71 Yr Old 4-Tube Vacuum Tube Radio Resurrection - 1953 Hallicrafters "Atom" Models AT-1, 2, &3 [4k]

1953 Hallicrafters "Atom" radio out from someone's junk box in unknown condition. Let's see if it works and if not can we fix it? Do we want to? Is that Silver Mica Disease? Hint: there is a gimmick involved.
See the checklist which appears when status changes, for tracking what is discovered that needs addressing in Red, followed by Green when resolved.
NOTE: This is not instruction, it is for entertainment for people like me who enjoy watching projects and the experiences gained. If you attempt to do any of the things in this video you are at your own risk. I am using special tech-bench safety equipment not detailed here so don't take for granted you can just plug these old items in safely without them being checked and repaired correctly. Check out the link below to Mr Carlson's Lab video below.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND REFERENCES:
[note: am in no way representing how these folks have shown doing these things - I don't even think they would approve.]
Schematics: NostalgiaAir.com
Thanks to shango066 for championing the approach of "fix it first", before mass re-capping. See shango066 for many examples of that approach.
@shango066
Awesome discussion of bench safety including variacs and isolation transformers by Mr Carlson's Lab (highly recommended):
• Tech Tips Tuesday, Iso...
‪@MrCarlsonsLab‬
Modification method for a commercial Tripp Lite isolation transformer for tech-bench use by Todd Harrison, his channel is called ToddFun:
• ToddFun.com: Isolation...
‪@ToddFun‬
Camera: Canon G7X Mark III
Mic: Rode Micro
Video Editing Software: Power Director
Video Editor: just me
People interested in the following topics may be interested in the subject matter of this video: 1950s radios, tube radio repair, tube radio restoration, vacuum tube radio recapping, silver mica disease, SMD, silver ion migration, IF can repair, IF transformer repair, gimmick capacitor, The Hallicrafters, Radio, hallicrafters tube radio, radio recapping, valve radio, Vintage Radio, antique radio, old radio repair, vintage radio, rf coil repair, shango066, mr carlson, radio repair and restoration, 1950s radio restoration, tube radio restoration, radio restoration videos, all American five radio, aa5, aa4, aa6, buy it fix it, repair cafe

[@jimf4492]

Thanks for another video. It's interesting that Hallicrafters made a simple and cheap AM receiver. As an amateur radio operator, I only knew about their military and ham radio gear. This one was certainly built to a price! And, I learned something - I had never heard of a "gimmick". I'm getting better at understanding how these things work, but that was a new one. I would say "Go Rangers", but I think it's now hopeless...

[@PracticallyFixed]

Thanks. My first exposure to Hallicrafters was my Dad had a S-38B he took onboard ship with him during Korea. I restored it many years ago and if I recall right, it also had a gimmick to do with the BFO circuit. The Astros have been plagued this year with injuries especially with starting pitching. The team had to release a couple of really big dollar contracts that were not producing as well. Been an up and down year.

[@hazevthewolf178]

Watching this video. Thank you for a very comprehensive tutorial on silver mica disease. I've got a few old radios kicking about my house that I'd like to restore.

[@PracticallyFixed]

Thanks for watching. I can barely see these wires. Here is another silver mica surgery video I did for a slightly different design in a GE radio. There are other variations. Getting the right replacement caps can be difficult and if the slugs get moved around too much is can be hard to get them back. In some cases I have had to use a sweep generator to help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX-Xe4Ocmt-Hi6s Check out its playlist for the whole project, I think there were 5 videos covering that radio. I ended up using an expensive bit of test equipment to help me get the slugs set right. Not a simple fix. Some of the older IF cans use variable capacitors instead of variable inductors (slugs). Those do not have this problem. That is one of the reasons some folk prefer to not mess with these "newer" radios, as in late 40s/early 50s onward. Glad you enjoyed it. [edit number of parts to the GE 875 playlist]

[@hazevthewolf178]

@@PracticallyFixed Thanks for your comprehensive reply.

[@PracticallyFixed]

Shango066 has shown using the variable capacitor for finding the replacement caps when doing SMD surgery. It is probably the best way to do it. I didn't have the right parts handy.

[@hestheMaster]

It seems they made this radio for Dewald Radio Mfg. in 1956. Same circuit with model number K-412. I'd guess it would also be a victim of the dreaded SMD too. Love the fact a gimmick capacitor was used here. Steve from Chicago

[@PracticallyFixed]

Hello Steve. That is a very interesting find. The K-412 circuit (in Sams) looks very similar to the Run 1&2 version of the Atom due to the couplate (this one is a Run 3 without, but still almost the same). Looked in my RCA tube manual at the licensed RCA circuits but this 4-tube version wasn't shown. The case mold looks the same with some minor changes. What led you to finding that connection? Thanks

[@DERB_Seymour_Indiana]

Hey PF, nice fix on the SMD. I agree that personal satisfaction is the only reason to go to that much trouble for a radio like that. But your efforts did inspire me to buy one of these types of radios. I picked up a GE model 419 on eBay to see what all the fuss is about. LOL Also made a low ball offer on a Westinghouse Model H 648T4, but have not heard back on that one yet. NBD whether or not I get that one as the GE will serve the purpose I had in mind. :)

[@PracticallyFixed]

Hi ya Doug. Thanks. I enjoying trying to diagnose these things and finding out if I got it right. Good luck on that GE, looks like fun. Thanks for watching and the kind comment.

[@knifeswitch5973]

Laundry list of issues on top of price point quality. Ouch. You got it though! Wonder what the list price was? I poked around but didn’t find anything.

[@PracticallyFixed]

No, I couldn't find it either; not even one advertisement. Appreciate that you watched and the nice comment. Thank you.

[@kaa522]

I have this exact radio along with several other AA4's. Definitely not designed for long distance reception, local stations only.

[@PracticallyFixed]

Right you are. The external wire helped a lot but the missing IF amp really makes a difference. Thanks for watching and the comment.