Category Archives: Commentary

Need 45V batteries for your old radio?

Posted on May 21, 2015 by jwk

Rayovac has been making batteries for over 100 years, and their batteries were commonly found in use with many types of battery-operated tube radios. Most commonly, radios would operate on 45V batteries with a tap half-way (for 0-22.5-45V). Two in … Continue reading →

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Watch a McIntosh Tube Amp Come to Life

Posted on December 27, 2014 by jwk

Discovery’s How It’s Made shows us how a McIntosh vacuum tube audio amplifier comes to life: Definitely worth watching!

Posted in Audio, Commentary, Hi-Fi, Radios and Tubes, Stereo | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Merry Christmas from KF7LZE & Rain City Audio!

Posted on December 25, 2014 by jwk

Season’s Greetings!

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Boxed Kit Amps’ Gobo Stereo Amplifier Build and Review

Posted on November 26, 2014 by jwk

If you’re a subscriber to Nuts and Volts Magazine, check out my article in the December 2014 issue where I build, test and review the Boxed Kit Amps Gobo Stereo Amplifier, a great little desktop reference amp for any skill … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Commentary, DIY, Electronics, Gadgets, Hi-Fi, Projects, Stereo | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Vintage Schematic Mistakes

Posted on November 21, 2014 by jwk

Every once in a while, you run into places where a drafting tech made some mistakes on the schematics. This one was a Philco 42-360 radio, which has the wrong tube called out in the tube line-up vs. the schematic. The … Continue reading →

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Marantz 2270 Stereophonic Receiver Overhaul

Posted on October 26, 2014 by jwk

I just had a great stereo receiver through the shop for repairs, the Marantz 2270. It’s the big brother to the Marantz 2245 I had through the shop a little while ago – mostly the same front-end circuitry, but with … Continue reading →

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Use Copper Shielding Tape to Protect Dial Strings from Hot Tools [Tips and Tricks]

Posted on October 24, 2014 by jwk

Dial strings are, quite frankly, about the worst things in the world. They’re usually a complex and finicky mechanical system parked right in the middle of an otherwise straightforward electrical project, and if a string breaks good luck getting it … Continue reading →

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High Stability TCXO Upgrade for RTLSDR Dongles

Posted on October 11, 2014 by jwk

Over at RTL-SDR.com, I found out about a great new product that’s just come out for more precise SDR applications: a customized R820T-based stick with a high stability temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) in place of the stock crystal, giving … Continue reading →

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What do you get from a $25 multimeter?

Posted on October 4, 2014 by jwk

Fred Clift wrote over on his blog about why it’s worthwhile to pick a more expensive multimeter. He’s comparing a $200 Fluke to a $6 Harbor Freight multimeter, which really is a no-brainer. I’m not sure the Harbor Freight model … Continue reading →

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Getting Started With Vintage Radio and Electronics: Basic Tools for the Hobbyist

Posted on September 18, 2014 by jwk

A few people have asked me variations of  “What tools do I need to fix my first radio?”, “What do I need to put together this soldering kit?”, and such. It’s not as simple as you might think. There’s a … Continue reading →

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