The PHILCO Phorum

Hello, I'm curious about the antenna that Philco would (might) have provided with their radios, specifically the 37-650 radio. Did a stock antenna come with it or was the antenna an option? If so what do (does?) the Philco Phorum community generally use? Thanks,

Me again. To expand on my thoughts, I remember working on a Zenith console about 20 years ago that had a Zenith brand antenna in the cabinet. It was round and weighed 4-5 pounds. Did Philco make any such thing? Thanks

I believe Philco offered a doublet (dipole) with balanced transmission line and matching transformers.

Thanks Alan. If this was just a standard external longwire I can create one. Was this something that fit within the confines of the cabinet? Do you think there is an outline or list of components so i could duplicate it? Thanks for the feedback.

The antenna Alan describes is an external antenna, made to be installed outside the home.

If you could find someone who has one, perhaps you might be able to duplicate it?

These crop up on eBay from time to time - look for the "Philco High Efficiency Aerial." They are museum pieces if still in their original boxes, though; and do not deserve to be installed outdoors and put to use, in my opinion.

A better solution would be to string a longwire antenna outside your home; that is, unless you live in one of those subdivisions with a "homeowners' association" and all of their restrictive rules which will not allow you to do so. If so...sorry for your bad luck. In this case, an alternative would be to string some sort of longwire inside the attic of your home, as long as your home does not have aluminum siding!

Thanks Ron. I have an antenna for a SX-190 I use; I was hoping for something compact and indoors. I have a couple of angles and am going to try my luck. Thanks to all!

joeswl Wrote:Me again. To expand on my thoughts, I remember working on a Zenith console about 20 years ago that had a Zenith brand antenna in the cabinet. It was round and weighed 4-5 pounds. Did Philco make any such thing? Thanks

Hi Joe.

Zenith consoles often used a "Wavemagnet" gizmo. Sort of a generic box loop antenna. So did many other brands. To my recollection the closest thing that Philco used was a big rotatable loop in the bottom of a console cabinet.

Is your 37-650 a table top model? If so then there's not an 'internal' antenna option. You could use the external kit like Alan and Ron mention but for most people the 'random-wire' is the inevitable option.

For the most part you can achieve ~ 80% (or so) of basic BCB and SW reception with as little as 15 or 20 feet of wire as an antenna. You can snake it along the baseboard or whatever. Its akin to using rabbit ears instead of a decent outdoor TV antenna and suits well enough for many applications. If you are inside of a concrete building it may stink for an antenna (just like rabbit ears!) so if you can get some wire outside its really worth the effort. Those Zenith Wavemagnets work equally as poor inside. No magic with them.

Thanks Exray. The 37-650X is a floor model with lots of internal room. I have a picture of an antenna on a Philco tabletop (antenna PN 38-9889) which I'm going to try to recreate, but in the end it'll probably be a longwire along the baseboard. The area the radio will be displayed will make outdoor access difficult. Thanks for your time and encouragement!

Chuck's site has a photo and a brief description of the antenna originally supplied with your 37-650, as well as all 1937 Philco models:

http://www.philcorepairbench.com/mystery/40-6112.htm

I have both the Philco and Zenith doublet antenna versions. There are slight differences whether that matters or not. I've posted the electrical & physical specs previously. If anyone wants them, I'll dig them up.

BDM Wrote:I have both the Philco and Zenith doublet antenna versions. There are slight differences whether that matters or not. I've posted the electrical & physical specs previously. If anyone wants them, I'll dig them up.

Would you, please? I, for one, would be most interested in seeing this information.

By the way, great to hear from you, Brian. How have you been?

Doing well Ron. I see you are also Icon_wink

Congrats on your new start in life (marriage). I'm catching up on the happenings the last year or so. I see I've missed plenty.

I'll dig this info up this weekend. Working 12 hour days (like now, typing away at work).

Here are pics I took real quick. Now, I do have a 1936 Philco antenna also. That one came to me with no instructions and a destroyed box. It's slightly different from the 37 model. I also have a 38 model which is in storage right now. But seems to be identical to the 37 model. Both the Philco and Zenith antennas seem just about identical also.

I haven't tested them electrically.

[Image: philco+antenna+1.JPG]