First Radio restoration - Printable Version

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First Radio restoration - Tubeman - 01-19-2025

Hello everyone, 

I am looking to restore my first radio and I have two Philco’s to choose from; a 42-380 and a 40-130.  I own both of them but was wondering if one might be a better restore for a first timer than the other?  I plan to keep both so no worry’s over resale value and neither is sentimental to me either. The cabinet for the 40-130 is in a lot better condition than the 42-380 but cabinet restoration is another journey.   I plan on restoring both to gain the knowledge and to help keep these radios alive for myself and other generations. I’m also a Ham (KI5MED) so I’ve got the radio bug lol.  I have worked on tube stuff before, but this is my first attempt at a radio and want to make sure it’s done right. No hack jobs here! lol. 

As far as equipment I have a fluke DVM, 100mhz Dual trace Oscilloscope, audio signal generator, variac, isolation transformer, solder station.  What I don’t have is an RF generator to use for the alignment. 

So my questions are:

1. Electronic wise, is one of these radios, easier to restore than the other?

2. Does anyone have a suggestion for an RF Generator that won’t bankrupt me? lol

3. Any help, guidance, or tips are greatly appreciated!

Thanks! 

Matt

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RE: First Radio restoration - morzh - 01-19-2025

40-130 is a simpler radio. It also is smaller and so is easier to handle.

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RE: First Radio restoration - GarySP - 01-19-2025

Welcome to the Phorum, Matt! In the Philco Radio Library located at the bottom of this page has service information for both of your radios. Both radios are subject to having degraded rubber insulation on the wires in the chassis. Check them closely. Both radios will at very least need to be recapped and out-of-tolerance resistors replaced. Do not power them up before doing this. Mica caps are usually OK. Both are Loctal vacuum tubes. Clean all tube pins and sockets. Lots of other members here to help you along the way. Take care and BE HEALTHY! Gary

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RE: First Radio restoration - Tubeman - 01-19-2025

Thank you both. I’ll start off with the 40-130 as it’s in better condition as well. Thanks Gary on the tip about the radio library. I found the 43 Philco service training manual and will start there.

Best,
Matt

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