Western Historic Radio Museum

Radio Boulevard
Western Historic Radio Museum

Featuring Full Length Articles on:

Rebuilding Vintage Radio Communication Equipment
Radio Manufacturing History,... Nevada Radio History
Photo Galleries of Vintage Radios

Featured Equipment:

WWII Radio: Shipboard, Shore, Air Navigation, Ally Equipment
Military-Commercial Radio from 1930-1941 & 1946-1960+
Vintage Long Wave Receivers from 1923-1960+
Pre-WWII Ham Gear,... Post-WWII Ham Gear
Wireless Era Gear from 1909-1922,...Entertainment Radios from 1922-1940
Telegraph Keys,...Vintage Microphones,...Real Machine RTTY

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Latest Additions - New Photos, New Scans and New Written Information (past six months, more or less) - Link goes to article where new addition is located

Oct 20 - Wavelength Radio N9AMI has shot a video of me profiling the W6MIT "Big Rig" transmitter along with the T-368 transmitter and a few other rigs. The youtube video is 42 minutes long and is called "Bad Boys of Amplitude Modulation - WA7YBS" and, of course, "Bad Boys" is referring to the transmitters, not their owner-operators. Here's a link to N9AMI's youtube channel - Wavelength Radio - this link goes to Wavelength Radio Home, scroll down and click on "Videos" and "BBAM-WA7YBS" will be in the list.
Sept 30 - Tobe Deutschmann-Glenn Browning Ham Receiver Kits - New Article - Comprehensive write-up on the Browning 35, TOBE SPECIAL and the TOBE Amateur Communication Receiver. History of radio kits 1920s-1960s, problems only found in kit-built radios, bios on Glenn Browning and Tobe Deutschmann, circuit details on Browning's design, restoration of the TOBE SPECIAL and the TOBE ACR 35. Lots of photos (40 of them.) Includes info on the Wright-DeCoster Model 1000-B loudspeaker used with the TOBE ham receivers. Performance reports on the restored receivers. TOBE-Browning Ham Receivers
July 24 - W6MIT Transmitters - New Article - Detailed write-up with lots of photos on two of W6MIT's professionally engineered and superbly constructed homebrew transmitters. The Model 45098 "The Big Rig" evokes the spirit of AM Broadcast Transmitters, albeit reduced in size. The Model AM100 "The 1625 Rig" is a utilitarian creation that includes its own the roll-around cart. Full circuit descriptions, specifications, performance and more. These are fabulous homebrews built in the 1990s. - W6MITxmtrs
May 29 - National NC-400 - New Article - History, design and specifications. Also, the litany of mechanical design problems. Refurbishment, stability issues, flexible chassis problems. Can the NC-400 become a usable station receiver? National NC-400 Receiver
May 16 - Collins 51J-1 Restoration Article - Details on bringing this 51J-1 receiver back to original specifications, lots of photos, lots of new info on this scarce version. - Collins R-388 & 51J Series Part 3

NOTE FOR 2023 - I've changed the URLs on several of the pages to be more consistent with current webpage practice. If in the past you have saved the URLs for any of the following sections for easy access, then just click on the particular section shown below and it will go to that page using the new URL. Then save that URL if desired.

Colin Kennedy Receivers
Collins R-388 & 51J Series
Grebe Synchrophase MU-1
Vintage Long Wave Receivers - Part 1
Vintage Long Wave Receivers - Part 2
Vintage Long Wave Receivers - Part 3
Vintage Long Wave Receivers - Part 4
National HRO Part 1
Hallicrafters SX-28 & SX28A
Hallicrafters Skyrider DD-1
Hallicrafters R-274 Receiver
Patterson Radio PR-10
Rebuilding R-390A Receivers - Part 1
GRC-19 Rebuild
Nevada Radio History up to 1940
Wireless Spark Gap Ham Gear
Pre-WWII Ham Gear - Part 1 only
Post-WWII Ham Gear
WWII Communications Equipment - Part 1

Website Navigation Index

Click on Title - goes to single-part articles or goes to Part 1 of multipart articles. Or,... Click on a Specific Part Number of multipart articles

Full Length Articles on Wireless Era Equipment

M.H. Dodd's 1912 Wireless "Spark" Station

Details the discovery of Dodd's Spark Station inside a steamer trunk in Reno, Nevada in November 1999. Details on Dodd's equipment, the station's location, how it worked and where it is now. Lots of photographs including original vintage B&W photos of Dodd using his station in 1912, photos of Dodd's 1909 Award-winning Station, other vintage Dodd photographs plus contemporary photos of the Dodd station as it was set up on display in the Western Historic Radio Museum. Appendix includes write-up of Dodd's 1923 homebrew 3-tube Cockaday Receiver.

Spherical Audion Receiver - 1914 to 1916

Comprehensive information on the design, circuit and construction details. 1988 discovery details along with restoration in 1988. Antique Radio Classified 1989 article with B&W photo of the receiver then. 2022 refurbishment and performance testing of Crystal Detector and Vacuum Tube Detector. Determining the build-date by comparison to other contemporary wireless station receivers. 2022 performance enhancement and testing. Adding external component vacuum tube regeneration circuit with no mods to receiver. Adding external audio amplification with no mods to receiver. Performance analysis of regeneration and audio amp additions. Lots of photos.

Colin B. Kennedy - "Radio Apparatus of Quality"

Comprehensive history of the design and manufacturing of Kennedy's 1922 line of high-quality receivers. Details on the Type 110 Universal, the Type 220 Intermediate Wave and the Type 281 Short Wave. Also covers the Type 525 and Type 521 Audio Amplifiers. Restoration information and write-up of a Type 220 restoration. Performance testing the Type 110 and performance testing the Type 220. Also includes a write-up of our experiment duplicating Dr. Royal Rife's use of the Kennedy receivers in his laboratory. Lots of photos.

SE-1420, IP-501 & IP-501-A - "The Classic Shipboard Wireless Receivers"

Comprehensive history of the design and manufacturing of these classic shipboard receivers. Detailed restoration write-ups. Performance testing the SE-1420B and the IP-501-A. How to set "Critical Coupling" and attain real DX performance. NDB Station Log for the IP-501-A. Lots of photos.

A. H. GREBE & CO., INC. - "A Guide to the Grebe Synchrophase MU-1"

Detailed history of the design and manufacturing of the Grebe MU-1, MU-2 and other variants, Dr. Mu QSL cards, Color Advertising Brochure, Engineering Upgrades, Serial letter dilemma, Restoration hints, How to neutralize the MU-1, Performance testing Early model CTPB and Late Model RJNA. Lots of photos.

Vintage Long Wave Receivers

Vintage Long Wave Receivers - Testing and Performance Evaluations

Detailed history write-ups and performance evaluations on 20 different models of pre-WWII, WWII and post-WWII LW receivers with examples from the US Navy, US Army Signal Corps, Radiomarine Corp., Mackay Radio and Telegraph Co., Hammarlund Mfg. Co., Collins Radio Co., National Company, RACAL and Eddystone. Includes info on using vintage LW gear on 630 meters. Lots of information and lots of photos.

Part One - PRE-WWII RECEIVERS - Radiomarine IP-501-A, Mackay Radio Type 105A, National Company RIO, USN RAA-3, USN RAG-1, Federal Telegraph-USCG Type R-100, Hammarlund SP-100LX, USN-Radiomarine RAZ-1

Part Two - WWII RECEIVERS - Mackay Radio Type RC-123, USN RAK-7 & RAL-7, Signal Corps BC-344-D, RCA CR-91-Camden, USN RBL-5, Radiomarine Corp. AR-8510, USN RBA-1 (with rebuild info and reception log,) RBA-6

Part Three - POST-WWII RECEIVERS - Collins R-389/URR (with detailed rebuild info,) Mackay Radio Type 3001A, Hammarlund SP-600VLF-31 (with performance details,) RACAL RA-17 with RA-237-B L.F. Converter (performance details and reception log,) Eddystone Model 850/2 (performance details and reception log,) Using Selective Level Meters as Long Wave Receivers, Other Receivers with LW Coverage, The Ultimate LW Receiver

Part Four - What to listen to on Longwave - Signals below 500kc, Dealing with RFI Noise on LW, Loop Antennas, USN VLF Stations, LF Time Signal Stations, SAQ 17.2kc Alexanderson Alternator station, 630M amateur operation. 2007 Photo-tour of Loran-C "Master" Station in Fallon, Nevada. NDB stations in Nevada. Complete NDB reception log.

Full Length Articles on Radio Communication & Amateur Radio Equipment

National Company, Inc. - HRO Receiver - "The Cream of the Crop"

Comprehensive history of the design and manufacturing of the HRO. Serial number log for determining build date of your HRO. Several restoration write-ups. Lots of photos and information.

Part One - History of the development of the HRO receiver, detailed descriptions on pre-WWII HRO Models, WWII HRO Models, post-WWII HRO Models

Part Two - Serial Number Analysis and Log, Current Owners of D & E run HROs, Chronologically listed Engineering Upgrades, HRO Accessories - Power Supplies, Speakers, Coil Boxes

Part Three - Guild to Restoring HRO Receivers, Gear Box, PW-D Dial, Coil Set Details, Restoration Articles on 1935 HRO SN H-103, 1940 HRO Senior SN 463-K

Part Four - Restoration articles on 1935 HRO SN E-50, 1935 HRO SN F-16, 1946 HRO-5C SN 184 0009, Collector's Gallery of HRO Photos, Performance Improvement Suggestions, Conclusion

National Company, Inc. - NC-100 Series - "Moving Coil" Receivers

Comprehensive history of the design and manufacturing. Details on most of the sixty+ different types of Moving Coil receivers. Includes details on the Airport Receivers, the WWII versions and the post-WWII versions. Serial Number Analysis and Log. Several detailed restoration write-ups. Serial number analysis and log. Lots of photos and lots of information.

Part One - Design History, profiles on NC-100 (1936) to NC-2-40D (1947) Receivers, Airport Receivers (1937 through 1948), WWII Receivers USN RAO Series, RBH Series, Signal Corps NC-100ASD, USCG R-116

Part Two - Serial Number Analysis & Log, Chronologically Listed Engineering Changes, Catacomb Coils Details, PW Gearbox, PW-Dial info, S-Meter, Speakers

Part Three - Restoration Write-ups: NC-200 Silver Anniversary, NC-100XA, US Army NC-100ASD

Part Four - Restoration Write-ups: Airport Receiver RCE, NC-101X, NC-80X

National Radio Company, Inc. - NC-400 Receiver
History of the receiver, design description and specifications followed by a critical analysis of the obviously poor mechanical design of the NC-400 and how that affects its performance. Details on the many, many quirks that the receiver has and how they will affect performance. Details on the differences in the 4H4-C ballast tube and the 4H-4 ballast tube (they aren't the same.) Details on some of the interesting electronic features the NC-400 employed that will enhance reception in all modes. Manual and schematic errors. What about "National Radio Company, Inc." and its relationship to "National Company, Inc." Performance and using the NC-400 on the air today.

Hallicrafters SX-28 - "A Pre-war Masterpiece"

Comprehensive history of design circuit and manufacturing process. Includes the SX-28A, AN/GRR-2, R-45/ARR-7. Serial number analysis and log allows dating your SX-28, R-12 Speaker, PM-23 Speaker, Estimated Production Quantities, Engineering Changes Chronologically Listed, Variations of the SX-28 receiver including the FCC-RID versions, Restoration suggestions, White Dial Myth, Performance comparisons, Using the SX-28 today, Restoration information, Performance comparisons, Lots of photos.

Hallicrafters DD-1 "Skyrider Diversity"

Detailed history of design and manufacturing. Profile of XE1G ham station and the first amateur diversity receiver. DD-1 prototype information. Serial number analysis. List of current owners of known DD-1 receivers. Restoration information. Performance details. DD-1 Collector's Photo Gallery. Lots of photos.

Navy Department-RCA - RAA-3 - Shipboard Long Wave Superheterodyne Receiver from 1935

Comprehensive history of the U.S. Navy's first superheterodyne long wave receiver. Includes a comprehensive history of the origins of RCA and their relationship with the US Navy. Also, origins of Radiomarine Corp, RCA Manufacturing Company, Inc and RCA-Victor. Continuing Restoration of RAA-3 SN: 64 - a journal-type write-up of the "ground-up" restoration of this behemoth of a Navy receiver. Weighing 465 pounds and comprising three individual sections, this ultra-rare receiver was stored outside, wrapped in a tarp. A real restoration challenge that's still on-going. Lots of photos.

RCA's Amazing AR-88 Receivers

Comprehensive history of the AR-88 family of receivers with circuit details and variations in construction. Includes details on AR-88D, AR-88LF, AR-88F, CR-91, CR-91A, CR88, CR88A, CR-88B, including triple diversity receivers RDM, DR-89, OA-58. Sweep Alignments, Restoration Hints, Serial Number Analysis. Collector Photo Gallery. Lots of photos and lots of information.

Part One - Comprehensive History of design and manufacturing, Russian hams using the AR-88, General information on the various models

Part Two - Triple Diversity Models, Serial Number Analysis, Restoration Suggestions

Part Three - Sweep Alignment of the IF (includes photos of the actual 'scope patterns using modern equipment,) RF Tracking alignment, Restoration of a typical AR-88D

Part Four - Collector Gallery of AR-88 photos, Diversity Operation, Performance Comparisons, Remote Standby non-invasive mod

RCA's Legendary AR-60 Receivers

Comprehensive history of the AR-60 receivers, includes all RCA versions and the U.S. Coast Guard CGR-32 versions. Circuit details, alignment, adjustments, critical analysis of the infamous 1936 "R-9" magazine review of the AR-60, Serial Number Analysis. Collector Photo Gallery. Lots of photos.

Hammarlund Mfg. Co., Inc - The Incredible "Super-Pro" Receivers (1935 to 1948)

Comprehensive history of the Super Pro receivers from 1935 to 1948. Includes SP-10, SP-100, SP-200, SP-400, BC-779, BC-794, BC-1004, SPA, R-270 Wickes Eng. version and other military versions. Includes special appendices on the Comet Pro receiver and HQ-120X/RBG receivers. Restoration details on SP-10, SP-100 and SP-400 receivers. Collector Photo Gallery. Lots of photos and lots of information.

Part One - History of the Pre-WWII Super Pro, details on SP-10, SP-100 Series, SP-150, SP-200 Series, Military Versions, SP-400 Series, Power Supplies, Power Cable, Serial Number Analysis and Serial Number Log

Part Two - Chronological Listing of Engineering Changes, Restoration hints, History of the Louis Geisler Modifications (1947 to 1950s,) Restoration of SP-10 from WMI, Restoration of SP-100X

Part Three - Restoration of SP-100LX, Rebuilding the SP-400-SX, Collector Gallery Photos, Appendices on the Comet Pro and HQ-120X/RBG

Collins Radio Company - 32V Series of Medium Power Amateur Transmitters (1946 to 1954)
Comprehensive look at the entire series of 32V transmitters. Includes 32V-1, 32V-2 and 32V-3 plus descriptions of early and late production variations. Operational idiosyncrasies and mechanical complexities. 32V-2 Pi-L network problems and solutions. Is the 32V-3 the best of the lot? Details on how to remove the 32V series front panels (it's more complicated than you'd think,) rebuilding the MC slide rule dial assembly with lots of photos. Restoration write-ups on the 32V-1, 32V-2 and the 32V-3. Lots of photos and information.

Collins Radio Company - 51J Series of Communications Receivers
Comprehensive look at all of the different receivers that comprise the 51J Series, including the 51J-1, 51J-2, 51J-3, 51J-4 and the R-388/URR. Production history, variations, circuit changes, alignments and more. Details on some of the rare variants in the 51J Series. Info on the 51J-5 receiver. Info on the 51S-1 receiver. The 354A-1 Mechanical Filter Kit. Detailed info on the Beckman/Berkeley Frequency Measuring System that used the 51J-4 receiver. Lots of photos of different light-gray panel 51J-4 "Lab Receivers" and info on the "Collins Fix" for the 51J-4 6kc mechanical filter audio. Detailed rebuilding information on the 51J-2, R-388 and 51J-4. 70E-15 "M" PTO suggestions and link to Bill Orr's 1969 CQ article on the R-388 PTO. Lots of photos and information.
Part One - Detailed profiles on each 51J model, including the many variations, Beckman versions, Laboratory Light-gray Panel versions, Collins and Military Cabinets
Part Two - "Oddities" in the 51J Series, 70E-15 "M" and "CR" details, BFO Inversions, Loudspeakers, How Collins Radio and the 51J were responsible for the RACAL RA-17, General rebuilding info, common problems, providing Break-in, Fixing the 70E-15 "M" PTO, rebuilding write-ups on the 51J-2 and a Basket Case R-388 receiver.
Part Three - Detailing a R-388 installed in a CY-1206/G Receiver Case, Refurbishing a Collins Lab Light-Gray Panel 51J-4, Rebuilding a R-388 with vintage installation of the 354A-1 Mechanical Filter Kit, Restoring the 51J-1

Tobe Deutschmann Corp & Glenn Browning - Ham Radio Receiver Kits
Comprehensive write-up on Radio Engineer Glenn Browning's 1935 design of a relatively easy-to-build, seven or eight tube, bandswitching, hams-bands only, superheterodyne receiver kit. Details on the 1935 Browning 35 general coverage short wave receiver version, the TOBE Amateur Communication Receiver version and the 1936 TOBE SPECIAL version. History of Radio Kits from 1920s to 1960s. Problems only found in kit-built electronic devices. Biographies of Glenn Browning and Tobe Deutschmann. Two very long restoration write-ups (OCD type) on the TOBE SPECIAL, an eight tube receiver using all metal octal tube and air trimmers that was in just about the best state of preservation possible. And, on the TOBE Amateur Communication Receiver, a seven tube receiver using all glass tubes that was almost totally destroyed by a history of endless repairs and modifications. Lots of restoration details and photographs. Post-restoration performance comparisons. Lots of photographs - over 40 photos.

Patterson Radio Company - PR-10 Receiver & PR-10 Preselector

Comprehensive history of Patterson Radio Company and 1930s Los Angeles radio manufacturing. Detailed circuit analysis, red-lined corrected schematic, frequency calibration chart (so you know where your PR-10 is tuned.) Restoration details on Velvet Tuning rebuild and more. Collector Photo Gallery. Lots of photos and information.

Signal Corps R-274 Hallicrafters' "Super Pro" Receiver

Comprehensive history of Hallicrafters' Super Pro, the R-274 receiver, circuit description, performance analysis, detailed comparison between the R-274 and the Hammarlund SP-600, pros and cons of each receiver. You can VOTE for your favorite "Super Pro" - either Hallicrafters' or Hammarlund's. Voting results are shown (you might be surprised at the results.) Lots of photos and information.

RACAL - RA-17, RA-117 - British High-Performance Receivers
Comprehensive history of RACAL Engineering Ltd (and the various other names the company was known by.) The RA-17 and the Wadley Loop, RA-17 versions (over 40 different versions,) the RA-117 design, RA-117 versions (a lot of them,) the RA-6117 (made in the USA,) the RA-6217 RACAL's first Solid-State receiver. Adding remote standby to the RA-6117, How to set correct power transformer primary voltage, Receiver performance. RA-237-B Low Frequency Converter set up and operation with the RA-17C-12 receiver. Performance and NDB reception log. Lots of photos (Ray Brown, Jock Cunningham, Dr. Trevor Wadley, Ernest Harrison) and lots of information.

W6MIT Transmitters - Professionally Engineered Homebrews - Detailed write-up with lots of photos about two of W6MIT's professionally engineered and superbly constructed homebrew transmitters. The Model 45098 "The Big Rig" (designed and built in 1998) evokes the spirit of AM BC transmitters but in a smaller package. The Model AM100 "The 1625 Rig" (designed and built in 1997) is a utilitarian creation that even includes its own roll-around cart. Full circuit descriptions, specifications, performance and more. These are fabulous homebrews packed with performance features. Lots of photos and lots of information.

Navy Dept-Bureau of Engineering/Hygrade Sylvania - RAG-1 Serial Number 1 - TRF w/ Tracking BFO Long Wave Receiver
Comprehensive history of the US Navy's "ultra-rare" 1933 TRF with Tracking BFO Long Wave Receiver. History of the Hygrade Sylvania Corporation. This article is in a journal format that documents the restoration process of this very rare receiver. Challenges included a severely damaged chassis and a major bend of the front panel. Equally challenging was the total lack of documentation, no schematic, no manual. Lots of photos show how the project progressed from a non-functional derelict into a fully operational LW receiver. Reception Test Logs. Comparison of the RAG versus the RAK receiver. Write-up on the CHS-20032 Power Unit and getting it to actually power the RAG-1.

Navy Dept-Bureau of Ships/National Co., Inc./Wells Gardner & Co. - RAO Series of WWII Radio Receiving Equipment
Comprehensive history of how the famous U.S. Navy RAO receiver that was built by National Company Inc. and by Wells Gardner & Co. developed from National's "Moving Coil" receivers - better known as "coil catacomb" receivers. Detailed information on each version of the RAO receivers, information on the RAO accessories including details on the USN RCX panoramic adaptor used with the RAO-7. Excruciating OCD details on two RAO restorations, Wells Gardner & Co. RAO-3 and National Company, Inc. RAO-7. Lots of photos and lots of information.

Navy Dept-Bureau of Ships/Western Electric Company - RU-16 Receiver and GF-11 Transmitter - Aircraft Communication Equipment
Comprehensive look at these long-lived receivers and transmitters that were built all through the 1930s by Aircraft Radio Corporation and by Western Electric Company. The RU-16 and GF-11 are the 1941 versions built just before WWII. Details on the circuits used and how the equipment was installed in single-seater aircraft and larger airplanes. Details on all of the ancillary pieces that are necessary for the operation of the receiver alone or both the receiver and transmitter. Section on rebuilding the metal tub capacitors used in both units. Performance details. Lots and lots of photos plus lots of detailed information.

WWII Radio Direction Finders - 1930s to 1950s
Comprehensive history of the Radio Compass from its beginnings in 1920 up through the 1950s. Detailed look at pre-WWII Airway Navigation and its development. Profiles of "Homing" gear, such as, USN RU-type receivers, USN ARB receivers with the ZB-3 Homing Adapter. Detailed look at Search & Rescue using "True" direction. Profiles of "True" DF gear, such as, USN DZ-2 complete set-up with dual loop compass, Bendix DW-1 amplified loop. Ground-based DF gear profiling the British mobile DF hut B/C DF No.2 with the R106 (HRO,) the elaborate AN/PRD-1 portable DF receiver (used extensively in early part of Vietnam.) Radiomarine Corp. AR-8711, a late-1940s DF receiver for cabin cruisers.

Full-Length Articles on Rebuilding Vintage Radio Communication Equipment

Rebuilding the R-390A/URR Receivers

Part One - History of the R-390 and R-390A, description of each module and basic rebuilding information, Main Frame, RF Deck, IF Deck, AF Module, PS Module, PTO, Lots of photos

Part Two - Front panel restoration, Meters, Contractor list by year, Alignment Suggestions, Performance expectations, Diversity R-390As, R-390A "Built from Parts," (2) 1967 EAC versions,

Part Three - Restoration & Recreation - detailed restoration/recreation profiles of the Arvin Industries R-725 version, the Army Security Agency R-390A, the Black Panel NSA R-390A, the USMC OD Panel R-390A

Part Four - Restoration of other R-390A family receivers - includes R-389 (LF version,) Refurb of R-648 (Airborne R-390A,) R-392 (GRC-19,) Misc. Info., plus LS-206, Security Dial Cover, CV-979 cabinets

Rebuilding the ART-13 Transmitter
Part One - History of the ATC and ART-13, Accessories, Testing Prospective Purchases, Powering the ART-13 with a Dynamotor, PP-1104-C High Current Power Supply details

Part Two - Powering the ART-13 with a homebrew AC Power Supply, Four AC Power Supply Plans with Schematics, Updates to AC power supplies, Mechanical Servicing of the Autotune

Part Three - Restoration profile of the USAAF ART-13A Basket Case, Restoration profile of the USN Collins ART-13 "typical restoration," Restoration of the $10 (Wasp's Nest) ART-13A

Part Four - Refurbishing a Collins ATC that SAAMA MWO'd into ART-13, Operating the ART-13 on the air, Operating on 630 Meters, Details on the CU-32 Low Frequency Loading Coil (tuner), Lots and lots of photos

Rebuilding the Hammarlund SP-600 Receivers
Part One - History of the design, Overview of the task, Rebuilding the RF Platform, Replacing Capacitors in IF, Xtal Osc, Conversion Osc, Chassis, Lots of photos

Part Two - Miscellaneous Electronic Work, Rebuilding the Carrier Level/Audio Level Meter
Part Three - Cosmetic Restoration, Panel, Cabinet, Alignment, Expected Performance, Collector Gallery Photos

Rebuilding the BC-348 Series of Receivers
Part One - Rebuilding and Retrofitting the DM-28 Dynamotor into the Single Ended Tube Versions of the BC-348 (Q, N or J only,) with schematics

Part Two - Rebuilding and Retrofitting the DM-28 Dynamotor into the Grid Cap Versions of the BC-348 (all other versions,) Retrofitting the DM-24 into the BC-224 versions, with schematics

Part Three - Performance Expectations for Single Ended and Grid Cap Versions, AC power supply Enhancement with designs and schematics, Wrinkle Finish painting, Duplicating Inspection Stamps

Rebuilding the AN/GRC-19 Mobile Transmitter-Receiver
History of the design, overview of the T-195, testing and repairing the T-195, lots of photos and information, Testing and repairing the R-392 receiver, GRC-19 Operation suggestions

Rebuilding the T-368 Military Transmitter
History of the design, Circuit description, Testing and Repair of the three decks, Testing and Repair of cabinet harness, Powering Up the T-3, Operating the T-3, profile on the BC-939 Antenna Tuner, profile on the SWR Bridge/Watt Meter, Lots of photos

Successfully Operating the BC-375 on the Ham Bands Today

Detailed information on how to power the BC-375 to avoid problems that include "FMing," non-symmetrical modulation, low power output and more. How to perform "dynamic neutralization" to eliminate audio distortion due to parasitic oscillations. Interfacing the BC-375 with the BC-348 receiver. Operating the BC-375 on 630 meters CW. Includes set-up data.

Nevada Radio History

Nevada's Early Radio History 1901 to 1940

Arthur Raycraft, Nevada's "Father of Wireless," Raycraft's stations in Tonopah and Manhattan, Nevada (1911,) photo of Raycraft raising his antenna in Tonopah (ca: 1920)
Early Nevada Hams, "The Great Radio Tour" - 1922 - Lincoln Highway Detroit to San Francisco and finishing in Los Angeles with three day stopover in Austin, Nevada - Lots of photos
History of Nevada Radio Broadcasting Stations pre-1940, includes KOJ, KDZK, KFAS, KFFR, KOH and KGIX, photos of the KOH antennas from July 1940

Radio Telegraphy, Real Machine RTTY and Vintage Mikes - Photo Galleries

Telegraph Keys

Part One - Hand Keys, includes Spark Keys, Boston Keys, Early Radio Keys, Leg Keys, Flame-proof Keys, Recently Made Keys, "British-style" Morse, Land Line Telegraph Equipment, Sounders, Keys, Relays, KOBs

Part Two - Semi-Automatic Keys or Bugs, History of Vibroplex showing many early models, Mecograph, ATOZ, J-36 versions, Speed-X Radio Mfg, Speed-X Mfg, Speed-X E.F. Johnson, McElroy Mfg, Buzza, Kenco, Speed Bug, Dow-Key, 73 Bug and more - Learning Tools, records, oscillators, Instructographs

Real Machine RTTY
Teletype Corporation Machines - Model 19ASR, Model 28KSR Compact, Model 15KSR, Model 28KSR, WA7YBS RTTY Station, Lots of Terminal Units both Military and Civilian, ITTY - Internet teletype, WA7YBS homebrew TU updates

Vintage Microphones - Broadcast Mikes - RCA, Western Electric - General Purpose Mikes - Shure Bros, Astatic, Turner, American, Carbon Mikes - Detailed Manufacturer History and Engineering-Construction

Radio Equipment from 1909 up to 1960+ - Photo Galleries

Amateur Wireless Spark-Gap Apparatus 1909 up to 1923 - M. H. Dodd's Wireless Stations from 1909 and 1912, W3ON Station from 1923, Murdock Loose Couplers, Klitzen Rotary Spark Gap and 1KW MicaOil Sending Condenser, Homebrew Helix, Murdock Oscillation Transformer, Spherical Audion "Panel" Receiver, Grebe gear, Kennedy equipment, SE-1420 and IP-501-A receivers.

Broadcast Entertainment Radios 1922 up to 1940 - Compiled and Edited from WHRM's "Roaring 20s Radios," "Classic 30s Radios" and "Console Floor Model Radios" - RCA Radiola, Atwater-Kent, Crosley, Grebe, Federal, FADA, Infra+Dyne, Zenith, Philco, Pre-war Plastic, Crystal Sets, Victor Talking Machine Company, Scott Radio Laboratories, McMurdo Silver,...lots of photos and lots of information.

Pre-War Ham Gear 1928 up to 1941
Part One - 1928 to 1935, includes Pilot Radio, National Co, RME, Hammarlund, Patterson, Breting, RCA, Hallicrafters, Tobe Deutschmann and more

Part Two - 1936 to 1941, includes Hallicrafters, RME, National, Hammarlund, Patterson, Breting, Meissner and more

Post-War Ham Gear 1946 up to 1960+ - National Co, Hallicrafters, Collins, Johnson Viking Desk KW, Johnson "Navigator Deluxe," Eldico, Homebrews

WWII Radio Communication Equipment
Part One - WWII US Navy Equipment, includes RAZ-1, RAK&RAL, RBA, RBB, RBC, RBG, RBH, RCD, RCH and more, US Navy Shipboard and Shore Entertainment Receivers

Part Two - WWII USN & USAAF Airborne Radio, WWII Radiomarine Corp, US Coast Guard gear, US Army Signal Corps, WWII Radio Test Gear
Part Three - WWII Ally Radio Communications Equipment - Marconi/RAF R1155 Receiver, Kingsley Radio Co. AR7 "HRO knock-off," Marconi/RN C.R. 300/1 Navy Receiver, Canadian Marconi Co. CSR-5 RCN Receiver

Military & Commercial Communication Equipment 1930 to 1941 & 1946 to 1960s
Includes Airport and Airways Receivers, Shipboard Receivers, General Purpose Receivers, Pre-WWII and Post-WWII Military Radio Equipment

Part One - 1930 to 1958 - National Co Airport Rcvrs RHM, AGS, RIO, RHQ, RCA AVR-11A, Mackay Radio 105A & 101A, USN RAG-1, USN RAA-3, USCG-RCA CGR-32 (AR-60,) RCA AR-88 family, Radiomarine AR-8506-B, AR-8510, AR-8516, AR-8711, Hammarlund SP-100LX

Part Two - 1949 to 1960s - Collins 51J Series, R-388, R-390, R-390A, R-389, R-648, R-725, Hammarlund SP-600 Series, Signal Corps-Hallicrafters R-274, TMC GPR-90RXD, National NC-400, RACAL RA-17, Nems-Clarke VHF Receivers, Zenith Morale Radios R-520 & R520A, PRD-1 Direction Finding Set, GRC-19 Transmitter-Receiver, T-368 Transmitter

Header Artwork: from "Magic Dials" 1939 by Lowell Thomas

Radio Boulevard
Western Historic Radio Museum

Vintage Radio Communication Equipment Rebuilding & Restoration Articles,

Vintage Radio History and WHRM Radio Photo Galleries

1909 - 1969

- 60 years of Radio Technology -

This website created and maintained by: Henry Rogers - Radio Boulevard, Western Historic Radio Museum © 1997/2023