05-04-2014, 11:26 AM
I'd think the 42-390 would be a decent performer. I have a 42-355 with the same chassis. I pick up all kinds of distant stations on AM and SW even in my basement with just the built-in loop. The chassis is a devil to restore, though, because it has lots of crumbling rubber-insulated wire. There is also an enormous assembly combining the band switch, push-buttons, and power switch that is hard to re-wire.
The old FM band is useless, of course, though I can often pick up a strong local country station, probably from a harmonic in the converter stage. I didn't bother to align the FM on mine.
Restoration isn't really worse than any of the similar Philcos of the era with rubber wires, but it takes patience. It was actually one of the first few radios I restored. It took me a long time, but it didn't require any special skill or experience. If the band switch assembly is damaged or worn out, I don't know what you'd do.
The old FM band is useless, of course, though I can often pick up a strong local country station, probably from a harmonic in the converter stage. I didn't bother to align the FM on mine.
Restoration isn't really worse than any of the similar Philcos of the era with rubber wires, but it takes patience. It was actually one of the first few radios I restored. It took me a long time, but it didn't require any special skill or experience. If the band switch assembly is damaged or worn out, I don't know what you'd do.
John Honeycutt
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