A Broken Dial Cord or Dial Belt Can be a Good Omen

dcriner · **Posted:** May Tue 03, 2005 11:00 pm

When I encounter an old radio with a broken dial cord (or, in the case of Zenith, dial belt), I take it as a good omen.My theory is that the radio was probably working OK until the dial cord broke, and it was then consigned to the attic. So, there's a good chance that the transformer is OK and that all the tubes, if present, are good.I suppose it's possible that the xfmr blew-up first, and the dial cord broke spontaneously while in the attic.------------------ ********** Doug Criner <A HREF="http://www.enginova.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.enginova.com</A>

Richard Dressner · **Joined:** Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am **Posts:** 1688

Often, it may be bored kids playing with dad's old junk. Tuner hasn't turned in years and it's sticky, so cord breaks.I find it a good omen if the set hasn't been in the shop three or four times before I got it, especially during the war years.Richard------------------

Dennis Daly · **Posted:** May Mon 09, 2005 8:59 pm

Dennis Daly wrote:

quote:<HR>Originally posted by dcriner: When I encounter an old radio with a broken dial cord (or, in the case of Zenith, dial belt), I take it as a good omen. <HR>

I guess you haven't found- (or chosen to take on)- any 1950s Philips radios yet. Some of those models will have you wish you missed that "omen." <IMG SRC="http://antiqueradios.com/forums/wink.gif"> Den------------------

Leaky Caps · **Posted:** May Sat 21, 2005 5:34 pm

It wasnt a good omen when I accidently slipped the dial cord off a Black Sylvania mdl# 598 Clock radio(Gold trim) in Excellent condition after I recapped it!!!! WAAAAAHHHH!!!!!Now I have to go to the library to find the dial stringing set-up. That may take me awhile! That has to be one of the WORST and frustrating jobs of radio restoration. Don------------------

Dennis Daly · **Posted:** May Sun 22, 2005 4:52 pm

I've had but one dial string layout get me, so far...(Lucky, ain't I?) A simple RCA 66X-* something-or-other. That string layout simply defied the law of(my)common sense. I resorted to asking for the dial string pictorial for that 'un. ...Sooner or later, I'm sure there will be another one.... <IMG SRC="http://antiqueradios.com/forums/wink.gif"> Den------------------

AlaskaSteve · **Posted:** May Mon 23, 2005 10:22 am

The very first one for me.... 1952 Zenith Saratoga radio/record player. I went through a pot of coffee and quit after two and a half hours. Reminded myself it's only a hobby and I do it for fun.------------------ alaskasteve

Ken Hoffman · **Joined:** Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am **Posts:** 5326

Hi, Grundig/Telefunken radios I pray that the dial cord isn't broken. They use a combination of wire and nylon dial stringing. Ken------------------

OZ132HOME · **Posted:** May Wed 25, 2005 9:37 pm

Rube Goldberg must have designed many of the set-ups...Why do a thing simply, if you can make it more complicated?------------------ OZ

Carl Neidert · **Posted:** May Thu 26, 2005 12:18 am

Doug, if you could see a Sears 6325, you would re-write your theory. It has about 10 wooden pulleys, 3 separate cords and guess what. They are all broken. I haven't found a stringing diagram either.------------------

Norm Leal · **Posted:** May Thu 26, 2005 2:07 am

Hi Carl Sears 6325 is in Sam's Dial Cord stringing Volume 1 page 472. One cord around the tuning shaft has 8 turns. So far I've haven't figured how to get the information off the CD.------------------ Norm

panther · **Joined:** Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am **Posts:** 7416

I find it a real good Omen when I plug the radio in and it works....------------------

Nuke · **Posted:** Jun Thu 23, 2005 7:38 am

Amen to that.------------------

A Broken Dial Cord or Dial Belt Can be a Good Omen

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