Author Archives: retrovoltage

Stromberg-Carlson 520-PG: After Action Report

Posted on April 18, 2011 by retrovoltage

My Stromberg-Carlson 520-PG (previous parts 1 2) is finally finished! The radio came out ahead of my expectations, even, and was delivered to its new home yesterday where I expect it will continue to serve for years to come. See … Continue reading →

Posted in Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Stromberg-Carlson 520-PG Nearing Completion

Posted on April 13, 2011 by retrovoltage

My current main project, refurbishing my Stromberg-Carlson 520-PG radio (which has been a fair amount of fun so far) is nearing completion. I’ve just completed an IF alignment, which greatly improved the sound quality and volume and general performance. Radios … Continue reading →

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EICO 221 VTVM Dial Scale

Posted on April 7, 2011 by retrovoltage

In a fit of clumsiness, I sent my EICO 221 VTVM flying off my bench and it struck the ground pretty hard. Not bad for its first major accident since 1959. Everything survived…except the sensitive meter movement, which snapped a … Continue reading →

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Refurbishing Vintage Sansui SP2500 Speakers (Crossover Repair)

Posted on April 5, 2011 by retrovoltage

A look at refurbishing the crossovers in a pair of Sansui SP2500 speakers to improve their muddy sound weak highs from early in Retrovoltage’s history with audio repair. Includes links to buy the required parts from Parts Express. Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Projects, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

Showcase: Homemade 1930s-Style AM Radio Transmitter

Posted on April 5, 2011 by retrovoltage

Radio hobbyist Jon the Grimm built this beautiful “homebrew” AM transmitter using tube technology, in the style of an original 1930s radio transmitter. Operating under Part 15 regulations, his transmitter has achieved a short range – perfect for feeding modern … Continue reading →

Posted in Collections, Commentary, Radios and Tubes | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Old Radio Detective Work

Posted on March 25, 2011 by retrovoltage

I’m still working on my 1941 Stromberg-Carlson 520-PG and am running into a few new problems I’ve never come across before. Back in the era of tube radios, everything was serviceable on a component level and most people had enough aptitude and … Continue reading →

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Review of Victor 3165 Frequency Counter

Posted on March 14, 2011 by retrovoltage

A frequency counter is an important part of any electronics service bench where it’s necessary to deal with unknown signals. I used them to verify the operation of my RF signal generator while performing alignments on tube radios, because I’m … Continue reading →

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Burned Up Aiphone

Posted on March 10, 2011 by retrovoltage

This is what happens when you connect the high level output of an audio amplifier, to an input designed to be hooked up to an MP3 player or other line level audio source. This Aiphone PA amplifier was incorrectly installed … Continue reading →

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Seeking Information: 1941 Stromberg-Carlson 520 Radio

Posted on February 16, 2011 by retrovoltage

If anyone reading this has information about a Stromberg-Carlson 520-PG from 1941, I would appreciate if you contacted me. I’ve been trying to find a photo of one that someone else owns, or even a picture of one in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Antique Capacitor Color Code Chart

Posted on February 16, 2011 by retrovoltage

I’m working on restoring another radio, and it has antique capacitors with color code markings that are different from the commonly used 3-digit codes found today. It took a bit of searching to find a good chart with these, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments