Welcome Guest! Be sure you know and follow the Phorum Rules before posting. Thank you and Enjoy! (January 12, 2025) x

Thread Closed

The "cheap" Philcos of the Depression
#1

We all know Philco built several low priced radios during the early Depression years. I have three - the 80B, 57C, and 84B. Though they only have four tubes, I have to say these three radios have been three of the more painful restorations I've ever done. From my experience, good alignment of these is next to impossible. Plus, my 57C and 80B still have intermittent problems, even though I've gone through them with a fine-tooth comb.

Though they aren't the greatest performers around, they do usually seem to be able to bring in local stations well. I guess they served their purpose - to be an inexpensive way to own a radio in the 1932-34 time frame, when the Depression was having its worst effects on people. To me, that makes these radios an important part of history.

Anyone have any better luck with these lower end table models?

Tom


Messages In This Thread
The "cheap" Philcos of the Depression - by zenith82 - 11-26-2005, 12:12 AM
[No subject] - by Ron Ramirez - 11-26-2005, 12:25 PM
[No subject] - by Ron Ramirez - 11-28-2005, 07:55 PM
[No subject] - by zenith82 - 11-28-2005, 09:47 PM
[No subject] - by Ron Ramirez - 11-28-2005, 10:09 PM



Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
[-]
Recent Posts
54C Complete Teardown/Rebuild
Hello Roy, here is this one sincerely Richardradiorich — 12:45 AM
54C Complete Teardown/Rebuild
Richard, Had grabbed it already but thank you just the same.  I find myself wanting to find some way to block out the...glyphmon — 12:03 AM
54C Complete Teardown/Rebuild
Hello roy, here is a link to the schematic . Sincerely Richardradiorich — 11:54 PM
54C Complete Teardown/Rebuild
Richard, The Silvertone 2014 also is a transformerless set, so I am incorporating a 1:1 600 ohm audio isolation transfo...glyphmon — 11:37 PM
Preliminary work on wife's Silvertone 2014
Did an alignment today which was interesting.  IF alignment went great, almost all was already spot-on.  Adjusting on th...glyphmon — 11:35 PM
54C Complete Teardown/Rebuild
The main problem with adding a Bluetooth input is that this set lacks a traditional power transformer to isolate it from...radiorich — 11:19 PM
54C Cabinet Refinish
I started stripping this cabinet before it got super chilly out because I knew I wasn't going to be able to work on ...glyphmon — 11:18 PM
54C Complete Teardown/Rebuild
While I'm waiting to wrap up the final steps on my wife's Silvertone 2014, I started disassembly on the next project.  O...glyphmon — 11:07 PM
Preliminary work on wife's Silvertone 2014
Hello roy, that great news glad it worked out for you !! Sincerely Richardradiorich — 10:50 PM
Preliminary work on wife's Silvertone 2014
Safety caps arrived today.  Soldered one in and had a successful first power-up.  No magic smoke escaped and it tunes in...glyphmon — 09:53 PM

[-]
Who's Online
There are currently no members online.

>