Philco Model 41-280 Radio Chassis, 1941

This is a Philco radio chassis from a nice art deco console radio I have been working on lately from 1941. It has AM and two shortwave bands, one of which is not used much today, which is just above the AM broadcast band. I have added an external audio input and switch to accommodate an FM tuner or other audio source such as an MP3 player, CD player, etc. You see the original speaker to the left of the chassis, and the large loop antenna to the right. I restrung the dial cord and band indicator cord, replaced all filter and wax/paper capacitors, and cleaned up the chassis and pushbutton switches. A shame, but the speaker rattles badly once the volume or bass level reaches just over a normal listening level. I tried cleaning out the pole piece and bobbin but only slightly improved it, so it looks like I will have to adapt it to a PM speaker and use a resistor in place of the field coil, then possibly have to add filter capacitors. It performs well otherwise, which is amazing thinking that it is approaching 70 years old!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Philco
• antique
• radio
• model
• 41-280
• art
• deco
• 1941
• AM
• shortwave
• tube
• valve

[blackjack6934]

I have one just like this, would you be willing to work on it?

[giftofgab001]

I just started working on a 42-390 that looks to be very similar. I am curious to know what terminal is appropriate for connecting a shortwave (wire antannae)?

Also what did you use to clean the pushbutton switches. It looks as though you could spray contact cleaner into them from the bottom? Currently I have no problem with power to the unit and I can pull in AM only.

[Ignacio785]

The singing in the minute 3:12 is Paul Anka and lyrics Your Head On My Shoulder

[SpeakerFreak95]

You can have the speaker reconed by many places to save that speaker from the recycling bin

[SpeakerFreak95]

Nice radio, and good video!

[KNGarver]

I have a unrestored, original one of these, it is practically junk and I have no idea how to operate it. But all I really need is a new speaker and get the buttons and tuner dial fixed. See it on my channel.

[fishycomics]

very curious, about the 1941 , are we sure that was not ment for the Outdoor antenna,

[emyandmatty]

your speaker is alittle blown

[jhon2891]

do u know who is singing "this has to be the start of something big"?