AK Model 42 Transformer Ground?

[old_coot88]

Originally Posted by Winky Dink

Here's a recap of what the radio and I are doing:

Normal configuration on left. Configuration on right bypasses 1st RF stage.

Normal configuration, lid on, ANT post to indoor antenna:
No audible signal at max volume.

Normal configuration, lid on, ANT post to earth ground:
Receive 3 stations, some audio at zero volume, otherwise normal volume control.

Bypass 1st AF stage, lid on, ANT post to indoor antenna:
No audible signal at max volume.

Bypass configuration, lid on, ANT post to earth ground:
Receive 7 good stations and 3 weak stations with normal volume control. Only the strongest station gives some audio at zero volume.

The symptoms you've delineated here could occur if the grid of the 1st RF tube were shorted to (chassis) ground.
With the tube removed, and the coupling xfmr disconnected from the grid lug of the socket, there should be infinite resistance (open circuit) from the lug to ground. Is that what you're getting?