Category Archives: Radios and Tubes

Repairing Antique Radio Electrics from Start to Finish (3) – Grunow 589

Posted on April 26, 2011 by jwk

Update: The series is complete. For more articles and information, visit these other posts: Part 1: Identification and Task List Part 2: Intake Checks Part 3: Capacitor Replacement Part 4: Resistors and Controls Part 5: First Power-Up Part 6: Socket … Continue reading →

Posted in Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Repairing Antique Radio Electrics from Start to Finish (2) – Grunow 589

Posted on April 22, 2011 by jwk

Update: The series is complete. For more articles and information, visit these other posts: Part 1: Identification and Task List Part 2: Intake Checks Part 3: Capacitor Replacement Part 4: Resistors and Controls Part 5: First Power-Up Part 6: Socket … Continue reading →

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

Repairing Antique Radio Electrics from Start to Finish (1) – Grunow 589

Posted on April 20, 2011 by jwk

Update: The series is complete. For more articles and information, visit these other posts: Part 1: Identification and Task List Part 2: Intake Checks Part 3: Capacitor Replacement Part 4: Resistors and Controls Part 5: First Power-Up Part 6: Socket … Continue reading →

Posted in Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Stromberg-Carlson 520-PG: After Action Report

Posted on April 18, 2011 by jwk

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 , , , , , | 2 Comments

Stromberg-Carlson 520-PG Nearing Completion

Posted on April 13, 2011 by jwk

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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Showcase: Homemade 1930s-Style AM Radio Transmitter

Posted on April 5, 2011 by jwk

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 jwk

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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Seeking Information: 1941 Stromberg-Carlson 520 Radio

Posted on February 16, 2011 by jwk

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 , , , | 7 Comments

Antique Capacitor Color Code Chart

Posted on February 16, 2011 by jwk

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 →

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Project Idea: Digital Vacuum Tube Tester

Posted on February 15, 2011 by jwk

I’m in the early stages of brainstorming another project idea that will combine vacuum tubes with modern microelectronics in a useful and innovative way: a computerized vacuum tube tester. Tube testers themselves aren’t very complicated devices – the simple ones, … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Projects, Radios and Tubes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments