Do old radios have any value?
Like many collectible items, radios are subject to fads that artificially inflate prices. Currently, any radio with a Catalin cabinet may be valued at hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars over the price of a comparable Bakelite set.
Do antique radios still work?
Most antique radios will work once the capacitors have been replaced. If it does not work then signal trace through the circuit by injecting a signal at the IF or RF, replacing resistors or occasionally a tube where needed. Old resistors have a tendency to increase in value with age. Turn on the radio.
How does a tube radio work?
Vacuum tubes operate on the principle of thermionic emission, where certain metals heated to white-hot in a vacuum will give off electrons. The flow of these electrons can then be controlled by charges placed on the tube’s internal elements.
Why are old radios worth money?
The age of your radio can contribute to its value: an early radio generally has more historical interest than a 1950s radio, but the value depends on many more factors. You can identify most radios by their model number, which can be found on the casing or stamped on a component of the radio on the inside.
Do valve radios still work?
A valve radio will never be as reliable as a transistor set, and short of ripping out the chassis and replacing it with a transistor circuit, we aren’t going to make it that reliable. However, some designs of valve set are more unreliable than others, and the main factor seems to be heat.
Is it possible to pick up old radio transmissions?
This is true even for extremely powerful transmitted signals. This means you cannot today pick up old radio broadcasts from the past.
Are old radio tubes hazardous?
None of these tubes are hazardous unless they are broken. Tubes with bakelite bases have a small amount of lead in the solder that connects the wires to the pins. The only people that have to be licensed to work on electronic equipment are those who repair transmitters and those involved in public safety.
What do the tubes do in an old radio?
The vacuum tube was a necessary part of early radios, used to create and amplify an electric signal necessary for the radio to work. These were first made en masse about 1914, and companies like Philco, Sylvania, Westinghouse, and RCA soon became…
What is a Catalin radio?
It is an early plastic made from phenol formaldehyde resins. Early on, radio manufacturers had sought an economical replacement for costly wood cabinets. The invention of Bakelite allowed cabinets to be injection molded or cast for a fraction of the cost. Like Bakelite, Catalin could be polished to a magnificent shine.
What are the different types of valve radios?
Service data is available for makes such as Grundig, Telefunken, Blaupunkt, Bush, Emud, Opta, Loewe, Ferguson, Pye, Korting, Philips and many other European valve radios. Please see below for list of all European Radio Makes covered These electronic circuit diagrams are usually in the in the language of the radios homeland eg.
Where can I download circuit diagrams for vintage radios?
The Circuit Diagrams are all free to download and are in PDF format. There is also an online bookstore, links to Fresh to the Market Vintage Radios, all sorted by manufacturer and updated the minute they appear online.
How big is an early model radio schematic?
Each schematic is individually digitized in high resolution to provide the clearest possible scan in a downloadable, printable, Adobe PDF file. Early model schematics are usually 1 or 2 pages.
What kind of radios were made in Europe?
We also carry service data for North American radios. We carry schematics / circuit diagrams for vintage valve and transistor radios that were made in Europe. Service data is available for makes such as Grundig, Telefunken, Blaupunkt, Bush, Emud, Opta, Loewe, Ferguson, Pye, Korting, Philips and many other European valve radios.