I went to the "surplus" sites. It was very expensive because I bought a lot of other stuff I don't need. But the capacitor was cheap enough.
Finally back to the Troubador transformerless, looks-like-a-suitcase, AC/DC, portable radio. I'm trying a 3.5uF 250VAC motor run capacitor to reduce the AC voltage to the rectifier. From the cathode(?) of the 35Z4 the voltage is further reduced to the four 1.4-volt tubes in series.
After patching in the speaker and loop antenna, with line voltage 124VAC, the radio operates with 38 VAC to the rectifier and 1.8 VAC to the other tubes.
Is 38 volts too high for long-term operation of the 35Z4? With 38VAC to the rectifier, I think I have the wherewithal to reduce the A voltage to the rest of the radio--if that's worthwhile.
BUT...this is what the radio sounds like: (link to 10-second video)
https://picasaweb.google.com/coldrb/...72964473148050
I've heard this type of audio before, so I assume it's a common issue that someone can explain to me. What should I look at to fix the audio?
Thanks much, and
Shanah Tovah