Repairing and aligning an antique radio, Stromberg Carlson 240
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- Опубликовано: 9 ноя 2014
- This video shows from beginning to end, the repair of an old radio from the 1938 era. This Stromberg Carlson 240-H chassis was the Cadillac of the time. It's an 11 tube superheterodyne receiver with push-pull output, an IF section with 3 selectable response curves, and a lot more.
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I have been following Mr. Carlson for several years now. I love his shop. My shop is a foxhole in comparison, but I too earn a living in my retirements years, restoring monochrome and color television, Radio, computers, iPads, iPhones , vintage test equipment and RCA 45 RPM record players of the 1950’s. I also build Theremin devices fabricating my own printed circuit boards. Electronics has been my life’s work since 1962. My last gig was teaching electronics at Swarthmore College and providing equipment support to the plasma fusion physics lab under government grants.
I don't understand diddly squat about what you're talking about with all the electronic, engineering and radio lingo but there's something compelling about watching a master at work, no matter the art form. Very enjoyable.
YES, WHAT HE SAiD :)
gblan it’s true.
The restoration of vintage radios is becoming more popular all the time, as the vacuum tube technology is appealing to people as most of the media equipment today is not easy to repair, or certainly not as easy for a technician as is the case with a nicely designed wooden vacuum tube cabinet from the past.
Richard McLeod Apples and oranges. Modern “media” equipment ranges mostly digital and integrated, while vacuum tubes lie in the analog and discrete domain.
ooooouuuaaahht ?????
his fool don`t speak english !
Nice to watch someone else who appreciates the "leave things better than you found it" work ethic. Being a perfectionist myself. I can say it's a double edged sword at times, but doing things right for the sake of self respect and a satisfied customer is the only way I sleep at night.
Not many of us left these days it seams. Well done sir!
Thanks for your kind comment Glostaglio!
I am a PC Tecnician, have been for 25 years. This is how I try to do things.
I taught electronics in an eastern state college. Preparing a lesson plan and carrying it thru is a difficult task, let alone putting on the show. Your class methodology is perfect. Presentation superb keeping us glued to the class.
As a recording engineer I should know more about the pixies in the pipelines, but I know just enough to not get electrocuted (I'm more of a cable-running, knob-twirling kinda guy), but I have to say I really enjoy watching these restoration videos. Somewhere from the distant past things my high school electronics teacher said comes back to me through the fog.
But one thing that does come crystal clear is how much you love your work, and it shows in the precision, care and expertise you display. If I ever had a precious piece of vintage gear that needed to be restored, no matter how much of a hassle it would be to get it to you, I would do it. Wonderful stuff!
As a retired woodworker I was impressed with the quality of the cabinet construction, S.C. Really did a nice job in putting a quality radio in a quality cabinet. You don’t see wood like that today, even in furniture.
Indeed, these early radios where truly a work of art if both electronics and cabinetry. They sure don't make 'em like they used to. ;)
Paul, your videos have transcended from RF/electric repair to RF-ASMR! Seriously, 9 years old and I'll watch again and again. Hey, the knowledge is timeless, no? Ohm's law has applied for a long, long time. Peace and happy 2024.
You, sir, do beautiful work. You have a very unusual combination of technical, engineering, and creative abilities... and proficiency in creating excellent, very well-presented videos, to boot. My hat is off to you. You're a rare breed these days. An absolute treat to watch and listen to. Keep up the good work. Thank you.
+John Smith
Thanks for the very kind words John!
exactly!
Mrister Carlsons lab your vintage stromberg calson tube shortwave table top receiver is awesome my friend 😅😅
Mrister Carlsons lab your utube videos are awesome my friend 😊😊😊
Mrister Carlsons lab you are good at restoring vintage radios and alignment of vintage radios 📻 😊😊😊
One thing I love about this channel, is the fact I can see these radios and not just see them as pictures in a book.
J C six of one, half dozen of another.
Love all this oldschool stuff, really makes me realize how far electronics have come in such a short time. Gotta appreciate how spoiled we are with Bluetooth speakers and any music we want at our fingertips but respect the steps along the way
ONE OF THE BEST TECHS I HAVE EVER SEEN ON RUclips, EXCELLENT JOB !!!!
I don't know why,but any kind of "tube" really gets my interest.It's so beautiful to watch that green eye tube in operation.
I love those magic eye tubes, they look so cool in person. Growing up, my folks had a Voice Of Music reel-to-reel with one that, I think, was used as a VU meter.
Shmeh Fleh Thanks for your comment!
Back in the early 1970's by grandparents in Eastern Europe had one of these old radios (yes it was a relic). I would stare at the magic eye for hours, it was truly mesmerizing while adjust the tuner up and down the dial. :)
I just love ❤ old radios and the way you explain how you were able to fix it.
So many expertise i love his repairs but i wondering that the Transformators so long live. More Great videos Mr Carlson`s. so much measures equipment its a dream
Love these old radios. Tuning eyes are so cool and the push-pulls sound good. The mid to late 30's are some of my favorites.
Absolutely marvellous radio, that's quality engineering and remarkable sensitivity. Modern radios, chip or transistor don't seem to capture the magic of these sets.
I’ve learned so much from your videos and just wanted to thank you. I’ve always had an interest in electronics, but never pursued it either professionally or educationally. I learned the basics and used to tinker as as a kid, but at 50, I had barely touched a soldering gun in all those years. In the last year I wanted to introduce kit building and soldering to my daughter just to see if she had any interest. As it turns out, not really. But the bug bit me again so I looked up heathkit and purchased one of their clock kits. Feeling nostalgic again, I decided I wanted to buy a turntable to play all those albums I collected back in the 80s. That led to me building a phono preamp kit. I just wanted to keep building kits but there really wasn’t anything for me to build that would be all that useful for me (so I thought). That had me looking at the few non-working antique radios I had collected over the years and thinking, I can fix that! To get started, I hit RUclips and was happy to find lots of great info. I had an inkling that capacitor replacement was going to be the primary concern here and that led me to your many videos on the subject.
It’s only been a few months and thanks to the pros like you I’ve restored a number of old radios and have purchased many more on ebay that will keep me busy over the long winter. You and your peers even inspired me to start taking videos of my work and start my own channel. I’m really glad to have discovered this new hobby and again, wanted to drop a comment to thank you for the knowledge and inspiration.
Wish I had met you years ago had a 1947 Stromberg Carlson with a specifically built cabinet for very base audio the radio stood about 4 foot tall and had all the bands and magic eye this one did. It was always a thrill to listen to foreign countries on it.
I know the radio you speak of, it was a very nice receiver! Thanks for your comment!
Still around today. Yup. That’s wicked. What a beauty. It must have felt like magic back in its day to listen to this thing pull out of thin air, the news and music and entertainment of the day
Really enjoy seeing these old stuff repairs, much more exiting and inspiring than looking and some micro chips...
Thanks for the efford u put in u vids... The good explenations ect
Another job well done; there is nothing worse when somebody else has botched it before you have a chance to work on it. I can't stand the fact your job is made so much more difficult because somebody did not know what they were doing in the first place. Still, it gives more satisfaction when the repair is concord and the results speak for themselves.
+John Cunningham
Thanks John!
The only thing more impressive than the visual design of this radio is your expertise in restoring it to full working condition.
Beautiful radio and fantastic job. Probably the best looking radio out of the four or so I've watched you do so far.
Work of art, that radio. Magic eye is a nice touch in the top centre. Good work, restoring it.
Beautiful work! Excellent repair and the Step by Step was well explained. Its great to hear sound come from such a jewel. Thank You Mr. Carlson.
Mr Carlson you are good at electronics and restoreing and Alignment
Wow, really impressive piece of kit! Starting at the really good looking wooden cabinet, that much effort they put into details electronic wise. Plus the great sound as result of the typical low noise figure these tube radios are producing when there's no station transmitting and the "warm" sound of the filters/ speaker chassis do produce. I love it!
Nice restauration for a nice radio. BTW: I always thought the linear bar-graph like magic-eye would be best, but having seen this radio the eye-like one absolutely got me. Kind of hypnotic... ;-)
Thanks for the nice video, nice job!
I am just binge watching all your videos during this isolation time.
That wide setting would give almost FM quality, or maybe better depending on the broadcast!
Its quite incredible. I've enjoyed watching you restore this one.
I start to get excited when he says "this is going to be a pretty extensive repair".
The eye really takes me back to my teenage years. Two old floor model radios on different stations (low and high) to achieve a stereo broadcast. late at night. Real exciting back when.
sr633 different stations? Sounds confusing.
We had a floor model with "Magic Eye". It had very good short wave ability and I listened for hours to over seas broadcasts and general people talking.
@@HighestRank They would advertise that two stations would play the same music simultaneously - to get a stereo effect. The big speakers on the old radios made it good listening.
This is a seriously beautiful radio
TheOldgeezah Thanks, I do agree! I wish it was mine.
Back in the early 1970's by grandparents in Eastern Europe had one of these old radios (yes it was a relic). I would stare at the magic eye for hours, it was truly mesmerizing while adjust the tuner up and down the dial. :)
Great job as always Paul!
Very good Paul, again The owner will be very pleased of the beautiful work sounding Radio, unbelievable wide band , be great on the 80 mtr AM boys lol Like always Paul Thanks for the Time to show us the Great work . 73's
Some of the crew on that band sound like they were sitting right beside me on that receiver.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. It's a pleasure to watch and learn from you, after trying to follow Jim Lindenas and seeing the difference in your approach to radio repair. I look forward to more in the future. See you next time
Thanks for the comment Darryl!
I love how you say "one mega-Hert" almost as much as I love hearing you pronounce the L in solder.
+DarwinsChihuahua
LOL, Gotta keep'em on their toes :^)
I once tricked a friend into thinking that Hert was singular for Hertz. It does sound natural though. Kind of like how we got "pea" as singular for "peas" which was not originally a plural word of pea but was its own word.
Excellent video. Love the electronic eye as it was called on a radio I had as a kid. Nice restoration.
+Tech Chuck Legg
Thanks Chuck!
Chuck Legg
It was often called Magic Eye , i changed one on a tube radio a few months ago ...the tube was really bad and it was almost impossible to se its green light ..
Wow. Love that inlay woodwork. What a find! 👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you very much for an excellent presentation, it reminds me of when I was a radio engineer apprentice sixty years ago,
Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you for such a great video and for explaining what everything is/does. So glad you recorded the entire process.
Glad you enjoyed!
Mr. Carlson another great video! I have really been enjoying you workmanship and how easy you make it look. I am in the process of getting my General ham license and I have always enjoyed the old tube radios. Thanks for all your time and craftsmanship that you share with us.
Tony
Hi Tony, I'm glad your enjoying the videos. Thanks for the comment too!
73
I absolutely enjoy watching you do your alignments! I've learned alot. Thank you!
Thanks Mike!
Extraordinary sensitivity and selectivity for an 80 year old radio. Thanks.
I was very impressed by it's performance as well. Glad you enjoyed Ian.
I must say that this restoration was superb... and this is my THIRD listen to the entire video! Good job, Paul!
Glad you liked it!
@@MrCarlsonsLab , Good golly! I don't know where you get the time to READ this stuff! LOL I think an "OMG!" is warranted!
Very nice! Having repaired and restored many radios of the same era, I can appreciate the care and attention to detail that you have given this. Unlike others that call theirs "Restorations" but only go part way, and not very good workmanship. Thanks for sharing!
ToolGuy Thanks for the nice comment ToolGuy!
Wow, a little over 7 years. I remember watching this video when it was first posted.
I was looking for some quality content in the post 2021 holiday lull and decided to revisit some early Mr. Carlsons Lab videos. It's hard to go wrong there, right?
This Stromberg Carlson 240-H is still drool worthy. Thanks again, Mr. Carlson.
I'm a big fan of Stromberg Carlson radios from the 20s and 30s. Much like Stromberg Carlson telephone equipment, they're built to a high standard and often quite heavy compared to their contemporary counterparts.
The pride of my radio collection is a S-C Model 1-A battery radio from 1924. It's a typical 5-Tube Neutrodyne set from that era, but it's beautifully built and would likely survive a 10 foot drop with no substantial damage.
nice job, you did the radio real justice my friend.
+jeff b
Thanks for the kind words Jeff!
Great video, thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. I have an early 60's german made vacuum tube radio waiting for a repair and watching your video inspired me to start work on it. Hope you will find the time to show us your alignment tips for us having access to just basic lab equipment. Best wishes from Romania.
+Gherghinescu George
Thanks for your comment! I will try to do a series with basic equipment in the near future. Glad to hear your inspired!
that radio looks awesome, makes me think that if there was a radio in jumanji, this would be the one :)
Stromberg Carlson is considered by radio enthusiasts as the "Rolls Royce" of radios and the years that have passed have proven them true.
There is nothing like a Stromberg Carlson Radio!
Another very enjoyable video Sir, care with your workmanship and ability to explain, your passion for the subject shines through. The owner should be delighted with the radio and I dare say would have found the video of their radio being repaired and restored with such aplomb a delight.
Thanks for your kind words!
Man, I had a radio similar to that back in the 1970's. Probably made in the 1950's or earlier. Came with the old house my Mom bought. Picked up local Medium Wave radio stations, no problem, possibly even Short Wave, but I forget now. Sat on my bedside table warbling rock music for years.
what a cool radio, thank you for restoring it.
Just imagine what was heard on that radio! WOW! So cool.
That Stromberg Carlson 240 is a beauty! It's awesome that you repair these things. I used to build FM transmitters for pirate radio stations, using the QQE03/12 tube. That worked like a charm. I still have all the schematics etc. I wish I had your technical knowledge though (and the equipment you use haha).
Thanks Ed!
Wasn't that a tube designed for propaganda transmitters?
The tube AM radios seem to work much better than new solid state ones, they do not pick up nearly as much interference. Nice job and a beautiful radio.
Robin Sattahip old tube radios have rf amplifier stage not common on radios today . years ago few stations far away..sw.radios usually have them .
@@dondesnoo1771 , Most five tube or even six tube receivers of the prewar era didn't have an r.f. amp. But you are talking quality level, not design. This receiver was an expensive radio in its day.
Absolutely a great video and walk through most of the procedures of alignment. I am going to be the new owner of a large console SC receiver soon, so I may need some help!
73, Joe W4JF
from one paul to another excellent keep them comeing
Oh God! This is beautiful! They don't make things like they used to. Down with planned obsolescence
+Shubham Bhushan
Thanks for your comment Shubham!
Great project. I always leran new things from you.
Mr Carlson your Stromberg Carlson 240 antique shortwave radio Receiver is cool
Nice video. At the end, I would have enjoyed hearing some classical music to hear the wonderful quality of the tube sound without so many station changes. Fun video to watch.
That is now running absolutely spot on Mr Carlson thanks for fantastic video.you would be very hard pressed to do a better restoration job than that
Masterclass job!!!
The "all seeing eye" is Cool !
"The Cyclops" he-he
ive never seen a magic eye till today. i guess you learn new stuff every day.
Mr Carlson your Stromberg Carlson shortwave receiver is cool
That is one beautiful radio.
It's great to see a true master of his craft.
Thanks for your kind comment John!
The radio looks amazing, real quality.
I'm surprised by how well it sounds during the tuning. Many old radios like this have at least a little bit of humming in the background, but this one sounds perfect, you wouldn't know it was old at all.
Rua Whitepaw Thanks for the comment Rua!
Fantastic video your alignment and how too is dead on, thanks again.
Thanks Doctor John!
Another great video and technically very entertaining Paul.
I just subscribed to your channel and this is the first video I've watched. Great job on the restoration! Best. Don
Thanks for the Sub and the comment Don! Looks like you have a pretty cool channel too. I will head on over and check it out. Stop by anytime!
Excellent video and well put.
Thanks Drew!
First, as always You did a stunning job. The LOL-Moment in this is when the guy said "You wanna watch something- go to a movie"... Still grinning! You staid juuuust long enough to get it all. I so wish You`d work on some of my stuff, i got some nice british Radford stuff which is broken but way too good to throw out. The old Arthur Radford did as great as You.
couple years late, but fascinating.. thanks
Thanks Thomas! Thats the nice thing about video, it stay fresh :^) Seems like yesterday too me.
WOW!! thanks the video, I've always just peaked my if with my ear. now I'm not sure I should do it that way anymore. good thing you don't live near me I would be in your shack every day learning all I could. 73's de AK4QR
+Shawn Phillips Hi Shawn. Glad your enjoying the video's. Thanks for the nice comment!
Hi there, I just subbed this morning. I'm an older guy who's getting ready to take the plunge and learn electronics (not a complete noob, but darn close) and what really made me sit up and take notice was what you said about cap replacement. I watch a lot of restoration videos on the RUclipss (I can absorb a lot through osmosis, LOL) and what everyone else does is what you talked about; chopping a lead in half and soldering in a new cap at the exact same location. In some cases, they're making the leads longer. I'm not married to the idea that the inside of a radio has to look stock (there are some who use the paper sleeves from old electrolytic caps and "re-stuff" them with modern caps and hot glue) I just want it to work as well or better than stock.
Bottom line; maybe in a future video you could show us what choices you make in the re-capping process. Not a full re-capping, as that would be tedious like you said, but where and how you would relocate caps and wires. Thanks for a nice clear, non-handheld video, as that really makes it better.
Thanks for the Sub Steven! You may enjoy the Hammarlund HQ-120 video for more capacitor information. I show how to locate the invisible "band end" on newer style capacitors, and so on. Glad you enjoyed the video, many more coming.
Mr Carlson's Lab I'll check that out. Thanks again.
Wonderful radio.I want one!!
Nice radio! There are still some state side ham radio operators that are using amplitude modulation. I hear them quite often between 3.8 and 3.9 MHz in the early morning hours. They put out some good sounding audio! They use transmitters such as the Viking ranger and other well-known all time amateur radio equipment. Thanks for the video.,you did a good job!
Bill, KI7F
Bill Wolverton Thanks Bill! Usually in the winter time, you'll hear me there as well :^)
wow!!! That is a nice radio!!
Wow that's gorgeous!
Tremendous patience! I have a Radiola 30 (not a 30A) that I'd love to have rebuilt... wish you were available to do it! (I do NOT have the patience to do it myself....)
Truly enjoyed your video!
Dogmakarma Store Thanks for the nice comment!
I ran across one of your Videos and I am very impressed. If you look at my thumb nail photo you'll see my Drake TR-4, this rig was manufactured about 1965 according to the serial number code that I found on the net. I like playing with vacuum tube radios. Thank again for a awesome video.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video Robert.
With every one of your videos I learn more and more it is my hope one day to bring these radios back and this technology with it I believe vacuum tubes and vacuum tube technology is of a standard that we no longer have anymore the quality of such devices still running 70 years so odd years after their initial Inception of course with some minor adjustments and work is simply put to show but these machines are truly capable of and this technology I believe and hope one day people will understand these things and they will come back to the market until then I will continue to try and follow in your footsteps do forgive my Punctuation is off I did not get an A in English
You're English is fine Ethan. Thanks for your comment too!
@@MrCarlsonsLab it's no problem I love watching your videos to me they are relaxing look forward to seeing me in the future from now on who knows maybe I might give you some good ideas for videos =^_^=
I always loved magic eye tubes in any function. I have a collection and am loath to part with even one of them. One cracked, I "repaired" the crack with super glue and the thing still works.
Can you fix my radio? Sounds like your in Canada. Looks like you can fix any radio. I can't stop watching your videos!
Thanks for your kind comment!
Very nice video. Nice lab too! I wondered what antennas you were running for those frequencies. Thanks for mentioning it towards the end! Very nice to restore those old radios!
I approve. Excellent video from a knowledgeable tech.
Mr. Carlson, I wish I could have you restore a Yaesu FT-101 that I have. I think it was already recapped, but it might not have been complete, and it needs to be retubed and neutralized. There's probably other stuff that needs doing on it. I repaired the planetary gear, but the electronics has been beyond me.
I'm trying to learn, in part by watching your videos, and eventually will probably do it myself, but I would hate to mess it up, because the FT-101 is one of my favorite amateur transceivers.
You really do incredible work, and I'm at least getting a good example of how to do such things methodically and carefully. If nothing else, your example will inspire me.
+Gwen Patton
Thanks for the kind words Gwen!
+Mr Carlson's Lab
I have now looked at most of your videos, and am highly impressed, having had electronics training myself, and worked part time in a radio/television repair shop, as a technician, while attending college back in the mid 1960s. Since that time, I have continued to work on repairing nice old radios, similar to what you do, mostly for the enjoyment I get from doing so. I would love to know how you learned what you obviously have, about electronics. Would love to know if you were trained in electronics, in a school setting, or if you are self taught; perhaps you are a ham?
I just can't believe something like this existed in 1938
I have and old Cathedral radio from the 30's works great! new sub!
Thanks, welcome aboard!
@@MrCarlsonsLab , and if not serviced correctly, it won't be running long. Hope you have good fire insurance.
That audio sounds great!
I just found one almost identical, but with the left side square, sort-of, with the superb "cyclop" lamp.. It has been opened but I"m sure all major parts are present, speaker cone seems in good shape, lamps are all there, over-all is pretty darn good looking, excepted the front plastic display disc is cracked, the little window on the (great condition) wooden case is perfect.. don't know if it's functional because I don't have the knowledge required to test.. and I would'nt want to get it worse. Long story short, I'll be more than happy to wrap it very well (lamps wrapped in foam, etc..) and mail it to you, I'll even throw 20$ on reg. shipping, no insurance from Qc, Canada. (If I spend more, gf will go crazy, saying she says it's a piece of junk eating space and collecting dust.)
I think this piece is worth something (not money, that would be an insult) and I honestly think you understand my concerns about the future of this superb piece of history.
Otherwise I'll put it for free on whatever marketplace-alike site, it must go, garbage is not an option and the gf is getting on my nerves, kinda..
Love those old radios !!!
Nice repair video, thanks.
Thanks Robert!
I have a tall standing radio that has that green eye ......I didn't know it was for frequency strength? It works well don't use it much any more ,......I picked it up at a garage sale about 28 years ago.......as a wedding gift for my husband and me! Just like us....still hanging in there!
The Jumanji radio.
I really enjoyed this video.