Radiola 28 (DC)

[Winky Dink]

In case this radio is actually available I need to know something about its restorability. Assuming the set can be functionally restored, it would still need a speaker and a power supply.



Power Supply: How difficult would it be to make or buy a power supply? I have only dealt with AC sets so far.

Speaker: I have an Atwater Kent Model M and a Utah! speaker that would work with this set until something better comes along.

Tubes: The set has seven tubes and an empty socket, but I'm not sure whether an eighth tube is needed. I think the tubes are six 99's plus one 120. Hard to replace? Is long-pin vs. short-pin an issue--will either one work?

In any case, I've put in an inquiry, and I'd appreciate any advice in case I get a call-back.

Thanks,
Winky

[stusnyder]

Originally Posted by Winky Dink

In case this radio is actually available I need to know something about its restorability. Assuming the set can be functionally restored, it would still need a speaker and a power supply.



Power Supply: How difficult would it be to make or buy a power supply? I have only dealt with AC sets so far.

Speaker: I have an Atwater Kent Model M and a Utah! speaker that would work with this set until something better comes along.

Tubes: The set has seven tubes and an empty socket, but I'm not sure whether an eighth tube is needed. I think the tubes are six 99's plus one 120. Hard to replace? Is long-pin vs. short-pin an issue--will either one work?

In any case, I've put in an inquiry, and I'd appreciate any advice in case I get a call-back.

Thanks,
Winky

I passed up on one like this last year, did you get the antenna with it?
For battery sets, I bought a battery eliminator thru Antique Radios Inc.
I'm sure the tube that's missing is needed, guess you can get the tube lineup at nostalgic air, and I think it takes long pins.
The speaker you have should work with it.

[stusnyder]

The tube your missing is a ux-120, the rest that are there should be ux-199's

[Winky Dink]

I'm going to take a look at the radio tomorrow. I have Riders, but the schematic shows the tubes as X-smudge, X-smudge...etc. I know there are plenty other Radiola resources. I'm sure there's no antenna with it, but it might be interesting to try to replicate one. Thanks for the info.
- Winky

[Reece]

These tubes are on the expensive side these days, but it's possible to make some credible modern substitutes using sub mini's inside test tubes. It's a job that takes some crafting but I think it would be very satisfying to do. There are a number of sites on line talking about it and there's a thread over on ARF now on it. The type of mini and the filament resistor would vary per the original type tube being replaced. This describes the basic technique:

http://antiqueradios.com/forums/view...p?f=6&t=211281

Also for not much money you can make a small solid-state power supply to tuck inside the cabinet. There are a number of diagrams on line showing such supplies for twenties battery radios, farm sets, etc.

[Winky Dink]

Thanks, Reece. If the set looks like the picture, then the cabinet alone is worth the asking price. To me, the value of the set is in the months of enjoyment (and cursing) I'll have in trying to restore it. I'll be looking at it two hours from now.

[Reece]

There is a picture of one on line that somebody stripped to the bone and did not retain or reapply any of the original darkness to the finish. Just doesn't look right to me.

If you like, send me a PM with your email and I'll send over a copy of an article on how to build a power supply.

[ihmeyers]

This guy's battery eliminators work very well...

http://www.arbeiii.com/

[Winky Dink]

The set has an old battery eliminator. I'll post a few pictures as soon as I can figure out why Picasaweb isn't showing me links for individual pictures. Here's a link to the new album. Reece, I saw the photo you mentioned and thought the same thing--it doesn't look right.

https://picasaweb.google.com/coldrb/...eat=directlink

[stusnyder]

Originally Posted by ihmeyers

This guy's battery eliminators work very well...

http://www.arbeiii.com/

I own one and it's worth it's weight in gold....very good product, never had any problems with it.

[Winky Dink]

It was hard to get this into the house without being noticed. In the checkbook I wrote "$1.75--Used Radio." Then I took out the power unit to lighten the load, and I put the whole radio in a Home Depot bag and carried it up the stairs very quietly.










The tubes currently in the set are one Tung-Sol TSX199, two Radiotron X99's, and four Tung-Sol 99's.

I have a Heathkit IT-21 tube checker with a 4-pin socket and data for the 99, but I have to ask if it's OK to test a DC tube. The tube requires 3.3V for the filament, but the tube checker data says to set the filament voltage at 2.5. Does 2.5 VAC magically simulate the same current as 3.3 VDC?

Can you believe this? They stamped "RCA" on the rivet heads!



Something else I haven't seen before--a craftsman's tool mark on the cabinet. This might be upside-down or sideways. I think it's supposed to be a gingerbread man.



So, should I try checking the tubes with the Heathkit? I've ordered a '20' to replace the missing UX120.

[Winky Dink]

Puzzle of the day.

The tuning dials have a white band for writing the station names or call letters. I'm going to try to preserve what's written there but in case that isn't possible I've preserved them photographically.

Your mission is to decipher the call letters and determine the likely geographic location of the radio in its early days. This is the antique radio equivalent of studying Native American petroglyphs.

Here's what I found on the dial:



Got any guesses as to where this radio used to live?

[mstaton]

Looks like Michigan. Definitely not Idaho!

[stusnyder]

It was hard to get this into the house without being noticed.


LOL The Wife????? I'm glad mine is not like that....she supports my radio hobble....Even goes along to the radio shows and flea markets looking for old radio and tv's. She said it cracks her up when we go to radio shows, mostly all men are seen and hardly any wives.

[Dangler]

Definately from the Great Lakes area. WXYZ and WJR are both out of Detroit. CKLW is Windsor. I used to listen to CKLW back in the 60's when I lived in Marion, Michigan.

That was back in the days when music was something worth listening to and something for your parents to complain about.