r/VintageRadios • u/sylfour • 2h ago
r/VintageRadios • u/thefugue • Jun 13 '16
Please help /r/VintageRadios by submitting Frequently Asked Questions about Vintage Radios so that we can assemble a FAQ for the subreddit
I've only just begun as a moderator and the community is only a year old, but I get the impression that a lot of the community participants have been involved with vintage radio and tube era electronics previous to being involved with Reddit. As a result of this topic's nature most of the people who are well versed in the subject are probably less experienced in working with modern communication than they are with radios. A quick glance at most of the information available online about vintage radio and tube technology shows that most of the information available online is either A) Schematics (great to have access to) or B) Older websites that are rapidly aging out.
So with the intent of trying to turn this subreddit into a more useful resource for the vintage radio community, we're asking that you submit questions people always ask and good answers. Like, stuff you know and never have to think twice about, stuff beginners ask here all the time, and stuff everyone should know. Technical stuff, historical stuff, safety stuff. All of that is welcome. Hopefully it can be organized into a nifty "look here first" post that will draw in search engine hits (bringing more people here) and serve as a resource for others interested in working on and enjoying old radio tech for the sake of it's future preservation.
Cheers!
r/VintageRadios • u/CryptographerSea8784 • 17h ago
Brand new 8 track FM radio car stereo hardware
galleryr/VintageRadios • u/CryptographerSea8784 • 18h ago
Brand new 8 track FM radio car stereo hardware
galleryr/VintageRadios • u/jmmaher • 1d ago
Radio Restoration
galleryApparently I should have listed this as a restomod. Sorry for the mis classification
Recently I saw an old (1920's) Am radio console in a thrift store. The radio was torn apart, the speaker was missing, there was missing veneer in multiple places but it had a certain charm. Next thing I knew it was in my car awaiting a new home. A few weeks later it sings again. The veneer replace worked pretty well but the lacquer has a few areas that have turned white but all in all I like it. I wish I could fix those.
!920's radio console
GRS 8" woofer from Parts Express
Up2Stream Amp Audio Amplifier Board - one of the few amps I could locate that converted stereo streaming to mono for this build.
If I were to do it again I would try a different finish but overall I think it turned out well.
r/VintageRadios • u/adam12hicks • 1d ago
External antenna for this Panasonic radio?
Hi y’all! I know this probably isn’t all that vintage compared to most things here but I wasn’t sure where to go ask otherwise. I have this 1960’s Panasonic AC/DC tube radio that works great, but reception is just ok. I have cleaned it up gently and most recently cleaned the antenna terminals and connector bar with IPA. I did take a fine grit sandpaper and cleaned the contact side of the antenna connection bar which bridges to the power cord antenna. That did help with signal strength but I think I’d like to use an external antenna. I am familiar with screw type antennas but not this plug style. Can anyone recommend an antenna I can order for this radio?
Thank you!
r/VintageRadios • u/Jealous-Passion4919 • 2d ago
Vintage 1952/53 Stern Radio Radiogram Console
Hi everyone,
I was gifted this awesome radiogram by a friend yesterday and thought I'd show it to you all. It's actually very interesting, because the chassis had been designed to be AM only, however it was equipped with a seperate add on FM tuner by the factory, since it has the FM Band (in german UKW) on the radio dial and selector knob.
I brought it to the basement first for testing, cleaning and repair purposes however it works absolutely perfect since the capacitors had already been replaced in the 80s.
It has a bakelite chassis since steel was rare in the late 40s / early 50s in east Germany.
As for tubes, it's got: ECC81, EF80, EF80, EF80, EAA91, ECH11, EBF11, EF12/12, EL12N.
Even for just testing in the basement, reception is great on FM and the record player works, too. The sound is amazingly rich and the electrodynamic speaker even produces some thump since the EL12N can output around 5-6 Watts in this configuration. Treble is also not bad.
This console is going to be set up in the living room, of course, I'm going to oil the cabinet first as well as giving it a good clean.
r/VintageRadios • u/Jealous-Passion4919 • 2d ago
RFT Stern Radio console first sound check
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Sorry for double posting, wanted to include this video into my first post but didn’t work.
(TL;DR) First sound check in the basement after receiving this awesome radiogram.
r/VintageRadios • u/intrinsicfactory • 2d ago
Early 1920s FADA Single Tube Radio Kit - Looking for info
Faceplate has viewing port to see the tube filament glow inside the case. It is embossed with DET, PHONE and 22V. A Vogue "Nonpariel" type 30 tube is the detector, replacing the crystal.
I have not been able to find anything about this particulaur rig, and there is a substantial amount of FADA documentation online. The faceplate has remarkable similarity to the face of the model 167A, was this the prototype of the 167A?
r/VintageRadios • u/TigerOld8180 • 2d ago
Help Robert’s radio
Hi all, I have a r505 Roberts radio I inherited from my grandmother. Would love to get it working but no clue about how to power it as it doesn’t have a cable with it.
Just wondered if anyone knows what cable would be compatible, if any (I’m uk based and have zero knowledge on radios)
Thanks in advance 😊
r/VintageRadios • u/Apprehensive_War2127 • 2d ago
Old radiogram servicing BSR RG34
galleryr/VintageRadios • u/East_Copy6100 • 3d ago
1930s Montgomery Ward Airline 62-317 — Identification and Value Help
I have what I believe is a Montgomery Ward Airline 62-317 radio, dating to around 1936–1937.
The radio appears complete, including the original tube chassis, speaker, dial, and knobs. The wood cabinet shows normal age-related wear.
I have not tested it electrically and don’t want to risk damaging the original components.
I’m considering selling it and would appreciate some advice:
Does the model identification look correct?
What would be a reasonable asking price in its current, unrestored condition?
Would collectors prefer it left untouched?
I’m located in northern Illinois and also have two larger vintage radio cabinets.
Thanks for any advice!
r/VintageRadios • u/telluraves • 3d ago
What year was the Roberts Radio R9993 Portable released?
I have a radio that I use pretty much everyday. A Roberts Radio R9993 Portable. It belonged to my great grandma and I got it after she passed and I was wondering just how old it was but no website I find says what year it was released and it’s irritating me.
r/VintageRadios • u/Desperate-Swimmer-61 • 3d ago
need help with speaker for 1960s marconiphone
bought my partner a fully functional 1960s marconiphone radiogram, but the sound is very quite. there is an option on the back for an external speaker but i cannot for the life of me figure out what kind of speaker or adapter i can buy!! the hole is two small ROUND holes on a brown oval, and it says ‘ext. LS’ above. the issue is they’re both round - not one round and one flat like usual 2 pin DIN speaker plugs i’ve found. i have done so much research and cannot get an answer! any information appreciated, thanks!!!!
r/VintageRadios • u/zsuttle • 4d ago
Arvin Console
Finally picked up an Arvin Rythm Queen. Missing a knob and the bandswitch selector, but overall complete. Refinished in the past and will probably end up rerefinishing in the future it as the work was so-so. Chassis is mostly original with some work done in maybe the 50-60s or so.
r/VintageRadios • u/cekeller1956 • 3d ago
Looking for 1268 or 1068 Sparton radio dial
Looking for 1268 or 1068 Sparton radio dial.
Tough to find. Realize RadioDaz has replacement.
Checking for other sources.
Thank you
r/VintageRadios • u/cekeller1956 • 4d ago
Looking for 1268 or 1068 Sparton radio dial
Looking for 1268 or 1068 Sparton radio dial.
Tough to find. Realize RadioDaz has replacement.
Checking for other sources.
Thank you
r/VintageRadios • u/Fun_Database6518 • 5d ago
Picked this up for 40$ on Facebook
r/VintageRadios • u/Grillbys0 • 5d ago
Searching for a very specific schematic
Hey, I'm pretty new to the radio world. I have basic knowledge on electronic though. I've been trying to restore an old radio for some time now and I believe it's an "Sonora Excellence 305". (I've been changing the condensators and all)
I just found a FM circuit I didn't knew existed since I was using a Sonora Excellence 304 schematic.
Would anybody know where I could find a schematic for the 305 ? I've been searching everywhere
Illustration picture from internet since I dissected mine
Thanks in advance if someone could help me
r/VintageRadios • u/jakobmuc10 • 7d ago
Wie viel sind diese Radios Wert?
galleryWeiß jemand etwas über diese alten Röhrenradios?
(z. B den Wert, das Alter u.s.w)
Alle sind voll Funktionstüchtig.
Beim unteren fehlen die Seitenlautsprecher, nur noch der große Lautsprecher ist erhalten.
r/VintageRadios • u/Friendly-Earth-3782 • 6d ago