The PHILCO Phorum

Hi everyone. While now in the fourth week of waiting for some period appropriate cloth wire for my 89, I've gotten impatient and cleaned out my local Craigslist of cheap project radios.


Here's the real beauty, a 38-7 code 121 in nearly perfect condition. All the cabinet needs is a little black touch-up around the grille, even the cloth is perfect. I don't know anything about it, other than the owner said it worked a few years ago. The expensive components are probably all good. This cone-centric dial is intriguing.




The dial has flame thrower stations from all over the country, like WLW, WSM, KDKA etc. WIS 560 is local and still broadcasting, so it's always been in SC.







Here are the rest. Real junkers, but good practice and hopefully worth a few dollars on ebay once restored. Bendix 753M, Emerson 541, Emerson 659B. Yes, the Bendix has a dial face hand drawn onto a piece of plexiglass. The original glass was fairly fragile apparently.




I've also built a low power 'Police' band transmitter in the basement to service the old Philcos. 1.8Mhz is very quiet. I'm really starting to get into this hobby

The older folks I've bought these from get quite a kick out of an 18 year old interested in 70 year old electronics

I cleaned out my craigslist a few weeks ago,lol

Some new stuff but they want way too much money. Now its just a waiting game!

Nice pieces though. projects are fun fun fun...

Unfortunately my parents will only tolerate so many receivers sitting on the dining room furniture, and my room is beyond full of my projects, and the garage with dad's. There are a couple more radios there I really want to get, but just have no space for.

I envy you guys with entire rooms or even basements devoted to the cause. My 'workbench' is a small patch of carpet in the corner of my room. Life goes on


Will

Love the 38-7. I had a chairside and it sounded great

18 is pretty young to get the disease but when you get out on your own you can work on your P.H.D. (Pile higher and deeper)

The Emerson AM/FM will look neat and sound pretty good when cleaned and restored!

Paul

Antique radios are a lot healthier than what I was into when I was 18.


...I mean before Boot Camp anyway...

I underwent the same cure. Amazing what they can do.