Electronic Restoration- 1947 Belmont Radio Receiver 5D128

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

To learn more about electronics in a very different and effective way, and gain access to Mr Carlson's personal designs and inventions, visit the Mr Carlson's Lab Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab

[@TheDrunkenMug]

You just made my afternoon, came home from a long day at work. Opened KZbin, new restoration by MCL pops up. I couldnt be more happy. Thanks Paul !

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you're enjoying!

[@faxcapper]

This radio and I share a birth year!!! :-) The radio may be in better shape. :-)

[@TheDrunkenMug]

@@MrCarlsonsLab watching your explanations and tutorials is more than just enjoying to me, it's inspiring ! I want to restore old tube radio's myself too because of all the great things I saw on your channel. A few 1930's - 1950's european radio's and a few ZENITH series sets. The ones with dodgy rubber-isolation on the (factory stock) wiring. So i got my work cut out for me, haha :) That's why I am in the middle of setting up my very own 'old time workbench' .. It will be consisting mainly out of Heathkit test-equipment and PACO and BK-precision. Proud to be one of your Patreons. Take care, Best regards

[@cjay2]

@Surge Power Technologies If one of the pins is common with the case, and if the pins are in a straight line, then the remaining three pins can be tested with an ohmmeter to find the Base. The Collector would be one of the two remaining pins farthest from the Base. The Emitter would be the last pin. If the pins are in a diamond shape, then if you can find the Base pin, then the old transistors usually put the Collector to the right and down.

[@steeveedee8478]

This guy is a superb tutor.

[@JerryEricsson]

You know today's young folks have no idea of the importance of those old AM only radios back in their day. Having grown up on a small farm some 25 miles from the nearest town over roads that, on a good day were thought at one time to have had a bit of gravel on them, in an area so remote that electrical power, while available on the pole that went past the farm was never brought to the house. Old battery pack radios were it! They were what the television became, they were our internet, our access to the outside, they were our entertainment system, they were the door to the theater of the mind. I can still remember some of the old shows that we used to listen to in that darkened living room, the kerosene lamp in the kitchen furnishing the only illumination as it filtered through the door. Now to see one of those amazing machines brought back to life is, well a trip into the past. Thanks, your rebuilds are always so complete and the care you take in restoring these old fellows, well it is a testament to your love of those old days when things were so very different. God how I miss those days.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You and me both Jerry. Thanks for taking the time to write, and your kind comment too!

[@touieg1211]

Okay, Boomer.

[@oskarsundell1962]

@@touieg1211 That was inappropriate. I was born in the mid-nineties and in my mothers summer homer/cottage we didn't have any electricity. We had a radio that ran on batteries in the kitchen and a mobile phone installed in the car. We had kerosene lamps for lighting and water we got from our well. That's how we lived our lives for about two months every year from the late 1990´s to the mid 2000´s and no one complained. Best summers ever!

[@touieg1211]

@@oskarsundell1962 k.

[@woodywoodlstein9519]

Jerry Ericsson even though i grew up in a suburb in the 70s n 80s. my radios were my escape aswell. if i had to choose between radio or tv. id pick my am radio . it just affirmed civilization to me kept me company.

[@Puggy1234ful]

I used to work on radios like that in a local repair shop when I was a kid ,. I am now 84

[@BruceNitroxpro]

Robert Harrington , And I'm ONLY 79. It is fitting to have someone young telling our story here. de KQ2E

[@Puggy1234ful]

It's nice to hear from the younger generation. glad to hear from you bruce

[@Puggy1234ful]

Thank you for your well wishes.I@Tushar Kashyap

[@Puggy1234ful]

It is an interesting subject. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I wish you good luck@@domi7007

[@domi7007]

@@Puggy1234ful Thank you very much Robert, i wish you the best too!

[@XENONEOMORPH1979]

I could listen to this guy and never get bored ,what a genius and simply explained for a novice like me.

[@SuperFredAZ]

I am glad you bring up the need for isolation transformer. Anyone intending to work on these old receivers, should invest in an isolation transformer as you suggest. That should be the very first piece of equipment they buy.

[@c6549_ya]

That radio is a really nice piece. I appreciate your attention to detail. I worked on countless units like this when I was growing up. I learned early that a plastic I.F. alignment tool was a good thing. I didn't have a scope back then so I would just tune to a station around 1000 Kc and adjust for maximum volume. The scope method is obviously better. I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing how it should be done. Thank you!

[@MrMorphix13]

I don't think I have any intentions of restoring old electronics like this. It's just charmingly interesting to see not only how things were done, but to see it restored back to that tolerance with modern components.

[@Vtrontv]

Whenever i see you sitting in your chair, I feel like you are in a space station! My dad use to repair these sets when i was a kid. Glad i can see those repairs again. Thank you!

[@pradeepsuryawanshi7157]

My dad too, repairing a valve radio's

[@frankwagner2161]

@@pradeepsuryawanshi7157 I agree too watching my father repair radio's & tv's 40's-70's brings back a lot of good memories. Glad now he taught me well!

[@nyckhampson792]

1947 radio by BELMONT ,how sweet .....Mr Carlson you have my attention Sir .... In March 2024 ..... Love the work you put in capacitors that turn resistor, tubes are awesome...... Ill just watch you ..... Peace ☮️ all ....

[@danev1969]

Back in the early and mid 1950's I lived in a housing project in San Francisco. I made a good amount of cash replacing burned out tubes and by the time I was in high school, replacing capacitors and such with a weller soldering iron. I was fortunate to go to an after school lab to learn the fine points of oscilloscopes and tube theory. Thanks for the memories...

[@coffindancer38]

Really enjoy your show. My dad was a dedicated ham radio operator. I grew up with tune radios. He had big wooden radios and told me in no uncertain terms, that tubes sound better! Loool he was correct! Later he got his first class radio telephone license and became cheif engineer at a radio/tv station. I play guitar and bass, and wont ever play without at least a preamp tube in the signal path. Best sounding bass amp ive ever owned is my Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout. Its a true combo with fully cased removeable amp. It has 2 12ax7's, and sounds fabulous!!! I also have a 50's heathkit mono hi fi amp. 2 6L6, with tube rectifier. original mullard preamp tubes. After watching you, i think i need to recap it, even though nothing is leaky or cracked. Great show!!

[@jimbogusky]

I took vocational technical school electronics in high school. My instructor was very old school and insisted that we learn vacuum tubes and how to use a slide rule, I'm so glad he did! I've had an interest in 1960s-70s car radios for many decades, but never from a component level. A few years ago I heard a Marshall tube amp at a small concert, ever since I have fallen in love with tube amps! A few weeks ago my wife mentioned that it would be cool to have an old stereo console in our guest bedroom. Now I'm in search of a tube amp stereo console, and even if it works I will HAVE TO fine tune it. lol This vid and your tube 101 vid was a perfect refresher on electronics that I can apply to solid state electronics as well. Thank you!

[@CopeCory]

Thank you for opening a new area of learning for me. I’ve built and flown airplanes, learned how to repair and actually make clocks, built computers, built and wired my hangar, built and flown model airplanes, learned and built telescopes, but never had a chance to delve into your world. Thank you for sharing your passion with us all. You are contagious, in the best way. I bought a variac, isolation transformer with current limiting, and have started with tube AM radios. I love the Atomic era stuff.....future and past at one time. Please keep up the wonderful videos and great explanations. May your electrons always be positive!!!

[@BruceNitroxpro]

Frosty Arnold , Electrons will always be negative. If a positron arrives... THEN THAT will be equal in charge, but positive.

[@bobking7347]

@@BruceNitroxpro smartass, uou knew what he meant

[@lkurowic]

I have been an electronics tech 40 years now. I started out in TV/radio service decades ago and even though those days are long gone I still miss them. Thank you for an excellent video.

[@Narwaro]

Your videos have a very high production quality in every aspect of it and your narration is very pleasing to listen to, because of your voice and the good structure. I usually dont have the time to watch all your videos when they come out, but every information in it is usually important and useful and when there is a 1,5 hour video, I can usually sit there and enjoy every bit without getting bored, despite being a physicist, which is a really rare thing on KZbin, so keep it up!

[@physzendax116]

just need 1440p and 4k support

[@BruceNitroxpro]

True... I was lucky, though I was born before WW II and grew up to be an EE and teacher. America was a good place to be.

[@bobvines00]

Paul, you make these electronic restorations look so easy. At least when all you need to do is replace failed & failing components.... I wish you had taken a couple of minutes to show how the "preset mechanism" actually works -- down in the weeds. Thank you for your great videos -- no fluff like so many other channels have!

[@edmondedwards6729]

I always enjoy your videos and your depth of detailed knowledge. Something I do when I begin a restoration of these small table radios that have the speaker fastened to the chassis is to cut a piece of cardboard to cover the speaker face, holding it on with the mounting holes around the edge of the speaker frame. The cone paper is thin, rather brittle sometimes, and an accidental bump or tool hitting it could lkely tear or put a hole in it. I have two cardboard covers made up for this purpose, one for a 4" speaker such as this one, and one for a 4"x6" speaker in the Bendix 302 I just finished. I have a Belmont 6D-111 recently finished, with the same cool tuning system that the 5D128 uses. Thanks Mr. Carlson

[@greggaieck4808]

Mr Carlson you are good at electronics restoration of vintage shortwave radio Receivers and Aliament

[@EsseTioAri]

Hi mr. carlson, my name is Ari, I live in the south of Brazil, in a city called caxias do sul, known for its high quality of life, for being an Italian colony in Brazil, for wine, high gastronomy, cold and high technology in the area of ​​automotive mechanics , I’ve been following your channel for many years, I love your didactics and calm, I learned a lot from your videos. You encourage us to start restoration projects, which by nature are very difficult, I restored several devices inspired by your example, thanks for sharing your knowledge . Of course, your laboratory is phenomenal, thanks for showing us.

[@dougtaylor7724]

Mr Carlson’s love of learning and electronics knows no bounds.

[@frankstrawnation]

Seria interessante você fazer um canal nesse estilo e mostrar o conserto/restauração de alguns desses aparelhos.

[@EsseTioAri]

@@frankstrawnation sim, mas o problema é o tempo,mas obrigado pela sugestão

[@iaroslavblagouchine7007]

*Very professional work, thank you!* It is really great that you still have AM stations in Canada and US. In Russia, AM broadcasting on LW was officially closed in 2014, and there is actually only one station in MW band at 828 kHz (at least, near St. Petersburg). I also like to restore old radios, but since AM bands are almost closed in Russia, such a complicated work has practically no sense.. In contrast, in Europe, there still are a lot of AM stations, even on LW (BBC at 198 kHz, RMC at 216 kHz, Polskie Radio Program at 225 kHz, etc).

[@jaked.8388]

I cant tell you how much I enjoy your fabulous radio instruction and repair ideas, My Dad used to fix neighbours radios many moons ago as he was trained not only in that, but did radar detection work in Iceland during the War. Many thanks and I'll keep watching, and learning a little:) Jake

[@hestheMaster]

I learned more about the correct procedure on tuning a tube radio from this one video than watching hours of Jim Lindenas videos. Ouch. Mr. Carlson is definitely a great teacher on early electronics and shows even a beginner how to do things right including putting safety into a AA5 radio. It's no wonder I have watched so many of his videos. Always something good to learn here, thank you!

[@PeterMilanovski]

I have seen similar radio's that have been painted in candy apple green or even red and they look amazing! I think it was on one of D Lab's video tours of a swap meet... The colour puts new life into the radio and really catches the eye.. I'm not much of a radio person so I don't see myself getting one but if I was to find one that has a nice shape to it, like the one in your video, I would definitely restore it and have it painted. As they stand, they fade into the background if you don't use them but in a bright colour, they instantly become a conversation piece and when people find out it's age, they just gotta hear it! And therefore gets some use LOL... Otherwise in my hands, it would just sit there.. And that would be a shame...

[@akaJughead]

I like to see examples of old electronics like this. You can see how much things have changed, and in some ways how much some things have stayed the same.

[@phillipvk3dcz369]

Thanks very much for the video. I like how you explain how things work and what you do to fix it.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You're welcome!

[@rca2249]

I love your videos. i wish I could find someone with your skill and attention to detail locally.I have a few radios I need electrically restored but experience has shown me the most important step in getting a radio restored is finding the right technician.

[@Catherinearmant]

Woah ! This is amazing. There is a lot to learn. It is not easy to restore an old Radio. And yes, one has to be cautious. But the Radio is so beautiful. It is well worth the restoration process. I admire your competence and skill. Also, the presentation of your Video is really well made. I have been riveted, with my mouth opened, smile, for 37 minutes !

[@rotaxtwin]

Nice clean find, glad you were able to save it.

[@greggaieck4808]

MR Carlson your Belmont Radio River D128 From 1947 is cool

[@terryblackman6217]

Thank you so much for your videos, I am learning a great deal from them. You have a very relaxing way of explaining things.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You're very welcome Terry!

[@AssignmentUniverse]

Very nice tutorial. Clear and concise. Much appreciated.

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

I had the task of building a 5 tube in high school but my parts set had one 455 and one 262. Teacher said "Deal with it." I learned a bit about resonant circuits that day.

[@tedwalker1370]

You definitely no your stuff. I never new there was so much to those old radios. So glad someone is saving those radios.

[@rotagbhd]

No idea how I ended up on this video or subject matter but, I was "tuned in"for the entirety of this video because I do know a master at his craft when I see him. Very thorough and articulated exceptionally well. That was a pleasure to watch, thank you for sharing.

[@johnbellas490]

Hello Paul !! Another GREAT VIDEO!! That small oscilloscope comes in REAL HANDY for your videos! That Belmont radio was way ahead of its time in that those push buttons were ERGONOMICLY designed to face upwardly so you could push them from a stand up position! Very thoughtful for the day, and an elegant design radio case as well.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your kind comment John!

[@MrJbeckettjr]

Another great video. I really enjoy seeing you restore old electronics. Preserving these old relics is important in these throw-away times. If I had the room and test equipment, I would enjoy restoring some vintage radios myself. You have reawakened my interest in electronics. Thank you!

[@lionheartroar3104]

I admire technical abilities to repair classic electronics. Great job sir!

[@captlarry-3525]

This happened to be my grandparents radio.. I have never owned one or had one in the shop... so glad to see this. Basic All American 5 AC/DC with the push button tuning.. Their Ball Game Radio in the breakfast nook. Love it.

[@00Skyfox]

It's amazing how many AM channels you have in your area. The other day I scrolled through the AM band in my car while I was waiting for something and there were maybe 3 or 4 channels coming in fairly strong, and a handful of very weak channels, and that's it. And I know the receiver works well because of how far from the local station I can be and still hear the ballgame. I'd love it if there were more AM stations that broadcast music from the 20s, 30s, and 40s.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

This guy is one-of-a-kind. Such quality/expertise here.

[@greggaieck4808]

Mr Carlson your vintage Belmont radio Receiver 5D-1228 with broadcast band is good for DXing at night and day from 1947 is cool

[@bsvenss2]

What a beautiful little radio receiver. 🤗

[@American_Jeeper]

Paul, there is something incredibly relaxing about watching your videos. Maybe it's because my Dad was an engineer at Westinghouse, and he had a work area in our basement. I remember sitting there watching him work on different projects and found it fascinating. Your videos remind me of him and, funny enough, his name was Paul too.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for sharing your story Frederic!

[@MrJohndeerejon]

I just saw your video for the first time Mr. Carlson and couldn't be more impressed. I have quite a collection of radio's, a wire recorder/player, and a floor model Crosley radio/record player.

[@ronaudeng]

Another great video! I like that you keep reiterating the need for an isolation transformer and why. It is great to hear that radio working well once again. It brings back memories of listening to shortwave at night on an old Motorola (Galvin Manufacturing) radio I still have. I now have enough information to bring it back to life. THANK YOU!

[@jumbo4billion]

What a beautiful design.

[@ChrisWoodbury2015]

Dont ever stop I love your work thanks.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Chris!

[@hulado]

i love the way you look sitting amongst all of that gear. thanks for your videos.

[@malcolmdastur4411]

Now this is a really good radio repair video. Thank you Mr Carlson.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You're very welcome!

[@scubaman2546]

He’s the Bob Ross of electronics repair. Artistic. Soothing. Bravo, sir.

[@jamesvandamme7786]

I used to repair these a while ago. I'd replace the electrolytics, then put a 1N540 diode across the power switch. It would run the filaments at low power but not allow the circuits to work because the polarity was opposite. The radio would then turn on in about 2 seconds. It actually lengthens the life of tubes because they aren't subjected to a big shock when you turn it on.

[@thehoovie]

Just wanted to say I really enjoy your video uploads. I rarely comment on KZbin, just because I don't comment doesn't mean I don't like your content.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for taking the time, your comment is appreciated!

[@danielgoldman677]

Very beautiful radio !!!!!!.....

[@blickarthurlawrence5261]

Great lesson Mr carlson, thank you very much

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

My pleasure!

[@PokéDude83]

Sir I have watched many of your videos. And l got to say that I have the utmost respect for you.

[@richardgoebel226]

Amazing find in such good condition. On screen it looks pristine. Our family used to have an old radio like that in the kitchen before FM became prevalent. Great restoration tips and safety, too.

[@bundylovess]

Awesome job mr Carlson biggest thumbs up 👍

[@greggaieck4808]

Mr Carlson the radio chassis look like new that's so awesome

[@HammyTechnoid]

DX listeneing.. oh wow.. memories. When I was a kid, I'd grab our AM radio at night and listen to Chicago. I lived in a town 30 miles east of Pittsburgh PA, so Chicago was way far way. They had a show that played Beatles music (fairly new back then) for an hour and a half. I would have my little rim drive 3 1/4in. reel to reel tape recorder and hold the little ceramic mic up to the speaker and record those songs. Incredible.

[@kraig8812]

I have some friends from Pittsburgh that like this kind of stuff.

[@steelcity321pb6]

Can someone help me out here! What do a minority of people see sufficiently wrong in what is an excellent video produced by Mr Paul Carlson to give him a thumbs down. I personally fail to see blemishes in this video that they presumably have seen. Another informative, and well crafted video Paul. Whilst you continue to produce such video, I for one will continue to watch them - thank you my friend. Regards Phil.

[@ethelryan257]

Oh, that's easy. Paul is cute and competent and we all check for his videos every day. The downvotes are from jealous little boys living in their mom's basement, still in their 30s.

[@cjay2]

There exist trolls and other contrary persons who've nothing better to do. Simple.

[@gregoryclemen1870]

I have incorporated a "CL 90 THERMISTOR" in all of the radios that I work on now. the thermistor is wired in series with the tube heater circuit for soft starting ,and cutting down on heater burn out of the low voltage tubes on start up.

[@josephmagedanz4070]

Another interesting and well done restoration process. The more of these I watch, the more I am gradually learning about the features and processes of fixing these radios. Great work and thanks for sharing.

[@cjay2]

No music remains on the band there. Great restoration and well-done video/audio, and as always, all details meticulously explained and correct.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Hi Cjay. Two radio stations play 80's music all day. This demo was in the evening when those radio stations change their antenna arrays (direction) and drop their power due to atmospheric conditions.

[@cjay2]

@@MrCarlsonsLab Wouldn't you know it! ;-)

[@Piltdownpaul]

Well that sounds fantastic, superb restore.....

[@mattsmith2992]

Would love to listen to Baseball games and talk radio in the evening. What a treat !

[@richc47us]

Wonderful restoration and educational video!

[@greggaieck4808]

Mr Carlson the radio speaker looks like new that's so awesome

[@BeachsideHank]

I have a homemade isolation transformer made from a street salvaged 70's era tuner/ amp combo. The power supply secondaries, when properly phased and wired in series, gives me about 115 volts total output; sufficient for many tasks- powering a corded electric drill as dummy load pulls it down to about 109 volts, still useful enough for my needs.☺

[@electronic7979]

Excellent restoration 👍

[@chord972]

Loved your presentation.

[@hadireg]

Beautiful!!!

[@alphabeets]

This is the best vintage electronics repair channel on KZbin. Very well done as always.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

Very nice clean all american 5 radio Paul. Thanks for sharing your expetise.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You're welcome Larry.

[@granchard]

That is what a radio should look like

[@sreekumarUSA]

Thank you. Very educative and informative. Have a nice weekend. March 22, 2020 @1310 hrs. California. Best and 73.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Sree, you too!

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks, Paul! That is a nice little radio.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Robert!

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Work of art wow....museum piece.

[@larrydaniels6532]

I now have the desire to buy an oscilloscope, great video!

[@jamesgrimm611]

Again another nice upgrade and tune up.

[@SciPunk215]

This was a great project ! We're all lucky this gem was in really good shape to begin with. Now it's literally better than new, with a safety features and nice caps.

[@willierants5880]

Mr. Carlson, I would very much like another quick glance at your radio collection. It's been awhile. Loved this restoration.

[@helder4u]

fantastic beautiful design.

[@BoB4jjjjs]

Odd looking radio, but it works very well after its tune up and restoration. Well done.

[@rosshollinger8097]

I'm always amazed at your level of knowledge. I learn something on every video.

[@greggaieck4808]

Mr Carlsan I like the color of the radio cabinet off white that's cool

[@oldergoy]

Great video Paul it is great to have you back again and what a beautiful radio to restore. John ve7ban

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks John!

[@wa4aos]

Hi Paul, I really enjoy your videos. I live in SC and you are in Canada so there may be some differences in humidity. However, even Allen Bradley resistors are often high in value do to moisture invasion over time. I have a large inventory of NOS AB's in inventory and they read high and well out of spec mostly. I have found if I leave them in a food dehydrator for a day, they do dry out and fall back into spec very nicely. When I get ready to restore a receiver, I check the DUT to see which ones are really out, then pull replacements from inventory and treat them to 24 hours in the Food Dehydrator. ( SLOW LOW DRY HEAT ) I suspect many of the R's I pull from DUT's would be OK if I treated them as well but I consider they have done their duty and need to retire. You never know about old used parts. One other point, When I have a bad filter can and replace it with caps under deck, I pull the can and leave this hole. If I have have a rubber grommet in stock near the right size, I'll install it to kind of dress up the area. My thinking is the hole will allow some of the heat under deck to vent. Any thoughts? 73, Glenn WA4AOS Patrion member

[@anotheruser9876]

That was awesome, especially all the AM stations one still can receive over the air.

[@JojoCrazyCat]

When i was a kid, i found an old tube radio laying on the ground in the woods. I took it home and plugged it in, and it still worked. I used it for about 3 months, before the tubes in it burned up. I imagine it had water in the tubes after all the years it had been setting outside. The color of the radio was a pretty green people used to use back around the 1950s. I found the radio the year 1983.

[@michaelmace924]

Dude, I absolutely love watching you bring old radio equipment back from the dead. I enjoy watching a Craftsman work, it's so satisfying. I would love to build my own radio using technology from the 40s. If you see this comment, do you think you could maybe send me a link to what I would need tool wise to build something like that, or a list? I don't think I would need much in the way of tools but I would definitely need access to some blueprints schematics etc. Please help? Lol thanks a lot in advance

[@wimseffelaar8950]

I’m so glad I found your channel! I like how you work and explain the repairs. Thank you Sir from the UK

[@greggaieck4808]

Mr Carlson the radio cabinet is in good condition and looks like new

[@1959Berre]

Art deco, the most beautiful style period in technology and furniture design. The "sun ray" dial plate seems to be in perfect condition.

[@rickdacosta9727]

You make me want to work on tube equipment again..

[@Me11oIngenuity]

I have a Wards Airline that's identical, right down to the dial window sunburst look. This was a great vid for me to do mine! Thank you!

[@Denvermorgan2000]

I really enjoy your work its top notch.

[@edyoung6573]

Holy crap!!! Fascinating!! I love old radios!! I just subscribed!!!

[@derofromdown-under2832]

An excellent presentation Paul... WELL DONE!!! 10/10

[@chrisa2735-h3z]

Yess another restoration video! I'm so here for this!