My problem is this: the radio's power transformer's primary is shorted, at least one of the RF coils is open, and at least half the tubes need replacement. In short, to get this thing working I'm looking at hundreds and hundreds of dollars in parts and much work *finding* the coils and/or having them rebuilt.
I've reached the point with this radio that I suspect that by the time I got it working so little of the electronics would be original that it would have very little value as an antique. Also I have no clear idea what this radio is worth, if anything.
I'm new to this hobby, having been hooked in March of this year. Can someone please advise? I have no sentimental attachment to the Airline radio, so if it's not worth fixing, it goes to the antique consignment shop as a display only piece, where hopefully I can get my money back out of it.
-Jim
I would think the question you have to ask yourself at this point is "Why am I doing the antique radio thing?" If the reason is tied to the value of the radios that cross your path, then this is not the radio for you. If, however, you enjoy the art of reviving a set just to hear it play again, or to save a piece of history, that's another thing altogether.
I would just park the set for a while. Most likely as you progress in the hobby your views of what you want to tackle for a repair job will either change drastically, or you will move on to other interests. This set could become one you can't leave alone. The only serious problem with it is the power transformer. Other than the 45's, the tubes are cheap, and if you stick with the hobby, it won't be long before you will see spares piling up around you naturally anyway...even some 45's. It just happens that way. People throw stuff out with good tubes in them every day. By the way, that tube line up was so common, that you will have little trouble finding a suitable replacement power transformer from a junker that crosses your path. RF coils: you can wind them. It's not a hundreds of dollars repair job. It's a park it and scrounge repair job.
Jim
:I have an Airline Model 2800, which is a 7 tube TRF screen grid radio from pre 1932 (it's in the 1932 and before Rider volume). The radio is in a metal box with three knobs - tuning, volume, and tone control - and shares a chassis with the Wards Dictator and Serenader models. Tube lineup is a pair of 24s, a pair of 27s, a pair of 45s, and an 80. I also have the associated speaker, and while I haven't taken it apart, the cone looks intact from what I can see.
:
:My problem is this: the radio's power transformer's primary is shorted, at least one of the RF coils is open, and at least half the tubes need replacement. In short, to get this thing working I'm looking at hundreds and hundreds of dollars in parts and much work *finding* the coils and/or having them rebuilt.
:
:I've reached the point with this radio that I suspect that by the time I got it working so little of the electronics would be original that it would have very little value as an antique. Also I have no clear idea what this radio is worth, if anything.
:
:I'm new to this hobby, having been hooked in March of this year. Can someone please advise? I have no sentimental attachment to the Airline radio, so if it's not worth fixing, it goes to the antique consignment shop as a display only piece, where hopefully I can get my money back out of it.
:
:-Jim
Things may not be as bad as you think? Unlikely tubes will be bad. Sometimes one but unless they are broken, most should be ok.
An open RF coil may be fixable. Can you see the wire break? Sometimes it's at a terminal. If not repairable, it could be rewound or replaced.
Are you sure the power transformer primary is shorted? DC resistance on an ohm meter will be low. Remove the 80 tube and operate your radio with a 60 watt light in series with the AC line. If the transformer is shorted the bulb will light bright. If not shorted tube filaments should start to glow.
You can find parts for these radios at www.oldradioparts.com .
Norm
:Jim,
:I am not familiar with the radio, but it sounds like your run of the mill early AC set with (at the time) "new" screen grid technology. Probably not worth a whole lot at all.
:
:I would think the question you have to ask yourself at this point is "Why am I doing the antique radio thing?" If the reason is tied to the value of the radios that cross your path, then this is not the radio for you. If, however, you enjoy the art of reviving a set just to hear it play again, or to save a piece of history, that's another thing altogether.
:
:I would just park the set for a while. Most likely as you progress in the hobby your views of what you want to tackle for a repair job will either change drastically, or you will move on to other interests. This set could become one you can't leave alone. The only serious problem with it is the power transformer. Other than the 45's, the tubes are cheap, and if you stick with the hobby, it won't be long before you will see spares piling up around you naturally anyway...even some 45's. It just happens that way. People throw stuff out with good tubes in them every day. By the way, that tube line up was so common, that you will have little trouble finding a suitable replacement power transformer from a junker that crosses your path. RF coils: you can wind them. It's not a hundreds of dollars repair job. It's a park it and scrounge repair job.
:Jim
:
::I have an Airline Model 2800, which is a 7 tube TRF screen grid radio from pre 1932 (it's in the 1932 and before Rider volume). The radio is in a metal box with three knobs - tuning, volume, and tone control - and shares a chassis with the Wards Dictator and Serenader models. Tube lineup is a pair of 24s, a pair of 27s, a pair of 45s, and an 80. I also have the associated speaker, and while I haven't taken it apart, the cone looks intact from what I can see.
::
::My problem is this: the radio's power transformer's primary is shorted, at least one of the RF coils is open, and at least half the tubes need replacement. In short, to get this thing working I'm looking at hundreds and hundreds of dollars in parts and much work *finding* the coils and/or having them rebuilt.
::
::I've reached the point with this radio that I suspect that by the time I got it working so little of the electronics would be original that it would have very little value as an antique. Also I have no clear idea what this radio is worth, if anything.
::
::I'm new to this hobby, having been hooked in March of this year. Can someone please advise? I have no sentimental attachment to the Airline radio, so if it's not worth fixing, it goes to the antique consignment shop as a display only piece, where hopefully I can get my money back out of it.
::
::-Jim
I do have a tube tester, and with an adapter have tested the tubes in question. While I don't have exact settings, (I have heater volts and pinout configurations, but no data on the ammeter shunt setting) the tubes I think are bad are showing up with shorts, no emissions, or no heaters. The rest have heater and emissions, I just don't know if they have *enough* emissions. And yeah, I know, emission testers don't tell the whole story, but for about $20, the thing gives me basic go/no go testing.
: Are you sure the power transformer primary is shorted? DC resistance on an ohm meter will be low. Remove the 80 tube and operate your radio with a 60 watt light in series with the AC line. If the transformer is shorted the bulb will light bright. If not shorted tube filaments should start to glow.
I was sure, since my VOM was reporting a resistance of about 4 ohms across the primary, but I tried your test to be sure and lo and behold, the 60 watt lightbulb was dim and one of the tubes did visibly light. (I've never managed to see the filament on a 27 screen grid tube, even though one of the ones I have shows emissions on my tester, so it obviously has a functional filament.) I'm going to do more detailed testing to make sure all the secondaries are good, but the primary and at least one secondary are. Thanks a million for suggesting this.
: You can find parts for these radios at www.oldradioparts.com .
Oh my, thank you for this also, his prices on these old tubes are *much* nicer than Antique Radio Supply/Tubes and More. As you get to the more modern tubes the prices get a lot closer.
-Jim