Very nice demonstration of this fantastic radio. I was watching the photos but I couldn't see exactly how you would get to the speaker if it would ever need repaired or replaced with everything so compact inside. I always wondered if the speakers in tube radios crack due to the heat from the tubes drying out the cone and making it britle. Is that what usually happens? I wonder if you can demonstrate a video procedure in a simulated speaker repair or replacement on one of these radios?
If the speaker needs to be changed I'll be glad to make a video. But it is my experience that it is not a good idea to do more than is necessary on some of these old radios. If it works, don't fix it.
I just emailed a friend saying how hard it is to run across an old radio that is complete and in good condition. But it does make it interesting, I am going out looking today.
The paint was scuffed up pretty bad when I got it, so I stripped the gold paint and occasionally polish it with brasso. I repainted the sides to as close as original. which was REAL close.
When I look at mine, all polished up, and waxed, I think they just don't make 'em like they used to. It'd be pretty pricey.
And they don't make em in the U.S.A.
I wish Americans prided themselves in producing quality like back when.
The web is amazing. If you don't find what your looking for, try it again a few week or months later, so much stuff is added every day it is staggering. I am listening on the web more and more. I am down-streaming a Bob Hope program now.
Your right, the net is pretty darned amazing. A virtual university, shopping mall and entertainment center all rolled
up in one neat little package.
I've wondered about collecting various old radio programs and put them in an ipod and somehow port them to an old tube radio perhaps via a limited distance (low watt?) transmitter.
The new stuff is great but there is a lot to be said about the old tube tone.
A friend of mine has some 8000 songs in his ipod!! Remember the jukeboxes? LOL.
How does one increase the signal gain on these old radios? I just discovered a station that is probably 100+ miles away and can hear it via a newer transistor but the "fridge" doesn't pick it up no matter the direction the radio's pointed.
I live 15 miles from Tijuana and mariachi transmitted via a powerful transmitter is a bit too much fiesta after a song.
In Brazil I have never seen a radio like this one before.
Watching your videos and your explanations with your clear and excelent pronounce is a pleasure. I know little english but I can understand you perfectly thanks to your calm way to explain . Thank you very much indeed!
Westinghouse did give these away when you bought a refrigerator, but they also just sold them. From time to time I do see one on eBay. It is a neat radio. And thanks again.
Several times I've seen refrigerator radios offered on eBay, but thought them to be smaller. I think it's cool, and it sounds very, very good. Too bad it wasn't offered in wood:).
I didn't know this was a six tube set. I thought that since it usually came free with a refridgerator, it would be a mediocre radio. The design reminds me of an art deco steam heater.
I did not realize that it was a six tube set until I made the video. I bought it, it worked, and I set it aside for about ten years. It doesn't look like a radio, but it is art deco.
Yes there still making light bulbs, TV's, and commercial nuclear electric power. They did sell off Group "W" their broadcasting radio and TV stations.
Thanks, the original filter cap is mostly still in use, someone paralleled part of it with a new one. I don't recommend that but this is the way I bought it. When the filter cap goes I'll isolate the old from the new but keep the original in place just for looks.
There's a number of ways. After cutting off the old capacitor electrically, if it is possible to move the individual caps to different points in the radio but electrically the same I'll do that, so their not all bunched up in one spot. If this is not an option I'll wire it up with new caps and let the wires dangle and then use the fastest epoxy to make plastic isolators to hold the dangling wires in place.
Very nice demonstration of this fantastic radio. I was watching the photos but I couldn't see exactly how you would get to the speaker if it would ever need repaired or replaced with everything so compact inside. I always wondered if the speakers in tube radios crack due to the heat from the tubes drying out the cone and making it britle. Is that what usually happens? I wonder if you can demonstrate a video procedure in a simulated speaker repair or replacement on one of these radios?
musicman0150 2 months ago
@musicman0150
If the speaker needs to be changed I'll be glad to make a video. But it is my experience that it is not a good idea to do more than is necessary on some of these old radios. If it works, don't fix it.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 months ago
Have one like this color, tubes and all.
Tubes are RCA. Notice Radio Corporation of America??
Mine has the knobs but the dial face melted.
Would sure like to find a mint replacement dial face.
Twinhit 2 years ago
I just emailed a friend saying how hard it is to run across an old radio that is complete and in good condition. But it does make it interesting, I am going out looking today.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
After writing my comment, I searched the net and found a place that appears to have dial faces for this radio. I haven't contacted them as yet.
I also had a 1936 RCA 9K console.
That thing was an absolute mint beauty.
The magic eye was super cool. and the tone...... wow. Unfortunately, around here,
since I sold it, the radio stations no longer play vintage music and programs
We had KPOP for music and KNX drama hours. both are gone. :>(
Twinhit 2 years ago
ps, almost forgot.
The metal center is brass!
The paint was scuffed up pretty bad when I got it, so I stripped the gold paint and occasionally polish it with brasso. I repainted the sides to as close as original. which was REAL close.
When I look at mine, all polished up, and waxed, I think they just don't make 'em like they used to. It'd be pretty pricey.
And they don't make em in the U.S.A.
I wish Americans prided themselves in producing quality like back when.
Twinhit 2 years ago
The web is amazing. If you don't find what your looking for, try it again a few week or months later, so much stuff is added every day it is staggering. I am listening on the web more and more. I am down-streaming a Bob Hope program now.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Your right, the net is pretty darned amazing. A virtual university, shopping mall and entertainment center all rolled
up in one neat little package.
I've wondered about collecting various old radio programs and put them in an ipod and somehow port them to an old tube radio perhaps via a limited distance (low watt?) transmitter.
The new stuff is great but there is a lot to be said about the old tube tone.
A friend of mine has some 8000 songs in his ipod!! Remember the jukeboxes? LOL.
Twinhit 2 years ago
Here's a question:
How does one increase the signal gain on these old radios? I just discovered a station that is probably 100+ miles away and can hear it via a newer transistor but the "fridge" doesn't pick it up no matter the direction the radio's pointed.
I live 15 miles from Tijuana and mariachi transmitted via a powerful transmitter is a bit too much fiesta after a song.
Twinhit 2 years ago
An alignment of the radio may help.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
I'll send you a private message.
Twinhit 2 years ago
I told a younger friend that the days of one thing doing one thing are over.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Wonderful video.
In Brazil I have never seen a radio like this one before.
Watching your videos and your explanations with your clear and excelent pronounce is a pleasure. I know little english but I can understand you perfectly thanks to your calm way to explain . Thank you very much indeed!
mariopica 3 years ago
Thanks You!
Westinghouse did give these away when you bought a refrigerator, but they also just sold them. From time to time I do see one on eBay. It is a neat radio. And thanks again.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 3 years ago
Rick,
Several times I've seen refrigerator radios offered on eBay, but thought them to be smaller. I think it's cool, and it sounds very, very good. Too bad it wasn't offered in wood:).
As usual, an informative vid.
Thanks.
Regards,
John
joernone 3 years ago
Thanks John.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 3 years ago
I didn't know this was a six tube set. I thought that since it usually came free with a refridgerator, it would be a mediocre radio. The design reminds me of an art deco steam heater.
Hammondlover2 3 years ago
I did not realize that it was a six tube set until I made the video. I bought it, it worked, and I set it aside for about ten years. It doesn't look like a radio, but it is art deco.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 3 years ago
Unique radio. I know Westinghouse only from rectifiers. Does Westinghouse still exist nowadays? What does/did Westinghouse make in the past?
radioam232 3 years ago
Yes there still making light bulbs, TV's, and commercial nuclear electric power. They did sell off Group "W" their broadcasting radio and TV stations.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 3 years ago
Thank you (search internet, had to do first, found that Westinghouse is now part of the Electrolux group, well-known in Europe).
radioam232 3 years ago
Ya still in Business see W at Wal-mart on TV nice LCD TV.
RCAradio 3 years ago
Thank you, did it and found info.
radioam232 3 years ago
Surprising that Thomson does not own them.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 3 years ago
I saw one of these at a flea market! Now I wish I had picked it up. Hehe. Great work.
Organgrinder010 3 years ago
I wish I had a dollar for every time I did that, lol. That RF amplifier really makes a difference. Thanks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 3 years ago
awesome radio! is the original filter caps still active?
damusician 3 years ago
Thanks, the original filter cap is mostly still in use, someone paralleled part of it with a new one. I don't recommend that but this is the way I bought it. When the filter cap goes I'll isolate the old from the new but keep the original in place just for looks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 3 years ago
whats you technique of installing new caps with the original ones still place when there's a tight space in the chassic?
vinylman86 3 years ago
There's a number of ways. After cutting off the old capacitor electrically, if it is possible to move the individual caps to different points in the radio but electrically the same I'll do that, so their not all bunched up in one spot. If this is not an option I'll wire it up with new caps and let the wires dangle and then use the fastest epoxy to make plastic isolators to hold the dangling wires in place.
WiringDiagram 3 years ago