Old Philco radio project

[AxeAmpTN]

Hey y'all...wasn't sure which topic page to post this on...

I have a customer with an old Philco radio she'd like restored (well, at least brought back to life).  Now, I admit radios aren't really my area of expertise.  So I have to ask:  will an old mono, tube, probably AM-only radio actually work these days with digital radio signals, etc? 

She says it was previously working (about 15-20 years ago), so other than recapping and changing the 2-prong cord, are there other things I should look out for?  Any other advice?

[PRR]

> will an old mono, tube, probably AM-only radio actually work these days with digital radio signals, etc?

You know if it is AM-only by looking at the dial.

To speculate what you may pick-up we need to know where you are. In much of Europe there is no traditional FM, only digital. However a little research says you are a bit south of Nashville USA? In USA, AM and FM are unchanged since 1949. There are several AM stations in that area. Unless the customer is down in a hollow, there should be "something".

If you just fix it like it was, do NOT change to 3-pin power cord. That could be disastrous. The radio was made to be hot-chassis, this affects many circuit details. We only do that when the user is gonna hang-on all the time: electric guitar.

The 2020-era alternative is to cut the speaker, install a BlooToot audio package with a remote control.

[AxeAmpTN]

Ok, thanks PRR.

That makes sense about the cord, so thanks for clarifying that.  The original is very frayed so needs to be replaced, so I'll keep that 2-prong.

You're right that I'm south of Nashville and we do get AM stations out here.  I haven't seen this in person...customer has only contacted me via Facebook, sending a couple overall photos, so I am assuming from first impressions that it is 40's/50's and therefore mostly likely AM only.

So, assuming I'm putting on a fresh power cord and doing a cap job (no mods), it will most likely function properly to pick up whatever stations will reach her home? Is that right?

[PRR]

No mods to run a healthy 1947 radio in 2019. I got a old-old Philco and right away it pulled in the big Boston station and also Mr King's Maine station (no modern radio does that well).

But it may run deeper than just a re-cap. And working "live" on these things, as to check for voltages, can be dangerous.

[kagliostro]

No mods to run a healthy 1947 radio in 2019.

That is true for sure

But, if you want to have an "intensive" use of your radio ......

some people here do this



https://www.leradiodisophie.it/Trasmettitore-om.html

https://www.leradiodisophie.it/Downloads/Loria-02.pdf

https://www.leradiodisophie.it/Downloads/Loria-01.pdf

If you do a google search for DIY AM Tube transmitter you'll find more than a project

Franco