Does anyone know when S/C started using FM? I just won a local ebay auction and it states am/sw but right on the face of it says frequency modulation.....I know this post is useless without pics I will put some up after I pick it up. It has the acoustic lambereth? I know thats mispelled. It looks to be in excellent cond. I have no model # on it but it does say "The Autograph" and the radio pushbutton presets all have local detriot call letters, pretty cool.

I think I saw that auction...if it's the one I'm thinking of (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130022662224&indexURL=8&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting), the band it receives is prewar (42-50Mhz) FM. Well, it doesn't actually receive prewar FM, but it would.

If anything were still being broadcast on it.

Yep thats the one, any idea's on year? Thanks, Phil

They were talking about it (http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=60159) over on the Antique Radio Forum. Scroll to the bottom.

Thanks for the link David, I really don't know anything about tube gear but I couldn't resist this one for a mere 77.00 and about a 1/2 hr drive I think its well worth it....Phil

I think I'd be tempted, too...That's a real purty set ! Ya done good !!

I think I saw that auction...if it's the one I'm thinking of (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130022662224&indexURL=8&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting), the band it receives is prewar (42-50Mhz) FM. Well, it doesn't actually receive prewar FM, but it would.

If anything were still being broadcast on it.

The makings on the FM dial are channel numbers.
channel number = (frequencyMHz*10)-400

Today's FM is officially channels 200-300, but only the FCC uses them.

A very nice set! I have a Capehart that uses the same type turntable and its very gentle on your 78's for a table of this era. Once restored this should be a good performer.
Tony

I got the console radio home today, the pics look better than the actual unit does but their only scratch's no gouge's. Earler it was said to possibly be a model 935. It say's model 1035-PL on the rear. Can't find a thing on that # ?? The guy told me the house has been in his family since 1931, his GG parents bought the radio new and it has been in the same spot by the window ever since. Once I get it in the house I'll post pics....Any info would be great..Thanks, Phil

What impresses me is the cabinet. Booked burl, walnut or mahogany. Very nicely done. I would imagine that some of the bidding for that puppy is from people that just want to gut it and make it into a liquor cabinet or something.

It's your JOB now to rescue it, you now have no choice! :)

Its really funny that you said gut it for a liquor cabinet, thats exactly what the guy told me today that his sister wanted to do !!!

UPDATE: I got the console in the house, wow what a pain, it has to weigh all of 200#. Cleaned up the tuner and chassis real good installed the 3 loose tubes, powered it up slowly with my new variac ( thanks paul) and amazingly every function works as designed. All lights work and this thing sounds way way better than I thought it would, Really warm deep bass and outstanding AM reception. I'm running it at just under 100v should I go up to 110-120? Also what is the green eye that glows in the center of the tuner, its kinda dim maybe because i'm running my power lower? I'm listeneing to the Michigan game right now in my office !!!! Phil

Don't starve it for voltage, that can strip the cathode in the rectifier tube among other things. If you detect no AC hum, go ahead and bump it up to 110-115. Just don't use it a lot and never leave it on unattended.

I'm one of those who believes in wholesale recapping. The old electrolytics might be fine--for now---but their failure can be catastrophic in more ways than one. You do not want to have to replace that nice big power tranny, do you? Shorted 'lytics can toast it pretty quickly...so in case the rectifier plates are glowing orange, I'll just mention the fact that that's not normal. :no: Also the capacitors that block DC from tube grids, especially in the audio stage, can cause very unpleasant things to happen when they fail. There are a lot of caps in this thing, but in the long run you'd be much better off to just replace 'em if you really want to use it regularly without worry.

...An' it kinda sounds like you WILL wanna use it regularly...I know I would...

Service info here: (935) http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByModel/632/M0021632.pdf

1035 may be the same as 935 - I know 920, 1020, 1120, and 1220 are pretty much the same... The 1135 is NOT the same as 1035 - it has the current FM band as well as the old one... I do have the Sams folder for that one...

The eye tube acts as a tuning meter - is probably weak - but replacements are available. FIRST, the caps are probably leaky, can take out a transformer and/or tube. And there's a lot of them.

My plan of action is always to replace all caps and check bad wiring, and make sure a fuse is installed in the power line. You can then play it 10 hours a day in 100 degree heat if you wanted to and it will keep on going...and if there is something like a short in a tube the fuse will save the power transformer.

I agree, do yourself a favor and replace the capacitors:

http://antiqueradio.org/recap.htm

The green "magic eye" tuning indicator might have a weak tube, but I wouldn't waste money replacing it until you finish replacing the capacitors. The magic eye is typically driven off the AVC line, which may not work correctly while the radio is fully of leaky capacitors.

Also note -- in many cases you will find a tiny 1-megohm resistor hidden inside the eye tube socket. These resistors often drift in value, degrading the performance of the eye.

Good score. I like Stromberg Carlsons. Usually built like a tank!

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

Good score. I like Stromberg Carlsons. Usually built like a tank!

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html[/QUOTE]

Thanks Phil, BTW I went to your web site and got alot of good info. before and after I picked up the console :thmbsp: Thanks, Phil

It's possible to build an FM broadcast band downconverter to get FM stations from part of the 100MHz modern FM band converted to the 42 to 50Mhz range this set will tune. The FM preemphasis and deviation of the modern 100MHz band is very similar if not the same that was used back in the prewar 45Mhz FM days.

I said "possible" as building VHF circuits is not easy. Maybe the easiest approach would be to take an existing working but junk FM radio and change its LO from being 10.7MHz higher than the desired FM frequency to 45Mhz higher. Or 45Mhz lower (though you'll get "birdies" in the reception, like the 2nd harmonic of the LO).

Maybe better would be to use an old TV set tuner. Set it to channel 6, and futz with its LO to push it up into the modern FM band. Connect the Stromberg FM antenna to the tuner's IF output cable. Note that TV station sound FM uses less deviation than FM radio stations, and will have lower volume. Before you adjust the LO try tuning in an existing local TV station and tune the Stromberg FM set to around 41 to 42 MHz. You should be able to pick up the TV sound signal. Also play with the TV tuner's fine tuning.

Of course you'll be wondering if the Stromberg's FM is even working. If you hear "FM" hiss, that would indicate that at least the IF strip works. But what of its LO? try playing with an old baby monitor (the ones on 49.86 or such frequency) or those toy walkie talkies from China (those are AM, but will produce a receivable blank signal, or tune off slightly and you should get distorted audio when the user talks or presses the "code" key).

Congrats on a really sweet find! That swirly burled grain is just so lovely...

Heavy? Yeah, I''ll bet...the transformer looks as big as a car battery!