Here's what I did this weekend...

I restored an 80 year old radio. I've been collecting tube powered radios for years now and this one is pretty interesting. It is a 1927 Kemper model SJ7. Its unusual because it was made in California.There were not many companies making radios out here that early. It is AM only, weighs around 50 pounds, is powered by three large transformers, 7 vacuum tubes, and has an early sound-producing speaker. Most sets around this time had a giant horn for a speaker, but this was a nice set back then. It cost $135 in 1927 dollars. That would be like spending $5,000 on a radio today. It was state of the art.

Anyhow, it now works. I spent $40 on the thing. Well worth it! Just thought you all would get a kick out of it.

 

Very Nice

 

Its pretty crazy how big it is. Just comes to show how technology changes over time. Going from a 50 pound radio to one that weighs a few ounces that'll fit in your pocket is extreme.

 

Nice job and cool hobby. Where do you find your radios?........Yard sales,fleamarkets,auctions?

 

Neato

 

i have a cb base unit at home that was my dads i have to find out if it works
it works off of tubes

 

nice job on the radio

 

That's cool. Will it run off of the bed plug?

 

I find em' in loads of places. Most out here come from flea markets. I usually get good deals on them there because half the sellers don't know what they are. I usually pay $10 or so per set. This one actually came from the town museum gift shop near where I live. It was just sitting in the floor and they didn't exactly know what it was.

I did some research and this one is actually the rarest radio I've got ( And I've got way more than I should).

 

Hey Bob! Can I send ya my Hallicrafters to breathe new life into it?? Needs re-capping and some tubes-I picked it up the same way-at an estate sale. The sellers couldnt figure how to get it running...the 'standby' switch was actvated I only paid $40 and its worth around $10,000 now!
Damn nice radio you have-did you redo the finish too?

 

Nice restoration job! We have a 100 y/o Scott Record player.... Still works but we just need a diamond (it plays the music... its on the arm??)

 

very cool! If only it could play the 1920's stations on it too..lol

 

awesome! sounds like your weekend was a fun one.

i got to sit thru a chic flick. oh, I don't even have a GF either. dammit i'm an idiot.