RCA-Victor "Livingston" Radio

RCA's "Livingston" radio (model 1R81) retailed for $79.50 in 1951—or about the cost of high-end smartphone in today's dollars. It boasts an 8" speaker, AM and FM (88–108 MHz) reception, and a phono jack. I got this one for less than $20 at an antique shop.

The chassis was dirty, but in good shape mechanically.

I repainted the the transformer end bells, added a fuse, and polished the cabinet. Electrically, I replaced the line cord and replaced all of the 'lytic and paper caps. Back view of the restored radio. The tubes are glowing.

I did make one small, but reversible hack to the radio: I added a Russian-made indicator tube to assist with tuning. The tube sits on a small metal "chassis" I made to fasten to the side of the set. The radio does not have AFC, but apart from being off-channel when turned it on, it tends not to drift. It sounds fantastic.

The dial pointer was missing half of its round decoration, so I set to work with some 1/16″ brass stock.

I bent the stock, trimmed it, and soldered it into place on the back of the pointer.

After adding some gold spray paint, and it came out looking like new. I cured the paint in the toaster oven in the background.