01-18-2021, 09:58 PM
Yup, I bought another National SW-54. This was a plain old bread and butter one, not exotic like the last one I wrote about here. I bought it back last November, and have been working on it on and off since. This one needed quite a bit of work. I first replaced all the paper condensers, as well as the big multi section "firecracker" electrolytic. (By the way, this guy offers complete kits for many radios, including reproduction multi section electrolytics. https://hayseedhamfest.com/ He may be able to make something for your needs too. I also bought a kit for a National NC-71 which will be my next project.) I also replaced the old line cord with a new one and an appropriate grommet. Then I found that quite a number of the resistors were WAY out of spec, so those got replaced. The radio still didn't work right. I double and triple checked all my work, but it was correct. Finally I cleaned all the switches and the volume pot, and the radio came to life. So, now I have another SW-54. I rather like this model radio. It may be a variation on the All American 5, with BCB, and 3 SW bands, but it actually is a decent little performer. So, here is a "before" picture of the underside of the chassis, and an "after picture of the radio playing WSM out of Nashville.
[Image: https://64.media.tumblr.com/debc75b26860...3a6a74.jpg][url=https://hayseedhamfest.com/][/url]
[Image: https://64.media.tumblr.com/f9c6977bcbd3...f0d992.jpg]
[Image: https://64.media.tumblr.com/debc75b26860...3a6a74.jpg][url=https://hayseedhamfest.com/][/url]
[Image: https://64.media.tumblr.com/f9c6977bcbd3...f0d992.jpg]