Dear Antique Radio Experts -
We recently inherited an RCA Victrola 1941 Anniversary Model and I need help understanding how to start the record player. Also, the radio works ... but I don't feel I'm using it to its full capacity (i.e., how do you set the preset channels?) Is there a user manual available .... somewhere?

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. posting.php?mode=post&f=1&sid=7b3b84e35b5fdf70cc0fade21e5d7441#

Not sure how to interpret previous message......could be:
OMG--what a neat radio
OMG--don't turn it on until it's been serviced
or???

Seriously, don't try to operate it until some key parts have been replaced----if you plan on doing it yourself, we'll give you the basic steps.

Yes, what does the OM... response mean? Did I do something wrong?

I wouldn't recommend running it for any length of time even though it appears to be working until the electrolytic filter caps have been replaced as well as any paper coupling caps, especially around the output section. I don't necessarily say change all of them unless they are defective, but in those crucial areas where leakage or bleed through could cause additional damage if they fail I would replace before using. Other areas a failure of one might cause the radio to not work but chances af damage aren't as great. Also inspect for frayed / deteriorated wiring,etc. If it appears OK, leave it alone otherwise replace bad conductors.

Nice console, a bit of value, but not great. I'd say about $200. That seems like a 'reason' for the OMG! unless doug was just being facetious.

Nice finish, many of those are dark. The push buttons are probably tuned by adjusting set screws. These may be located behind on the chassis, underneath the buttons themselves, or somewhere else. Not sure on that one.

Have to agree with the others, value about $200 on the high side, which is better than average for most horizontal consoles unless there is something about this one I don't know about. It's in very good shape. Don't run it much until it's serviced, which in many cases means capacitor replacement. The old "it's probably just a tube" does hold much water. It's usually capacitors and/or resistors.

If it sounds good then go ahead and play it . The phono should have a start switch on it . The pushbuttons have a row of small set screws on the chassis to tune in stations to each button . These buttons are usually not in good working order untill cleaned with some spray cleaner into them . Old AM radios usually drift off station a bit so using the preset buttons is not such a good thing .

Yepper, if that record changer motor uses a "run capacitor" it'll blow and stink if it gets hot due to aging. - possibly ruining the motor as well.

And the radio chassis HAS to be re-capped and serviced before ANY reliable operation is to be achieved.

^^ Best advice.

many, many thanks for all your wonderful advice .... however ... a few questions remain
1. Any idea who could provide service in the Milwaukee area (we're about 30 miles west)?
2. Yes, the AM radio does "drift" a little so I will not use the preset buttons at this time .... but, I still can't find the start button for the record player ... should I send more pictures?

Have you tried switching the control to phono and lifting the arm onto a record? Might be a switch in the tonearm. Or, possibly, a switch on the turntable that doesn't do anything until the main switch is in phono mode.

Just a couple guesses as I'm not familiar with the radio...some closer photos of the controls would probably give us a clue.

found it .... a knob on the speed control .... still can't get it to start though, oh well... thanks again for the info.

You seem to have missed all the warnings to not operate the thing until some capacitors have been replaced.

Can you find a model number somewhere---eg on the chassis or on a label pasted inside the cabinet?

Found this---looks like your model:
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/rca_v_205a_ch_rc_521.html

It uses the RP-153 record player

Nostalgiaair has schematics, but I did not see any clues as to how the RP Power switch works---one might have to just follow the wiring....

You seem to have missed all the warnings to not operate the thing until some capacitors have been replaced.

He is tired of hearing that too .