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targeteye
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 5:00 am |
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Joined: Jun Wed 21, 2006 1:56 am Posts: 955 Location: Katy, Texas
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No worries. I agree with some sets being left in an As-is state.
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FStephenMasek
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 3:59 pm |
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Joined: Mar Sun 11, 2007 6:55 am Posts: 11206 Location: Mission Viejo, southern California
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So, this is back to common capacitors and resistors being oh so special? I do not know where that got started, but it is good for,a laugh. As others have also suggested, the "precious" old parts may be placed in a bag or otherwise stored inside the radio. Even 100 years from.now, those old capacitors and resistors will be nothing special. There were too many made and there is too much information (advertising, photos, etc.) available. It seems that the radios with the speakers removed are more likely to be junked, as the parts are more likely to remain disassociated. Of course, these are not rare models, and each hobbyist may do what is fun, but any implication that the cast majority of people in this hobby (and business for a few) who do not keep the old capacitors and resistors are doing something wrong needs to stop. There may also be some sort of regional fad, as I do not know of anySCone in California who keeps the old parts.
_________________ many of my radios http://s269.photobucket.com/user/FSteph ... t=3&page=1
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jimsp
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 11:07 pm |
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Joined: Jan Fri 23, 2009 1:10 am Posts: 256
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I don't think anyone here is talking about saving old parts. It's about saving some radios in the untouched condition for aesthetic reasons and not for the value of it's parts.
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targeteye
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 11:37 pm |
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Joined: Jun Wed 21, 2006 1:56 am Posts: 955 Location: Katy, Texas
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FStephenMasek wrote: So, this is back to common capacitors and resistors being oh so special? I do not know where that got started, but it is good for,a laugh. As others have also suggested, the "precious" old parts may be placed in a bag or otherwise stored inside the radio. Even 100 years from.now, those old capacitors and resistors will be nothing special. There were too many made and there is too much information (advertising, photos, etc.) available. It seems that the radios with the speakers removed are more likely to be junked, as the parts are more likely to remain disassociated. Of course, these are not rare models, and each hobbyist may do what is fun, but any implication that the cast majority of people in this hobby (and business for a few) who do not keep the old capacitors and resistors are doing something wrong needs to stop. There may also be some sort of regional fad, as I do not know of anySCone in California who keeps the old parts. Its not about individual components its about preserving the complete construction including the techniques and parts of entire radio sets. There is nothing wrong with recapping sets but in some cases it shouldn't be done. I have run across otherwise NOS radios for example. They should be left as is .. working or not. You should at least get the topic straight before unleashing your snarky attitude. Steve
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roguethistle
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 11:48 pm |
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Joined: Aug Mon 08, 2011 4:19 am Posts: 418 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Hi, I just looked up on ebay what this Echo thing is all about- pretty cool. I am not good with all these new tech gadgets. But maybe someday I will get one. I would like to try a 3.5 mm jack install on one of my old radios, but I don't have a schematic diagram for that. I believe anything that keeps these old radios seen is a good thing- otherwise they will get put in the dumpster.
Joe
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westcoastjohn
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Mar Wed 07, 2018 12:41 am |
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Joined: Dec Sat 24, 2011 9:17 pm Posts: 4999 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
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roguethistle wrote: I would like to try a 3.5 mm jack install on one of my old radios, but I don't have a schematic diagram for that. Here's the mental Schematic: If your input device has a jack for earbuds? You cut off the ear buds and combine L and R channels for a mono output to your mono radio, using 2 about 1K resistors, ends joined to form a Y. The live side of the input is connected to the volume control, very simple. The outer sleeve of the earbud jack connects to the B- terminal or the chassis of the radio. Then you mute the radio signal somehow or install the switch at the radio (RF) input to the volume control. Search the top of the page here for 'Auxiliary input'. A shielded cable works well, and one good cord is to find a good quality coax RCA extension cord for speakers, and cut off a length with the female RCA socket. The cable just hangs out from under the chassis if there is no hole for a jack. roguethistle wrote: I believe anything that keeps these old radios seen is a good thing- otherwise they will get put in the dumpster.
Joe [/quote]True enough. A functioning radio gets TLC, or at least safe storage. A dead radio in poor storage is on the downhill path to the dumpster. 
_________________ Watch the doughnut, not the hole. Burl Ives, RIP, oldtimer. [:l>)
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jimsp
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Mar Wed 07, 2018 9:42 pm |
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Joined: Jan Fri 23, 2009 1:10 am Posts: 256
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FStephenMasek wrote: So, this is back to common capacitors and resistors being oh so special? I do not know where that got started, but it is good for,a laugh. As others have also suggested, the "precious" old parts may be placed in a bag or otherwise stored inside the radio. Even 100 years from.now, those old capacitors and resistors will be nothing special. There were too many made and there is too much information (advertising, photos, etc.) available. It seems that the radios with the speakers removed are more likely to be junked, as the parts are more likely to remain disassociated. Of course, these are not rare models, and each hobbyist may do what is fun, but any implication that the cast majority of people in this hobby (and business for a few) who do not keep the old capacitors and resistors are doing something wrong needs to stop. There may also be some sort of regional fad, as I do not know of anySCone in California who keeps the old parts. I guess I was kind of naive and pulled a Sheldon missing the satire of the post. Of course this is sort of thing one expected back in the un-moderarted news group days. It's a little disappointing to have it show up in this forum.
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Lou deGonzague
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Mar Wed 07, 2018 10:42 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 10972 Location: Latham NY 12110
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It's just his opinion, everyone has one. I wouldn't let it bother me, life is too short. I was just at a radio meet in NH and most radios didn't sell, the market is way down as the number of collectors dwindles. So non permanent mods that get people to display old radios is a good thing, IMHO.
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engineer
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Dec Thu 06, 2018 10:32 pm |
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Joined: Nov Fri 10, 2006 12:24 am Posts: 2520 Location: Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
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FStephenMasek wrote: Why this instead of restoring it and using a transmitter so that it and other radios may receive whatever you want? +1 I use the AMT3000 low power Tx, fed at AUX level from a CD player, a "modern" (semi-vintage now!) FM tuner, or a laptop. I also used this method recently for a low power, "distributed" mic PA system at a multi-room reception... one AM radio in each room. Worked fine, also people liked the radios! Cheers, Roger
_________________ Roger Jones, Thornhill, Ontario Ontario Vintage Radio Assoc. http://www.ovra.ca
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kc5gym
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Dec Fri 07, 2018 1:14 am |
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Joined: Aug Wed 26, 2015 9:41 pm Posts: 1259 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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jimsp wrote: I used a similar treatment with a Zenith 4B231 farm radio to use in my workshop. Except for the battery cables that had been cut off and a few missing tube shields the radio was in original condition. As with the Croydon I removed the speaker and wrapped it to protect and preserve it. I taped on some LEDs to light the dial. I used a plywood shelf to mount two 3” speakers and hold the amplifier and power supply. I simply set this on top of the vibrator and IF cans. There is a lot room under the chassis so I pushed the volume control/switch under the chassis leaving all the wiring attached. I then added a switch to turn the power supply off and on. Here is my Zenith farm radio and the battery it runs off of. Yes, I need a new battery. Attachment:
farm_radio.jpg [ 61.84 KiB | Viewed 844 times ]
_________________ Mark
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pehamel
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Dec Fri 07, 2018 5:47 am |
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Joined: Jul Sat 23, 2011 9:33 pm Posts: 935 Location: Long Beach Ms. USA 39560
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It was mentioned above but remember that FM is short-range only. WWL AM near New Orleans provided the only broadcast information after hurricanes wiped out the local Alabama and Mississippi stations and main AC power. The little battery radio still worked and WWL was there. Whether it is the New Madrid Fault or the San Andreas Fault that lets go first, when the big power towers crossing the fault go down it will be the battery AM radio to provide the information we need. Lets see ten 9-volt batteries in series will run a 5-tuber for five minutes every hour for how many hours?
_________________ Pat W5THT Unhappy tubes blush while unhappy power FETs scatter plastic
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Tim Tress
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Dec Fri 07, 2018 12:55 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 9310 Location: Beaver Falls, PA. USA
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I, too have an unrestored original radio; a NIB Sonora portable. Although I am an experienced tech and restorer, that one is staying in the box.
_________________ Tim KA3JRT
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bobwilson1977
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Dec Fri 07, 2018 4:49 pm |
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Joined: Dec Mon 08, 2008 8:27 pm Posts: 10179 Location: alameda,CA
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I can understand the desire to keep a radio " as-is". But to be honest, the value of the radio won't be affected whether its been electrically restored or not.
Its gotten to the point where we at the museum can't sell radios unless they come with some sort of auxiliary input device. Adding one can be done in a way that is non-invasive and easily reversible. I've been adding bluetooth modules to old radios for several years and the cost is low, as in $5-$10.
Personally, I'd think there is more risk of losing parts separated from the radio versus keeping it all intact. And IMHO, there's something nice about being able to use the set's original electronics and speaker to listen to music. Its to me, just not the same to stick a modern speaker in an old cabinet.
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fifties
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Dec Fri 07, 2018 7:04 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 33269 Location: SoCal, 91387
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bobwilson1977 wrote: Personally, I'd think there is more risk of losing parts separated from the radio versus keeping it all intact. And IMHO, there's something nice about being able to use the set's original electronics and speaker to listen to music. Its to me, just not the same to stick a modern speaker in an old cabinet.
But assuming you didn't know exactly what speaker was in a -restored by someone else- table set, do you think you could tell any difference in audio between a new or original 4 or 5 inch speaker? I don't think I could.
_________________ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\He Who Dies With The Most Radios Wins//////////////////
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jimsp
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Dec Fri 07, 2018 8:43 pm |
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Joined: Jan Fri 23, 2009 1:10 am Posts: 256
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Several of us like to keep all or some of our radios in the as found and unrestored condition. We may clean them up but won’t touch them with a soldering iron. The purpose of the post was simply show how I kept a few radios in the unrestored condition but still have them light up and play. At one time restoring a radio to playing condition would have increased its value and lessen the chance of it ending up in a dumpster. With the declining content of the broadcast band and particularly the shortwave band I’m not sure this is true anymore. In the future it may be the unrestored radio that is less likely to end up in the dumpster.
I do enjoy restoring some radios to a playing condition but most of them I leave as found.
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engineer
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Dec Fri 07, 2018 10:47 pm |
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Joined: Nov Fri 10, 2006 12:24 am Posts: 2520 Location: Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
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fifties wrote: ...But assuming you didn't know exactly what speaker was in a -restored by someone else- table set, do you think you could tell any difference in audio between a new or original 4 or 5 inch speaker? I don't think I could. Not the point for me (and I am an avid "sound improver" via audio NFB, 1N34A diodes, etc.) It's about the provenance (if that's the word) of knowing that this actual radio received, for example, the news report of the Pearl Harbor attack and other great events. Cheers, Roger
_________________ Roger Jones, Thornhill, Ontario Ontario Vintage Radio Assoc. http://www.ovra.ca
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phlogiston
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Dec Sat 08, 2018 12:14 am |
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Joined: Dec Thu 31, 2009 4:28 pm Posts: 4767 Location: Under the Blue skys of OR 97524
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FStephenMasek wrote: So, this is back to common capacitors and resistors being oh so special? I do not know where that got started, but it is good for,a laugh. As others have also suggested, the "precious" old parts may be placed in a bag or otherwise stored inside the radio. Even 100 years from.now, those old capacitors and resistors will be nothing special. There were too many made and there is too much information (advertising, photos, etc.) available. It seems that the radios with the speakers removed are more likely to be junked, as the parts are more likely to remain disassociated. Of course, these are not rare models, and each hobbyist may do what is fun, but any implication that the cast majority of people in this hobby (and business for a few) who do not keep the old capacitors and resistors are doing something wrong needs to stop. There may also be some sort of regional fad, as I do not know of anySCone in California who keeps the old parts.  "needs to stop"  Not going to happen. 
_________________ "I just might turn into smoke, but I feel fine" http://russoldradios.com/
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pauls.ironhorse
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Dec Sat 08, 2018 4:48 pm |
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Joined: Aug Tue 28, 2018 9:22 pm Posts: 1310 Location: Sanford Fla 32771
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I was about to post a question if anyone "Cheated" on old radios by placing a small modern radio inside a vintage tube unit. I am thinking of doing that a radio waiting for restoration, like my Hallicrafters s-19R. The 19R is a mess, speaker completely destroyed, audio output transformer open, plus some has hacked the underside, chassis rust makes it needing total teardown for cleaning. It will get the restoration someday, but meanwhile a little cheat makes it interesting to visitors.. Especially if it a clear FM station. Of course as soon as a vistor turns a dial the game is up. 
_________________ Paul of Florida (Click below for my collection) https://paulsironhorse.smugmug.com/
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westcoastjohn
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Post subject: Re: Preserving as found condition – playing through Echo Posted: Dec Sat 08, 2018 8:50 pm |
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Joined: Dec Sat 24, 2011 9:17 pm Posts: 4999 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
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Years ago, a friend brought me a Bakelite Admiral radio from a trash heap. Rusted chassis, vitals missing. I gutted it, mounted the knobs on the front and hung an 8" speaker in it. When he dropped by, I had it playing FM, blew his mind. 
_________________ Watch the doughnut, not the hole. Burl Ives, RIP, oldtimer. [:l>)
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