09-03-2026, 09:33 PM
After putting the Model 81 on hold, I thought I would start on the 50-520 which is a close cousin to the 81. It is not to be. This radio was a mess, and I am not going to try to rebuild this one from scratch.
This level of fix-em-up is not to my liking. However, good has come out of it. I paid $44 on e-Bay, and the radio had $50 worth of NOS tubes in it. Also, the IF cans both measured per the schematic and I rescued the gold dial plate and a replacement audio output transformer. The xfrmr is not a Philco original, has the marking 5575A and the date 8-39 stamped on the metal surround. I'm goung to open it up and replace the lead wires. It measures the same as the Philco xfrmr. The 500K pot and switch are good, and I'm going to drill the rivets out that hold the variable cap on the chassis. I have a National NC-60 Special on its way to me. In the mean time I've bought some shelving to start storing all these radios on!
Joe
This level of fix-em-up is not to my liking. However, good has come out of it. I paid $44 on e-Bay, and the radio had $50 worth of NOS tubes in it. Also, the IF cans both measured per the schematic and I rescued the gold dial plate and a replacement audio output transformer. The xfrmr is not a Philco original, has the marking 5575A and the date 8-39 stamped on the metal surround. I'm goung to open it up and replace the lead wires. It measures the same as the Philco xfrmr. The 500K pot and switch are good, and I'm going to drill the rivets out that hold the variable cap on the chassis. I have a National NC-60 Special on its way to me. In the mean time I've bought some shelving to start storing all these radios on!
Joe
Courage will follow when Faith takes the lead.
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