Demo of a (partly) Restored National NC-100XA Receiver (1938)

This is a demo video of a National NC-100XA 'catacomb' coilbox receiver from around 1938. So far, the receiver has been recapped with a set of reproduction Cornell-Dubilier tubular capacitors (as the original paper capacitors had already all been replaced by someone previously), and the can electrolytics have been restuffed with modern parts. The chassis has been cleaned, some wiring replaced and tubes tested (all ok). Four resistors have been replaced previously by someone, however, almost all of the original resistors are significantly out of tolerance (drifted high), including the 1st audio tube plate resistor, a 50Kohm part that measures around 1Mohm. I have not yet replaced any of the out of tolerance resistors or aligned the set, but its putting in a remarkable performance considering this(!). The owner of the set (not me) would like the set to look as original as possible while maintaining good performance. The small half-watt 'dogbone' resistors with striated bodies as fitted to this chassis are difficult to reproduce, so the question is whether to go for originality and sacrifice some performance and long-term reliability, or dispense with the original look below the chassis... or a compromise between these two extremes, eg. replace only those resistors that are well out of tolerance that are critical to optimal circuit operation (grid leaks, plate load and some other resistors can be significantly out of tolerance and hardly affect performance at all).

[@Thermionic_Buddhist]

I have an NC-101X with a bad tone circuit. Similar layout. I’ll be watching!

[@RadioRestoration]

Ok! - you can follow my blog on Facebook (facebook.com/gerrysvintageradio/ )

[@zdzisiek1979]

Nowe radio nowe wyzwanie serwisowe :)

[@RadioRestoration]

Yes, every one if different! - including the owner's expectations - which makes the hobby interesting of course!