How do I identify my Philco radio?
These blue labels were placed just inside the cabinet of most Philco sets, but occasionally can be found on the bottom of a table model cabinet, or on the back (if it had a back on it originally). Beginning in the 1938 model year, many Philco chassis also have the model number rubber stamped on the back of the chassis.
What are old radios worth?
With so many vintage radios available on the market, in general these radios are pretty cheap. Older models are the most expensive at a few hundred dollars. Vintage models from the 1970s and after only cost around $20 or $30.
What did Philco stand for?
Philadelphia Battery Company
Philco (an acronym for Philadelphia Battery Company) is an American electronics manufacturer headquartered in Philadelphia.
What year is my Philco radio?
If you see a Philco radio whose model number starts with two digits and a dash, the the first two digits indicate the year of manufacture. For example, my Philco 41-221 was made in 1941.
How do I know if my radio is antique?
The normal way to identify a radio is by manufacturer and model number (for example, “Zenith 7G605″ or “Philco 42-350″). Model numbers can include any combination of letters and numbers, and they may be long or short, although most are from two to six characters in length.
Does anyone collect old radios?
Collecting and restoring old radios and similar gear has become popular during the past several decades, and a number of clubs and associations exist in many states.
Is there a market for old radio tubes?
There is a large market today for newer tubes used in vintage music amplifiers and vintage tube stereo equipment. Sought after by Audiophiles, these include the common U.S. made 6L6 ($15-$25) and 12AX7 ($8-$15). If it’s a Telefunken brand you can easily double or even triple the price.
When did Ford own Philco?
1961
Looking to expand its product offerings beyond the automobile industry, Ford was intrigued by the access to new and innovative technologies engineered by Philco. It purchased the company in 1961 and Ford transferred its Aeronutronic Division to a new entity it called Philco-Ford.
Who made tubes for Philco?
At any rate, the tiff prompted Philco to contract with two independent tube manufacturers, Sylvania Lamp Company and Hygrade Lamp Company, to produce a line of tubes bearing the Philco brand name.
What can I do with old radios?
Some centers might come to your home to pick up electronics, while others will want you to drop them off yourself. Load the box of electronics into your car and drive to the recycling center if it doesn’t perform pick-ups. Drop off the electronics with a recycling center employee.
Are transistor radios worth anything?
Today pocket transistor radios manufactured in the 1950s are very collectable. Some models are highly sought after by collectors and regularly sell for hundreds of dollars. It is not uncommon to find a transistor radio at a yard sale for $4 or $5 and sell it the next week for several hundred dollars.
When did they stop making tube radios?
All radios produced during the first half of the 20th century were tube radios, since transistors were not invented until 1947 and did not start to replace tubes in radios until 1954. Which means that whether your antique radio is a cathedral or…
Who founded Philco?
The Founding of Philco: How It Happened. In 1892, Thomas Spencer and his brother Frank G. Spencer got together with Frank S. Marr and two business associates to start a small company at 1310 Filbert Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
When did Ford buy Philco?
Do antique radios still work?
Most antique radios will work once the capacitors have been replaced. If it does not work then signal trace through the circuit by injecting a signal at the IF or RF, replacing resistors or occasionally a tube where needed. Old resistors have a tendency to increase in value with age.
What is the most valuable transistor radio?
Although it is not an outstanding performer, the Regency TR-1 is touted as the “First” transistor radio and is probably the most valued and sought after transistor radio by collectors. A pair of TR-1s recently sold for $5,000 at auction on-line.
What can you do with old radios?
If you don’t get any takers, recycle the radio. Gather your unwanted radios, along with any other electronic devices you want to donate, and pack them in a box. Tape shut the box to secure the electronics. Call your center of choice to find out how to donate or visit its website.
Do tube radios sound better?
So which is it: do tubes sound better, or is it all the same? Both! If you match everything, they will sound the same, but in real life, things are never matched. In reality, tube amplifiers tend to have enough distortion that does make them sound different.
What is an old fashioned radio called?
Foxhole radios
A foxhole radio is a simple crystal sets radio receiver cobbled together from whatever parts one could make (which were very few indeed) or scrounged from junked equipment.
How much was a transistor radio in the 1960s?
– Ad for Sony TR-610, 1958
This Regency advertisement reads, “It’s the World’s Smallest Radio!” The device cost $49.95.
When did they stop making transistor radios?
Beginning around 1980, however, cheap AM transistor radios were superseded initially by the boombox and the Sony Walkman, and later on by digitally-based devices with higher audio quality such as portable CD players, personal audio players, MP3 players and (eventually) by smartphones, many of which contain FM radios.
Are antique radios a good investment?
If you’re looking for ways to invest your money, old radios are one of the worst deals around. There’s no consensus on value. Prices can as easily go down as up. Radios require lots of storage space, and they are awfully fragile in comparison to other investments.
Do tube amps really sound better than solid-state?
Answer: Tube amps are generally better than solid-state amps in terms of sound quality, but solid-state amps are usually cheaper and more sturdy than tube amps.
Why do tubes sound so good?
Just like our ears, musical instruments and just about everything else natural, tube amplifiers have the least distortion at the lowest levels. This is why a tube amplifier can sound great played softly, while with transistor amplifiers people are usually needing to turn it up to have it sound best.
Why is it called a crystal radio?
It uses only the power of the received radio signal to produce sound, needing no external power. It is named for its most important component, a crystal detector, originally made from a piece of crystalline mineral such as galena.