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Antique Radios is a web platform where antique radio collectors and enthusiasts come together. It has a forum (Antique Radio Forums, ARF) where you can find all the answers.

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The Philco Restorer

Archived website of the late Rick Dippolito, known as The Philco Restorer. Rick was a frequent contributer to this site, and his own website contains a wealth of Philco specific restoration information.

Radio Clip Art

Advertising and editorial art from the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. Individual items may be used freely and without additional permission on your radio related website.

Is American Broadcasting Economically Sound?

Back in 1920 when radio broadcasting was first introduced, the “problem” of who would ultimately pay for it was immediately recognized.

What are the rights of broadcasters against theatres, dance halls, hotels, railroads who use their programs to attract the public for commercial reasons? Louis G. Caldwell, former general counsel for the Federal Radio Commission, cites the case of Amos 'n' Andy, whose popularity threatened the box offices of theatres and vaudeville houses until those resorts installed loud speakers and offered the noted black-face team as added attractions, advertising the fact. The advertiser who paid heavily for the program did not even have the satisfaction of receiving credit, Mr. Caldwell notes, for the theatres tuned out the advertising part of the program

How To Build The Radiolamp Table Receiver

This article describes the construction of a miniature radio set combined with a table lamp–the lamp serves as the limiting resistor in the filament circuit, the shade doubles as the speaker cone.

Fig. A: Front view of the Radiolamp ready for operation. Looks interesting, eh? Well, it is interesting. [click on image for larger version]

Replacing a Common Panel Meter with an LCD

The meter on my Hickok 510X tube tester failed causing me to look for a replacement or alternative meter.  I soon found that rebuilt meters cost over $250 US which was more than I had paid for the complete tester.  Around that time I read a post on Antique Radio Forums suggesting using an LCD […]

World’s Largest All-Wave Set

The thrills of all-wave listening are no longer a novelty. The great enjoyment of tuning-in the world in your own home is now a commonplace. So much so, as a matter of fact, that fans are bound to miss the universal program fare when away from home on business or pleasure trips. There is now an indication that leading hotels throughout the land, in cognizance of the allwave radio trend, may follow the suit of the famous Hotel Waldorf-Astoria, of New York, in converting centralized radio systems into allwave program relay plans.

The Waldorf's 50-Foot All-Wave Receiver.

New Features in TV Sets

Improvements and innovations in design distinguish 1949’s selection of receiving tv sets.

Hallicrafters offers selectable picture size.

New Auto Sets and Features

New Auto Sets and Features.. Auto-radio receivers have improved considerably in design and appearance in the past few months.

A special airplane-type tuning control is installed, with receiver, at the factory of the Hudson Motor Car Company. It harmonizes with all other instruments.

Emerson Radio & Phonograph Corporation Compact Model 25: World’s Biggest Selling Little Radio

From 1924 to 1932 Emerson Radio and Phonograph Corporation distributed radio receivers bearing the name Emerson through many diverse channels, including department and sporting goods stores. In 1932, Emerson began to specialize in small receiver sets for home use. One of these sets was the now very collectible and desirable model 25. This is the first true compact radio.

Emerson-model-25

KDKA: Radios New 500 Horsepower Voice

In the amazing manner of what may some day be known as the “radio decade,” our erstwhile pioneer and infant commercial broadcaster, KDKA, has achieved the ripe old age of ten and acquired a 500 horsepower voice. It seems hard to realize that 400,000 watts of power have grown from the feeble hesitant 100-watt. transmitter […]

An outside view of the new KDKA transmitters at Saxonburg, Pa.

Sections

Forums

The best place to get your questions answered in a spam-free forum.

Join friendly people from around the world.

Features

Writings about antique radio and collecting. Many historical articles are featured from radio publications of the past.

Broadcast Zone

Original articles published by ARF members, showcasing unique voices and perspectives.

Photo Gallery

View photos from site visitors… and share photos of some of your own radios.

Vintage Programs

Listen to shows from the Golden Age of Radio—music, comedy, drama, adventure.

Clubs

Join an Antique Radio club near you. Great places to meet others interested in radios and swap information and sets themselves.

Books

Explore a curated selection of books on antique radios for collectors and enthusiasts.

Archive

Documentation, construction plans, and artwork for often obscure, but none the less useful radio items.