5 comments about Old Time Radios! Restoration and Repair.

1. What this book is - a good general reference guide to electrical troubleshooting and electrical repair of old radios.
   
   What this book isnt - no mention is made in regards to cabinet or chassis repairs and restoration. Nothing is said about wood refinishing or speaker grille cloth replacement as well as other cosmetic restoration concerns.



2. This is an absolutely indispensible book for those just getting into radio restoration, especially if they don't come from a technical background. For instance, because of this book, I now know how and why vacuam tubes work.



3. A very informative book. I recently began renovating old radios have have found this book to be a tremendous help. Although I have a degree in electronics, it was great reviewing tube theory for AM and FM circuits.



4. I have been interested in and tinkered with electronics since I was a boy, but I didn't have the knowledge to do any involved repairs. Over the years my family and I have had tube radios that worked fine at one time, then started to hum, with the humming eventually getting so bad it drowned out everything else. I remembered my folks taking one of these sets to a radio/TV repairman when I was a kid and being told it wasn't worth fixing. For years I have wanted to find out what caused this and maybe fix those radios. Some 30 years later I spied this book, bought it, and found out what all that humming was caused by. I have proceeded to fix 3 of those old radios that now work like new, for only a few dollars in parts! This book taught me everything I needed to know to do it. I couldn't be more pleased. I had to re-read some sections a few times to "get it", but the info I needed was all there. I can't recommend this book highly enough!!



5. If you want a book on how tube radios work, this is a great book. If you want to know how to actually restore radios, not so good.

5 comments about Collector's Guide to Antique Radios.

1. My husband has taken a passion for collecting antique radios. I got this for him so he won't be uninformed on the subject. He was elated with it. I'm happy to say that he has been using it ever since.



2. Very good and fairly complete guide to old pre 1960's radios.
   The book's publish date is from about 3 years ago,
   so the radio pricing estimates therein may not be that accurate
   for today's economy, but still in the ballpark in most cases.
   I bought my copy used and definitely got my money's worth.



3. When I first started searching for tube radios to buy, I knew I needed a price guide. And, I had doubts about this volume after reading some negative reviews. Now, I find it invaluable and can't imagine shopping without it.
   
   Any buying guide must be portable to be useful. This book is about as big as a practical buying guide can be. With 317 pages (7th edition) printed on 8.5 x 11 inch paper, you cannot stuff this guide into your shirt pocket. However, you can carry it in your briefcase or a shipping bag. (I assume that future editions will be available in a digital format for use on portable electronic devices.)
   
   I had some concerns about omissions. Well, after attending radio swap meets, flea markets, yard sales and making inquiries about Craigslist and eBay postings, my experience is that the omissions are not huge relative to the radios I have seen on the market. Moreover, several times I have found data on similar models that gave me valuable insights into a model not listed.
   
   No guide can account for all variables, but I can tell you that this guide can help you to avoid costly mistakes. Many sellers have no clue about market value, and are wildly optimistic about what they think their antique tube radio should sell for. I always define a "bargain" or "too costly to buy" by reference to this guide.
   
   The book presents several pages explaining its approach to valuation. After reading the detailed comments, you will be better equipped to make adjustments for unique situations and your buying interests.
   
   There are 800 color photographs in the 7th edition. Do I wish there were more? Sure, and typically each guide has more photos than the previous edition. Again, a buying guide must be portable and cannot contain all the data and photographs that we would want in an encyclopedic history of all tube radios ever produced.
   
   Given that there are no comparable buying guides published, are there reasons to praise this book? There are indeed. If you are buying, don't leave home without it. There are very few buying situations where a beginner or even an expert would not be helped by referring to this book. This is a superb presentation of otherwise rare data on a niche hobby ... and a stunning bargain at under $25.
   
   I have performed several market research projects in my professional life. And, I can only respect the years of research and data accumulation that have gone into the production of this unique work. If either the author or publisher ever stop producing this guide, it would be a huge loss to radio hobbyists. Moreover, this superb guide keeps getting better ... even as the population of collectors is likely diminishing.



4. I have owned previous issues of "Colector's Guide to Antique Radios" and found them very helpful in giving me much needed values of old radios in which I wanted to sell. They have also helped inform me about certain specs. about items that I was interested in purchasing. I am a big fan of old tabletop tube radios and old transistor radios. As a smalltime collector, I very much like the color pictures of some of the radios included in the issues. This issue gave me more of the same much needed info, as well as fascinating photos!



5. Collector's Guide to Antique Radios: Identifcation and Values (Collector's Guide to Antique Radios)
   This book is a valuable reference for me as I look for bargains in antique radios.

4 comments about Zenith Trans-Oceanic: The Royalty of Radios.

1. I really can't say anymore about this book than what has already been said; it is a fantastic work, and anyone who owns a Trans-Oceanic, or is thinking of buying one need to have this book.
   It is full of nostalgia, history, amusing anecdotes, and well... just very amazing stories about not just a radio, or a company, but a nation and an era that has slipped by us. This isn't just a book, it is a time machine.



2. Any radio buff would enjoy the evolution of this radio ICON....Keeps your turned on and tuned into the history of this wonderful product, and a lot of good technical tips for those who refurbish them.....Enjoy.....



3. This was an item requested for a Christmas gift. I am sure it will be much appreciated.



4. Zenith TRANS-OCEANIC: The Royalty of Radios(Second Edition)and The Zenith Trans-Oceanic, the Royalty of Radios: The Royalty of Radios (Schiffer Book for Collectors)(First Edtion)
   If you own a Zenith Trans-Oceanic, you probably own the first edition of this book. If so, you'll love the second edition: not a word has been changed. You won't have any problem finding the new materials: it's all in a new section at the end of the book. As the authors point out, cost considerations precluded revising the text of the first edition.
   What's in the new material? A page or so of updated historical information, a discusssion of the second military model unknown when the first edition went to press, nice photos of Trans-Oceanic wannabe's from RCA, Hallicrafters, and others; photos of some of the Zenith companion radios, and some other items of interest.
   What's missing? Much has happened in the collector world since the publication of the first edition, and an expanded list of parts and suppliers would have been welcome. There's an ever-growing network of resources for Zenith collectors that should be included in the book. Additionally, these radios aren't getting any younger, and an expanded section on maintenance, repair, and restoration would be helpful. More detailed information on electrical restoration would be especially useful along with discussion on building and using battery packs as many collectors want to run their Trans-Oceanics on battery power.
   Should you buy the second edition? Should you buy another Zenith Trans-Oceanic? Of course! If your first edition is getting a little dog-eared, you'll get the same book plus some new material. As a Zenith collector, you'll want to add this book to your Zenith resources. Hopefully, when it's time for a third edition, the authors can do a true cover-to-cover revision.

5 comments about Wade Miniatures: An Unauthorized Guide to Whimsies, Premiums, Villages, & Characters (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Clear and crisp photos, but information is lacking. Only a small portion of this book is devoted to the most cherished and popular collection category - the free premiums issued in boxes of Red Rose Tea. Much of the book talks about the Crackers, the Whimsies, the Whoppas and other Wade figurines including villages, dishes and trays. I've never heard of those things until now.
   
   Do color variations mean anything? I don't know. The book doesn't say. Do variations in stance and position affect value? How do I tell the difference between a Whimsie, a Whoppa, a Cracker and a Premium? I don't know that either. The table of context and the index are not helpful. The animals are listed in alphabetical order, but I had to hunt for the entire series. The Pet Shop Series (2006-2008)isn't mention anywhere. Neither are the different Tea Pot Series from the late 1990's.
   
   I have many Red Rose Tea premium figurines that I can't place in a series because I don't know what they are, where they belong or what year they were made. Maybe they're Whoppas or Crackers? I'll have to keep searching elsewhere for an answer.
   
   If you're mainly interested in researching information about the free premiums packed in tea boxes, this book is not for you.



2. As a new Whimsey tragic, I found this book most illuminating. The photos were particularly invaluable for helping me sort my many little characters into order.
   It is an excellent book for Whimsey beginners. I have since bought a more comprehensive Wade book, but find myself resorting to this 4th edition more often than not. In fact, I have had to buy more copies for friends who wanted to borrow mine.



3. If you are into the little people of Wade ,England and the other pieces you can find tucked away into your box of Red-Rose Tea, then you need this book. It is invaluable in it's listing of every piece of Wade that is out there hiding in those booths at flea markets and antique malls. The pictures are wonderful in showing color variations that exist. This book is a definite must-have for even the beginning collector.



4. Great pictures of the Wade figurines, very helpful in identifying them. Info is also very good, but hard to find. Index covers only the names of the figurines (Gorilla, Little Red Riding Hood, Bush Baby). Where is the table listing Canadian and American Red Rose Tea sets of whimsies? Where is the description and discussion of colourways? Which whimsies had single-color glazes when reissued? You'll thumb through the book to find the answers; the text is not indexed.
   
   And I'd really appreciate photos of flaws: What is a fleabite? How important is roughness at the base of a figurine? What about color coverage: Little Miss Muffet's spider in this book has relatively little coloring. Some Muffets have well glazed spiders but less perfect painting of the skirt. How important are these differences? Photos and discussion would be so helpful in answering these questions.
   
   When I use this book, I wonder if I should have bought The World of Wade Whimsies by Ian Warner and Mike Posgay. A good guide book doesn't raise that question.



5. This book is definitely useful when collecting Wade miniatures. There are many clear pictures with lots of information. The only thing is that they do not clearly specify the difference from the boxed whimsies and the ones that came in the Rose Tea. They could be a bit clearer on that issue. Other than that, I think this book is a must have if you are interested in Wade.

5 comments about Antique Radio Restoration Guide.

1. Great for the beginner and the seasoned as well.Basic and still very helpful even after using now for 3or4 years.



2. I found the book to be a very good guide to restoring tube radios. I agree with one of the other reviews that transitor radio fundimentals would be a handy guide for those of us that can't remember how to biase a transitor anymore. The book is about everything that a person would need to restore tube radios. Thanks.



3. This book starts off on an extremely elementary tone. In fact, people who know what a resistor is may find themselves wondering whether they should be reading this book at all. However, later in the book, there are detailed descriptions of how certain circuits work and how radios work - in a fair amount of detail for an elementary book. Unfortunately, there is very little middle ground. That is, after the first few chapters, terminology is used that has not been defined, nor is it found in the glossary. Consequently, the truly novice reader may need to look elsewhere for the missing information. Some chapters describe, in detail, what could go wrong with an old radio and how to fix the problems. This makes for rather heavy reading, unless one is actually trying to fix a radio that has one of those particular problems; in such a case, these sections could be quite valuable. Radio cabinet refinishing is also covered and suggestions are made on acquiring equipment, parts and further references. Overall, I found this book to be very interesting and written in a style that is clear, authoritative and quite engaging, although, as mentioned, a bit dense in some areas. I intend to refer to it extensively in restoring my old radios.



4. Don't waste your time. Way off on prices-(low). Looked up the first ten tombstone radios on ebay and only one was in the book.Take the money you wound spend on this and get something with a high recommendation.



5. For those who are relatively new to the hobby of collecting and restoring antique radios, the frustration stemming from the lack of material devoted to the beginner in this field is all too often the cause of those with high initial enthusiasm to give up prematurely. If you are one of the many who may have found their entry into this potentially facinating pastime to be a bit daunting, take heart. Now in its second edition the "Antique Radio Restoration Guide" provides an abundance of information for the beginning to intermediate antique radio enthusiast. Throughout its twelve chapters the reader is guided through the basics of choosing a radio, the fundamentals of radio theory and repair as well as cosmetic and cabinet restoration. There is also a section on setting up your own repair shop including resources for obtaining test equipment and instructions for actually building some of your own. Though beginners may find some of the technical material in a few of the chapters a bit challenging, this book is nonetheless a fine reference work that, providing the reader's enthusiasm for the subject prevails, he will likely refer to often and will grow into in no time.

1 comments about Modern Receiver Front-Ends: Systems, Circuits, and Integration.

1. I purchased this text for a class taught by Joy Laskar at Georgia Tech. I was very dissapointed with the last of polish the book had. The author, Laskar, is very knowledgeable about his field, however the text he provides lacks most of the nuance you would expect from a textbook. Many portions read more like excerpts from published papers, complete with the lack of in depth examples and explainations, and while references are plentiful, it would be preferable for a student to have the example or worked out problems mentioned present in the text instead of located in a trade journal somewhere which one may or may not have access to.
   
   Additionally, the images throughout the book were horrible. Lacking color, and resized from orginals in a sloppy way, most are pixelated, grayscale, and difficult to use.

2 comments about Zenith Radio, The Glory Years, 1936-1945: History and Products (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This book is a first class production all the way, and is certain to delight any fan of Zenith radios. The high quality glossy stock supports the best reproduction of illustrations. The early B&W photos shine with stunning clarity, and the 160+ color photos (mostly of Martin Blankinship's superb collection) have a glorious fidelity and a level of detail seldom seen.
   
   This is the second volume of a two book series and focuses on tube radios from 1936-1945. (The first volume is "Zenith Radio: The Early Years: 1919-1935.")
   
   Zenith corporate history is well presented, complete with annual company reports and financial statements. Of particular interest to me were the several Zenith print ads from the era and the cabinet sketches from the engineering department of unrealized designs.
   
   Fully worth the price of admission are 41 wonderful pages of color portraits of Zenith radios. Most of the 160+ photos have a caption listing the approximate value range of the model presented.
   
   [Note: Although the Amazon description (12/09) refers to a "Database which is the most complete listing of Zenith products," the database is not included in this volume. (I assume it is in the earlier volume.) I personally would have loved to have tables in this book showing the models produced by year with some descriptive information and info on quantities produced. If needed to make room for this data, I personally could do without the chapter on Zenith hearing aids.]
   
   Bottom line: This delightful volume presents glorious documentation of a bygone era. With a list price of $35 (2009) and superb printing, it is an amazing bargain. Anyone with an interest in the subject will marvel at the delights of this volume.
   
   Tip: No value guide can account for all variables. However, if you are looking for a single-volume source of data and price information on Zenith and wide variety of other brands, I recommend the latest edition of "Collector's Guide to Antique Radios: Identification and Values."



2. I have to start by saying I have been a collector of antique radios for over 25 years, so this book is right up my alley.
   
   I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Harold Cones at a radio swap meet several years ago, and heard a talk about the research that went into this series of books on Zenith.
   
   Zenith radios are some of the most collectable antique radios. From the radio made famous (and expensive) by the Walton's Television series, to the more common table radios, and the large console radios with the big black dials and funny green "Magic Eye" tubes. This is from an era where worldwide communication was not instantaneous, and television was but a dream.
   
   These authors had the opportunity to go through the archives of the Zenith Radio company prior to its dissolution. Zenith was the last American radio and televison manufacturer. It was eventually purchased by LG Electronics of Hong Kong.
   
   The radios of the mid to late thirties seems to be the culmination of both the woodworking art and the art of hand made electronics. This book focuses on the story behind the company and the people who designed and made the radios.
   
   There are some beautiful photographs of many of the Zenith radios made during this period. Each photograph is accompanied by a rarity value and an estimated value range. The photography is exceptional.
   
   In addition, the book has many reproductions of advertisements of the time, and many other documents that give insight to the company during this ten year period.
   
   One section that I found very interesting was composed of several drawings of possible designs for radios that were never made. These were provided by the family of the designer (Mr Budlong), and I see these designs from the early 40's look like the designs of the late 50's and early 60's, indicating that he was way ahead of his time.
   
   All in all, this is a great book for anyone who has ever had or still has a Zenith radio, or is just interested in the story of a great American company that has since faded into history.

1 comments about How to Repair Old-Time Radios.

1. I was very happy with the book. Would buy it again. Everything was as advertised.

4 comments about Philco Radio 1928-1942: A Pictoral History Of The World's Most Popular Radios.

1. The publisher uses a high quality glossy stock that allows the many photographs to be presented with excellent detail and fidelity. There are literally 100's and 100's of photos, nearly all in color. The shots are bright, detailed, and large enough to help you identify nearly any Philco model ever produced through 1942.
   
   Author Ron Ramirez has organized and presented the right information in the right order. After presenting corporate history, each chapter then reviews by model year the Philco line and its technical advancements. And, each chapter has large color photos of models from the year it covers. This approach is hugely more satisfying than having to refer to photos in a section of the book far removed from the subject.
   
   The content and organization are incredibly helpful to collectors and dedicated fans. The flow is superb with the book's chronological organization. Many photos have very detailed captions explaining features of the particular model presented. The information is precise and dependable.
   
   Data tables are nicely organized. Chapter 16 lists Philco tube radios produced by year from 1928-42, along with number of tubes, power source, and cabinet type. One appendix shows chassis sketches with tube layouts for the various models. This is valuable information for collectors and restorers. Another appendix includes a value guide organized by model year.
   
   This volume is sure to delight collectors and tube radio fans. Complaints? None. The author and publisher have done a superb job of documenting the technology of a bygone era. This may be my favorite of the many books I have on tube radios.
   
   Tip: No value guide can account for all variables. However, if you are looking for a single-volume source of data and price information on Philco and a wide variety of other brands, I recommend the latest edition of "Collector's Guide to Antique Radios: Identification and Values."



2. As the follow-up edition to Ron's earlier book on PHILCO, this continues to be the definitive reference for antique radio collectors and mass media historians. PHILCO (short for "Philadelphia Storage Battery Company") was the name synonymous with affordable radios for nearly three decades...along with the well-known "cathedral" style radio of the 1930s and 1940s.
   
   During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the family radio was the last household item to be sold for rent and food money.
   
   I recommend picking up your copy before this edition goes out of print.



3. This is one of my favorite reference books. The pictures are great and especially helpful when you are trying to restore an old disgarded Philco to it's former beauty. Packed with interesting history and trivia. Values listed in the book tend to be on the conservative side, but then again most reference books tend to do this. If you love old radios and their history, this is a "Must Have" for your book shelf. (PS. His website is pretty neat too)



4. Ron Ramirez (Mr. Philco to radio collectors) has compiled one of the finest books of its type. Focusing solely on Philco radios, he traces the evolution of the Philadelphia Storage Battery Co. from its roots to PHILCO, one of America's leading manufacturers of home radios. The book is organized chronologically by model year and includes a photograph and text explanation for virtually every Philco radio ever manufactured. Each chapter begins with a detailed description of the key features of the new models, how Philco responded to the fierce competion of the day, and the company's marketing strategies for the new year. The photography is outstanding with the vast majority of the pictures representing the best available examples of original or restored radios. The author wraps up the book with a listing by year of all Philco models, their tube configurations, and a "rarity" scale. While an excellent technical reference and history book, it also presents an interesting insight into how the Art Deco school of design influenced even radio cabinetry of the period. Highly recommended!

5 comments about The All-American Five Radio: Understanding and Restoring Transformerless Radios of the 1940'S, 50'S, and 60's.

1. Amazon provided very quick and speedy service. The book I recieved in a very short time was an excellent choice. It was excatly what I was looking for.Very plain and down to earth to understand highly recommended.Thanks amazon



2. This is by far the best resource for new Antique Radio enthusiasts who are interested in restoration. The only criticism I would offer is that the index is not as complete as such a reference work deserves. Otherwise, this is a clear, concise explanation of the inner workings of what has to be the most common radio type of the period.



3. This book has a lot of detailed information for anyone interested in restoring All American 5 or 6 Radios. You will need a little knowledge of electronics to fully utilize this information however. This book is likely not for beginners. This book is however a good addition to your bookshelf if you are interested in the history of Radio and in particular Tube radio.
   Some errors in spelling and a few mistakes but there is a addendum to correct most of those. For the money invested this book is a good value if you are looking for information.



4. This book covers fundamental electronics with excellent schematic and pictorial diagrams to help the reader understand how tube radio components work. I especially liked the explanations of each stage from power supply through detector and audio amplifier, and the descriptions of the functional elements of each tube. There are many useful tips for selecting and installing replacement parts which I highlighted for future reference. Yes, there are more typos than normal but that is a minor nuisance which doesn't reduce the value of the content.



5. This book is just what I needed, just getting started in tube radio repair. It covers basic radio funamentals and electronics, in an easy to read and understand format. Even though it only covers one peticular radio, I feel I can apply it to any other radio. I recommend it to anyone with moderate electronic background.