VOLUME 16               FEBRUARY 1999                NUMBER   2

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

From Antique Radio Classified for February 1999
(Copyright 1996-9 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

What better way for an antique radio collector to spend cold winter nights than on a restoration project? Though an unusual topic for an A.R.C. lead article, Bob Snively's account of his Zenith 5S327 restoration struck us as just right for the blustery month of February.

Bob gives us not only a step-by-step description but also excellent photos documenting the project. The processes he describes are both straightforward, as with the electrical repairs, and complex, requiring a great deal of ingenuity, as with the cabinet veneer work.

We hope that A.R.C. readers will be inspired to use some of their cold winter evenings for such projects. And be sure to keep your camera ready to record your progress for our pages, as Bob did.

Another restoration success story is reported by Geoff Shearer. To find a repair source for his telegraph key, Geoff turned to a common, but probably not the first resource to come to mind for radio restoration -- the telephone Yellow Pages. Geoff's miraculous repair is a reminder to us all not to give up on even the seemingly impossible repair job.

For those of you who like to "roll your own," Wally Worth reports on how he did just that to reproduce several rare loop antennas. If you cannot find the matching loop for your early battery set, do as Wally did -- make your own.

Although a trip to Paris, France, is not necessarily a hot winter vacation idea, now is the time to begin planning your summer trips. Daniel Schwartzman's plan of a few summers ago took him to Paris where he sought out a place related to his hobby. Hence, his report on the Paris Radio Shop, which sounds like a must-see place for traveling radio collectors.

Another vacation idea -- this one timely for winter -- is a trip to sunny Florida. Dave Crocker reports that on display in the Crosley summer mansion on the Manatee/Sarasota line, February 6-10, will be over 100 Crosley radios and other Crosley items. If you can't make it on such short notice, the display will reopen in the fall.

This month's reprint from our first year is Dave Crocker's Crosley Review from the January 1985 issue. This is a particularly timely choice because many of the sets shown are now to be exhibited at the Powel Crosley summer estate in Florida, as reported in Dave's article this month.

Returning to the foreign scene, Thomas Wiegand presents an article on his German Saba 400. This striking table model with remote control sports five speakers that produce excellent sound.

The popular URM-25 signal generator returns to the pages of A.R.C. with Chase Hearn's tips to ease the electrical repair of these useful units. He also suggests minor modifications which will extend the life of the tubes and make the unit easier to use.

The H15/H16 power supply that you've seen advertised in A.R.C. is given a product review in this issue by Ray Bintliff. Since the H15/H16 does not have to be plugged into the wall, Ray reports that it will enable you to enjoy true portability on your portable sets.

Ray also compiles information received from A.R.C. readers on his June 1998 "G" radio article. The consensus is that "G" stands for Grimes.

We knew that Francis Yonker's article on Cortlandt Street in September 1998 would generate a lot of feedback, and it did. To add to the comments of Walter Bieber reported in our October issue, Dorothy Schecter has assembled more responses from readers about their recollections of the early days on Radio Row in lower Manhattan.

Novelties augment many radio collections, and Ed and Irene Ripley sent a description of their radio card game. They hope that some A.R.C. reader will have more information, perhaps the playing rules, for this deck of radio station cards.

Staff member Laura Katz coordinates our Internet Web site and has prepared the first of a series of articles on the Internet. This article introduces the novice to the possibilities of the Internet. Hopefully, these tips for the uninitiated will answer some of the questions of those out there still leery of this new technology.

Photo Review concentrates on small sets this month -- a crystal set, two midget AC sets, and a 1934 automobile radio. Yes, even car radios are collected. Radio Miscellanea includes feedback on past A.R.C. articles and a small selection from the many letters received relating to the Internet.

15th Year Specials. We continue our discounts on full-year back issue purchases and free shipping on all U.S. book orders this month. And, our 15th year subscriber rates have been made our standard rates for 1999.

Coming Radio Events. This month, over 30 events are listed, including more than a dozen swap meets. Valentine's Day will be celebrated at events in Elgin, Illinois; Meridian, Minnesota; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Of note are the SCARS auction in Van Nuys, California; the 3-day HVRA/AWA annual convention in Houston, Texas; and, of course, Radio XXX in Westford, Massachusetts -- the A.R.C. staff will be looking for you at this one.

Happy Collecting in the new year!

John V. Terrey, Editor

ON THE COVER

The Zenith Model 5S327 on our cover is the finished product of Bob Snively's restoration project, the subject of our lead article. As advertised in the Zenith 1939 model year brochure, this 5-tube superheterodyne with its 6" speaker, Transcontinental Automatic Tip-Touch Tuning, broadcast and shortwave bands, and handsome walnut finish sold for $29.95. No doubt the set seemed to buyers to live up to its sales pitch as a "big sturdy upright."