Ward Airline Radio ideas

[Ambugaton]

I found an old ward radio for sale locally that I think can be altered into something usable. Model 04BR-620A. Anyone have any experience with these? I will search the forum, I think I saw something...

Thanks in advance.

[sluckey]

Lot's of info including schematic is here...

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/montgomery_04br620a.html

[Ambugaton]

Has anyone converted one of these things into something usable? I think I saw a few projects somewhere.

[Paul1453]

Well the FC speaker is different, but you've got most of a Fender Champ there to convert to.   

[PRR]

Let's not start a new Topic each time. I've Merged.

ALL old transformer radios "are Champs", except with a tuner in place of the first preamp stage. (Or-- Champ/Deluxe are standard parlor radios without a tuner and fragile walnut cabinet.)

You got a rectyfier and your 6V6. 6SQ7 is a half a 12AT7/12AX7 (and diodes you may ignore).

Grab a 6SK7 from the middle and clean off all wires except heater. Triode-strap it. Use Champ first-stage resistor values; not dead-optimum but close enough for most uses. That first stage goes to  the Volume control (in this case you could go to the phono switch, use the other side as line-in from your iPod).

If the field-coil speaker works, play it; but a living-room radio now over 60 years may not survive much/any HARD playing. When it fails, replace the field-coil with a 1K resistor, use a 4 Ohm speaker with the OT  which may be riveted onto the old speaker.