Antique Radios Are Back in Style

What better way to spend an hour or so on a cold winter Saturday evening, warming by the fire with the lights down low. Better yet a couple candles providing a flickering light, just enough to supplement the glow from the fireplace. The big floor model Motorola, or maybe a RCA is turned to a comfortable volume. The whole family is gathered around listening to Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion, complete with Powder Milk Biscuits. The snow is falling, the old DeSoto in the driveway is almost buried in fresh white fluff.

Just like a time warp back to the late 40's, all courtesy of the antique radio so carefully preserved by past family members. Grandpa bought it new back in 36', a present for Grandma when they got married. Passed on to Mom and Dad when they were starting out. Now it's yours, to share with your family and continue the tradition. There's something about that radio that represents family values.

When life was simpler, entertainment options were limited, the radio was the predominant source of news, music, and commentary. With regularly scheduled programs the family gathered together in the evenings to sit around the radio, and enjoy Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra. Songs from that time period just sound better over an old tube antique radio. These family gatherings can still take place today, those old radios can still be found.

Where to Find Antique Radios: The best places to run across old tube radios are Estate Auctions, or Estate Sales. As the greatest generation passes on, more and more of these old radios are popping up for sale. Younger family members may prefer more modern styles. Garage sales, yard sales, many times you can find a radio that was passed down but needs some repair, or the cabinet is damaged. If nothing else they can be a good source of parts. E-Bay is a good source of radios, they usually have a variety of styles, sizes and brands up for auction at any particular time.

Refinishing the Cabinet: Don't give up on a radio just because it doesn't work. A nice wood floor console radio will accent any room you might be decorating to a retro style. If you find one that has been sitting in some old garage or barn, and looks all faded with a thick coat of dust and dirt, don't despair. It's surprising simple to refurbish these old wooden cabinets.

They disassemble quite easily, take everything out of the cabinet. Be careful to note how you took it apart, so you can put it back together. With an empty cabinet, take it outside and hose it off real good. After it dries, go at it with paint stripper, it may take two or three applications and carefully scrapings to get all the old finish off. Sand it down, wipe it down with a tack cloth, and apply two or three coats of polyurethane. Satin finish poly will allow the mellow colors of the wood to show through nicely. Gloss will have to much shine to it.

Parts and Repairs: There are many places that can repair or refurbish an old tube radio for you. Check your local yellow pages for someone in your neighborhood. If you must look further, the Internet has many businesses that specialize in these radios. www.grandcanyonruberadio.com , www.theoldradiofixerupperguy.com are just a couple. Schematics, capacitors, and tubes are still available for many brands.

One thing to remember with these old radios, the components are from a long gone era. Paper capacitors, fabric shielded wiring, all break down over time. If the radio is in unknown condition it may be wise to have an electronics technician look at it first before attempting to turn it on. If the capacitors have shorted you may ruin the radio beyond repair by applying voltage to it.

It's always nice to find a radio in operating condition. If you happen across a beautiful floor model cabinet, but the working parts of the radio are junk, consider a transplant. Keep looking for a working radio, even a different brand, and when one is located maybe you can modify the floor console to accept a different brand radio. This will allow you to enjoy the style of the larger cabinet and still retain the quality sound of a tube radio.

The next time you wander through your local antique store, when you pass the tall Zenith radio playing softly in a dark corner of the store. Give it a look, for some reason you can always find that one station that specializes on those old favorites from the late 40's and 50's. Good music never goes out of style.