Antique radio question

[h***@gmail.com]

Hello, I am very new to repairing old radios and I have a question. My Mother
came across an old Zenith radio from the 1930s which looks great but doesn't
work. I am an electronic technician by both profession and hobby and I would
like to build a new radio from scratch and place it inside the chassis. My
question is this: would this still be considered an antique even with 1990s
electronics inside, or would it be worth more just to leave it broken? If
this
sounds like a stupid question I appologize but I am new to this. Thanks you.
Jim Keller

-A stupid question is one that is not asked.
You would totally destroy the value of the set to collector. I am sure
I am speaking for most of others on the newsgroup when I implore
you not to do this to a vintage radio!

Yes I know this is an old thread, but I just got interested
in old radios.

As well as I know, mostly after reading some Australian radio
restoration articles, is that it is usual to replace capacitors,
and sometimes resistors, with modern versions. Many old radios
use paper capacitors, which don't age well. Even worse, some used
cutting edge (at the time) electrolytic capacitors, where even
current models don't age well.

Also, with capacitors and resistors on the underside of the
chassis, it mostly doesn't change the appearance, though often
the upper chassis isn't visible, anyway.

Most other parts you want to keep original, or replace with
a similar part from the same timeframe, such as from an
unrestorable radio. Old vacuum tubes seem to be not so hard
to find, for example.

[philo]

On 10/15/2017 07:35 PM, ***@gmail.com wrote:


<snip>
to a vintage radio!

Post by h***@gmail.com
Yes I know this is an old thread, but I just got interested
in old radios.
As well as I know, mostly after reading some Australian radio
restoration articles, is that it is usual to replace capacitors,
and sometimes resistors, with modern versions. Many old radios
use paper capacitors, which don't age well. Even worse, some used
cutting edge (at the time) electrolytic capacitors, where even
current models don't age well.
Also, with capacitors and resistors on the underside of the
chassis, it mostly doesn't change the appearance, though often
the upper chassis isn't visible, anyway.
Most other parts you want to keep original, or replace with
a similar part from the same timeframe, such as from an
unrestorable radio. Old vacuum tubes seem to be not so hard
to find, for example.

Question was asked 20 years ago. LOL

[Terry S]

Wow, really old thread. But welcome to the hobby.

By the way, modern electrolytics have excellent service life if used within specifications.

Very interesting seeing the initial responses to the OP. Some of those names or handles were very active contributors here back in the day, I was around then also but usually more of a lurker than a poster.

I wonder how many are still with us, and I mean both alive or not, and also still reading this NG or not.... and I apologize in advance for not knowing the status of some. But names like Pete Bertini, Alan Vorhees, Marty F., Dale Cook, Padgett.... reads like a Who's Who of R.A.R.P. There were many more.

If you are still here from the early days, please pipe in! Everyone. I miss the days when this was a vibrant, often combative group. The web was a very different place back then.

Terry

And now for a little nostalgia-- here is my signature from back then: (Link will not work)

Terry S -- Collector specializing in (but not limited to) 30's - 50's plastic radios
Proud owner --> 1977 Triumph Bonneville
Shoreview MN
See my radios at: http://members.aol.com/tschw10117/mypage.htm

[Foxs Mercantile]

Post by Terry S
I wonder how many are still with us

I'm still here. Been here since 2000.
Some of them have died since then.
Some of them should have been taken out and beaten to death
Some were unfairly harassed and left.

[John-Del]

Post by Foxs Mercantile

Post by Terry S
I wonder how many are still with us

I've been here (on and off) since 98 I believe. Some names that come to mind are Eddie Brimer, Bill (exray), and of course old Bill Turner (God bless him).

Post by Foxs Mercantile
I'm still here. Been here since 2000.
Some of them have died since then.
Some of them should have been taken out and beaten to death
Some were unfairly harassed and left.
--
Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi
http://www.foxsmercantile.com

I seemed to recall you were more sweet and lovable in the old days Jeff...

John
Wolcott, CT

[Foxs Mercantile]

Post by John-Del
I seemed to recall you were more sweet and lovable in the old days Jeff...

*laughs* That'd be news to me. ;-)

[Peter Wieck]

Saw Marty F. at Kutztown - much has changed in his life, but he is still kicking, and still taking on basket-cases for rejuvenation.

Sal Brindisi is somewhat medically challenged, but is also still with us.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

[Hank]

Post by Terry S
Wow, really old thread. But welcome to the hobby.
By the way, modern electrolytics have excellent service life if used within specifications.
Very interesting seeing the initial responses to the OP. Some of those
names or handles were very active contributors here back in the day, I
was around then also but usually more of a lurker than a poster.
I wonder how many are still with us, and I mean both alive or not, and
also still reading this NG or not.... and I apologize in advance for not
knowing the status of some. But names like Pete Bertini, Alan Vorhees,
Marty F., Dale Cook, Padgett.... reads like a Who's Who of R.A.R.P.
There were many more.
If you are still here from the early days, please pipe in! Everyone. I
miss the days when this was a vibrant, often combative group. The web
was a very different place back then.

Well, I'm one of the founding advocates for the group, back in 1994.
I don't know what's become of most of the other founders. Two of us
were doctoral level historians of technology, and I see Roy Morgan, who
was NBS/NIST on the boatanchors mail list from time to time.

I recall writing a multi-part FAQ for the group fairly early on. Some
of that was drawn from texts I studied back in the mid-1940's, which I
still have. This was not a "web" group, but a core of us who were
pretty serious hands-on guys who knew our way around vacuum tube
technology. AOL sellers came to dominate the group in the later 1990's,
and the real horsepower faded away (sad to say).

Hank

[Terry S]

Well I just looked and my first post was in 97, so I was slightly late to the game. But thanks Hank, for getting it all started. It's great to see that you are still participating!

Terry

Post by Hank
Well, I'm one of the founding advocates for the group, back in 1994.
I don't know what's become of most of the other founders. Two of us
were doctoral level historians of technology, and I see Roy Morgan, who
was NBS/NIST on the boatanchors mail list from time to time.
I recall writing a multi-part FAQ for the group fairly early on. Some
of that was drawn from texts I studied back in the mid-1940's, which I
still have. This was not a "web" group, but a core of us who were
pretty serious hands-on guys who knew our way around vacuum tube
technology. AOL sellers came to dominate the group in the later 1990's,
and the real horsepower faded away (sad to say).
Hank

[John-Del]

Post by Terry S
Well I just looked and my first post was in 97, so I was slightly late to the game. But thanks Hank, for getting it all started. It's great to see that you are still participating!
Terry

Where did you find that Terry? I know I used to be able to search my old posts but either something has changed or my senility is farther along than I thought (and no comments please Jeff...)

John
Wolcott, CT

[Foxs Mercantile]

Post by John-Del
(and no comments please Jeff...)

No comment. ;-)

[Terry S]

I use Google Groups to read the NG, I just searched for my own email addresses that I've used for the group over the years. Search box at the top of the page.

Terry

Post by John-Del

Terry

Where did you find that Terry? I know I used to be able to search my old posts but either something has changed or my senility is farther along than I thought (and no comments please Jeff...)
John
Wolcott, CT

[Peter Wieck]

Post by Terry S
Well I just looked and my first post was in 97, so I was slightly late to the game. But thanks Hank, for getting it all started. It's great to see that you are still participating!

As was mine.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

[John Robertson]

Post by Terry S
Wow, really old thread. But welcome to the hobby.
By the way, modern electrolytics have excellent service life if used within specifications.
Very interesting seeing the initial responses to the OP. Some of those names or handles were very active contributors here back in the day, I was around then also but usually more of a lurker than a poster.
I wonder how many are still with us, and I mean both alive or not, and also still reading this NG or not.... and I apologize in advance for not knowing the status of some. But names like Pete Bertini, Alan Vorhees, Marty F., Dale Cook, Padgett.... reads like a Who's Who of R.A.R.P. There were many more.
If you are still here from the early days, please pipe in! Everyone. I miss the days when this was a vibrant, often combative group. The web was a very different place back then.
Terry
And now for a little nostalgia-- here is my signature from back then: (Link will not work)
Terry S -- Collector specializing in (but not limited to) 30's - 50's plastic radios
Proud owner --> 1977 Triumph Bonneville
Shoreview MN
See my radios at: http://members.aol.com/tschw10117/mypage.htm

Your link works if you go to Archive.org's Wayback machine:

https://web.archive.org/web/20080211104154/http://members.aol.com/tschw10117/mypage.htm

I had no joy with 2012 or 2011 links, but 2008 worked fine!

John :-#)#

[Terry S]

Yes I'm aware the Wayback machine has archived parts of my old site. For some reason it didn't capture all the photos.

AOL closed down the personal sites at the end of '08, that's why later captures of the site are broken.

I keep threatening to put the site back together elsewhere... but I never seem to get a round tuit.

Terry

[Foxs Mercantile]

Post by Terry S
but I never seem to get a round tuit.

Here. No more excuses.
<Loading Image...>

[Terry S]

Post by Foxs Mercantile

Post by Terry S
but I never seem to get a round tuit.

Here. No more excuses.
<https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/images/blogs/wooden-nickels-round-tuit.JPG>
--
Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi
http://www.foxsmercantile.com

It'll take more than a wooden nickel....

[Foxs Mercantile]

Post by Terry S

Post by Foxs Mercantile

Post by Terry S
but I never seem to get a round tuit.

Here. No more excuses.
<https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/images/blogs/wooden-nickels-round-tuit.JPG>
--
Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi
http://www.foxsmercantile.com

It'll take more than a wooden nickel....

How about if I throw in a pair of shoelaces?

[John-Del]

Post by Foxs Mercantile

Post by Terry S

Post by Foxs Mercantile

Post by Terry S
but I never seem to get a round tuit.

Here. No more excuses.
<https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/images/blogs/wooden-nickels-round-tuit.JPG>
--
Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi
http://www.foxsmercantile.com

It'll take more than a wooden nickel....

How about if I throw in a pair of shoelaces?
--
Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi
http://www.foxsmercantile.com

I hate to speak for others, but that offer is weak. If you want to seal any deal, throw in a Super "Shammy"... I can never resist any TV offer that includes one of those.

John
Wolcott, CT

[Peter Wieck]

Post by John-Del
I hate to speak for others, but that offer is weak. If you want to seal any deal, throw in a Super "Shammy"... I can never resist any TV offer that

What!?! No Turnip Twaddler?

Loading Image...

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

[Terry S]

Catgut or fabric?

[Peter Wieck]

Post by Terry S
Catgut or fabric?

One cat says to the other cat, while watching a tennis match:

My mother was in that racket.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

[Jim Mueller]

Post by Terry S
snip
I wonder how many are still with us, and I mean both alive or not, and
also still reading this NG or not.... and I apologize in advance for not
knowing the status of some. But names like Pete Bertini, Alan Vorhees,
Marty F., Dale Cook, Padgett.... reads like a Who's Who of R.A.R.P.
There were many more.
If you are still here from the early days, please pipe in! Everyone. I
miss the days when this was a vibrant, often combative group. The web
was a very different place back then.
Terry

I don't know when I started but I'm still here. My email address has
changed several times over the years.

Some of the people you mention have moved to Antique Radio Forum: http://
antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php. Alan Voorhees is the site
administrator and moderates a couple of the forums. Pete Bertini and
sofaslug are moderators. Gary Teyman, blacksmith, and Mark Opatt are
active contributors (sorry if I misspelled any names). There are
probably others as well. Moderation keeps the trolls at bay.

Unfortunately, several old timers have died.

I find both groups worthwhile to belong to.