The 511 Roars Back To The Twenties!

[@beans100]

Amazing ! This was presumably a high-end product of the era.

[@My1925World]

Thank you. I believe that this model was produced in the first year Philco made radios. I’m not sure you can call Philcos high end, but it probably wasn’t cheap. Radios in the 1920’s were a big expense. I’m glad I got this one working again. Steve

[@joostderidder]

It is indeed quite important that your antenna-input is correct. Strong stations preferably with receiver set on "local" (even if, according to the schematic, you're using de mains wires as some kind of antenna !!! ) Pay attention to the fact that the volume doesn't work like the now commonly used & known "potentiometer regulating the LF (audio) signal". The volume is set using an antenna-potentiometer, lowering the antenna input-signal-strength. This should work effectively. If not, there is something wrong with that pot-meter. To start up, set that volume-potentiometer on the side where the taper is making contact to the chassis. So "shorting" the antenna-input. This can be checked with every ohm-meter putting one lead to the antenna-input and and the other one making contact with the chassis. You should read about 10000ohm. Then turn it just a tad and search for a station. Once you're receiving a station, adjust the volume to your needs avoiding the speaker to make metallic noise. In fact, those old receivers need 2 hands to adjust. One hand to "search" and one to set the volume (adapt the antenna-signal) Good luck Very nice radio it is !!!

[@My1925World]

Thank you for the tuning advice. I was doing it all wrong. No wonder it was blasting loud. Much appreciated. Steve.

[@joostderidder]

@@My1925World Glad you got it working properly. Those "oldies" needed antennas of good length outside the house. 10 up to 30meter! (multiply by about 3 to calculate in feet) As high as possible. If you don't have that option, you could use your attic to mount your "long-wire" antenna. I'm doing that using old (recuperated) UTP-cable. What would be nice also is to use your own LPAM-transmitter. Those are quite easy to find in the USA. With such a transmitter plus some (old) tablet, laptop or mobile phone you could stream and transmit AM to all you old radios. But as I can hear, there is still some "life" in the AM-band in your country. (probably a lot of "talking-radio's" but less "music-radio's" ) In Europe a lot of countries closed down their AM-transmitters. Even FM is doomed.

[@My1925World]

@@joostderidder for my ‘20’s and ‘30’s sets I have 20 foot wire antenna close to the ceiling in my repair room. I also have a wire connected to the earth ground of the house. The AM band is alive but it’s all political talk or sports. You may find some country music or news talk. I use my little AM broadcaster most of the time. Steve

[@Davejust451]

1:00 min, Its nice to have a radio that can drive a speaker.

[@My1925World]

Yes. Having the correct combination makes all the difference. Steve

[@hestheMaster]

Let's party like it's 1927! The radio never had an automatic volume control, we got spoiled later on.

[@My1925World]

I’ll get the bathtub gin🥳 This radio was a fun challenge. I learned a lot about 1920’s radios. It never thought about automatic volume control. Good point. I’d hate to be wearing headphones with this radio. 😆 Steve

[@Radiowild]

Sounds great! Now you can "show it off" to your friends and family!

[@My1925World]

Thank you. I already have. The hard part now is where do I put it? 😂 It was a fun radio to work on, I’m very happy it plays again. Steve

[@rkmklz7562]

The Shining is still with us

[@rkmklz7562]

How far can you receive on that radio....at night... What is the frequency range?😊

[@My1925World]

Honestly I never tested it at night. I need to do that. The frequency range seems the same. My AM broadcaster is around 1300…so I know it goes up at least that far. The dial goes from 0 to 100. Steve