Philco model 38-62

11/4/2013 2:30:17 PMPaul

Howdy folks - Stayed in a historic hotel in the Big Horns recently that featured working vintage radios from the 30's/40's in every room. New hobby! So while there, I picked up a Philco #38-62 radio. Powers up fine but does not appear to have an antenna. Looking for advice/assistance in locating or making a correct antenna for this model.

Much obliged,
Paul

11/4/2013 3:01:02 PMCV

This set wasn't made with an internal loop antenna. It is designed to be used with a standard outside radio antenna; however, a length of #22 AWG insulated wire about 10 feet long should suffice to bring in many local stations, unless you live in a metal-clad house or at the bottom of a deep valley. If you want to "DX" you will need a decent long-wire outside antenna.

11/6/2013 1:29:00 PMPaul

:This set wasn't made with an internal loop antenna. It is designed to be used with a standard outside radio antenna; however, a length of #22 AWG insulated wire about 10 feet long should suffice to bring in many local stations, unless you live in a metal-clad house or at the bottom of a deep valley. If you want to "DX" you will need a decent long-wire outside antenna.
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Much obliged for the quick reply. Is there an advantage to the loop antennas mounted on the backs of some models? Would a period correct Philco loop antenna from another model do a better or worse job?

11/6/2013 2:56:16 PMCV

Internal antennas were mostly a sales gimmick; but they provided acceptable performance for many consumers who weren't well-situated to have an outside antenna system. Ferrite-rod internal antennas became common in the 1950s and these were a big improvement over air loops; plus they could be housed in aluminum shields which eliminated the e-field component of the radio wave, leaving just the b-field (magnetic component)- resulting in significant static reduction (and some sensitivity, as well).

11/14/2013 4:00:15 PMPaul

:Internal antennas were mostly a sales gimmick; but they provided acceptable performance for many consumers who weren't well-situated to have an outside antenna system. Ferrite-rod internal antennas became common in the 1950s and these were a big improvement over air loops; plus they could be housed in aluminum shields which eliminated the e-field component of the radio wave, leaving just the b-field (magnetic component)- resulting in significant static reduction (and some sensitivity, as well).
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Interesting information. Much obliged. Having a very challenging time getting any type of antenna to work well. I've tried various lengths of wire with little success. Only very strong stations come in. Naturally not the one I'm trying to get listen to. My Emerson, with an internal loop, gets much better reception from the same locations. All tubes tested good and both have been recapped. Searching for a solution.

11/14/2013 4:13:13 PMCV

This set should be a great performer when tuned up. Your radio probably has a weak tube, defective coupling capacitor, or needs IF peaking/alignment. How you fix this is sort of up to you: you can jump in with both feet and acquire several hundred dollars worth of test equipment (tube tester, multimeter, RF signal generator, etc.) or you can try to hook up with fellow hobbyists via Craigslist or some similar means. Like any hobby, most people who are already into antique electronics welcome newcomers- you just have to find someone local.

11/18/2013 2:27:32 PMPaul

:This set should be a great performer when tuned up. Your radio probably has a weak tube, defective coupling capacitor, or needs IF peaking/alignment. How you fix this is sort of up to you: you can jump in with both feet and acquire several hundred dollars worth of test equipment (tube tester, multimeter, RF signal generator, etc.) or you can try to hook up with fellow hobbyists via Craigslist or some similar means. Like any hobby, most people who are already into antique electronics welcome newcomers- you just have to find someone local.
:Thanks for the suggestions. I'm trying to locate a local group but not having a lot of luck so far. Appreciate your feedback very much.

11/18/2013 3:25:20 PMWarren

Check the antenna coil for an open winding. Some of the Philco sets get green wires that are open on the coil.

11/20/2013 10:30:58 AMPaul

:Check the antenna coil for an open winding. Some of the Philco sets get green wires that are open on the coil.
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What kind of antenna would have come with this set originally?

11/20/2013 12:34:21 PMWarren

Your radio uses a long wire antenna. There is an antenna coil in your radio. This antenna coil is what connects to the long wire. The coil could have an open winding. That's why such poor reception.

11/20/2013 9:14:36 PMEdd

Sir Paul . . . . . . .

You really need to ohm out the antenna coils primary and secondary windings for their properly having a quite low resistance
presence. . . . . and not a high or open situation.

Also, another very simple technical evaluation can be made on the Broadcast band , prior to any of that test equipment usage, by merely moving that temporary 10-20 foot of wire to be used as an aerial, over to the grid cap on the very top of the 6A8 toobie.

If its bringing in stations now . . . . albeit with some possible "donald duck"/ or / talking underwater burbling sounds on stronger stations .

If this last testing situation is working better than thru the sets antenna terminals input, then you REALLY need to suspect the antenna coil OR, its having a a connectivity problem getting RF signal to it.

73's de Edd

A burrito is a sleeping bag for ground beef. .

:Your radio uses a long wire antenna. There is an antenna coil in your radio. This antenna coil is what connects to the long wire. The coil could have an open winding. That's why such poor reception.
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11/25/2013 8:32:34 AMPaul

:Thanks everyone for all the great feedback. Making some progress. I happened to have a Magnavox loop antenna and when I connect it, bingo, got radio reception. But since all are saying this had a long wire I'm trying to make that work. Connected 16 feet of wire and the reception was poor. Just for laughs, I took a wire hanger, make a loop out of it and connected that to the end of the 16 ft section. Got great reception. What am I doing wrong here?
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:Sir Paul . . . . . . .
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:You really need to ohm out the antenna coils primary and secondary windings for their properly having a quite low resistance
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: presence. . . . . and not a high or open situation.
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:Also, another very simple technical evaluation can be made on the Broadcast band , prior to any of that test equipment usage, by merely moving that temporary 10-20 foot of wire to be used as an aerial, over to the grid cap on the very top of the 6A8 toobie.
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:If its bringing in stations now . . . . albeit with some possible "donald duck"/ or / talking underwater burbling sounds on stronger stations .
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:If this last testing situation is working better than thru the sets antenna terminals input, then you REALLY need to suspect the antenna coil OR, its having a a connectivity problem getting RF signal to it.
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:73's de Edd
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:A burrito is a sleeping bag for ground beef. .
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::Your radio uses a long wire antenna. There is an antenna coil in your radio. This antenna coil is what connects to the long wire. The coil could have an open winding. That's why such poor reception.
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11/26/2013 12:32:25 PMEdd

Sir Paul . . . . . . .

I would shore nuff need more exacting info on that loose term of a "Magnavox loop", in order to make an intelligent and more precise evaluation of the situation.

Like, if it is a loop with an external antenna input connection AND another multi turn winding for connection to the RF section of the tuning condenser.

AND . . .did you completely pull the Philco antenna coil and put the Maggotbox in its place ?

OR did you just try connecting the Mag loops winding(s) into the existing Philco antenna coil input ?
What you DID find by that far out in left field approach, of the looped out wire coat hanger onto the END of that 16 feets of "war", IS telling us, is that you established for yourself, what we in the antenna trade . . . . are referring to as a "capacitive top hat. "
(If in the house proper . . . .you can also get the same effect by connecting onto a set of METAL wire bed "sprangs" )

Uhhhhhhh Ohhhhhhh . . . . . . now I am hearing . . . . .ME TOO ! ME TOO ! . . . . .coming from that metal meshed window screen , just above . . . .on my window . . . as being an ALSO like alternative.
Technically, what this produced effect of the extra added on capacitance of the " top hat" is telling us . . . . . is that your external aerial wire needs to be loooooooooooooonger.

Hint :

A temporary wire length evaluation can be made by tying into the prongs of a 50-100- ? long orange/or/red/or/yaller) electrical extension cord.

Then you can adjust it into any intermediate length or form the wire into a coil at its part closest to the radio to make a "loading coil" to make the wire perform ELECTRICALLY like its actually even looooooooooooooonger than it PHYSICALLY is.

This is a universally common practice on . . . .AM auto-mo-bubble antennas, with their inherently SHORT whips.

Thasssssittttt . . . . .

73's de Edd

When someone hands you a flyer, it’s like they’re saying “Here, YOU throw this away.” . .

::Thanks everyone for all the great feedback. Making some progress. I happened to have a Magnavox loop antenna and when I connect it, bingo, got radio reception. But since all are saying this had a long wire I'm trying to make that work. Connected 16 feet of wire and the reception was poor. Just for laughs, I took a wire hanger, make a loop out of it and connected that to the end of the 16 ft section. Got great reception. What am I doing wrong here?
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::Sir Paul . . . . . . .
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::You really need to ohm out the antenna coils primary and secondary windings for their properly having a quite low resistance
::
:: presence. . . . . and not a high or open situation.
::
::
::Also, another very simple technical evaluation can be made on the Broadcast band , prior to any of that test equipment usage, by merely moving that temporary 10-20 foot of wire to be used as an aerial, over to the grid cap on the very top of the 6A8 toobie.
::
::
::If its bringing in stations now . . . . albeit with some possible "donald duck"/ or / talking underwater burbling sounds on stronger stations .
::
::
::If this last testing situation is working better than thru the sets antenna terminals input, then you REALLY need to suspect the antenna coil OR, its having a a connectivity problem getting RF signal to it.
::
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::
::
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::73's de Edd
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::A burrito is a sleeping bag for ground beef. .
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:::Your radio uses a long wire antenna. There is an antenna coil in your radio. This antenna coil is what connects to the long wire. The coil could have an open winding. That's why such poor reception.
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