Picked up another Arvin midget

[radiotvnut]

Got this '50 Arvin 3 tube metal midget radio along with a Philco Safari TV at the local flea market today. You can read more about the TV in the B&W forum. Ended up getting the radio for $12.

[Sandy G]

3 or 4 tubes ?

[radiotvnut]

It's actually 4. I wasn't paying close enough attention the first time around.

[Sandy G]

Well, DON'T expect R-390A performance from it, but it oughta do fine on local AMers...These little guys were designed, made & marketed to be CHEAP, the kind of set you threw in yr suitcase, & took w/you on a trip. If you left it somewhere, or someone "borrowed" it, it wasn't exactly the end of the world. They weren't treated w/a lot of respect, its amazing that as many have survived as there are. The steel cases certainly helped...And make refinishing fairly easy...Just pop down to the local Home Depot, pick up a can or 2 of Krylon, & you're all set..I have 2,3, & 4 tube versions. I think only the 4-tubers were made after the war. They DO have a certain charm that tends to be addictive, & it IS fun to hook one of 'em up to a decent antenna & let it strut its stuff...

[Reece]

It's cute but could give a nasty bite, with that metal case. Don't know the model number to check the schematic, but if it were mine, I'd check how it's wired, and if the chassis is hot, rewire it with a floating ground. Surely Arvin didn't make it with a hot chassis, did they? Don't use it in the kitchen or anywhere with a concrete floor (think: bare feet, touch radio....)

[radiotvnut]

It's a model 341T. Actually, this radio may be a '52 model because 3 of the 4 tubes have '52 date codes. The 4th tube has a '48 date code and all 4 appear to be original Arvin's. The caps and speaker are shot; but, I was able to test it enough to bring in one strong station. New caps and a new speaker should take care of it.