Console Radio Collection
Here are the console radios I have collected so far. Table radios are nice, but my consoles are my pride and joy. I restore each receiver one at a time. To me a properly restored radio has had the following repairs/upgrades. All paper capacitors are to be replaced. All resistors must be replaced OR if they are in a difficult place to access, their tolerance is checked. Each original resistor must be within 20% +/- the original value, however I hold my restorations to a higher standard. Anything more than 10% +/- is out! Solder joints are all double and triple checked to be sure a good connection is made. Dropping resistors or bucking transformers have been added to each set to drop today's high line voltage (125V) down to a much cooler ~110V. Antique radio transformers, especially Zeniths, do not appreciate being plugged into a 125V outlet. Controls are cleaned and lubricated with DeOxit brand contact cleaner. I use compressed air to remove any unwanted solder blobs or particles of dust. Finally, a complete receiver alignment is done using a signal generator and VTVM. This procedure is done to be sure each radio receives the correct stations, at the correct places on the dial. Peaking the intermediate frequency, antenna, and oscillator coils are important to be sure the radio is running at it's peak performance. This is the general process I take when I restore a radio. Each set usually requires something a little different, but the process is still very similar. Now enough talk, onto the photos of my collection!