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Philco 89 how well do they perform - Printable Version

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Philco 89 how well do they perform - radiorich - 06-22-2009

Hello Everyone,
Well I got a Philco 89 Code 123 far as this chassis goes .
How well do they perform compared to either Philcos of the same era.
Sincerely Rich
P.S. The Philco 90 I bet is still better performer right

Re: Philco 89 how well do they perform - exray - 06-22-2009

Rich, I had an 89 and it worked pretty good. Nothing spectacular tho, its just a plain AM radio although mine had the "police band' option. They can be a bear to get going because of the well-known problems with the oscillator coil. After taking care of that it seemed like I had to go through the alignment several times before it finally 'took'. But then it was just fine.

-exray

Re: Philco 89 how well do they perform - radiorich - 06-22-2009

Hello Eray,
Well this also has the police band far as restoration this set in working order just needs a liitle tlc like powercord and new speaker wire it has been recaped already

Re: Philco 89 how well do they perform - Ron Ramirez - 06-22-2009

Personally, I've always been quite fond of the 89 and 19 series Philco sets.

Sure, they have a bad reputation due to the finicky oscillator coil that is always bad. But if that coil is properly taken care of (removed, baked in an oven at 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes to drive out moisture, then properly rewound and coated with lacquer), and the set properly restored, it will reward you with outstanding performance.

Even the models with the type 36 detector-oscillator tube are capable of working very well. The later ones with a 77 tube in this position are somewhat more reliable.

I developed a mod to convert the detector-oscillator tube to a 6A7. But really, a properly restored stock set will work just about as well.

Details here:
http://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=1310

Re: Philco 89 how well do they perform - radiorich - 06-24-2009

Hello Ron,
I don't when thise was restored if the OSc coil was baked and sealed or not also far as recaping I know for sure it has new powersupply filters so that may be as far as he went .
When I get time I'll pull the chassis and find out ,For know the set works so that is really good sign .
far as that Super 89 goes that sure was some good reading and maybe it might be fun to do the mod to this Philco 89 to improve it .
Far as that Super 89 topic that was a some great reading also you did great job with you set .
Sincerely Rich

Re: Philco 89 how well do they perform - exray - 06-24-2009

Ron's playing games with us Icon_smile on one hand the 89 is great and on the other hand there's a hack method to make it Super-useful!
Rich, go with the original 89 plan. I don't think you'll be disappointed with it once its up and going.

Re: Philco 89 how well do they perform - Ron Ramirez - 06-24-2009

Nope, no games here. I just did the 89 mod because I'd heard - and read online - so many people complaining about the original autodyne circuit and 36 tube. I found the "Super 89" mod to be very hot on AM and the "police" band.

And then I did another 89 set, this time stock...and it was just as sensitive on the police band as is my Super 89.

The keys to a successful 89 restoration? Bake and rewind that oscillator coil...make absolutely sure the off-on-band switch is clean...all wiring in good shape...and the usual, replace all paper and electrolytic caps and do a careful, complete alignment.

I offered the "Super 89" mod just for those who get fed up with the original circuit built around a 36 tube. The original circuit can be very finicky; but when it works, it works well.

Re: Philco 89 how well do they perform - exray - 06-24-2009

Ron Ramirez Wrote:The keys to a successful 89 restoration? Bake and rewind that oscillator coil...

I agree. I didn't have to rewind mine (lucky) but the coil form had apparently turned into a moisture sponge. I could read resistance across the contacts to the mounting clamp. You could watch it go away as the coil was heated and the moisture baked away. Once it cleared up the oscillator took off just fine.

Re: Philco 89 how well do they perform - radiorich - 06-24-2009

Hello Exray,
Thank you for your advice Also this set will wit till winter time because I way to my outdoor projects now.
My hot project for the week is building Side boards and set of gates on my brother 2001 Dodge ram 2500
He picked up for $5100. with 46k miles it was a city truck .
Well Ron also wanted to think you again for the input .
I sure enjoy your website when I've got Philco problem your The Man ask .
Sincerely Rich
P.S. guys around

Re: Philco 89 how well do they perform - Doug Houston - 06-25-2009

I have a friend in Baltimore, who has one of the model 89's with the remote speaker, the receiver being in sort of a "Jewelry box" cabinet. I guess that there aren't many of those around. He's missing the speaker from the cabinet, and I just found one for him. I've assured him that it's a killer performer, so I have his hopes up pretty high.

I know about Ron's upgrade of the mixer-oscillator circuit, and I'll pass this on to him. Knowing him as I do, he'd leap over a canyon to get the set working as original. I do believe however, that he will rearrange the AC power input to the set, and the cabling to the speaker. Whyever on earth, Philco fed the AC into the speaker, then through the floor cable to the set; I'll never know. I have a 16 LX, and they didn't do it that way. If they had done it the other way, I'd change it without a second thought.