Costs can go anywhere from $500 to $2500, and maybe more depending on the condition of the radios, how many were originally built, what needs to be done as far as a wiring harness, how much they have been modified after being surplused, and mounts and missing accessories. Age since surplusing certainly affects availability of parts and price, as well as the commonality of the radio being done. And the longer the radios have been out of government inventory, the harder they are to repair and restore. Some parts are simply no longer available. I'm not trying to dissuade you from doing the restoration, but I also don't want to blow sunshine up your shorts in regard the cost and difficulty of doing the job to bring the radio back into original configuration and working condition.
That's also why older completely restored, working sets in original configuration are going to be costly to buy "off the shelf", and will continue to rise in price. An 80 year old military set will take time, sometimes years, for somebody to gather all the original parts and accessories needed to make a complete set, and time and money to then have that set and those parts inspected and restored, and to perhaps also have a wiring harness made. Great if a buyer/enthusiast can do the work themselves, but if they can't ( I can gather the parts, but really can't do the electrical repair/restoration), they need to find and be ready to pay somebody to do all that. That's just the way it is. As an example, a two transmitter, three receiver SCR-274-N ( a relatively common WW2 AM radio) setup up complete with all accessories, mounts, wiring harness and manuals, in or restored to original configuration, unmodified except to replace minor, worn out internal electrical components will run somewhere in the $3500+ range. That's repaired and working. The cost is significantly less if nothing has been inspected/restored.
It does get to the point where some sets are simply beyond the point where they can be realistically and economically restored and are only really good to pull usable parts from. The individual collector has to make the decision as to when that point has been reached.
Figure that any old radio that shows that is has been modified in any way is inoperable ( because it probably is ) and in all likelihood cannot be easily restored to original configuration.
Mark D.
WW2RDO
In a message dated 5/16/2023 12:23:15 PM Eastern Standard Time, herbert.mooney@gmail.com writes:
I'm new to collecting and working on these radios, so I'm wondering what I might expect to pay for a "working" Navy ATC (ART-13) with its dynamotor, mounting rack, and connectors in excellent condition? I have 2 ART-13 transmitters that need inspection, testing and some parts to get them working once I learn enough about working on these radios. I have another, like new, dynamotor for one of these as well. I want to buy the ATC because it is closer to plugging in and using until I fix my other transmitters and receivers I've accumulated. What's the going price for one of these ATC radios? I'm trying to decide if shipping will make it prohibitive based on value, but my desire always seems to justify these things even when shipping/packing is outrageous LOL.
Thanks,
W4BCH - Herb
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