I hope someone will be tolerant of a newby. I am just starting to collect and restore vintage radios and I have a steep learning curve. I picked up a Y-600 TO and the electronics had already been restored. All of the paper caps have been replaced and it has great reception on all bands with no 60 cycle hum. The cord retractor is broken and I have not been able to find anyone that carries them. Does any one know where I can find one? Also as I have been working on the cosmetic stuff I got too close to the decals on the dial and have rubbed a little off. (The All day decal) Does any one know if there are replacements for them? On another forum I noticed a discussion on the filiments glowing or not. As a kid I remember tubes glowing but as was explained in the other forum non of the tubes glow except the 50A1. Two of the four filiments glow. When I tested the tubes all checked good except on the 50A1 only one of the setings tested good the other did not. Is that a problem?

That's a lot of questions but what can I say, I live in the Boonies of Maine and I have no one around that offer help.

Skip

Hi Skip,Have you tried Radio Daze for decals?Last I knew they sold a lot of that stuff.Doing a Google search should bring up something.I've never owned a radio with the 50A1,but I was under the impression that it is a balast tube that performs some level of regulation.You say that when testing it it didn't do so well on one test.Myself,if the radio plays fine,I wouldn't worry about it,but maybe someone more up on the 50A1 will chime in.To me,it's like when a tube tests in the weak or "?" section on a merit test.Some people will immediately replace the tube.However,most people know that that tube will perform just fine for many,many more hours.A tube tester's results really don't mean a lot anyway,the radio the tube goes in,is a whole lot better of an indicator.
I live in the boonies of New Hampshire.I'm in the same boat as yourself;there isn't a person within 40 miles of me who gives a hoot about antique electronics.However,this site is a huge repository of info and collective knowledge.Ask your questions,that's how you learn.
Occasionally,there are a few jack balls who will give you grief about asking elementary questions:ignore them.That hurts them much more than if you respond to their insults.Good luck with your new hobby,Mike

:Hi Skip,Have you tried Radio Daze for decals?Last I knew they sold a lot of that stuff.Doing a Google search should bring up something.I've never owned a radio with the 50A1,but I was under the impression that it is a balast tube that performs some level of regulation.You say that when testing it it didn't do so well on one test.Myself,if the radio plays fine,I wouldn't worry about it,but maybe someone more up on the 50A1 will chime in.To me,it's like when a tube tests in the weak or "?" section on a merit test.Some people will immediately replace the tube.However,most people know that that tube will perform just fine for many,many more hours.A tube tester's results really don't mean a lot anyway,the radio the tube goes in,is a whole lot better of an indicator.
: I live in the boonies of New Hampshire.I'm in the same boat as yourself;there isn't a person within 40 miles of me who gives a hoot about antique electronics.However,this site is a huge repository of info and collective knowledge.Ask your questions,that's how you learn.
: Occasionally,there are a few jack balls who will give you grief about asking elementary questions:ignore them.That hurts them much more than if you respond to their insults.Good luck with your new hobby,Mike

Hi Mike, Thanks for the reply. I've checked Radio Daze web site and they did not list what I need but I did email them and ask if they carried the "parts". I've Googled several times and still no luck hence the reason I'm here asking the experts. I'm sure that I will have many more questions as I have a stockpile to work on after I finish with the T/O.

::Hi Skip,Have you tried Radio Daze for decals?Last I knew they sold a lot of that stuff.Doing a Google search should bring up something.I've never owned a radio with the 50A1,but I was under the impression that it is a balast tube that performs some level of regulation.You say that when testing it it didn't do so well on one test.Myself,if the radio plays fine,I wouldn't worry about it,but maybe someone more up on the 50A1 will chime in.To me,it's like when a tube tests in the weak or "?" section on a merit test.Some people will immediately replace the tube.However,most people know that that tube will perform just fine for many,many more hours.A tube tester's results really don't mean a lot anyway,the radio the tube goes in,is a whole lot better of an indicator.
:: I live in the boonies of New Hampshire.I'm in the same boat as yourself;there isn't a person within 40 miles of me who gives a hoot about antique electronics.However,this site is a huge repository of info and collective knowledge.Ask your questions,that's how you learn.
:: Occasionally,there are a few jack balls who will give you grief about asking elementary questions:ignore them.That hurts them much more than if you respond to their insults.Good luck with your new hobby,Mike

:I hope someone will be tolerant of a newby. I am just starting to collect and restore vintage radios and I have a steep learning curve. I picked up a Y-600 TO and the electronics had already been restored. All of the paper caps have been replaced and it has great reception on all bands with no 60 cycle hum. The cord retractor is broken and I have not been able to find anyone that carries them. Does any one know where I can find one? Also as I have been working on the cosmetic stuff I got too close to the decals on the dial and have rubbed a little off. (The All day decal) Does any one know if there are replacements for them? On another forum I noticed a discussion on the filiments glowing or not. As a kid I remember tubes glowing but as was explained in the other forum non of the tubes glow except the 50A1. Two of the four filiments glow. When I tested the tubes all checked good except on the 50A1 only one of the setings tested good the other did not. Is that a problem?
:
:That's a lot of questions but what can I say, I live in the Boonies of Maine and I have no one around that offer help.
:
:Skip

If the radio is working the 50A1 is good, it is used as a current regulator. The tubes in a TO do not light up very bright, you have to be in a dark area to see them. You may want to check the filament voltage to make sure it is within spec.

Dave

Thanks for the info. I'll see if I have a steady hand.

Skip

::I hope someone will be tolerant of a newby. I am just starting to collect and restore vintage radios and I have a steep learning curve. I picked up a Y-600 TO and the electronics had already been restored. All of the paper caps have been replaced and it has great reception on all bands with no 60 cycle hum. The cord retractor is broken and I have not been able to find anyone that carries them. Does any one know where I can find one? Also as I have been working on the cosmetic stuff I got too close to the decals on the dial and have rubbed a little off. (The All day decal) Does any one know if there are replacements for them? On another forum I noticed a discussion on the filiments glowing or not. As a kid I remember tubes glowing but as was explained in the other forum non of the tubes glow except the 50A1. Two of the four filiments glow. When I tested the tubes all checked good except on the 50A1 only one of the setings tested good the other did not. Is that a problem?
::
::That's a lot of questions but what can I say, I live in the Boonies of Maine and I have no one around that offer help.
::
::Skip
:
:If the radio is working the 50A1 is good, it is used as a current regulator. The tubes in a TO do not light up very bright, you have to be in a dark area to see them. You may want to check the filament voltage to make sure it is within spec.
:
:Dave

Skip: The 50A1 is a ballast type tube. If the set is playing well it's working. As for the dial scale and cord retractor, you might have to find a junker 600 series with those good parts. I'm not aware of any source for the dial decals, but there should be plenty of parts radios around. I think the originals were painted or silkscreened on. If you have a steady hand, it might be possible to just touch up the damaged area. The spring in the cord retractor frequently gets messed up or people let the cord go and it overlaps itself if you don't keep a slight tension on the cord and let it retract slowly. My L600 had a bad one too, and I was lucky enough to find a free junker with a good retractor.
Steve

Thanks for the reply. I have been considering trying to get a junker. As I mentioned, there are none around here and the nearest swap meets are over 4 hours away so I'm pretty much stuck with eBay. Haven't seen something there that I could use that didn't cost an arm and a leg but I'll keep looking. As far as a steady hand, I never was able to letter well when young and it hasn't improved in 65 years. If you run across something I would sure appreciate it if you let me know.

Thanks again,
Skip

:Skip: The 50A1 is a ballast type tube. If the set is playing well it's working. As for the dial scale and cord retractor, you might have to find a junker 600 series with those good parts. I'm not aware of any source for the dial decals, but there should be plenty of parts radios around. I think the originals were painted or silkscreened on. If you have a steady hand, it might be possible to just touch up the damaged area. The spring in the cord retractor frequently gets messed up or people let the cord go and it overlaps itself if you don't keep a slight tension on the cord and let it retract slowly. My L600 had a bad one too, and I was lucky enough to find a free junker with a good retractor.
:Steve

These tubes do not glow. Be careful if you decide to check filament voltages. One slip of the probe could short the filament string -- that 1L6 is expensive to replace...also do not remove tubes while the set is energized...same result. As other have said the the 50A1 is not a real tube... it's just a resistor in a glass envelope. You'll find spare parts are not readily available for T/Os -- you'd have to find a "parts" radio...and you'd have to consider if it's wise to part out a restorable T/0 -- that would be a shame.

Parts radio does sound the way to go. If you hear of one that would have the dial cover and grill in good shape and the retracter in good shape please let me know. As I was mentioning I probably have the only T/O with in 2 1/2 hours of me and finding that might be tough but I'm looking.

Thanks,
Skip

:These tubes do not glow. Be careful if you decide to check filament voltages. One slip of the probe could short the filament string -- that 1L6 is expensive to replace...also do not remove tubes while the set is energized...same result. As other have said the the 50A1 is not a real tube... it's just a resistor in a glass envelope. You'll find spare parts are not readily available for T/Os -- you'd have to find a "parts" radio...and you'd have to consider if it's wise to part out a restorable T/0 -- that would be a shame.

Have you tried Craig's List? I found this guy in NH / Maine area who has an ad on Craig's list... you might want to contact him to keep an eye out for you?? Here's the URL: http://maine.craigslist.org/wan/1046047704.html

Man, I hadn't even thought of Craig's List. I will check it out.

:Have you tried Craig's List? I found this guy in NH / Maine area who has an ad on Craig's list... you might want to contact him to keep an eye out for you?? Here's the URL: http://maine.craigslist.org/wan/1046047704.html

Contrary to what has been said the 50A1 is a current regulator, it is not a ballast or resistor in a tube. It is a iron filament in rareified gas tube and it actually controls the current at 50 ma.

Dave

Alan Jesperson at Great Northern Antiques has a wide selection of Zenith parts. He has an on-line catalog and invites inquiries for items not listed.

Thanks you Walt. I will contact him.

: Alan Jesperson at Great Northern Antiques has a wide selection of Zenith parts. He has an on-line catalog and invites inquiries for items not listed.

Hey Skip,
Have you ever been to New Hampshires' "Antique Alley"? It's along Rt4 between Concord and Portsmouth. About 20 miles of quite a few antique shops. My last trip up there I saw the perfect T/O for you as a parts set. Of course, that was a good 3-4 months ago. It was amazingly cheap , like $15. if I remember correctly. Might be worth a day trip if your not too far up there in Maine.
Joe

:I hope someone will be tolerant of a newby. I am just starting to collect and restore vintage radios and I have a steep learning curve. I picked up a Y-600 TO and the electronics had already been restored. All of the paper caps have been replaced and it has great reception on all bands with no 60 cycle hum. The cord retractor is broken and I have not been able to find anyone that carries them. Does any one know where I can find one? Also as I have been working on the cosmetic stuff I got too close to the decals on the dial and have rubbed a little off. (The All day decal) Does any one know if there are replacements for them? On another forum I noticed a discussion on the filiments glowing or not. As a kid I remember tubes glowing but as was explained in the other forum non of the tubes glow except the 50A1. Two of the four filiments glow. When I tested the tubes all checked good except on the 50A1 only one of the setings tested good the other did not. Is that a problem?
:
:That's a lot of questions but what can I say, I live in the Boonies of Maine and I have no one around that offer help.
:
:Skip

That is a 6 to 7 hour drive but sounds like it could be worth a trip. I'm going to be in Boston in a couple of weeks so I might try to get up that way.
Thanks, Skip

:Hey Skip,
:Have you ever been to New Hampshires' "Antique Alley"? It's along Rt4 between Concord and Portsmouth. About 20 miles of quite a few antique shops. My last trip up there I saw the perfect T/O for you as a parts set. Of course, that was a good 3-4 months ago. It was amazingly cheap , like $15. if I remember correctly. Might be worth a day trip if your not too far up there in Maine.
:Joe
:
:
::I hope someone will be tolerant of a newby. I am just starting to collect and restore vintage radios and I have a steep learning curve. I picked up a Y-600 TO and the electronics had already been restored. All of the paper caps have been replaced and it has great reception on all bands with no 60 cycle hum. The cord retractor is broken and I have not been able to find anyone that carries them. Does any one know where I can find one? Also as I have been working on the cosmetic stuff I got too close to the decals on the dial and have rubbed a little off. (The All day decal) Does any one know if there are replacements for them? On another forum I noticed a discussion on the filiments glowing or not. As a kid I remember tubes glowing but as was explained in the other forum non of the tubes glow except the 50A1. Two of the four filiments glow. When I tested the tubes all checked good except on the 50A1 only one of the setings tested good the other did not. Is that a problem?
::
::That's a lot of questions but what can I say, I live in the Boonies of Maine and I have no one around that offer help.
::
::Skip