Hunting for Antique Radios in Denver and on the Internet

Antique Radios have so many stories to tell. Often the focus of "family time" in the days of old-time radio, listening to "The Shadow," "Mercury Theater" and many other creative radio productions, antique radios are from the age of the imagination. Made in the U.S.A., their craftsmanship and quality is usually top-notch, which is why they make such wonderful collector's pieces today. Older radios have fine wood cabinets often in need of restoration, and newer antique radios may be in stylish or whimsical molded plastic or Bakelite.

If you've got an antique radio in mind, searching sources like ebay.com makes sense, and it's also a good place to see what's on the market and what the prices are. If you're expecting to find a bargain hidden in an antique shop, you may be surprised - even with cabinet in poor condition and untested electronics, an antique radio can cost you $50, but when you're done restoring, you'll have a work of art possibly worth hundreds.

Depending on your level of skill, an antique radio cabinet in need of more than refinishing may not be worth your while. You'll also want to consider whether you want to make an authentic restoration using the right parts and materials, or just create a nice piece for your home. For the electronics, you will also want to consider whether you want to replace all or part of tube electronics with solid-state (transistor) equivalents.

Online, several good sources of antique radios and repair parts and services are listed in the Google Directory, and of special note is the Old Time Radio Restoration and Repair in Connecticut, which is worth a visit in person as well! Some Amateur Radio repair shops may deal in antique radios as well.

In Denver, Vox Antique Radio and Tv Tubes, 3985 Tennyson St, phone (303) 455-4484 offers tubes and other classic parts, no longer sold in traditional electronics stores in most cases. You may find tubes on line as well, many imported from Russia. If you find a "tube tester" from an old electronics repair shop, you might want to buy it as it will make your life easier if you've got a lot of antique radios to repair, or plan on a long-term hobby. Vacuum tube voltmeters (VTVMs) have some testing capability.

Denver also has an annual show, combining general antique electronics with the Colorado Radio Club's annual antique radio show, competition and auction. This year's event is on Sunday, March 30 in Northglenn, and this link gives more information, while this link gives information and a list of vendors planning to attend.

Denver's South Broadway antiques district has many opportunities to purchase antique radios from antique dealers, and makes a nice Saturday afternoon visit. Remember that dealers do know what their radios will bring for a price, but you may find bargains as well. The Mile High Flea Market is a year-round one, every weekend and now Fridays as well, on the northern side of Denver, at 88^th Avenue. It will take more than a day to wander around, but you may find just what you're looking for, you never know!

When you're repairing the electronics, you'll find that is it fairly simple but there are certain things you must be careful about. If you're not working on an American unit, you might need a different voltage source, so beware! Wire coverings were also made of material more likely to decay, so you might find yourself with more work than you anticipated, not just replacing tubes and capacitors. You should also check soldering and educate yourself on the different types of solder and flux used and how to clean and restore the solder joints.

If you are turning on an antique radio for the first time, there's one important thing to consider in particular - the capacitors. In order to prevent a surge as the old capacitors charge, you should use a variable transformer or "Variac" to bring the voltage up slowly. This could save you headaches later, if the charging surge damages components.

Enjoy your hobby or collector's piece, and remember the good old days!

Resources:

Vox Antique Radio TV Tubes, 3985 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212-2113, United States (Map) (Add Company Info)

Phone:(303) 455-4484

"Colorado Radio Collectors", http://www.radioace.com/

"Colorado Show Calendar", http://danacain.com/news.html

"Antique Radio Restoration and Repair", http://www.oldradiodoc.com/

"Vintage Voltage", http://www.sepiachord.com/vv.htm (Vendors list)

«Google Directory « , http://www.google.com/Top/Recreation/Radio/Amateur/Boatanchors/Broadcast/

"Mile High Flea Market", http://www.milehighfleamarket.com