Are antique radios worth anything?

They can actually be very valuable due to a combination of historical interest and scarcity. If you wish to start a collection of antique radios, our in-house radio experts advise that you learn as much as you can about them.

Are old radios collectable?

Many vintage and antique radio models made between 1930 and 1949 are highly collectible, including brands such as RCA, Philco, Westinghouse, and Zenith. These tube radio table models came in a range of sizes and variations.

Are antique radios dangerous?

When properly repaired and inspected, these old appliances are safe to operate, but if the condition is unknown, beware. Antique Radios may also contain hazardous substances, see Antique Radios and Asbestos. Keep hands, feet and other bodily parts out of the back of the radio when playing.

What are old radios called?

antique radio
An antique radio is a radio receiving set that is collectible because of its age and rarity.

How do you refurbish an old radio?

Follow these general steps to restore your radio:

Do not power on your radio.
Find a service manual.
Replace all electrolytic and paper capacitors with new ones of similar value and same or better voltage rating.
Examine closely and replace anything that looks damaged, such as burned up resistors.

Is it safe to plug in an old radio?

Older radios than that often develop more extensive problems as old parts age. Sometimes they might work for a short time but most likely nothing at all will happen if they are plugged in, including no sound. You might get static, or the aforementioned humming.

Are tube radios dangerous?

3) CRTs. These are dangerous because of their size and that they contain a vacuum. They can implode (not explode) violently if broken.

Do antique radios still work?

Most antique radios will work once the capacitors have been replaced. If it does not work then signal trace through the circuit by injecting a signal at the IF or RF, replacing resistors or occasionally a tube where needed. Old resistors have a tendency to increase in value with age.

Are old radios better?

Old valve radios often sound better on AM than modern transistor sets. I think there are two reasons for this: old sets generally have bigger better loudspeakers, and there is more voltage swing at the detector diode so less distortion. On the other hand my experience is that FM often sounds better on a modern set.

Can old radios be fixed?

Yes, especially if you’re a beginner. Radios can be fixed using the general methods given in repair books, but many problems require specific answers, and the schematic may include other useful info, such as voltage and resistance charts for your radio.

Do old radios use a lot of electricity?

In general, the average radio will use 1 – 3 kWh worth of electricity. If you want to be more certain however, you can check the power rating of your radio (either on the radio itself, or a label found on the cable, or in the manual) which will give you an indication of its maximum power usage.

Should I plug in an old radio?

Are Thyratrons dangerous?

Metal/ceramic thyratrons are generally safe when handled and used according to the guidelines included in this data sheet, and require no special handling or processing for safe disposal or environmental protection.

Why do old radios sound better?

What can you do with old radios?

If you don’t get any takers, recycle the radio. Gather your unwanted radios, along with any other electronic devices you want to donate, and pack them in a box. Tape shut the box to secure the electronics. Call your center of choice to find out how to donate or visit its website.

Can vacuum tubes explode?

… “the oily residue from your skin will get on the vacuum tubes. Then when they heat up it can cause them to explode- just like halogen light bulbs.”

How do you clean old radio tubes?

This can be accomplished with any number of contact cleaners or with good, clean Isopropyl alcohol (96-99% pure if possible; DON’T use rubbing alcohol – it contains minerals and oils that tubes don’t like).

Why do old radios sound bad?

You do not hear the higher frequency ‘pops’ and ‘hiss’ that would be reproduced by high-fidelity equipment when playing a vintage recording. This is likely due to the fact that the audio frequency signal chain and speaker of an antique radio are not capable of reproducing higher frequencies.

Why do old receivers sound better?

Answer: When it comes to receivers and amplifiers, older can be better. That is the reason lots of people prefer tube amplifiers or vintage speakers. Though the old equipment might not reproduce the music as accurately as modern gear, the listener might prefer the sound from the vintage equipment.

What were old radios made of?

1920s radios were typically housed in wood, although some tabletops came in rather plain metal cabinets. Bakelite and Catalin were the most popular synthetic materials during the 1930s and 1940s. Other early plastics, such as Plaskon and Beetle, predated the flood of new synthetics that came along during the 1950s.

Are old radios dangerous?

When properly repaired and inspected, these old appliances are safe to operate, but if the condition is unknown, beware. Antique Radios may also contain hazardous substances, see Antique Radios and Asbestos. Every antique radio I restore is made as safe as possible.

Are old transistor radios worth anything?

Today pocket transistor radios manufactured in the 1950s are very collectable. Some models are highly sought after by collectors and regularly sell for hundreds of dollars. It is not uncommon to find a transistor radio at a yard sale for $4 or $5 and sell it the next week for several hundred dollars.

Are valve radios dangerous?

Many valve radios could not comply with current electrical safety standards. Although this does not make them unsafe, it does cause problems when selling them as working electrical appliances. Some sets are unsafe.

Are transistor radios collectible?

Today pocket transistor radios manufactured in the 1950s are very collectable. Some models are highly sought after by collectors and regularly sell for hundreds of dollars.

Do old transistor radios still work?

Transistor radios are still commonly used as car radios. Billions of transistor radios are estimated to have been sold worldwide between the 1950s and 2012.

Is there a price guide for vintage radios?

You have come to the right place! IGuide?is proud to host the online Vintage Radios Price Guide.The price guide is maintained by Jon R. Warren, whose price guide books have been the authority on collectibles values since 1985. The searchable database consists of detailed reports on a ever-growing list of items.

Is it possible to repair an antique radio?

In fact many vintage radios actually tie the hot end of the line directly to their metal chassis. If you have one of these wonderful old pieces of history we hope you will entrust it to us. Antique radio restoration and repair is one of our specialties.

Can you make money on an antique radio?

Many other folks (antique dealers, etc.) make money by buying old radios cheaply at garage sales or swap meets, then reselling for a profit without restoring them. It’s pointless to get mad or call this gouging. They found the radio, and you didn’t. They are in business to make money, which they do by buying cheap and selling dear.

What to do if you find an old radio in the attic?

If you find a radio in the attic, you might be tempted to plug it in and see if it works before getting started. Do not ever do that! Signal routing in these vintage radios was primarily done with capacitor coupling, and the capacitors back then were literally made out of cardboard, foil, paper, and wax which badly degrade with age.

What kind of Radio is in an antique cabinet?

Beautiful antique Zenith 12-U-158 console tube radio VG cabinet.! Antique GE Model L-542 Tube Radio – Ingraham Cabinet!

Where can I find out what my old radio is worth?

Ads and auction reports are other good information sources. The ads in magazines like Antique Radio Classified or Old Timer’s Bulletin tell you what other collectors think their sets are worth. (Of course, not every radio sells at the asking price!)