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Adam's Antique Radio Page

Old radio links

Phil's Old Radios
Padgetts TransOceanic Page (for fanatics only)
Antique Radio and Phono Newsgroup
My crystal radio page
My Trans-Oceanic page
My boatanchor radio page
For more old radio links, see my links page!



NOTE: My website has a new address! The address is http://www.electronixandmore.com/adam/index.html. Please update your bookmarks to reflect the new address.


Radios in my Collection (in order of acquisition)


Welcome to my antique radio page!

I have an affinity for old radios as well as old computers. My first antique radio (if you can call it that) was a Ray-Jefferson model 630/RDF 5-band marine reciever (it has inputs for 12 volts DC only. I need to use a power supply in order to run it on 120 volts AC). The five bands are AM, FM, MB (Marine Band), LW (Longwave) and VHF. It's distinguishing characteristic: it has a large, rotating antenna (it's a directional antenna designed to fine-tune signals coming from different directions [all 360 degrees] when you rotate it [it's designed to be used with marine band]). Even though it's completely solid-state (it has no tubes), it deserves a place in my museum as my first antique radio (it's over 25 years old).

My second antique radio was a Hallicrafters S-118 communication reciever. In it's time, Hallicrafters was a well-known manufacturer of quality communication recievers. Many are still in good working order even today. The Hallicrafters S-118 was produced in 1962, cost $100 when new, and is worth $40-$60 today. It's dial spans from .19 MC (.19 MHz, or 190 KHz) to 30 MC (30 MHz, the edge of the shortwave band), split up into 5 bands: LW (Longwave, from .19 MHz to .5 MHz), BC (Broadcast, a.k.a. AM, 5.5 MHz to 1.7 MHz [the dial measures everything in MHz, so 5.5 MHz=550 KHz]), and 3 SW (Shortwave) bands (spanning from 1.8 MHz to 30MHz). The radio has a separate dial for bandspread (a type of very-accurate fine-tuning, allowing for very fine adjustments), as well as a sensitivity control (a bit scratchy), a BFO (Beat Frequency Oscillator, allowing for reception of single sideband (SSB) transmissions) switch, a recieve/standby switch, an input/output jack on the back (used as an output when the Standby/Recieve switch is in Recieve mode, and as an input when the Standby/Recieve switch is in Standby mode), and ANL (Automatic Noise Limiter) switch, and other functions. All in all, a teriffic reciever. (See more about it on my my Hallicrafters page ).

I also have several plastic table radios, one of which is a Zenith K615. It is a plastic AM-only table radio produced in 1963. It has six tubes, unlike "All-American 5" table radios which have 5 tubes, making it an "All-American 6." The radio has excellent reception and sensitivity due to the extra tube in the RF section and what Zenith called a "Filter Magnet" antenna (Zenith had many nicknames for their radio antennas; another of which is the "WaveMagnet"). A picture of my K615 can be found here.

My latest flea market find is a GE T238B AM/FM table radio. This is my first tube radio with FM. I haven't been able to find this radio on any of the antique radio web sites I've checked. Does anyone know when this radio was made, or any other information? If so, please email me using the email address at the bottom of the page. a picture of it can be found here.

My fifth find was a Zenith TransOceanic model B-600 portable tube shortwave radio. It is a good performer, and picks up many shortwave stations. See more about it on my TransOceanic page.

My sixth find is a Zenith TransOceanic model H-500 portable tube shortwave radio. Unfortunately, unlike most of my radios, this one is dead (hums on AC, is silent on batteries). I am considering trading it for another T-O model. More about it can be found on the TransOceanic page.

My seventh find was an Automatic Radio tube portable radio model Tom Thumb. This is my second Automatic Radio (the other is a transistor car/portable that I have not made a page about; I will make a page about my transistor radios later). I haven't plugged it in yet. Here's a lengthy description that I posted on the rec.antiques.radio+phono newsgroup:
"It looks like a tall but skinny lunchbox (reminds me of the napkin dispensers found at some restaurants). It is AC/DC/Battery. It is mostly leather-covered except for the plastic surrounding the front and back covers, which is a weird swirled brown plastic. Molded into the plastic above the door and colored orange are the words "Tom Thumb". On the front, only the leather that the plastic surrounds opens as a door. Under the front cover there's frequency numbers molded into the plastic (the scale goes from 155-54, not 54-155), a tuning knob (works like a vernier dial; there's supposed to be a pointer attached underneath the knob, but it is missing; anyone got a spare?), a volume knob, a power switch, the words 'Automatic Radio', a weird-looking square speaker grille, and a BATT./AC-DC/CHARGE (?) switch. The back looks identical, although the entire back cover, plastic and all, opens. The "chassis" (not a box, but just a flat piece of metal) is the oddest I have seen in all the radios I have. On top of the plate is the tubes, IF/RF transformers, tuning capacitor and selenuim rectifier. Underneath is exposed electronic parts (wax capacitors, resistors, wiring; looks to be a real shock hazard). Underneath the parts is a can capacitor, speaker, back of the potentiometer, an output transformer, a pair of snap connectors for a B battery, and a weird battery case with a hinged top for some sort of A batteries (C cells I think). Behind the back cover is a spiral molded into the plastic in which the cord is held. The plate on the back of the back cover reads 'Automatic Radio serial no. 508878 model Tom Thumb. Automatic Radio Mfg. Co. Inc. 122 Brookline Ave. Boston, 15, Mass. Made in USA. This apparatus uses inventions of United States patents licensed by Radio Corporation of America and other patents licensed to this company, particularly No's 22221996, 2262979, 2265958'. The handle that's supposed to be on top is missing. From the back I could only see three tubes. When was this radio made? I'm guessing late 40's to early 50's, but I'm not sure. As far as I can tell, it uses all miniature tubes. How do I get the chassis out of the case? I could only find one screw on the back I could unscrew, and that didn't allow the chassis to be removed. The only tube number I can see is VT173. What type of tube is this? Also, what is the function of the charge position on the power selector switch? What rechargeable batteries did they have in the late 40's-early 50's? Did the charge switch have some other function than charging batteries. What type of B battery does this radio take (22.5? 45? 67.5? 90?)?"
I will post pictures as soon as I can have some scanned in. If anyone can help me with the above questions, please email me using the email address at the bottom of the page. 9/7/19100 UPDATE: I've finally found someone who has a radio like mine! A picture of a radio like mine can be found here.

My eighth find was a Zenith TransOceanic model Royal 1000. It is my first solid-state TransOceanic. More about my Royal 1000 can be found on my TransOceanic page.

My ninth find was a Zenith 6D030Z "Consol-tone" wooden-cased AM table radio. The graphic-arts instructor at the technical high school I attend once brought me a 6D030 to look at, and now I have my own, which I bought at the October 2000 NEARC swap meet. It has some veneer damage, but otherwise looks fine. It appears to be a AA6-type radio (35L6GT, 35Z5GT, 12SJ7, 12SA7, 12SQ7, 12BA6). I am not going to power it up until I can slowly power it up with a variac. A picture of a radio like mine can be found here.

My tenth find was a RCA model 67 QR 53 W AM/SW table radio. I purchased this one at the October 2000 NEARC meet as well. It is a European set (resembles the German table radios of the day). I think it was brought from Europe to the USA.I know next-to-nothing about this radio. The tube count is 6BE6, 6BA6, 6AV6, 6AK5, and 6X4. A label on the underside has the following note:

MADE IN WEST GERMANY FOR
Radio Fernseh Elektro G. m. b. H.
AN ASSOCIATED COMPANY OF
RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA

If anyone has any information on this radio, please email me using the email address at the bottom of the page.

My eleventh find was a Zenith H723Z2 AM/FM table radio. I bought it at the March 2001 NEARC meet for $30. It has a bakelite plastic case, which is in good shape. AM works fine; however, FM seems to have fading problems. This may be my summer 2001 project. If anyone can supply me with a schematic for this radio, please email me using the email address at the bottom of the page. A picture of a radio like mine can be found here.

My twelfth find was a Zenith 7H922 AM/FM table radio. I bought it at the July 2001 NEARC swap meet for $25. This is my second Zenith AM/FM table radio. I'm not entirely sure of the date of this radio. It looks entirely different than my H723Z2, as it has a plastic dial cover with a pointer underneath it. The front emblem looks like an eagle sitting over a lightning Z, unlike the Zenith shield seen on my H723Z2. I haven't tried this radio, as it needs a new line cord. It appears to have been modified with a phono input and radio/phono switch sometime in the past. A picture of a radio like mine can be found here. 1/4/19102 UPDATE: Since I felt I had too many projects to catch up with, I decided to trade my 7H922 for a Fisher FM-50-B tube tuner. Its new owner, a table radio collector, was quite happy with the trade, as was I.

My thirteenth find was a Sony TFM-9440W solid-state AM/FM radio. I bought it at the July 2001 NEARC swap meet for $10. I think it's from the 1970s, but I'm not sure. It resembles many of the AM/FM table radios of the area with its vertical dial, but the sound quality is very good for a table radio. It has some dirty controls and the dial is a bit off on FM, but other than that it works good. A picture of a radio like mine can be found here.

My fourteenth find was a Zenith X316 AM/FM table radio. I bought it at the October 2001 NEARC swap meet for $5. It's the newest tube radio I own, which possibly dates back to 1967. The brown case is somewhat scratched, but the radio works. It appears to be in a style similar to my GE T238B, with a large round dial.

My fifteenth find was an Arvin 30R12 FM-only table radio. I bought it at the October 2001 NEARC meet for $5 along with the Zenith X316. I often come upon AM-only radios in my searches, but rarely FM-only radios. Like the Zenith, this one works as well. Quite an interesting set.

My sixteenth find was a Telechron "Musalarm" model 8H67. This is my very first tube clock radio, and my first AM-only radio in some time. I bought it at the January 2002 NEARC swap meet for $20. This is apparently one of the first tabletop clock radios. At one time, Telechron was the biggest manufacturer of electric clocks, and made the clock mechanisms for other manufacturers clock radios. What many people don't know is that Telechron had their own line of clock radios in the late '40s. The only way you can tell the brand of the set is from the small Telechron logo on the clock dial. The tuning control is a small numbered thumbwheel above the clock dial area, and the volume control is a somewhat-awkward-to-use thumbwheel under the clock dial area. The alarm is set by a small knob in the 12 o'clock area of the dial, and the radio/alarm function is selected by a knob in the 6 o'clock area of the dial. The clock itself is set by a knob on the rear panel. Both the clock and the radio in this set work, although the radio has hum to it. The 8H67 I bought has a dark brown bakelite case, which I prefer over the blue case 8H67 (which I saw at the same swap meet on a different table).

My seventeenth find was a Zenith TransOceanic model Royal 3000-1. I paid $120 for it at the Radio XXXIII swap meet in Westford. It is my fourth Trans-Oceanic, my second solid-state Trans-Oceanic, and my first Trans-Oceanic to have built-in FM (I've hooked a car-type FM converter to my B600, but it's not quite the same). It works quite well. More about my Royal 3000-1 can be found on my TransOceanic page.

My eighteenth find was a Zenith model X375 AM/FM clock radio. I bought it at the April 2002 NEARC swap meet for $5. This is my second tube clock radio, and my first tube clock radio to have FM. It seems to be from 1967, the same year as my Zenith X316, and shares many of its features. Its dial is similar to that of my GE T238B, which is also from the mid '60s. It works, although it has a slight hum in the audio, and is missing the sleep timer knob. I have been able to find nothing about this particular model on the web; if anyone has any information about it or a picture of one, please email me using the email address at the bottom of the page.

My nineteenth find was a Columbia Masterwork model 2894 portable AM/FM/LW/SW radio. I bought this set at a local yard sale for $9. From the looks of it, this set is meant to be a competitor to the Zenith Trans-Oceanic model 3000-1, but there are several differences. For one thing, it uses one dial scale for all six bands; this may be more conventional, but it also makes this set a bit confusing to tune (especially since there's nothing to indicate what band you're set to apart from the pointer on the rotary band selector control). Also, it has continuous coverage from 1.7MC to 18MC, which is split into 3 SW bands (1.7-4.2MC, 4.0-10.0MC, and 10-18MC); while this may be a bit difficult to tune, there is a electronic-type fine-tuning control (it does not move the dial pointer). Another feature of this set is a built-in power supply, which T-Os prior to the Royal 7000 series lacked (this set can run on either 120V or 6 C cells). Also, the antenna it uses is more conventional, although it is able to swivel 360 degrees (thanks to an interesting-looking pivot mechanism which seems to resemble a large ball-bearing). This set works well, and comes pretty close to matching my solid-state T-Os in performance, although it seems less rugged. If anyone has more info or some pictures of this set, please email me using the email address at the bottom of the page.

My twentieth find was a Motorola model 61T21 AM/SW table radio. I bought it at the July 2002 NEARC swap meet for $20. From around 1941, it is one of the oldest radios I own. It has a large wooden case and a 5" speaker, which make for excellent sound quality. At first it had some problems receiving shortwave stations, but cleaning the bandswitch solved that problem, and it works beautifully on SW as well as AM. If anyone can supply me with more information on this model, please email me using the email address at the bottom of the page. A picture of this set can be found here.

My twenty-first find was a Zenith TransOceanic model 8G005YT. I was sent this radio for free by a fellow collector as a fixer-upper. It is my fifth TransOceanic, and my first loctal-tube TransOceanic. It is currently partially disassembled, but should restore fairly nicely. More about it is available on my TransOceanic page.

My twenty-second was an Admiral model 12X12 television. I bought it at the October 2002 NEARC swap meet for $20. This is my first tube television set. From around 1950, it employs a round CRT (type 12LP4) like all TVs from that era. Also, like many TV sets from that era, it doesn't work all that well in its current unrestored state. The audio section does work, but the video section can be described as being unstable at best. Some screenshots of this set in "operation" can be found here and here. The first picture is of it receiving a station, the other is of it tuned to a dead channel. Obviously, a total recapping of this set is long overdue. If anyone has a copy of the schematic or service manual for this set, please email me using the email address at the bottom of the page. A picture of this set can be found here. Stay tuned!

My twenty-third find was a Philco model 53-958 AM/FM table radio. I bought it at the January 2003 NEARC swap meet for $29. This is my very first Philco radio. Unlike most of the '50s radios I've come across, this one has a wooden case. While the styling is rather plain for a wood set, it does have some interesting elements to it nevertheless. This radio has a seperate dial for each band, and changing bands will cause the previous band's dial to go dark, and the dial of the band now switched in will light up. This radio works at the moment, but I'm sure that it needs some servicing (the tube chart on the bottom shows no rectifier tube, so it probably has a selenium rectifier).

My twenty-fourth find was an EAC R-390A/URR military HF communications receiver. I acquired this set through one of the teachers at the technical high school I used to go to. It is up and running, and puts many of my other shortwave radios to shame. More about this set can be found at my boatanchor page.

My twenty-fifth find was a Collins R-392/URR military HF communications receiver. This set is essentially the vehicular equivalent of the R-390A/URR's predecessor, the R-390/URR. More about this set can be found at my boatanchor page.

My twenty-sixth find was a Espey R-48/TRC-8 military VHF communications receiver. I unfortunately don't know much about this set, which was meant to be paired with a VHF transmitter. More about this set can be found at my boatanchor page.

My twenty-seventh find was a Philco model 38-12 AM table radio. I bought it at the April 2003 NEARC swap meet for $45. From 1938, it is one of my oldest radios. This was also my first set not to use either octal or miniature tubes (every tube in this set is an ST-type 5- or 6-pin tube). It is a simple 5-tube BC-only set, but it does employ a power transformer. Apart from a lack of sensitivity, this set works fairly well.

My twenty-eighth find was a Zenith 6S511 AM/SW table radio. I bought it at the July 2003 NEARC swap meet for $41. This set is from 1941, and is my first old radio with pushbutton tuning. This is also my first table radio to employ loctals (used in every tube position except the output tube and rectifier) This set has a plastic case with woodgrain-like brown coloring (it was also made in ivory as the 6S511W). I'm currently not sure of the working condition of this radio, though I have been told that it had been sloppily-repaired sometime in the past. Stay tuned!

My twenty-ninth find was a Zenith Trans-Oceanic model H-500 portable tube shortwave radio. I bought it at the October 2003 Hosstraders hamfest for $60. This set is in better condition than my other H-500, since it actually works to some degree, and the case looks pretty nice. More about it can be found on my TransOceanic page.

My thirtieth find was a 1950's Zenith AM/FM rable radio. I bought it at the January 2004 NEARC swap meet for $15. Unfortunately, the bottom sticker doesn't include model number information, only a chassis number (coming soon). It resembles my 7H922, but with no side control. As of yet, I haven't been able to determine it's full working capacity, but I suspect that it has a bad cap in one of the IF transformers (FM reception seems intermittent at best). More later!

My thirty-first find was a "Teraphone" Super 5080C, made by RFT in East Germany. I bought it at the Radio XXXV swap meet for $20. Unlike my German RCA set, this one does not fit the usual German radio stereotype, being quite short. The sides of the cabinet are veneer-covered wood, but the front panel is of a white plastic, which contrasts sharply with the cabinet. It has MW and three shortwave bands, which cover 2.4-26MC. Like most German sets, this one uses "piano keys" to change bands. Other than a slight hum and a bit of scratchiness in the bandswitch, this set works surprisingly well. More info, including pictures, coming later!

My thirty-second find was a Grundig-Majestic model 2120-U MW/FM/SW table set. I bought it at the April 2004 NEARC swapmeet for $25. Unlike the RFT, this Grundig is a West German set, and looks much more like a typical German radio. This is my first German radio to feature FM, and also my first radio with an eye tube (an EM84). Cosmetically, this set is in great shape, but because the line cord has seen better days, I haven't tested it yet. More later!

My thirty-third find was an Atwater-Kent model 55C AM radio chassis. I bought it at the October 2004 NEARC swapmeet for $45. This is my first Atwater-Kent radio, and now holds the place as the oldest radio in my collection (1929). Atwater-Kent was one of the first major radio manufacturers, putting out several well-known kit/breadboard radios such as the legendary Model 10. Mine is from the approximate middle of the life of the A-K corporation, when they were starting to make AC-operated sets as well as battery-operated ones. The 55C chassis was usually found in a console cabinet (made by any number of companies such as Pooley, Red Lion, etc.) or a Kiel table, as opposed to the standard metal A-K cabinet which housed the 55 chassis. Mine, however, is not in any sort of cabinet, just an exposed chassis (save for a cover over the tuning/RF section). This set has been tested, and it works well (though the audio level is a bit low). Amazingly, my set still has it's 45 tubes present, and several globe tubes. Also, it came with an F-2 speaker, which is not the type specified for this particular model (the F-4 was made for 60Hz-operated sets, and the F-2 was made for 25Hz-operated sets, meaning that the B+ voltage is a bit low when used with a 60Hz set), and is in rough shape (missing it's grillecloth, and has some patch-up spots on the speaker cone), but it works ok. If anyone has a source for a cabinet, a correct F-4C (or F-4/F-4A) speaker (would be willing to trade my F-2 speaker for it), or a tracing of the knob opening found on one of the console cabinets, please email me using the email address at the bottom of the page.

My thirty-fourth and latest find is a Zenith TransOceanic model Royal D7000Y portable multiband receiver. I bought it at a local flea market for $5. It is in rough shape, with a broken hinge on one of the covers, some slight dial warpage, and some dents and dings, but I did well for the price paid. Every band I've tested so far works, although there is some slack in the tuning mechanism. More about it can be found on my TransOceanic page.

My thirty-fifth and latest find is an Atwater-Kent model 20 AM table radio. I bought it at the January 2005 NEARC swapmeet for $100. This is my second Atwater-Kent, and now holds the title as the oldest radio in my collection (1925). I bought it along with an Atwater-Kent model L horn speaker, which seems to match the set. Unfortunately, I am unable to test it, because it is missing all it's tubes. If anyone has a set of five 01A-type tubes which they would be willing to sell, please email me using the address at the bottom of the page. More later!

So far, I have only thirty-three old radios (and one old television). If you have any old radios you are looking to get rid of, please email me using the email address below.

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