[NJARC] Request for opinions

[Robert Benjamin]

Hello,

I am a new subscriber to the list, with almost NO technical knowledge.  My
interest has been sparked by a Philco Model 201 console radio (no picture
available) that my wife and I inherited from her parents thirty years ago
and has been stored in our basement ever since.

Although the fabric is completely gone, the cabinet appears in good shape,
with intact inlays and a beautiful grain.  The chassis has not worked in
over 40 years, but all the tubes are in place, although I do not know if
they are originals.  The rotating station indicator wheel doesn't appear to
have any station indicators left on it.

I recently cleaned up the cabinet with Liquid Gold.  The finish looks good,
but has a lot of crackling (plus my sister-in-law's name carved in it).  The
rest of the cabinet is solid and doesn't show any traces of decay.  I
suspect the wiring will need complete replacement, and the middle Bakelite
knob is missing.

I am trying to decide whether to restore the original AM and shortwave
radio, or just complete refinishing the cabinet and put in an up-to-date
AM/FM radio, updating the station indicator wheel with new frequency
numbers.  The chassis would give me hands-on experience in restoring old
electronics, but I am not sure that the reception will be acceptable.  Since
I am a dedicated WNYC listener and subscriber, both AM and FM, this makes
the decision harder.

I would appreciate opinions from NJARC members about the best way to restore
this radio.

Bob Benjamin

Robert Benjamin
Practice Director, Software Quality Management
New York - New Jersey Branch
Business Solutions, Technology Group
Spherion Corporation
10 Parsonage Road
Edison, NJ 08837

Tel: 732 494-9333
FAX: 732 494-9305
RobertBenjamin@Spherion.com