Welcome Guest! Be sure you know and follow the Phorum Rules before posting. Thank you and Enjoy! (January 12) x

Thread Closed
Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

GE Loud Mouth
#1

I realize this is a fairly 'new' radio, but I figured I'd share this here because I am a bit shocked it works at all. This AM-FM/8-track combination was given to me a few years ago when the new owners of my late friend's home were cleaning up what was abandoned there after the auction. I had gone to buy the parts Radiola 66 that was still there and was getting ready to leave when the 80-something dad of the new owner came rushing out to give me this radio and a small box of tubes he discovered in a corner of the garage. He figured I could use the parts. Well, I finally dug it out this evening to see if it would even work. Marks against it, two cracks on the dial scale and the antenna is broken off. One good thing, the battery case shows no corrosion. I plugged it in and it tried to play, but the controls were horribly filthy and stiff. Popped it apart and cleaned the controls, even confirmed the belt was intact on the 8-track. Amazingly, this radio came back to life and, so far, even the 8-track still works and sounds decent. I am using one of my jumper wires for an antenna and am currently listening to it as I type this. Tuner is a bit scratchy, but once I peak a channel it works fine. As it is playing on batteries, it seems to be getting clearer and less fussy. Might see how long it lasts. Oh, it is also the usual Olive Drab and Black combination I always seem to find these colored in Ohio. Ohioans must have liked their GE portables military colored! Icon_lol 

   

No matter where you go, there you are.
#2

I actually really like that one! If you could get another dial scale and polish it back up, that would be an awesome unit! What year do you think it might be from? 1974ish? I would definitely use the 8-track feature often! Icon_thumbup
#3

After seeing the crazy prices these things are bringing on eBay in just decent working order, I think I will try to fix this one up even more. I played it for three hours straight last night and it sounded great on FM. Tried it briefly this afternoon and it still seemed alive. Icon_smile

No matter where you go, there you are.
#4

A really good cleaning, some novus, and you may have a looker. That speaker cover seems to have coolected a lot of dust!.
Good luck. 

Paul

Tubetalk1




Users browsing this thread:
[-]
Recent Posts
Model 80 Antenna Issue?
Thanks Gary and Rod.  I also found an article in the Philco Repair Bench under Service Hints and Tips, about installi...Hamilton — 12:32 PM
Model 80 Antenna Issue?
Hello Hamilton, here is a little information found in our Philco Radio Library at the bottom of the Home page. Hope it ...GarySP — 11:28 AM
Model 80 Antenna Issue?
I did as you suggested and touching the middle of the volume control did nothing so the coil has to be rewound. Any idea...Hamilton — 10:19 AM
1949 Motorola 5A9M
This would be the second portable in the "other radios" forum where I have a similar one in my collection. I h...Arran — 12:41 AM
Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio
Hi PittsburgTost. The record changer looks like a Garrard or BSR (Likely Garrard). The spindles just pull out and pu...MrFixr55 — 11:57 PM
Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio
Hello PittsburghToast , Welcome aboard and it looks like gary may have something for you ! now if I dig through my se...radiorich — 11:35 PM
Model 80 Antenna Issue?
You are kind of on the right path. You can touch the grid cap of the Detector/Oscillator 36 tube. I'm expecting a respon...RodB — 08:48 PM
Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio
Welcome to the Phorum, PittsburghToast!  I found an old thread that my interest you regarding the quality and worth of P...GarySP — 08:48 PM
Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio
Welcome to the Phorum! :wave: We do not have anything on that unit in our digital library. There is a Sam's Photof...klondike98 — 08:47 PM
Model 80 Antenna Issue?
I’ve replaced all the caps and resistors and the radio is working but minimal volume unless I put my hand near the re...Hamilton — 08:24 PM

[-]
Who's Online
There are currently 1430 online users. [Complete List]
» 3 Member(s) | 1427 Guest(s)
AvatarAvatarAvatar

>