VOLUME 13                APRIL 1996                NUMBER  4

RADIO MISCELLANEA -- April 1996

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

Words From Abroad!
Fantastic Magazine
Dear Editor:

I have been a subscriber since June 1995. I am very happy with your fantastic magazine and your services. I receive my magazine promptly by air mail each month!

--Aitor Elejabeitia, Canary Islands, Spain

Letter from Israel
Dear Editor:

Even though we seem to be at war and the national mood is very down, and it is dangerous to leave home these days, it is always refreshing to read A.R.C. Thank you for a wonderful magazine that gives lots of opportunities to collectors: important information, connection with other collectors worldwide, and super deals.

I hope that the overall mood here will rise because the largest exhibition of antique radios, commemorating 100 years of radio, is opening March 31, 1996, in the National Museum of Science of Israel. Highlights of the exhibit are transmitted through the Internet.

I want to thank all the people who send me letters, prospects, and news from the U.S.A. Anyone who comes to Tel-Aviv is welcome to get in touch with me, and I'll be glad to show him my museum.

Thanks again for your support. Happy collecting.

--Bruno Pinto, Tel-Aviv, Israel

Tubes Manufactured in Russia
Dear Editor:

Your readers will be interested to know that the Defense Enterprise Fund (DEF) is sponsoring a Russian/American joint venture, which will result in the production of electron power tubes and glass vacuum tubes for civilian applications worldwide. Old tube types will also be manufactured.

Svetlana Electron Devices, Inc., an American Corporation controlled primarily by R&G International of Huntsville, Alabama, owns a major share of the privatized electron tube complex in St. Petersburg, Russia. In the past, Svetlana's military product lines included electronic components used in Russian military radar and ocean-deployed offensive and defensive equipment. The DEF investment in Svetlana will promote defense conversion in Russia and will contribute to the company's growth in the rapidly expanding foreign industrial and medical markets.

For additional information, call Mr. George Badger at 1-800-578-3852 or 415-233-0429.

Wanted Ad Success
Dear Editor:

I must have received over twenty responses to my ad for Farm radios. I have bought at least eight as a result of one ad!

--Charles W. Rhodes, Alexandria, VA

KDKA - The Most Powerful?
Dear Editor:

The March article on KDKA says that KDKA broadcast at a constant 50,000 watts, the most powerful wattage allowed on the AM band. This is true with one exception - Crosley Station WLW operated at one time at 500 Kilowatts until the complaints about blanketing over wide areas forced the FCC to reduce the power to the usual 50 kilowatts.

--Harry Cap, Bridgewater, MA

In 1925, the Federal Radio Commission did grant Crosley Station WLW an experimental license to change WLW from 50,000 to 500,000 watts. (See A.R.C., November 1992). A few years later, this license was revoked for the reason stated by Mr. Cap. (Editor)

Shellac and Lacquer Refinishing
Dear Editor:

I'd suggest to anyone interested in refinishing antique radio cabinets that they get into the easiest and best refinishing media there are, especially for amateurs - shellac and brushing lacquer. I'd also suggest that 000- and 0000-grade steel wool will do everything in the refinishing process that various grit sandpapers allegedly do, and at less cost and easier availability. A very good book on the proper use of shellac and lacquer is Furniture Finishing & Refinishing, published by Sunset Books.

Two excellent books - Johnson's The Weekend Refinisher, availiable from A.R.C., and Grotz's From Gunk to Glow or The Gentle Art of Refinishing Antiques and Other Furniture - reject the use of spar varnish for interior furniture, as suggested by James Newton in "Three Refinishing Secrets" (A.R.C., September 1995). Use of spar varnish can be so complicated and potentially ruinous that it quickly discourages a beginner to the point of giving up on what can be an almost simple, as well as highly enjoyable, pastime.

--Tom Seller, Harrison, MI

Doyle's Dials are Dandy!
Dear Editor:

I recently tried one of the A.R.C. advertisers offering a needed restoration service. Doyle Roberts advertises reproducing dial covers for old radios. He has a list of covers he has patterns for, and these can be ordered from a price list by radio brand and model number. He can make others if supplied with a suitable pattern.

I had a Truetone D-727 with a broken plastic dial cover. I sent the broken plastic cover in its bezel for replacement and installation in the bezel. An excellent replacement was returned to me in only one week! It looks like a nice original. I would recommend this often needed service when restoring those 1930-1950 radios with bad dial covers. Contact Doyle Roberts at HC 63, Box 236-1, Clinton AR 72031. (501) 745-6690.

--Charles R. Combs, Albany, MO