The PHILCO Phorum

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I was intruiged by the extra antenna connections on the back of my 610 - there is a note that states that I should connect some kind of antenna - The "All Wave Aerial Transmission Line" - to unleash my set's full potential - and clearly at some stage there was a factory option that could be added.

Is this something worth trying to duplicate ?
Maybe I'd be better off just making a conventional loop antenna ?

The radio works nicely just with a (not very) long line antenna but struggles to pull in some more distant stations. I'd be interested in learning more if anyone has any information or experience with this.

I'm really enjoying the set and use it pretty much every day.
(04-03-2012, 01:24 PM)chrisc Wrote: [ -> ]I was intruiged by the extra antenna connections on the back of my 610 - there is a note that states that I should connect some kind of antenna - The "All Wave Aerial Transmission Line" - to unleash my set's full potential - and clearly at some stage there was a factory option that could be added.

Is this something worth trying to duplicate ?
Maybe I'd be better off just making a conventional loop antenna ?

The radio works nicely just with a (not very) long line antenna but struggles to pull in some more distant stations. I'd be interested in learning more if anyone has any information or experience with this.

I'm really enjoying the set and use it pretty much every day.

Well, IMHO nothing beats a 2' X 2' tuned loop as long as you're not down in the cellar for A.M. broadcast. Nice and directional and all that good stuff. Long wire outside for S.W. or possibly a dipole, although they get tricky, and anything outside needs a lightening arrestor and nice big knife switch to try to protect the radio when the weather turns. L.W. is I dunno, not sure there is anything happening there in North America but correct me if I'm wrong. A nice thick wire to a stake driven well into the ground for a ground is always nice for a transformer set if you can do it.

Well that's a start.
OK - Thanks - I think I'll go with the tuned loop as I've been hankering to build one anyway. I was just curious about what the factory accessory actually was.
ChrisC

The extra connections are for a dipole antenna called the Philco All-Wave Aerial. This dipole used a balun at the antenna to feed a twisted pair lead-in, which in turn connected to the two screws in the back of your 610. Most other 1936 Philco models were similarly equipped.

In 1937, Philco changed the name of the outdoor antenna to the Philco High Efficiency Aerial. You can read a little more info on Chuck's site:

http://www.philcorepairbench.com/mystery/40-6112.htm
Thanks, Ron ! It's really interesting to learn what this thing was / what they were trying to do. In my situation I think I'd be better off making up a basic loop antenna - should be a fun project.

Chris