very good find and video! Nice to see you back it's been awhile.

  • @InsideOfMyOwnMind
    @InsideOfMyOwnMind 7 років тому +7

    Excellent accounting of such a great classic. We built these in high school in the 70's. All hand wired. Call me Charlie Brown but the parts kit I got had one 455khz IF trans and one at 262khz. Needless to say If I had known what was going on at the time I could have gotten an A in the class. Now they don't dare put the little munch-kins at such perilous risk.

  • @coptertim
    @coptertim 5 років тому +1

    I remember that radio and I'm surprised there are no cracks in the case. It was a nice little radio but at 5:30 in the morning it made such an obnoxious alarm noise your first thought was to toss it out the nearest window. I started working on old radios when I was about 15. After watching your videos it's safe to say I'm lucky to be alive. I would pay about $5 for an old Zenith or Philco radio at the local Goodwill store and take the tubes to a grocery store tester. (Almost every store had a tube tester back then). A $4 5Y3GT and we would be up and running. After cleaning and polishing the cabinet I was very happy to sell them for $15 dollars. I had no idea of what they would be worth today... Thank you for your videos, great fun and I appreciate your attention to work bench safety and the dangers inside all the innocent looking cabinets.
    BR: Tim

  • @tpcdude
    @tpcdude 7 років тому +1

    Great video, you did a great job on explaining the deepest darkest recesses of the AA-5

  • @fuzileiro1974
    @fuzileiro1974 7 років тому +2

    Always a pleasure to ear you, thanks !

  • @williamhayden7711
    @williamhayden7711 7 років тому +10

    Wow, fantastic restoration Mr. Carlson! This one might just be my favorite to date.

    • @MrCarlsonsLab
      @MrCarlsonsLab  7 років тому +1

      Great William! Thanks for stopping by!

  • @GregoryMcLean
    @GregoryMcLean 3 роки тому +1

    Your restores look so nice and clean.

  • @edgarkuylen276
    @edgarkuylen276 4 роки тому

    Love your office MR. Carlson. A great video. Very detailed.

  • @TroySleepwalker22
    @TroySleepwalker22 7 років тому

    Man that IC blended in so well with all that fuzz, I had to do a double take..
    Awesome content, very interesting and educational/informative. You got yourself a new subscriber!

  • @CharlieTechie
    @CharlieTechie 7 років тому +1

    Lots of good information on the IF transformer refurbishing. Thanks Paul.

  • @rosshollinger8097
    @rosshollinger8097 4 роки тому

    1955. A great year. Nice work!

  • @melvinturner2284
    @melvinturner2284 3 роки тому

    Beautiful Radio and Good Job. Explained everything really well. Thanks

  • @richpatonai5685
    @richpatonai5685 2 роки тому

    Wow! Wished I had seen this before my experience with silver mica disease. The 1206 100pf cap is a great fix. Much better than the through hole that I shoehorned into the can. Looking forward to a video on unsticking or removing iron powder core slugs. Thanks Mr. Carlson

  • @souta95
    @souta95 4 роки тому +1

    I will have to remember that tip about using an NPO SMD capacitor for rebuilding IF cans. Thanks!

  • @TheMushtyroo
    @TheMushtyroo 7 років тому

    Thank you for making these great videos, Mr Carlson you are a superb teacher!

  • @scottfirman
    @scottfirman 5 років тому

    My MOTHER has this radio in her bedroom. It still works. She told me there was no reason to replace it as it works. They bought a flip dial clock, but the numbers fell off. So she put this one back in her bedroom. My Parents whole house is 1950's theme. She hasn't updated the house since they moved in back in 1959. My Grandparents house was 1930's style and was that way up till my Uncle cleaned it out and rented it. Its funny how people get so nostalgic over these things. Went to a Yard sale this summer, most of everything was 1950's. No one was buying anything.

  • @djhaloeight
    @djhaloeight 6 років тому +2

    Great video, very informative. You're a natural teacher, Paul.

  • @lionelguy
    @lionelguy 7 років тому

    Thank you so much Bob !!! You have augmented my knowledge of IF cap replacements and final alignment. On this presentation, you did not get into tube testing, which is a part of the servicing process. Probably best left to a another video. I personally stuff the can capacitors, making a simpler job of re-install. Again, thank you !!

  • @tommybewick
    @tommybewick 6 років тому

    Finally bought one these at a great price to restore. Cream version with a black face and gold knobs, a few years newer model. Thanks again for making this video it will be my guide.