[MrFixr55]

Hi PatMat,

IMHO, the best way to check out Phrank (Love the name) is to do the following:
-Remove and inspect the chassis. with an 65 year old radio, it is important that the electrolytic filter caps and all paper caps be replaced if this has not been done in the past 20 years (modern mylar or poly aps and good 'lytics were common 20 to 30 years ago. wax-paper caps will fail.

If the radio has a phono switch and input, use it to inject audio from a CD, MP3, etc., (Set the volume control on the radio and the device low and raise to best sound). This will verify if the Audio is good.

If the Audio is good, lengthen the antenna wire, find a pipe ground and turn off as many computers, CFLs, LEDs, TVs, etc. as possible to lower the noise level.

Operate a known good AM radio in the same area and compare performance. Note that more modern AM radios with ferrite antennas may pick up less noise.

Hope this helps.