• FM 88 90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 Mc

    Cuba Vienna Mainz Gdansk London Paris Montreal Toronto Tokyo Perth Sidney

    KW 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 11 . 12 . 13 Mc

    AM 550 600 700 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 kc

  • Radio Portfolio

    Just some of our vintage radio collection to view online.

    I don't collect radios that are rare or in mint condition. I collect radios because I love to hear signals received by them. What you will find here is just a few of my radios, from ultra-modern to old and cranky. It doesn't matter what makes to go, tube or transistor, just as long as it can receive or transmit an electromagnetic signal.

    All the photographs are personally shot by me (Ralph VE3XRM). (OK, I did Photoshop most of them, mainly to control the size and touch up poor lighting.)

    1. Astra DR-107 (1948)

      The cabinet has only a few tiny marks to its finish, not warranting refinishing, a rarity. The grill cloth needs to be replaced. All tubes test good.
      The cabinet has only a few tiny marks to its finish, not warranting refinishing, a rarity. The grill cloth needs to be replaced. All tubes test good.
      Figure 1

    2. Canadian General Electric C404 (1952)

      <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Very cool looking vintage burgundy bakelite radio with ivory knobs from the 50s. This radio has not been repaired and does not power on. The case is in very good condition for its age. There is a small crack and the bright in the center on the knob has fallen out. Back missing. Needs re-capping and cord. Tubes tested good.</span></div>
      <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Very cool looking vintage burgundy bakelite radio with ivory knobs from the 50s. This radio has not been repaired and does not power on. The case is in very good condition for its age. There is a small crack and the bright in the center on the knob has fallen out. Back missing. Needs re-capping and cord. Tubes tested good.</span></div>
      Figure 2

    3. Crosley Mohawk 2840 (1939)

      Originally, I bought this radio just for the tubes. Was inexpensive. Output transformer was open. All resistors and capacitors were out of spec. The tubes got used in another radio. Totally gutted the radio. Ive now added add a bluetooth receiver and amplifier to play Oldies Big Band music.
      Originally, I bought this radio just for the tubes. Was inexpensive. Output transformer was open. All resistors and capacitors were out of spec. The tubes got used in another radio. Totally gutted the radio. Ive now added add a bluetooth receiver and amplifier to play Oldies Big Band music.
      Figure 3

    4. Eico HF-12 (1967)

      High Fidelity 12-watt integrated Monaural tube amplifier. Have the matching FM tuner HFT-90. Kit was built in the 60s by my neighbour and gifted to me when he moved away.
      High Fidelity 12-watt integrated Monaural tube amplifier. Have the matching FM tuner HFT-90. Kit was built in the 60s by my neighbour and gifted to me when he moved away.
      Figure 4

    5. Eico HFT-90 (1967)

      This is the matching Eico HFT-90 Monaural FM tuner. Really cool miniature vacuum tube dial pointer that varies the height of its lighted area based on the strength of the received signal. Definitely a unique use of a vacuum tube. Needs a good antenna. Have the matching mono amplifier HF-12.
      This is the matching Eico HFT-90 Monaural FM tuner. Really cool miniature vacuum tube dial pointer that varies the height of its lighted area based on the strength of the received signal. Definitely a unique use of a vacuum tube. Needs a good antenna. Have the matching mono amplifier HF-12.
      Figure 5

    6. Electrohome PMU51-418 "MUSIC BOX" (1947)

      NEW FIND! A five-tube All-American miniature tube radio (AA5). No cord or antenna wire. Refinished case. Small corner loose veneer. Standby, more info to come. On the bench being serviced. Dial looks warped, might need to make a new one.
      NEW FIND! A five-tube All-American miniature tube radio (AA5). No cord or antenna wire. Refinished case. Small corner loose veneer. Standby, more info to come. On the bench being serviced. Dial looks warped, might need to make a new one.
      Figure 6

    7. Electrohome 103-PMU51-447 (1949)

      Found with original finish, un-touched. Only a very light cleaning. As of 2022, still in use and working great. One of my favorite radios. Similar to PMU51-417 103A model.
      Found with original finish, un-touched. Only a very light cleaning. As of 2022, still in use and working great. One of my favorite radios. Similar to PMU51-417 103A model.
      Figure 7

    8. Loewe Opta Bella Rekard (1959)

      Wood cabinet has many dings and scratches. Could be a canidate for re-finishing. Knobs don`t look original, too high for such a small radio. Radio works fine, not serviced.
      Wood cabinet has many dings and scratches. Could be a canidate for re-finishing. Knobs don`t look original, too high for such a small radio. Radio works fine, not serviced.
      Figure 8

    9. Loewe Opta Hellas (1960)

      This is one very large radio. Needs a lot of tender lovimg restoration, as the finish is crackle.
      This is one very large radio. Needs a lot of tender lovimg restoration, as the finish is crackle.
      Figure 9

    10. Marconi 201A (1941)

      The only radio in the collection with "MAGIC EYE TUNING"
      The only radio in the collection with "MAGIC EYE TUNING"
      Figure 10

    11. Philco 32A (1941)

      Fantastic radio found at an Antique barn. Here is the radio all cleaned up. It was filthy. Minor finish scratches and nails for the feet replaced with felt pads.
      Fantastic radio found at an Antique barn. Here is the radio all cleaned up. It was filthy. Minor finish scratches and nails for the feet replaced with felt pads.
      Figure 11

    13. Serenader 1U51-S-3 (1940s)

      Absolutely a beautiful radio as found. The cabinet is in an immaculate original condition. All tubes in place and test good on my tube tester. Made by Dominion Electrohome Industries Ltd.
      Absolutely a beautiful radio as found. The cabinet is in an immaculate original condition. All tubes in place and test good on my tube tester. Made by Dominion Electrohome Industries Ltd.
      Figure 13

    16. Wega 809-1 (1950s)

      Dumpster dive recovery from a friend. Whole left side of bakelite case was missing. Radio is working just fine.
      Dumpster dive recovery from a friend. Whole left side of bakelite case was missing. Radio is working just fine.
      Figure 16

    17. Westinghouse W684-A (1942)

      Beautiful pushbutton tuning of your favorite radio station. Includes AM and Shortwave bands.
      Beautiful pushbutton tuning of your favorite radio station. Includes AM and Shortwave bands.
      Figure 17

    18. Westinghouse W577-A (1938)

      Very nice radio with all good tubes. The cabinet looks like it was refinished at some time, has no shine. I justed waxed it.
      Very nice radio with all good tubes. The cabinet looks like it was refinished at some time, has no shine. I justed waxed it.
      Figure 18

  • Laboratory

    1. The Radio Bench
      (CLOSED to the public)

      image 3
      Sorry to say (I'm Canadian eh! and have to say I'm sorry), I've closed The Radio Bench to the public. Service and consultation only by special requests.

    2. Vintage radio repair is now just for fun.

      image 4
      Various services were once offered:
      Receiver Alignment
      Component Replacement
      Tube Testing
      Cabinet Refinishing
      Antenna Installation

  • Bibliotaphe

    WE HAVE RETIRED, YEAH!

    The time has come time to retire. After 33 years in the business we have seen many changes in the electronics industry and the electronics hobby. With the availability of so many ready made low cost black box modules and assemblies, the construction of many items is no longer economically feasible and practical. While there is still a demand for hobby kits, the economics and practicality of supplying them, stocking parts, credit card fees, and other overhead makes for too low a profit margin. One only has to notice the recent closing of many large electronics parts and hobby stores and the disappearance of small retail local electronics parts shops in the past two decades. Also the disappearance of most electronic hobby magazines from the newstands. Gone are the days when electronics hobbyists mostly built things from scratch.

    Writing software and plugging black box modules together often has little to do with traditional electronics work. And it does not interest many "hands on"electronics hobbyists that enjoy projects requiring soldering, circuit design, and fabrication. It is possible to write software and use a computer without knowing basic electronic theory. Skills such as how to design, build, or troubleshoot a circuit, install and solder a connector, or use test equipment are often unnecessary.

    We are discontinuing sales of kits and assembled items as of February 15, 2019. However we thank all of our past customers for their support and often useful suggestions. The business will continue, but will be part time only. We will continue to support our past customers and still cansupply most replacement parts.

    Purchases of parts and PC boards can still be made but payment must be via PayPal or money order.

    Credit cards can no longer be accepted

    Many Parts and PC boards are still available for our discontinued kits

    A list of many useful, hard to get ICs, transistors, coils and other parts for sale, for ham radio projects and experimenter use, will be posted soon.

    We do not sell modules, computer components, mechatronics, or other mechanical items

    email: radiosparks@gmail.com or call 905 647 5555 for more information, leave a message if no answer, we will return calls A.S.A.P. (maybe?)

  • About

    Shock Hazzard!

    Warning!

    The information on this website comes from a time when safety concerns were minimal or did not exist. Vacuum tube electronics use high voltages and currents that are dangerous, even potentially deadly. The projects here are offered for historical or reference purposes. If you choose to use this information to work on actual circuits you do so at your own risk.

    WE ARE RETIRING

    The time has come time to retire. After 33 years in the business we have seen many changes in the electronics industry and the electronics hobby. With the availability of so many ready made low cost black box modules and assemblies, the construction of many items is no longer economically feasible and practical. While there is still a demand for hobby kits, the economics and practicality of supplying them, stocking parts, credit card fees, and other overhead makes for too low a profit margin. One only has to notice the recent closing of many large electronics parts and hobby stores and the disappearance of small retail local electronics parts shops in the past two decades. Also the disappearance of most electronic hobby magazines from the newstands. Gone are the days when electronics hobbyists mostly built things from scratch.

    Writing software and plugging black box modules together often has little to do with traditional electronics work. And it does not interest many "hands on"electronics hobbyists that enjoy projects requiring soldering, circuit design, and fabrication. It is possible to write software and use a computer without knowing basic electronic theory. Skills such as how to design, build, or troubleshoot a circuit, install and solder a connector, or use test equipment are often unnecessary.

    We are discontinuing sales of kits and assembled items as of February 15, 2019. However we thank all of our past customers for their support and often useful suggestions. The business will continue, but will be part time only. We will continue to support our past customers and still cansupply most replacement parts.

    Purchases of parts and PC boards can still be made but payment must be via PayPal or money order.

    Credit cards can no longer be accepted

    Many Parts and PC boards are still available for our discontinued kits

    A list of many useful, hard to get ICs, transistors, coils and other parts for sale, for ham radio projects and experimenter use, will be posted soon.

    We do not sell modules, computer components, mechatronics, or other mechanical items

    email: radiosparks@gmail.com or call 905 647 5555 for more information, leave a message if no answer, we will return calls A.S.A.P. (maybe?)

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