I have a 1931 Philco 51 that I am working on. With the antenna hooked up, I don't get any radio signals. When I touch the grid of the first Detector #24 tube, I can tune some stations at the end of the AM dial, about 1300-1600kc. I would guess the oscillator is working, since I can tune several stations when I do the 'finger touch' to the grid.
Any tips on where to look? Seems like something is wrong in the front end, before the 24 tube. Ideas?
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByModel/635/M0029635.pdf

The problem is in the antenna circuit. Troubleshoot with an ohmmeter to find the open.

Hi Brian,

Doug is right.

You have an open coil in the Rf section.

I restored 2 Philco'S #60. Both had green corrosion on the antenna winding. You have to rewind a section of the coil. Be careful to count the number of turns, and direction of turns before the clean-up.

See picture before and after on my Philco 60:

Good luck
Vianney

You have an open antenna coil primary. Here is a link showing your problem and how to repair it. About half way down the page. There is also some other good stuff to know on the same page.

http://www.oldradiosrus.com/build.html

All the coils were all right....I changed the cathode resistor to the first 24 tube to a lower value and got most of the dial to get stations, nothing on the lower end 55-70KC. I'll figure it out eventually.

You may already have figured this out but note that this set has no avc. You have to have the volume turned way up to get weak stations. This is normal and takes some getting used to since when you tune across a strong local station you get blasted. You soon learn to tune with one hand on the tuning knob and the other on the volume control.

These sets are fairly sensitive but they do need a good antenna.

Be careful about "re-engineering", this can lead to difficulties caused by covering up problems.

Good luck and have fun.

Merry Christmas

:All the coils were all right....I changed the cathode resistor to the first 24 tube to a lower value and got most of the dial to get stations, nothing on the lower end 55-70KC. I'll figure it out eventually.
:

Thanks for the tip on the AVC Howard. I did notice what you said about the weak stations, makes sense.
BTW...on this Philco (and other early Philcos), the tuner condenser has 2 other sections besides the oscillator...what's the purpose of each of the 2 part RF sections?

One tunes the input to the RF amp, the other the output. Tuning both ends gives better selectivity and higher gain.

:Thanks for the tip on the AVC Howard. I did notice what you said about the weak stations, makes sense.
:BTW...on this Philco (and other early Philcos), the tuner condenser has 2 other sections besides the oscillator...what's the purpose of each of the 2 part RF sections?
: