Bob,
The wire you refer to may have been used to connect an external antenna (perhaps around the eves of a house). A longwire antenna 10 to 20 feet probably would be sufficient. As for a back, I didn't see a part number for it in the parts list. The radio may not have had a back cover.
Radiodoc
For Philco 57 a long wire would be best. Just 10-20 feet of wire like Radiodoc suggested will work. That is not the same as having wire coiled in back your radio. Try uncoiling the wire.
Norm
:::With some help I have been able to restore this cool looking little set quite nicely if I do say so myself.
::: But I do not have an antenna. Someone had rigged one by coiling up some two strand tv antenna
:::wire which looks terrible and does not work anyway. Anyone know where I could look to buy something that would work? Can you provide details on specifications?
:::Also need a back for it. It will be a shame to have it restored and be able to play it except in my garage when I have it hooked to my ceiling antenna.
:::Thanks Bob
::
::Bob,
::
::The wire you refer to may have been used to connect an external antenna (perhaps around the eves of a house). A longwire antenna 10 to 20 feet probably would be sufficient. As for a back, I didn't see a part number for it in the parts list. The radio may not have had a back cover.
::
::Radiodoc
::
:A previous owner actually coiled a TV antenna wire about 7 times in an oval and tucked it just inside the back of the wood cabinet so it was about 7 inches by about 9 inches with about 7 turns in it and the two ends of the antenna were twisted together. Maybe
:I should clean it up and try it again to see if it
:works? I am just curious if there might be a substitute/generic antenna that might be available
:somewhere but my antenna theory is not what it should be so I was looking for a "hey bob go to bla-bla web site and get a bla-bla super duper bla bla antenna and connect it and you are good to go. You know? I was looking for the "easy fix" with just minimal impact on my billfold.... Thanks for you input Doc.
:Bob
After a careful persual of the schematic, I think a piece of wire from the "G" terminal to the grounding lug of your AC outlet, and fifty feet of wire strung some way or another should have you pulling in stations from far and near. How about scrap wire for being easy on the old pocketbook?
Also, there is a capacitor going from the AC line to the chassis ground. I would change that gentleman with a high quality new one.
Lewis
Well this is just my ignorance showing I guess. I thought maybe there was a back with an antenna for this set. But maybe what I am hearing from you all is that these old TRF sets just used a long wire strung out along a wall or something?
I also have a Philco 80 which I restored with the same need. Can I hook both to the same wire?
I did change all the capacitors in this set when I restored it. It sounds real good with the antenna
that I have strung across the ceiling of my double
garage diagonally so it is about 25-30 feet long. SO
I guess that is what I need in the house as well?
Bob
It would seem that it should have a back, if for no other reason than to keep the cat out of it. I am overhauling my gas grill right now, and went to The Home Depot this afternoon for some lumber to make new shelves, and was amazed at all the things they have for do-it yourselving. There is a brown particle board thatis used on the back of many radio and tv s, or peg board to let cooling air in and out. Perhaps you could stroll through a Home Depot or Lowe's, and see something you like. Does the set have a place to screw a back on to?
As for your antenna, if it sounds real good, as you say, then, "don't worry, be happy"
Lewis
I have the material and tools to fabricate a back and probably will. It has four holes on the back side that must have been for the original back. And AM "happy" that it sounds real good too but it is when it is hooked up to the 30 foot antenna in the garage that it sounds real good. I do not want to make this beauty a "garage" radio. I was just looking for a back with an antenna mounted on it
or just an antenna for it. But from what I am reading
maybe it did not have a built in antenna. You simply
strung a long wire for the antenna?
The schematic doesn't show a loop or ferrite antenna or anything like that, just a terminal marked "A", so I guess you hook up a piece of wire to it, and listen to the music. That capacitor I spoke of earlier will furnish a ground connection in most cases. I have been told that there was a thing like a "Slinky" that you strung across a room and connect the "A" to that. I would suppose in those days, the listening was more important than the looks.
Lewis.