Question about an old 1927 RCA Radiola 17 tube radio

[jwharris]

This radio is for sale at a decent price for something this old but it appears the tubes are missing. Are these pretty much impossible to get or would it be something worth getting into? I'm thinking tubes from that era are few and far between and may be expensive.



Thanks,
Jason

[stusnyder]

you can still find tubes for these, prices vary. The big problem is powering the thing. "B" batteries are expensive. If you intend on getting any early battery set, a battery eliminator is the thing to get. This is the one I have http://www.arbeiii.com/

[polyphase]

The Radiola 17 is a mains powered set, not a battery set.

http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByM...8/M0040378.pdf

These are quite complex, and could be quite a challenge to restore, the power supply in particular. Finding tubes would be the easy part IMO.

[stusnyder]

My bad....did'nt look up the model number....those long old box ones I always think battery set...

[JohnHacker1]

You'll need for tubes:

4 26's
1 27
1 71A
1 80

Rider's is 1-15

Don't know what kind of hurry you're in, but I'd "snoop" around locally before I bought them on Ebay or somewhere. Try looking for used-tested good ones to save some $. I'd definately get that baby fixed up.

[62SY4]

That guy is right down the street from me, haven't ever gone to look at anything his prices seem to be right about retail...in a wholesale kinda neighborhood. He is the local flipper. Though, that set does seem like a fair deal.

[polyphase]

There is a very nice working Radiola 17 now at auction..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1927-RCA...ht_10022wt_881

The pics there may help verify the completeness of the one you are looking at.

Apparently this was RCAs first AC powered set, and in appearance could easily be mistaken for a battery set such as the Radiola16.

[Jeffhs]

You may have a hard time finding anything interesting to listen to on that radio once you get it working, since most AM stations these days are talk, news-talk, sports or religion; the exception would be if your own area has music stations, or there are one or more such stations nearby. That failing, you can try to tune in CFZM-AM 740 in Toronto if your area's AM dial is relatively clear from about 730 to 760 kHz or so. This station basically serves Toronto, Canada and the northeastern US, but if you are in a different part of the country you could possibly hear it if you have a good antenna (which the Radiola 17, and most antique radios for that matter, require anyway to get any kind of reception).

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by polyphase

There is a very nice working Radiola 17 now at auction..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1927-RCA...ht_10022wt_881

The pics there may help verify the completeness of the one you are looking at.

Apparently this was RCAs first AC powered set, and in appearance could easily be mistaken for a battery set such as the Radiola16.

Hey, it's in my hometown - Park Ridge, IL I'll keep my eye on it.

[Reece]

That's a time capsule radio, Bob, and from what I can tell the tubes are all Cunninghams. I'd go for it! Somebody put that one away stored very carefully.

[Bob E.]

Not only is that an AC set, it is RCA's first AC set, and one of the first by any manufacturer to market, at least in appreciable numbers. The one pictured in the first post is missing the lamp shade (as frequently happens, is anyone reproducing these today?). The main thing to look out for is pot-metal disease...various bits of the tuning mechanism are pot-metal, which has a tendency to distort, swell and crumble with age. If you can't turn the tuning knob (or if the cord is broken, reach inside and turn the tuning gang), you may want to shy away if this is your first restoration.

--Bob

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by Reece

That's a time capsule radio, Bob, and from what I can tell the tubes are all Cunninghams. I'd go for it! Somebody put that one away stored very carefully.

It went for $202, but not to me