[morzh]

Spraying Deoxit inside did the job; today it was dry and still showing 0.25 Ohm when the switch is made.

So, I put it back, and then realized I have yet to check the tubes.
The very first tube, the 80, was near-dead. That might be the reason why the radio was retired. It barely showed any conductance.
Luckily, I have a truckful plus a small wheelbarrow of 80s.
The rest of the tubes were OK or good; the output 45 both are, let's puit it that way, not too strong. One is 900, another 700 on Hickok 600A, and the new tube is 1,850. But I figured they would work. Plus I have no choice: I got no 45 in my stash.

Then I tested the interstage transformer, which was not an original: it was OK.

Then I tested the AC, which was fine.
Then I put the tubes in and tested the rectifier, which was also fine.

Then I pulled out the Philco 20 speaker, which electrically is very much the same as the G speaker: a pushpull transformer and 3100 Ohm Field coil. And exact same plug.

I put 110VAC to it, and, after turning off the light (which creates interference) I attempted to go and receive the local station, without an antenna, while being at the basement. To my surprise not only I received the local station, but many stations on the way to it. This is, again, with no antenna and without an alignment having been performed.

I shot the video of all this: this is the link to the Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GHHfd_Rjuo