Emerson Century AM Tube Radio Model G 1701

[dj_AmTraX]

Emerson Century AM Tube Radio Model G 1701

Is it any good to play with? Costly repairs?
Unit powers on but all we get is a hum with light changes in sound with knobs. It looks like all the tubes are lit but maybe one has a problem. We couldn't power up with back lid open because it disconnects power cord when open.

[electroking]

This is your standard AA5 (All American Five) plastic radio. Hundreds of
millions of radios with this basic design were manufactured in the U.S.A.
(and a few million in Canada as well) circa 1940-1970. Collector value
is documented in several catalogs. This radio is probably extremely easy
to fix, so if you like it, and can stand the idea of listening to AM, buy
it if the price is right for you (but again remember that several million
were made!).

Just for your information, in this type of circuit, if one tube lights up, all
others will light up as well. However, a tube may be bad even though it
lights up. Keep on reading and doing some research, you will learn a lot!

[Sandy G]

Hums ? Needs new caps. Pop 'em in, you're prolly done for another 40 years. Even if it does need a tube, chances are its not gonna be more than a couple bucks. But I'd about bet its NOT a tube.

[dj_AmTraX]

Thanks guys! the asking price is $15.00 + ship. Your thoughts? I am considering it because it is in good clean condition and may be a good learning experience to fool around with.

[Sandy G]

You ain't gonna be hurt at that..And if you do tear it up, its NOT that much gone.....

[Fisherdude]

That's a perfect radio to learn on!

You'll need to go here: http://radiodaze.com/

Click on "Publications" on the left hand panel, go to Bookcase #1, and down at the bottom you will find "The All-American Five Radio". It's a great book, and covers everything from the history to an excellent overview on how the radio works and restoration and repair. Highly recommended!

[dj_AmTraX]

You guys are AWESOME!

[radiotvnut]

Your hum is probably going to be caused by that brown stand up thing located behind the speaker known as the filter capacitor. You can replace it with modern capacitors. Also, I see what appears to be a "black beauty" capacitor behind the filter capacitor. These are bad about shorting and blowing up and should also be replaced. You can probably fix this for less than $10 in parts.

I'd give $15 for one of those sets if it was clean and not busted up. It's about to the point where I'll buy any tube radio in the $15-$20 range if it looks decent. These things are not as common as they once were and the "antique" shops often think they are worth a fortune.

[Sandy G]

No, no, NO !! Run away ! Danger, Will Robinson ! You'll get this l'il guy, fall in love w/it, get it fixed up, & decide you just GOTTA have another one...San Fran, huh? I'm sure they have all manner of Antique/Junque shoppes there..You'll stumble in one of 'em, & a Big Black Dial Zenith console from 1939 will be starin' back atcha...An' oh, boy, does it wanna go home w/you...You try to resist, but Old Radio-Itis is irresistable....OF COURSE you have to get it...But once you get home w/yr new bestest buddy, clean it up, drop new caps in it-WOW !! This thing sounds GREAT !! An' it picks up LOTS of stations I never knew were out there....Hehehehehe..Welcome, Brother to th' Dark Side...(grin)

[myrgatroyd]

Yesss. That little thing will wake the virus... it is little, it is harmless... an lo, your soul is lost.
No need to think about the worth, or re-selling... you can´t do it. They look at you: You want to get me loose? How can you do? Did I not do my best?
And you are lost.
They are every outside.
You´ll spend your days in your workshop searching for a reason why this damned resistor still goes up in flames and the nights in the net searching for shamans and medicine-men knowing why.
Worst of all: You´ll love it.
And your folk will get ill too.
My wife had a ******sounding thing she called stereo, when I got to know her.
Last week she shook her head to a real expensive Kenwood thing. Gimme some tube sound, she hissed and went away.
Yours
Alex

[Old1625]

The "brown standup thing" already mentioned is likely a culprit. Other capacitors should be replaced as well, as they will break your heart later on.

Another pitfall of the more modern aa5 units is the RC pak. This little monster is a little PC assembly with numerous resistors and capacitors combined in one unit. Largely unobtainable, your restoration of the radio will be stymied if you cannot get a schematic that reveals its mysterious innards. An "old hand" at radio repair could work around it, but someone as a hobbyist with less experience may find this an effective road block.

I cannot see one in the pics you offer, but the danger of one being there is very real, judging by the appearance of the rest of the ckt board.

[truetone36]

It all starts with the one cute little radio. I got hooked by a Philco Transitone
in 1973, then a Webster-Chicago wire recorder followed me home, and shortly after that my first t.v., phonograph, and reel-to-reel. Once you have one, you just can't resist another, and another......Seriously though, that little Emerson is a great radio to learn with.

[wa2ise]

I changed all the tubes in mine. To sub-mininature tubes. However, you need not do that, all you should need do is replace the filter caps (that cardboard tube), and the wax cap next to the tuning cap, and the black cap just behind the filter cap.