Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Other Telephone Information => Off Topic => Radios & TVs => Topic started by: Pourme on February 10, 2021, 06:51:52 PM

Title: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: Pourme on February 10, 2021, 06:51:52 PM
~

This was in one of my regular haunts for $20.00.
A quick google told me it is 1950 model. It is brown Bakelite and it doesn't work.
I bought it.

cont...
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: Pourme on February 10, 2021, 07:00:57 PM
~

I tucked the cord out of the way, I don't care to get it working. I wanted to clean it up and display it with my phones. It cleaned up nicely, no chips, no cracks. It's not the fanciest model but it's small enough to fit on a shelf with a phone. It works in really well.

And the center dial design looks a lot like my truck logo!

Well worth $20.00 to me!
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: TelePlay on February 10, 2021, 07:03:25 PM
It's a Motorola 5H11 (the last "1" indicates it walnut colored, 2 is ivory, 3 is green)

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/motorola_5h11_5_h_11_chhs_256_hs25.html

Looks great with your phones!

Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: RB on February 10, 2021, 07:08:04 PM
Benny, that is a sweet display there!  ;)
You could put a small blue tooth speaker behind it,
and it would sound just like it was commin out of that cool old box! 8)
Well done all the way around there.
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: Key2871 on February 10, 2021, 07:33:06 PM
Yes a great display piece. Looks great with phones of that era.
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: Pourme on February 10, 2021, 07:39:44 PM
Quote from: Key2871 on February 10, 2021, 07:33:06 PM
Yes a great display piece. Looks great with phones of that era.

Thanks, I figured since it's a 1950 radio and the continental came in the early 50's they were a good match.
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: Key2871 on February 10, 2021, 08:35:02 PM
Yea I like the theme thing with the old radio and old phone they look great in pictures it brings me back years.
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: Scott on February 10, 2021, 08:38:25 PM
Pretty Cool!

Scott k.
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: LarryInMichigan on February 10, 2021, 08:46:56 PM
Yes, that is a very nice MCM radio.  I bought one at the local flea market a year or two ago.  Making yours work shouldn't be terribly difficult.  I managed to make mine work.

youtube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSdCahZdnS4)

Larry
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: Key2871 on February 10, 2021, 09:22:51 PM
I would think transistor is a better way to go tubes get hot and kill plastics.
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: FABphones on February 10, 2021, 09:24:11 PM
Nice work cleaning that up. Those red control knobs really stand out now.
Do you have a red 50's or earlier phone to display to the left of it?

:)
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: LarryInMichigan on February 10, 2021, 09:34:46 PM
Quote from: Key2871 on February 10, 2021, 09:22:51 PM
I would think transistor is a better way to go tubes get hot and kill plastics.

It is quite common for tube radios, especially from the 1950s, to be warped, cracked, and/or discolored on the top from the heat of the tubes, especially above tubes like the 50C5, 35W4, and other especially hot tubes.  Certain Motorola models are known for that problem.  Some radios had asbestos pads or foil attached to the inside of the cabinet above the hot tubes.  My TravLer T201 has heat shields over the 35W4 and 50C5, presumably to prevent the polystyrene above them from warping or melting.

Larry
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: Babybearjs on February 10, 2021, 09:50:05 PM
well, I found an ols 1930's SEARS Silvertone console unit in the park I live in.... in extremely bad condition, the chassis is totalled and the amp had a rats nest inside of it.... the mice did a great job on the wiring.... chewing through the cloth insulation and basically ruining the set... I showed it to a friend, and we both agreed that the unit would have to be completely broken down and all the wiring and componets wouls have to be replaced, IF you can even find them.... I disconnected the power cord and am planning on donating the radio part of the unit to a electronics recycler who also teaches electronics to school students. the tubes alone are worth saving! hopefully someone will take it and do something with it.... it even has the original speaker, which will be donated too...
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: Doug Rose on February 10, 2021, 09:52:04 PM
Very nice Benny....it is sharp looking. Nice add to your collection my friend...Doug
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: Key2871 on February 10, 2021, 10:44:22 PM
I know all too well Larry, I was just stating transistors are a better way to preserve the case from damage.
I think it could be changed without taking away from the look of a great old piece.
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: oldguy on February 11, 2021, 10:44:36 PM
Great looking radio Benny and you got to show off your continentals in the pictures😀
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: countryman on February 12, 2021, 02:45:26 AM
For 20.- I would have grabbed it, too. I love old radios. I have some of the larger tube radios that every household owned "here" in the 1950ies. Smaller tube types are kind of rare - they were usually worn out because they are handier.
If the case stood the heat from the tubes in the past, it will do same in future. Looks like it's Bakelite, which is durable. There's no need to fix it now, just keep it complete and original. Radios of that age always suffer from bad capacitors, these should be replaced before trying the function to prevent possible further damage.
Title: Re: I'm not a radio guy but....
Post by: Pourme on February 12, 2021, 03:30:18 AM
Quote from: oldguy on February 11, 2021, 10:44:36 PM
Great looking radio Benny and you got to show off your continentals in the pictures😀

;D