Tube Basics
 

I picked up a old Philco tube radio the other day- just the chassis and tubes and stuff, no case. I figure it would be a fine piece for me to learn about tube equipment repair and testing on, since it isn't exactly a fine example of anything. So I'm looking for a book (preferred) or web info about how to go about properly testing and fixing it. Any recommendations?

"Fixing up Nice Old Radios" by Ed Romney is a fave of mine. Kinda folksy, non threatening approach to radio repair. Guy assumes you don't know squat & goes from there. A bit pricy at $35, but a good 'un. Antique Radio Classified, Carlisle, Mass, 866-371-0512. -Sandy G.

Do you have a model number, or at least a list of the tube numbers? I may have a schematic for it.

Many of these 40s - 60's radios have no power transformer and NO ISOLATION from the power line. So you have to be REALLY careful around it when it's plugged in. If it has a power trnasformer, it's a very good place to start. If it doesn't, some additonal precautions are needed...

Philco 38-12. Here are a couple of bad pics! Any info appreciated!

that would be a 38-12 chassis. i have restored one of these chassis and it turned out to be one of the hottest in sensitivity and selectivity. i recapped it and had to rewind the oscillator coil.

here is a link to the schematic.

here is a pic of my 38-12:

http://home.comcast.net/~bwlevy/p38.jpg

My first radio! The Philco service bulletin for this set is on my website, which is DOWN due to server failure - email me for a copy - tbavis(at)rochester(dot)rr(dot)com or wait a week or so...

http://www.audiophool.cjb.net

have you seen what these sets are going for on ebay? they are apparently a very common radio and apparently a very good performer at that.

no, it uses an 84 and 41 tube respectively.

I've got one of these, or very close, and someone long, long ago painted it gold with a black top. I'm leaving it that way because it actually looks kinda neat like that and has a "patina". Philco was in top form when these were made.