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Radiola 60 w/ 103 Speaker - Printable Version

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Radiola 60 w/ 103 Speaker - klondike98 - 07-18-2015

I have a neat new project to work on, this Radiola 60 with a 103 speaker.
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/y2hmvn0pw5oit1p/Radiola60_inMuseum.jpg?raw=1]
Its located at the Bandon Historical Society Museum and I volunteered to restore it.  So far they are interested in me cleaning up the cabinet but leaving it pretty much in “as is” condition, but making the radio function again.  I loaned them my Philco 59C for the duration of the restore.  [Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/tj386dw99d9l78y/Philco59c_done.jpg?raw=1]
They also have a Jackson Bell Model 62 Fleur des Lis that I’m hoping to also get working again but that’s a project for later. [Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/f7jrzxrzadz7fdp/BandonHistSoc_JacksonBell62.jpg?raw=1]
The Radiola 60 also has a metal stand that it sits in that I think must have been sold for the purpose of holding the radio since it is an exact fit for the cabinet.
The cord in the next photo apparently also came along with the acquisition but I don’t think it actually goes with the set.  It has a two prong power plug on one end and a 4 slot female plug on the other.  Measuring the resistance from the power plug prongs to the slots one connects directly to one slot and the other connects but with a resistance that is not very stable in the range of 200k (doesn’t seem to be any breaks in the cord ).  Anyone recognize this cord and know what it goes with????
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9ai2373uumb3tj1/Radiola60_unknownPLUG.jpg?raw=1]
The top of the cabinet is in the worst shape (as usual) so I hope to get the white stains off in the clean up.  The front isn’t too bad.  
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4wk0zi071j5opmq/Radiola60_top_asis.jpg?raw=1]
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/r4oe29a9ibtdsex/Radiola60_front_asis.jpg?raw=1]
Has all shoulder tubes except for one 27 globe.  
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ozlu57qdf2uk999/Radiola60_chassis_asis.jpg?raw=1]
I finally figured out how to get the beast out of the cabinet by separating the two chassis sections.
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/g6ddylp553idibj/Radiola60_chassisOUT.jpg?raw=1]
The goal for this restoration is to get this working reliably so it can be used regularly to listen to vintage broadcasts and museum specific recordings as part of the museum display.   Yep, that means I’m on the hook for an SSTRAN for them as well…
...more as I move along....

RE: Radiola 60 w/ 103 Speaker - klondike98 - 09-05-2015

I finally finished the Radiola 60 and 103 speaker and delivered it back to the museum today.  The cabinet came out nicely.  
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/cgbf6d3hwxxq87k/Radiola60_refinished.jpg?raw=1]
As did the new grill cloth on the speaker:
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/g903w010yxlpydq/Radiola103_restored.jpg?raw=1]
Here it is back at its home:
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ssuz6s5awcc3296/Radiola60_refinishedatthemuseum.jpg?raw=1]

The chassis restoration went pretty smoothly, the most difficult was to get the filter box apart.  There is a fiber board cover over the lugs that came off easily but the frame that the connecting lugs are on took a little heat gun action to loosen it followed by clipping the cap connections to it would all pull away.  You should be sure to unsolder the choke leads that are also in this can because you need to retain that.  Here are some photos of the various steps of getting the old caps out and putting the new ones in.  I also had to make a wood frame to hold things in place, although you could also fill the can with wax to do the same thing.
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xunqcz79ldx6wee/Radiola60_recap01_large.jpg?raw=1][Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rijidhsso8oynq5/Radiola60_recap02_large.jpg?raw=1][Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fo47f6jf41s7e7c/Radiola60_recap03_large.jpg?raw=1]
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/vxfijrfoh5ntzcf/Radiola60_recap04_large.jpg?raw=1][Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hlwsv31wpfjni85/Radiola60_recap05_large.jpg?raw=1][Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/awhyjrttipej3o9/Radiola60_recap06.jpg?raw=1]

The bypass caps were also replaced but were much easier to get to.
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/flm0epqbo7833jp/radiola60_recap07.jpg?raw=1]

Unfortunately the large wirewound resistor failed so I replaced it with two 10 watt wirewound resistors in parallel.  Overkill but hopefully cooler.  I’m sure that sometime in the future it will need a visit to the shop, maybe I’ll be able to rewind it then.  A fuse was also added in line with the power cord.
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dj9xnkx3bddk2c1/radiola60_powersupply.jpg?raw=1]

RE: Radiola 60 w/ 103 Speaker - sam - 09-05-2015

very nice bob Icon_clap Icon_clap Icon_clap

RE: Radiola 60 w/ 103 Speaker - klondike98 - 09-05-2015

Thanks Sam, glad it worked out. If I mess up my own radio I don't feel bad, but if I had messed up theirs I wouldn't feel too good about it. The SSTRAN worked as well though the building they are in must be metal framed as the signal gets noisy with distance. Worked great in my house. They may be moving the display so we did not spend time optimizing things.

RE: Radiola 60 w/ 103 Speaker - Mondial - 09-05-2015

Looks great. You did a beautiful job.

Do you have full size photos of the cap box rebuild? I have an unrestored Radiola 60 that works as is, but eventually will need the paper caps replaced. It would be nice to see what is involved before actually digging in to it.

By the way, the same wirewound resistor was open on mine. That was the only thing really wrong with it, other than needing alignment and neutralization of the IF stages. The neutralization adjustments are the trickiest part, otherwise you get all sorts of howls and squeals as you turn up the volume.

The Radiola 60 is a great performer for a late 20's radio, especially since its an early all triode superhet. 

RE: Radiola 60 w/ 103 Speaker - klondike98 - 09-05-2015

Thx mondial.
Yes i have larger pics and can add a link when i gat back to the computer.  I found this youtube video that helped me understand what was involved.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=byZ3poNy-bU
[Video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=byZ3poNy-bU]

I was lucky i think, no howls or screaching. Just good stong signal so i left well enough alone.

RE: Radiola 60 w/ 103 Speaker - klondike98 - 09-06-2015

Here are the links to the larger version of the photos (except the last one which is not really in focus).

(edit...larger photos now in original post above.)

The filter can itself has sides that slide together and if you get one side off the rest will come apart easily.  I set the can on the side of the bench and used a hammer to tap one of the sides to slide it off.  It bent the side a little but was easily tapped back in place.

RE: Radiola 60 w/ 103 Speaker - Mondial - 09-06-2015

Thanks Bob. I really wondered what the inside of that box looked like. Its good to see a preview of the project ahead.

I don't know when I will get back to working on mine. Its in a lot worse shape than the one you restored. It looks like it sat in a damp barn for the last 80 years or so.


   

   

   

What really surprised me is that it actually worked in that condition after replacing the open wirewound. 

RE: Radiola 60 w/ 103 Speaker - klondike98 - 09-06-2015

When I was reading up on Radiola 60s to see what folks have said on the various forums and web sites it seems that these seem to be operational long after other radios have died.  Must have had just the right mix of quality caps, wax sealer and luck in design.