Category Archives: Electronics

More Strange Coiled Wires [Mailbag]

Posted on January 24, 2012 by jwk

I had an interesting call the other day with a gentleman about a radio he’s working on, among other topics: That’s a Philco 46-420. They’re nice little bakelite radios with 6 tubes designed to receive the AM broadcast band. He’d come … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Mailbag, Photos, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s that piece of wire, some kind of gimmick? [Mailbag]

Posted on January 17, 2012 by jwk

I was talking with a fellow antique radio hobbyist on the phone the other day about a repair he was working on. A TrueTone battery radio, he’d taken care of all the important steps – checking out the tubes, replacing … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Mailbag, Photos, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Unboxing my Sharp PC-4501 classic Personal Computer

Posted on January 9, 2012 by jwk

It’s 1987 and I’ve been needing a new laptop. After a careful process of comparison shopping I settled on my Sharp PC-4501 from Montgomery Ward. Let’s open it up and take a look! For only $699.99, it’s a state of … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Electronics, Hardware, Photos, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

1942 GE LF-116 Radio Repair Part 4 – Capacitors and Discriminator/Phase Inverter Socket

Posted on October 15, 2011 by jwk

Part of a continuing series: Part 1 – History and First Looks Part 2 – Tool Prep Part 3 – Capacitor Can Rebuild Part 4 – Capacitors and Socket Replacement  Part 5 – Finished! I’m continuing to work on this … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

1942 GE LF-116 Radio Repair Part 3 – Capacitor Can Rebuilding

Posted on October 12, 2011 by jwk

Part of a continuing series: Part 1 – History and First Looks Part 2 – Tool Prep Part 3 – Capacitor Can Rebuild Part 4 – Capacitors and Socket Replacement  Part 5 – Finished! I’m continuing to work on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

1942 GE LF-116 Radio Repair Part 2 – Tool Prep

Posted on October 9, 2011 by jwk

Part of a continuing series on restoring this radio:  Part 1 – History and First Looks Part 2 – Tool Prep Part 3 – Capacitor Can Rebuild Part 4 – Capacitors and Socket Replacement  Part 5 – Finished! I’m continuing … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

1942 GE LF-116 Radio Repair Part 1 – History and First Looks

Posted on October 6, 2011 by jwk

Part of a continuing series: Part 1 – History and First Looks Part 2 – Tool Prep Part 3 – Capacitor Can Rebuild Part 4 – Capacitors and Socket Replacement  Part 5 – Finished! I’ve had a GE LF-116 radio … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

ViewSonic VP191b Computer Monitor Repair

Posted on September 24, 2011 by jwk

A little while ago, I picked up a set of seven LCD monitors in various states of not working as a fun side project. The first one was quite easy – it just needed a wire reconnected internally and works … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Photos, Projects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

1953 Hallicrafters 8R40 Repair

Posted on September 17, 2011 by jwk

This radio came from an electronics recycler, it’s the Hallicrafters 8R40. It looked like it had been stored very well, had all the tubes, the dial strings intact, no rust to speak of and not even very much dust. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Westinghouse LCD Repair

Posted on August 28, 2011 by jwk

After seeing the repair I made on the Samsung LCD monitor, a friend gave me a few-years-old Westinghouse LCD/TV that had quit working – it wouldn’t power on anymore. It’s a Westinghouse SK-19H210S, 19″ LCD accepting VGA or HDMI up … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Photos, Projects, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments