Are old transistor radios worth any money?
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.
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.
How does a transistor radio work?
The function of transistors in radios is straightforward. Sounds are recorded through a microphone and turned into electrical signals. Those signals travel through a circuit, and the transistor amplifies the signal, which is subsequently much louder when it reaches a speaker.
Why does my portable radio turn on but no sound?
If your radio is lighting up and seems to function but you have no sound. The most common reason for no sound is speakers or speaker wires are grounded or shorted to a metal point . Speaker wiring cannot be wired together. Two speakers can not share the same connections.
How much does it cost to restore an antique radio?
Estimates – We charge a flat labor rate for antique radio restorations of $18.00 per tube (i.e. labor for a 5-tube radio is $90). We also charge a 5% labor surcharge to cover the cost of small parts (nuts, bolts, springs, solder, wire, dial string, etc.).
How do you restore a vintage 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.
How do you clean the inside of a radio?
What is the range of a transistor radio?
So realistically, for two people carrying a handheld two-way radio, the maximum communication distance on flat ground with no obstructions is around 4 to 6 miles . So you may be wondering why you see radios that have range claims of 25 miles or higher.
When did small transistor radios come out?
In July 1954 the Texas Instruments and Industrial Development Engineering Associates (I.D.E.A.) companies embarked on a six month project to produce a pocket-sized radio for the Christmas market. The result was the Regency TR-1, the world’s first pocket transistor radio.
What is the difference between a transistor radio and a radio?
Modern radio circuits are transistor based circuit making the size of the radio device simple, small and energy efficient. Radio is a device which transmit and amplifies signals. The modern radio uses transistor since it is smaller in size .
Are any radios made in the USA?
The 4th of July is a great time to celebrate our “Made In USA” products! Pacific Radio is a family-owned American company and for the past 82 years we have always believed in supporting American businesses and manufacturers.
How much did a radio cost in the 1960s?
This explains why not everyone could afford a radio. The more modest radios were around $70 – about $1,050 today. By the 1960s TV had already become the biggest home service.
How do you make a simple transistor radio?
What replaced the transistor radio?
By the 1970s and 1980s, the Walkman (see entry under 1970s— Music in volume 4) essentially replaced the transistor radio, due to its superior sound quality and ability to play cassette tapes.
What are the parts of a transistor radio?
Generally, to receive radio reception, you’ll need a band selector, an antenna stage, a receiving entity, and of course, an amplifier stage . The circuit of the commercial transistor radio in this article is quite simple.
Can transistor radios transmit?
These linked semiconductors, called a transistor, received and transmitted radio waves in greater capacity and with greater clarity than the vacuum tube devices.
Why does my AM radio work but not my FM?
1 Answer. AM reception is much less sensitive to the connections of the antenna than FM stations are . For example, you might be able to receive AM stations with just the ground wire of the antenna connected to the radio and not the center wire (which connects to the antenna’s main mast).
How do you fix a radio that won’t turn on?
The most likely reason for your radio’s sudden death is a blown fuse. All car radios have at least one fuse that protects it from power surges coming from somewhere else in the vehicle. The first thing you should do when your radio stops working is check its fuses and replace any that have blown .
Why is my radio audio not working?
If the amp fuse is blown , that is probably the reason that you aren’t getting any sound out of your car radio. In some cases, a broken wire or bad connection in the speaker wires where they pass through into a door can also cut off the sound altogether rather than just cutting off the sound to one speaker.
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.
What are old radios called?
An antique radio is a radio receiving set that is collectible because of its age and rarity.
How much are old tube radios worth?
According to many factors such as type, status, and use, old radio tubes’ value range in price from some to hundreds and thousands of dollars . For example, an RCA electron tube costs around $15, while a 101D vintage vacuum tube can take you $400.
