I have a Radiola Model AR-936. I think its a Radiola 18. My wirewound resistor was open in several segments in the power supply section. I have a maintenance manual with component values and schematic. I bridged over the bad segments of the power supply resister with modern equivelent values. I replaced all the tubes as I bought this radio with no tubes. The radio works now sometimes but has a couple of problems. The volume is very loud and uncontrolable. Looks like the volume is just a potentiometer from Ant to ground varying the antenna signal to the RF stages. The windings look pretty rough and I am sure it is open in spots but I have not checked it. I am trying to maintain this radio with as many original parts as possible. Is this antenna potentiometer avaliable or do I need to use a modern wirewound pot and does anyone know what wattage I should use? When the radio is first turned on I have to prob around and sometimes when I touch the tuning condenser terminals with my antenna lead it starts recieving. I resoldered all the connections but still no help. Could I have a bad capacitor or solder joint somewhere? I saw an article somewhere on how to rebuild the tuning cap. Is it possible to check the capacitors inside the audio transformer? I am confused about the internal wiring of the audio transformer or how to test it. Sorry for the long post. I like to collect test equipment also and have a working O-scope, a multimeter, signal tracer signal generator, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Doug:
You will need a 2 or 2.5k ohm pot of any wattage for that control or you can do what I did and rewind it yourself. The wire is not cheap but it was a good experiance for me and my radio now looks and operates as new.
Greg

:I have a Radiola Model AR-936. I think its a Radiola 18. My wirewound resistor was open in several segments in the power supply section. I have a maintenance manual with component values and schematic. I bridged over the bad segments of the power supply resister with modern equivelent values. I replaced all the tubes as I bought this radio with no tubes. The radio works now sometimes but has a couple of problems. The volume is very loud and uncontrolable. Looks like the volume is just a potentiometer from Ant to ground varying the antenna signal to the RF stages. The windings look pretty rough and I am sure it is open in spots but I have not checked it. I am trying to maintain this radio with as many original parts as possible. Is this antenna potentiometer avaliable or do I need to use a modern wirewound pot and does anyone know what wattage I should use? When the radio is first turned on I have to prob around and sometimes when I touch the tuning condenser terminals with my antenna lead it starts recieving. I resoldered all the connections but still no help. Could I have a bad capacitor or solder joint somewhere? I saw an article somewhere on how to rebuild the tuning cap. Is it possible to check the capacitors inside the audio transformer? I am confused about the internal wiring of the audio transformer or how to test it. Sorry for the long post. I like to collect test equipment also and have a working O-scope, a multimeter, signal tracer signal generator, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for the advice Greg. What kind of wire is is and were can I buy some?

:Hi Doug:
: You will need a 2 or 2.5k ohm pot of any wattage for that control or you can do what I did and rewind it yourself. The wire is not cheap but it was a good experiance for me and my radio now looks and operates as new.
:Greg
:
:
::I have a Radiola Model AR-936. I think its a Radiola 18. My wirewound resistor was open in several segments in the power supply section. I have a maintenance manual with component values and schematic. I bridged over the bad segments of the power supply resister with modern equivelent values. I replaced all the tubes as I bought this radio with no tubes. The radio works now sometimes but has a couple of problems. The volume is very loud and uncontrolable. Looks like the volume is just a potentiometer from Ant to ground varying the antenna signal to the RF stages. The windings look pretty rough and I am sure it is open in spots but I have not checked it. I am trying to maintain this radio with as many original parts as possible. Is this antenna potentiometer avaliable or do I need to use a modern wirewound pot and does anyone know what wattage I should use? When the radio is first turned on I have to prob around and sometimes when I touch the tuning condenser terminals with my antenna lead it starts recieving. I resoldered all the connections but still no help. Could I have a bad capacitor or solder joint somewhere? I saw an article somewhere on how to rebuild the tuning cap. Is it possible to check the capacitors inside the audio transformer? I am confused about the internal wiring of the audio transformer or how to test it. Sorry for the long post. I like to collect test equipment also and have a working O-scope, a multimeter, signal tracer signal generator, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

The wire you need is 37 gauge enameled resistance wire and it is sold by a place called Pelican Wire. Just do a Google search and you will find the site. You will need to buy 100'.
Greg

:Thanks for the advice Greg. What kind of wire is is and were can I buy some?
:
::Hi Doug:
:: You will need a 2 or 2.5k ohm pot of any wattage for that control or you can do what I did and rewind it yourself. The wire is not cheap but it was a good experiance for me and my radio now looks and operates as new.
::Greg
::
::
:::I have a Radiola Model AR-936. I think its a Radiola 18. My wirewound resistor was open in several segments in the power supply section. I have a maintenance manual with component values and schematic. I bridged over the bad segments of the power supply resister with modern equivelent values. I replaced all the tubes as I bought this radio with no tubes. The radio works now sometimes but has a couple of problems. The volume is very loud and uncontrolable. Looks like the volume is just a potentiometer from Ant to ground varying the antenna signal to the RF stages. The windings look pretty rough and I am sure it is open in spots but I have not checked it. I am trying to maintain this radio with as many original parts as possible. Is this antenna potentiometer avaliable or do I need to use a modern wirewound pot and does anyone know what wattage I should use? When the radio is first turned on I have to prob around and sometimes when I touch the tuning condenser terminals with my antenna lead it starts recieving. I resoldered all the connections but still no help. Could I have a bad capacitor or solder joint somewhere? I saw an article somewhere on how to rebuild the tuning cap. Is it possible to check the capacitors inside the audio transformer? I am confused about the internal wiring of the audio transformer or how to test it. Sorry for the long post. I like to collect test equipment also and have a working O-scope, a multimeter, signal tracer signal generator, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

Regarding the volume control, check it for continuity from end to end. It should connect to both the antenna and the 1st RF filament. The slider should connect to the grid of the 1st RF tube. If you have continuity from end to end, the wire may just need a little cleaning.

Also, you say something about picking up stations when probing around? Are you saying that you can't pick up stations unless you probe around? Sounds like your condensers are out of alignment if this is the case. Probing at the 2nd or 3rd stage will also void any volume control, as the volume control only controls the first stage. If you are having condenser alignment issues, one way to ascertain this is to look at the condenser plates of all of the condensers. The rotors should be as perfectly centered as possible between the stators. If they aren't centered, the successive stages won't tune alike. Signals won't be able to pass through properly. To center stators, loosen their retaining screws. Center. Turn on radio and note performance. Adjust stators for maximum signal response and full dial coverage.

I had the same problem with my Radiola 16 when I first got it. Everything looked perfect, but it just wouldn't perform.

Also, make sure that your grid leak is at 3 meg. Mine was drifted to 10 meg.

T.

Greg, I looked up and found Pelican wire. Do you remember if you used nichrome 60 or 80? Would you happen to know what the difference is?

:The wire you need is 37 gauge enameled resistance wire and it is sold by a place called Pelican Wire. Just do a Google search and you will find the site. You will need to buy 100'.
:Greg
:
:
:
::Thanks for the advice Greg. What kind of wire is is and were can I buy some?
::
:::Hi Doug:
::: You will need a 2 or 2.5k ohm pot of any wattage for that control or you can do what I did and rewind it yourself. The wire is not cheap but it was a good experiance for me and my radio now looks and operates as new.
:::Greg
:::
:::
::::I have a Radiola Model AR-936. I think its a Radiola 18. My wirewound resistor was open in several segments in the power supply section. I have a maintenance manual with component values and schematic. I bridged over the bad segments of the power supply resister with modern equivelent values. I replaced all the tubes as I bought this radio with no tubes. The radio works now sometimes but has a couple of problems. The volume is very loud and uncontrolable. Looks like the volume is just a potentiometer from Ant to ground varying the antenna signal to the RF stages. The windings look pretty rough and I am sure it is open in spots but I have not checked it. I am trying to maintain this radio with as many original parts as possible. Is this antenna potentiometer avaliable or do I need to use a modern wirewound pot and does anyone know what wattage I should use? When the radio is first turned on I have to prob around and sometimes when I touch the tuning condenser terminals with my antenna lead it starts recieving. I resoldered all the connections but still no help. Could I have a bad capacitor or solder joint somewhere? I saw an article somewhere on how to rebuild the tuning cap. Is it possible to check the capacitors inside the audio transformer? I am confused about the internal wiring of the audio transformer or how to test it. Sorry for the long post. I like to collect test equipment also and have a working O-scope, a multimeter, signal tracer signal generator, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

Sorry, it was Nichrome 60, I believe the difference is the amount of Nickel in the mix.
Greg

:Greg, I looked up and found Pelican wire. Do you remember if you used nichrome 60 or 80? Would you happen to know what the difference is?
:
::The wire you need is 37 gauge enameled resistance wire and it is sold by a place called Pelican Wire. Just do a Google search and you will find the site. You will need to buy 100'.
::Greg
::
::
::
:::Thanks for the advice Greg. What kind of wire is is and were can I buy some?
:::
::::Hi Doug:
:::: You will need a 2 or 2.5k ohm pot of any wattage for that control or you can do what I did and rewind it yourself. The wire is not cheap but it was a good experiance for me and my radio now looks and operates as new.
::::Greg
::::
::::
:::::I have a Radiola Model AR-936. I think its a Radiola 18. My wirewound resistor was open in several segments in the power supply section. I have a maintenance manual with component values and schematic. I bridged over the bad segments of the power supply resister with modern equivelent values. I replaced all the tubes as I bought this radio with no tubes. The radio works now sometimes but has a couple of problems. The volume is very loud and uncontrolable. Looks like the volume is just a potentiometer from Ant to ground varying the antenna signal to the RF stages. The windings look pretty rough and I am sure it is open in spots but I have not checked it. I am trying to maintain this radio with as many original parts as possible. Is this antenna potentiometer avaliable or do I need to use a modern wirewound pot and does anyone know what wattage I should use? When the radio is first turned on I have to prob around and sometimes when I touch the tuning condenser terminals with my antenna lead it starts recieving. I resoldered all the connections but still no help. Could I have a bad capacitor or solder joint somewhere? I saw an article somewhere on how to rebuild the tuning cap. Is it possible to check the capacitors inside the audio transformer? I am confused about the internal wiring of the audio transformer or how to test it. Sorry for the long post. I like to collect test equipment also and have a working O-scope, a multimeter, signal tracer signal generator, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

I found where I saw the article on how to rebuild the tuning capacitor. It was right here. My interest in this radio has just started to spark after being dormant for sometime. I filed the article on the tuning cap in my memory archives but poking around on this great site I found it again. Great information.

:I have a Radiola Model AR-936. I think its a Radiola 18. My wirewound resistor was open in several segments in the power supply section. I have a maintenance manual with component values and schematic. I bridged over the bad segments of the power supply resister with modern equivelent values. I replaced all the tubes as I bought this radio with no tubes. The radio works now sometimes but has a couple of problems. The volume is very loud and uncontrolable. Looks like the volume is just a potentiometer from Ant to ground varying the antenna signal to the RF stages. The windings look pretty rough and I am sure it is open in spots but I have not checked it. I am trying to maintain this radio with as many original parts as possible. Is this antenna potentiometer avaliable or do I need to use a modern wirewound pot and does anyone know what wattage I should use? When the radio is first turned on I have to prob around and sometimes when I touch the tuning condenser terminals with my antenna lead it starts recieving. I resoldered all the connections but still no help. Could I have a bad capacitor or solder joint somewhere? I saw an article somewhere on how to rebuild the tuning cap. Is it possible to check the capacitors inside the audio transformer? I am confused about the internal wiring of the audio transformer or how to test it. Sorry for the long post. I like to collect test equipment also and have a working O-scope, a multimeter, signal tracer signal generator, etc. Any help would be appreciated.