Classic Hifi Care

I have a Philco 40-180 that I consider to be either the best, or the second best radio I own. It MIGHT be bettered by the Stromberg-Carlson 1121. I powered the Philco up on my Iso/Variac/dim bulb contraption, using an orange extension cord instead of moving the Variac to where the radio was. I started out at 60 volts, then gradually increased voltage to 115 volts. Line voltage here today is running a fuzz less than 120 volts. The old Philco seems to have survived the trip nicely. And it still works just like it did when I disconnected it. GREAT sensitivity, selectivity, volume and tone. This is one that needs to be totally refinished. It was John Deere green when I got it. I removed the green paint, leaving what was underneath it fairly well undisturbed. This is one of those rare sets that is just a dandy. Seven tubes and it draws right at 43 watts when it's running.

I've got a good 40-180 that has been sitting in the storage room since I moved 28 years ago. It was basically in original condition. By now it surely would need caps. My card file identifies another chassis as "approx. 1 year older than the 40-180." This was removed from its cabinet and installed in my Alabama grandparents' breakfast room by my uncle, and later given to me. When last tried many years back it was oscillating so it must really need caps. Both were good performers and sound good with their P-P outputs.

What's the web site that lets you plug tube complement in and it will tell you what you have?

Chris Campbell

Philco caps are always salty. I don't even power one up until I change filter caps. This one needs a set of pushbuttons and a refinish job. I bought this and my Sparton 880 at the same sale, in the rain, in Missouri, probably somewhere around 2005 or so. I gave $22 for the pair. The Philco was John Deere green, the Sparton was glow-in-the-dark pink, hot pink. They both built out to really good radios.

I have a number of philcos... and one thing that impressed me is the accuracy of the dial when it comes to tuning in stations even on SW... just about every philco I have is right on the $$$$$, the factory must have had really great alignment equipment ...

I found a Philco 116-B in an old fell-down chicken house a friend of mine was paid to raze and haul off. It had sat under a shelf, so was somewhat protected from the weather. I didn't figure it would ever work again, it was so incredibly nasty. That thing is quite the radio. The original grill cloth was usable still, so I cleaned it and left it alone. I see in the move it got a hole punched in the grill cloth, but not the speaker. Bummer.