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The standard radio from the late 1930's until the end of the tube era in 1970 was one of several versions of the All American 5 Tube radio (AA5). This design used a minimal number of components to create a very low priced radio with an acceptable level of performance. Almost all manufacturers made versions of this circuit in varying types and this is typically the radio collectors will find at flea markets and on Ebay.

• They have no power transformer. The radio is connected directly across the 115 Volt line.
• The tube heaters are connected in series and are usually miniature types 50C5, 35W4, 12AV6, 12BA6, and 12BE6 or octal types 50L6, 35Z5,12SQ7,12SA7, and 12SK7. There were other types used but these are used in the overwhelming majority of these radio: note that Canadian manufacturer Rogers Majestic/Deforest used some unusual tubes - probably to avoid RCA patents (comments on this anyone ?).
• The power rectifier is the half wave type (35W4 or 35Z5)
• A 12AV6 or 12SQ7 high mu triode / double diode is used in the 1st audio stage.
• The audio output is single ended and about 1.5 to 2.0 watts reasonably undistorted (50C5 or 50L6).
• They are what is known as a superheterodyne reciever - the RF section consists of an oscillator -mixer tube ( 12BE6 or 12SA7) and an IF tube (12BA6 or 12SK7).

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Standard charge for rebuilding an AA5 radio: $75.00 + tax.

Please note the conditions following. There will be no exceptions to these. If the radio as received does not meet the conditions the charge will remain as a non - refundable estimate and be deducted from the final total cost of service. Estimates take time if they are to be done properly.

This will include the following:

1. 2.0 hours of labour @ $20.00. Labour will include cleaning of chassis, cleaning of switches and controls, and lubrication of moving parts as required.
2. Replacement of all electrolytic and wax capacitors as a matter of routine (these are prone to failure). Replacement of power cord with polarized PVC replacement (unless newer radio type with interlock - polarized interlock cords are not available).
3. Replacement of one tube with  good used tube (if available). If unavailable, NOS (new old stock) tube at cost. Contrary to popular belief, vacuum tubes are not particularly failure prone. Most tubes I find in old radios are perfectly good - and are often decades old originals. There is no reason to replace a good tube; we should be trying to conserve supplies of  NOS tubes as most of these radio tubes will never be made again. If you want to replace original tubes with NOS  "just in case" there will be a normal cost plus markup applied.
4.  Small parts replacement as required - normally there will be no extra charge as the cost of  these is factored into the flat rate. If major work  and/or unusual parts are required, an estimate will be provided and permission to proceed obtained.
5. Check of alignment and adjustment if required.
6. No cosmetic repairs are included. If the lack of a knob renders the radio unsafe for operation an inexpensive modern substitute will be provided. If the (broken) knob is present it will be returned with the radio.

Conditions for Flat rate service (no exceptions will be made):

A radio will be evaluated for the flat rate service and if it does not qualify you will be informed and an estimate provided. If you decide not to proceed $50.00 estimate charge will be applied.

• Radio must be complete with no broken or missing electrically related parts. Knobs, pointers, cabinet condition are not counted UNLESS a safety issue arises i.e. chassis exposed to touch while operating.
• Speaker, output transformer, tuning capacitor, loop antenna, and coils must be present and in reasonably repairable condition.
• Internal wiring must be in good condition. Click here for details.
• You will be provided a  sheet regarding the safe operation of your radio. Please read it before operating any antique electronic apparatus
• If the value of the radio does not warrant repair you will be informed of this and work will stop until I have contacted you and received permission to proceed (you may have an emotional attachment to the radio in question, for instance).
• Conversely, if the radio is of sufficient value to warrant restoration rather than repair, you will be informed of this as well. I will not proceed to do repairs on a valuable radio. If you do not want to spend the money on restoration work you should leave the radio as found rather than devalue it. Repairs will leave the top of the chassis as unchanged as possible but the underside will not appear original since modern components will be used.  
• Restoration work will be charged on a time and materials basis since it is extremely time consuming.

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