Just did a "buy it now" on this Grunow Radio

[Sefton]

It seemed a steal at $100 so I clicked and bought this Grunow 470 tombstone radio. It's my first old radio. I've always loved the beauty of the wooden cabinets and the warm sound from tubes. The seller says that it is working,just needs an antenna. Does anyone know if it's difficult to find an antenna for one of these radios? What year is this radio? My guess is mid-thirties? Thanks for looking.

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[Miss Brill]

Great buy! :eusa_clap

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

You had to ask,...

So here are your options.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Radio_frequency_antenna_types
Nice radio. I seem to recall that just a simple wire antenna is all one really needs to receive AM radio. Something akin to the Beverage antenna listed in Wikipedia.

 

[Flivver]

Nice buy!

It looks to be around 1934-35. I can look it up at home this evening.

A five to ten foot piece of wire under the carpet should work fine for local stations.

If you want distance, a long wire outdoor antenna of 50-100 feet will work well. The longer and higher the better. But, if you choose the outdoor antenna, don't forget to use a lightning arrestor.

 

[BJBAmerica]

Nice!!! Congtrats on a great find! :eusa_clap

 

[Sefton]

Thanks for the help. I'll post pictures when I receive the radio. I'm hoping to set up one of those low power AM broadcast sets that some of the other members have mentioned using. Then I can be sure that I pick up the "proper" tunes.

 

[Earp]

Wow !! How come I never catch these kind of vintage radio "buy it nows?" If that radio really works as advertised then you got a good deal and made a very nice purchase.

As for an antenna, those who wrote before about using a length of wire or such are right. It will work well -- especially if you ground the set as well. You can make an antenna out of bell wire and a wood frame that looks kind of like a giant version of those popsicle stick and colored yarn dream catchers we used to make as kids. Do you know what I mean? Like this:

http://www.caron-net.com/kidfiles/

Except the wire wouldn't touch itself as it was wrapped around the frame. Another version looks like this old one:

http://www.radioera.com/early-antennas.htm

And here's a good source for information on how to make an antenna for your vintage radio:

http://johnjeanantiqueradio.com/antenna.htm

Nice purchase !!

 

[Sefton]

Earp,thank you for the information. If it's any consolation I'm usually with you being the one who doesn't find the "Buy It Now" for the great items. I finally got lucky...there is hope!

Just before this I lost out on a 1941 Zenith floor console that was being sold in Daly City which is about 14 miles from where I live. I would have been able to pick it up and drive it home. I spotted the Grunow right after looking at the Zenith . I just had an email today from the seller who will be sending out the radio on Thursday or Friday. I can't wait to see it next to my vintage telephone and typewriter (I have to hurry up and enjoy my antiques before my infant daughter starts walking and I have to put everything fragile up high!)

 

[KilroyCD]

What a great looking radio, and a steal at that price! Good find!

 

[KilroyCD]

Earp,thank you for the information. If it's any consolation I'm usually with you being the one who doesn't find the "Buy It Now" for the great items. I finally got lucky...there is hope!

Just before this I lost out on a 1941 Zenith floor console that was being sold in Daly City which is about 14 miles from where I live. I would have been able to pick it up and drive it home. I spotted the Grunow right after looking at the Zenith . I just had an email today from the seller who will be sending out the radio on Thursday or Friday. I can't wait to see it next to my vintage telephone and typewriter (I have to hurry up and enjoy my antiques before my infant daughter starts walking and I have to put everything fragile up high!)

That '41 Zenith console you lost out on, did it look like this one? This is a ten tube model I got at an auction last year.

 

[Sefton]

That '41 Zenith console you lost out on, did it look like this one? This is a ten tube model I got at an auction last year.

It was almost the same,although not as perfectly restored as the beauty that you have. It went for $225-which was $105 above my max.bid. Here's the auction picture:

 

[Midnight Palace]

Nice looking radio Sefton and congrats on a great find! Be sure to let us know when you have it home and playing

 

[The Wingnut]

Nice kill! That'll clean up nicely.