The Latest…

CHRS was approached by the pending new owners of KVTO for a tour of the CHRS museum facility and a meeting with us. As a result of that meeting, held February 28th, we can report that the pending new owners of KVTO are very supportive of CHRS’ intention to purchase the KRE building and land from them. They are in the waiting period for all the legal, real estate and FCC stuff to be resolved. CHRS is waiting for the OK to purchase.  As soon as that happens, we will call for you to fulfill your pledges. We hope that happens soon… Please stand by…

To Our Valued CHRS / BARM / SOWP Members and Friends,

The process that includes the sale of KVTO and the sale of the building and land to CHRS, that started last June, was supposed to be complete in a short amount of time. But, due to the fluctuating state of the AM radio business, it is taking longer than anyone expected. I’ve learned that sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for. The enthusiasm and support you have shown has been phenomenal and your patience has been extraordinary. After our meeting with the pending new owners, our patience is starting to be rewarded. So, the urgency to raise the funds to purchase KRE remains.

Our outlook is still extremely positive for CHRS to purchase KRE from the pending new owners of KVTO. We must keep up our momentum and not diminish our efforts to have the CHRS Museum and Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame exist in perpetuity. We can prevail, but only with your help. CHRS is committed to buy this property. So please read the most current details below and do what you can to help.

People are currently updating their pledges. Verne Anderson is a recent new donor at the $10,000 level and Eugene & Marianne Haller are new donors at the $5,000 level. CHRS is most grateful for their pledges. This is a rare opportunity, not available to many vintage radio societies. We are still $66,580 short. I commend and hold in great esteem, each and every person and group who continue to support this effort. Let’s get it done!

Thank You & Best Regards, Steve Kushman (415) 203-2747

REMEMBER – You can pledge now, but you need not send any funds until we need them. CLICK HERE TO PLEDGE.

TODAY’S UPDATE – May 20th– We started with $93,000 in our Museum Fund last June, and today we have 262 donations and pledges totaling $688,790! THANK YOU! Our goal is $750,000+. We only have $61,210 to go! Holy Cow, we have already raised nearly three quarters of a million dollars! It’s downhill from here. We have done so well, please dig deeper and make this happen! We should be able to raise the rest with your help and support.

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NEARING OUR GOAL, OUR FUND RAISING MUST CONTINUE. WE ARE AWARE THAT SOME OF YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FULFILL YOUR PLEDGES, SO OTHERS MUST STEP UP AND DONATE FOR THE FIRST TIME OR INCREASE THEIR PLEDGES AND DONATIONS. WE ALSO HAVE INSURANCE, OPERATING COSTS AND FUTURE EXPANSION PLANS FOR KRE TO CONSIDER. PLEASE PLEDGE NOW. WE HAVE AMAZED THOSE OUTSIDE OF CHRS FOR OUR ABILITY TO RAISE A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY IN A VERY SHORT TIME. YOUR SUPPORT AND THE THE SUPPORT OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THIS, WITH YOUR HELP.

SO, IF YOU ARE ABLE, PLEASE INCREASE YOUR PLEDGES NOW! PLEASE DIG DEEPER AND REMEMBER THE THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF SWEAT THAT YOUR CHRS BROTHERS AND SISTERS HAVE PUT INTO THIS PROJECT. WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE READING THIS WHO HAVE NOT PLEDGED BECAUSE WE SPOKE TO THEM AT OUR LAST MEET. WE ARE VERY CLOSE. YOUR PLEDGE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF YOU HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT MAKING A PLEDGE, DON’T HESITATE. DO IT NOW AND BE PART OF THIS IMPORTANT EFFORT.

SUPER DONORS – The list keeps growing. You can be part of it! EVERY pledge and donation means a great deal to CHRS. But it is worth noting several pledges / donations that are really helping us to reach our goal:

• Mike & Barbara Adams – $5,000
• Jack Bethards – $5,000
• Bert Buss – $5,000
• Elmo & Kim Giovanetti – $5,000
• Eugene & Marianne Haller – $5,000
• Steve & Janice Kushman – $5,000
• Chip Lim – $5,000
• Robert & Reina Swart – $5,000
• Verne Anderson – $10,000
• Judy Mears & Bart Lee – $10,000
• Larry & Joan Drees – $16,600
• Norm Howard Lehfeldt – $15,000
• Tom & Julie Bonomo – $25,000
• Tom Nelson – $25,000 + $25,000
• George Patterson – $25,000
• Gilles Vrignaud – $25,000
• Norman Leal – $75,000
• Philip Monego – $100,000
• Scott Robinson – $100,000
• John Staples – $100,000

Thank You! The response to our cause has been phenomenal! CHRS / BARM Members and Friends have done a terrific job so far, but we’re not done yet. We’ve done something in a very short time that other organizations can only dream about. We have been getting pledges and donations from all over the country. In addition to our Super Donors, (see above), some noteworthy pledges have come in from:

• The CHRS Central Valley Chapter – $3750
• The Alabama Historical Radio Society – $1000
• The SF Bay Area SBE Chapter 40 – $1000
• The Sacramento SBE Chapter 43 – $1000
• The Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club – $1000
• The Art Deco Society of California – $500
• The Delaware Valley Historic Radio Club – $1000
• The Iowa Antique Radio Club and Historical Society – $500
• The Tube Collectors Association, Inc. – $1000
• The Oakland Radio Communication Association – $250

We are grateful to each and every person and organization supporting our efforts. Everyone who donates will have their name on a plaque in the KRE building. Please remember to mention our plight to friends, family and people you meet. You never know where our angels may come from. Speaking of angels, people have been asking if Mr. George Lucas has offered to help. So far… no. Can anyone reach out to him? Please do.  CLICK HERE TO PLEDGE

CLICK HERE TO DONATE BY PAYPAL

To those visiting or reading this for the first time:

The California Historical Radio Society (CHRS), an educational non-profit founded in California in 1974 and its’ programs, The Bay Area Radio Museum (BARM), Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame (BARHOF) and The Society of Wireless Pioneers (SOWP), have occupied the historic KRE radio station building in Berkeley CA for the last nine years. The KRE building, built in 1937 is one of the first structures built specifically for broadcasting in the SF Bay Area. Do to the bankruptcy of our former landlord, Inner Cities Broadcasting, we have been engaging in a capital campaign to purchase the building and land. We want to do this to create a West Coast Center devoted to radio and radio broadcasting in perpetuity. CHRS believes we are one of the only vintage radio societies to have a historic AM radio station as its home. Please help preserve this fabulous building and museum and protect the thousands of volunteer hours poured into the restoration of this unique place. BTW, in 1972, George Lucas used KRE to film the Wolfman Jack and Richard Dreyfuss scenes for “American Graffiti”.

Thank you for your support! Your CHRS Board of Directors

DONATED ORIGINAL RADIO ART FOR SALE – Here’s aother way to help. Local talented artist Patrick O’Connell has donated 4 of his original radio art paintings to us to help raise money for our cause. These are beautiful, stylish original acrylic paintings on wood. “Radio Head” and “TV Head” are framed and measure 18″ x 24″. We are asking $500 apiece for these. “AM Radio – Fins” and “AM Radio – Grille Cloth” are approximately 15″ wide and we are asking $150 apiece for these. Of course, if you love them and want to offer more, we will accept more.The paintings can be picked up at KRE. We are grateful to Patrick for his fine donations. The original art does not have the green CHRS across the front. If you are interesred in this art PLEASE CLICK HERE.

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You’ll find it at this link, or just click on the “History” portion of the blue ribbon above, and go to the “Electrical Transcription Disc Project”.

The post New Electrical Transcription Disc download available (5/27/12) appeared first on California Historic Radio Society.

You’ll find it at this link, or just click on the “History” portion of the blue ribbon above, and go to the “Electrical Transcription Disc Project”.

The post First Electrical Transcription Disc download now available appeared first on California Historic Radio Society.

De FOREST BOOK and BAY AREA RADIO BOOKS Available – Be sure to pick up your copies of Mike Adams’ new book, “Lee De Forest: King of Radio, TV and Film”, for $25 and John Schneider’s and CHRS’ new book, “Bay Area Radio”, for $22. Both available in the KRE CHRS Museum Store.

CHRS ON TV – Recently, John Schneider, author with CHRS and BARM of the new “Bay Area Radio” book was featured on KGO-TV, Ch.7 News. Here is the LINK to view this feature report. The reporter is Don Sanchez and this aired on April 20th. Enjoy!

BASIC ELECTRICITY & SOLDERING CLASS – We are now accepting reservations for this class on May 12th at 10;00 AM. This is a “hands on” class and you will be required to review our safety materials and complete a short quiz. The safety materials will be e-mailed to the members that sign up for the class. The completed quiz can be emailed back to Fred or turned in the morning of the class. This and all CHRS Classes are for current members. If your membership is not up to date, please be prepared to pay your dues before class. These 6 spots are on a first come first served basis. Please contact Fred Meehan to get on the list.

SCHEMATICS & TECHNICAL ADVICE – Remember that CHRS Librarian & Technical Advisor, Larry Clark will send you hard copies of schematics and give technical advice. Contact: Larry Clark (707) 745-9132.

SAVE THE DATE – July 21st, 10 AM it’s “Live! at KRE – RADIO DAY BY THE BAY”. A big day of radio fun. Master of Ceremonies, KCBS morning news anchor, Stan Bunger. Music by the Tamsen Donner Blues Band. The Broadcast Legends perform the hilarious “Fibber McGee & Molly”. Stand by for more details. If you have radios to consign for the auction please let us know.

JOURNAL – The New full color CHRS Journal is a Hit! Many great comments have been heard about this Journal. Congratulations to Editor, (temporary), Richard Watts and crew for an outstanding job. If your membership is current and you have not received your copy in the mail, please let us know.

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Please visit the project page to learn more.

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April 2, 2012, Berkeley, CA. The California Historical Radio Society (“CHRS” — by Steve Kushman, its President) and the Society of Wireless Pioneers, (SOWP), are pleased to announce the merger of the Society of Wireless Pioneers into CHRS. The Society will become a program of CHRS, as is the Bay Area Radio Museum. The primary purpose of the merger is the preservation of the archives of the Society of Wireless Pioneers, founded in 1968, at the CHRS museum in the historic KRE radio station building in Berkeley, California. Additionally, to the extent practicable, CHRS will continue the work of the Society in honoring marine radio operators, ship board and shore side, and other Morse code commercial and military radio operators, by way of electronic and other publication. This will include the CHRS website: www.californiahistoricalradio.com. Ben Russell, N6SL, the President of SOWP, and Waldo Boyd, K6DZY, its Executive Secretary, have have expressed their pleasure at the merger and their gratitude to the California Historical Radio Society for its undertaking to continue the historical work of SOWP. CHRS plans to reinvigorate the Society’s website as part of its own public presentation which includes Facebook. All active members of the Society of Wireless Pioneers are invited to contact CHRS, especially those in Northern California, through its website. More details of the merger will be announced as its implementation progresses.

The California Historical Radio Society is pleased to honor the The Society of Wireless Pioneers in this merger. The Society of Wireless Pioneers is a unique and outstanding society of professionals and amateurs nearly all of whom have a common bond of having mastered the art of radio communicating over world-distances via ‘Morse Code’ with hand key or ‘bug.’ As that Society has so rightly said:

“Many of us have had the weight of responsibility for safety of life directly upon our shoulders. We traveled and were paid for it. At the core of everything we did was our ability to hear through atmospheric noise and make sense of ‘dits’ and ‘dahs,’ voiced code-words, and even at times to ‘make sense’ out of unusual silences. And in our amateur radio operating today the thrill is still present, we have a language that relatively few members of the world’s population even remotely comprehends.

The art and science of wireless communicating is changing more and more rapidly as each year comes into focus and disappears over the horizon. But in spite of the adoption of geo-positioning satellites, burst transmissions at thousands of characters per second, and spread-spectrum techniques for making our communications confidential, CW is an art that we hope will be with us for centuries to come. It is done with the minds and muscles of man, the only artifacts being the key and the ear and their meld with the mind.

SOWP is dedicated to the preservation of both the history and the art of CW radio communication, and of its offshoots. We collect and preserve the history of each advance in the art, but our hearts remain with Morse, and we are content to know that one day some one’s life may be in our hands and only our knowledge of Morse Code will bring help to preserve that life.” Click here for an archive of old SoWP Journals in PDF format

Press contact: Steve Kushman / CHRS  kushseal@flash.net

or

Richard Singer / SOWP #662  rpsinger@howard-co.us

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Extra Volunteer Day at KRE – 9 AM,

this Saturday…Then next

Saturday, April 7th 9 AM…

It’s Radio Activity Day  At KRE – Featuring for the first time our Hi-Fi Clinic & A Special Presentation. We will again host our increasingly popular Radio Repair Clinic in the Russ Dillberg Repair Shop. This time we will have our first Hi-Fi Clinic. Tube gear preferred. Have you been stumped by a problem Hi-Fi repair or a new build? Bring in your problem sets and our experts will help you get them running. First come, first served. 6 slots available. To reserve a spot for this clinic, email VP Scott Robinson. Let Scott know the make and model # of your set with a brief description of the problem. We hope you enjoy these Radio Activity Days at KRE. If you have ideas or suggestions for other activities on these days, please let us know. Want to come by just to check us out? You are more than welcome to take the KRE tour.

After the Clinic, Gilles Vrignaud will give a talk on the International Restoration Contest in which some of our members are involved. Gilles will also present an in depth Power Point presentation featuring a complete restoration by a member of the Quebec Radio Society. Don’t miss this informative talk.

SUBMISSIONS WANTED – Our new CHRS web site is up and running well. We want to post your restoration tips & articles and completed restoration projects on our site. If you have material you want to share, please email Director Tom Bonomo.

A reminder that CHRS has a discussion group at Yahoo Groups. This is a place you can post messages and pictures, (items for sale, wanted, questions, etc). It’s free. Sign up here: CHRS Yahoo Group.

The CHRS Sacramento Chapter - Meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:30 PM. 3755 Durock Road, Shingle Springs, CA, 95682. Thanks to Bob Moore for hosting the meetings. Come join us for lively radio conversation. For more information email Bob Moore.

The CHRS Central Valley Chapter – Meetings on the 3rd Saturday of the month at Larry & Marsha Gonsalves’ farm on the corner of Washington and Bradbury in Turlock at 2 PM. For more information call Rich Lane at 209-605-0290 or email Rich. And be sure to check out the CHRS CVC web site. Remember –  October 6th, Saturday, 9 AM – Turlock, CA – CHRS Central Valley Chapter Swap Meet – Turlock Fairgrounds, 900 N. Broadway, 95380

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by Thomas Bonomo,  K6AD —

Lowly Heathkit.  “Gets no respect,” as Rodney Dangerfield might say.  But I’m about to tell you about a piece of Heathkit gear every vintage radio restorer should own:  the IT-28 Capacitor Checker.

Sure, I know what you’re probably thinking.  The trouble-free nature and accuracy of modern test equipment is just too tempting to ignore.  Usually, I’d be nodding my head with you.  I’m generally not a fan of vintage test equipment—tube test equipment in particular.  There’s nothing more frustrating than getting all set up to work on a radio, only to be forced to stop your nailing to work on the hammer.  But this is one piece of test equipment that is fairly reliable, and whose most useful functions are not easily duplicated at the low prices these testers usually command.

Like many modern digital meters, this vintage capacitor checker can measure capacitance, resistance and inductance. In truth, however, I rarely use these measurement functions.  They’re handy, to be sure, and the accuracy is usually good enough for most broadcast radio applications.  Only if I am running one of the tests discussed below do I bother to let the eye tube tell me if a capacitor’s value is “in the ballpark.”

The secret to this tester’s usefulness lies in its ability to measure capacitor leakage under working voltages from +3 to +600 volts.  Countless times I’ve wondered if a capacitor I’m about to replace is responsible for the faulty performance of a certain radio stage.  It’s sort of a curiosity thing with me.  The IT-28’s green eye tube can easily show if a capacitor is leaky.  The unit provides standardized leakages tests from a front panel switch marked “Electrolytics”, “Miniature Electrolytics”, and “Paper, Mylar, Etc.”  Even if I intend to replace an old paper capacitor with a modern Mylar, running a leakage test on the old cap at its working voltage satisfies my curious nature.  You can’t do leakage tests at working voltage with most digital testers–not unless you buy a much fancier one than is commonly available.  And you’ve got to admit, the glowing green eye tube is just cool to use. Something utterly magical about it.

A second great use of this tester is to season electrolytic capacitors.  Many NOS  modern electrolytics have been sitting on the shelf for years since they were manufactured.  Put one in a radio and then hit it with full working voltage, and you sometimes get the sound and smell of an instant barbeque—one you’d rather avoid.  You can use the IT-28 to easily bring an electrolytic up to its full working voltage in incremental steps, all the while monitoring the eye tube for leakage.  I do this with every new electrolytic I replace. Some of the new electrolytics in my parts inventory have sat, unused, for a decade or more.  Who knows how long they sat on a distributor’s shelf before that.  The IT-28 will save you from all those unnecessary radio fireworks.

A word about Heathkit equipment.  Based on my experience, I’d say 90% of these kits have at least one bad solder joint or wiring error. No surprise then, that you often see dysfunctional performance.  The IT-28 you see in the photo had no less than 7 bad solder joints on the voltage and range rotary switches.  The guy who built this unit failed to see that he was only using enough solder to properly attach the top lead.  The leads underneath often had no solder on them whatsoever.  The result was erratic performance, and many “dead” positions on the function switches.  So if you purchase one of these, open it up and examine every solder joint.  The good news is that the IT-28 uses straightforward circuitry, is easy to work on, and is simple to calibrate.  All you’ll need is a manual, which is easy to find online.  When conducting tests, especially if you use alligator test leads, don’t forget that there is up to 600 VDC applied to the part under test.  Forget, and you’ll find yourself suddenly much more “alert to your environment.”

Heathkit introduced an earlier version of this tester in 1961 as the IT-11.  Minor changes were made in 1968, and the updated model became the IT-28. The IT-28 was available until 1977—a 16 year life for the line.  The IT-28 featured Heathkit’s tan color scheme, a grounded three-wire power cord, a spring-clamp on the 6AX4 rectifier tube socket, and a power transformer that could be wired for 240 volts.  Unlike the earlier IT-11, which used adjustable set-screw knobs, the IT-28 used less desirable push-on knobs that can’t be easily re-adjusted.

There are plenty of similar testers on the market.  Knight, EICO, and Lafayette manufactured units with comparable functionality.  The EICO 950B is very popular, often seen at swapmeets, and it uses the less expensive 1829 eye tube.  There is a good YouTube video showing the many uses of this type of tester at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2yo0AVm9tY

If you spot one any of these testers at a swapmeet, by all means grab it, fix it, and use it! Happy testing.

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by Thomas Bonomo,  K6AD —

I’d like to share with you my “secret weapon” for radio chassis cleaning.  The dirtier the chassis, the better.  Like many restorers, I’m not a fan of the “dishwasher method”, so I used to clean chassis the hard way:  rubbing with a rag, a Q-Tip, or a soft brush dampened with some cleaning product. The results were usually only marginally satisfactory. Even using brushes, I was often unable to remove the accumulated crud from tight areas. The chassis looked noticeably better, but never like new, and there was always the risk of ending up with that dreaded “rubbed” look.

I have seen many, many chassis permanently marred by an eager restorer who supplants an inadequate cleaner with generous amounts of elbow grease, leaving behind swirls and a “rubbed” look. Fellow collectors have suggested many cleaners, and I’ve tried them all:  Simple Green, 409, Windex, ammonia, etc. etc. These cleaners work to varying degrees, depending on the type of dirt to be removed.

There is, however, another type of cleaner from the automotive field that I’ve found to be far more effective. This product, made by Castrol, is called “Super Clean” and it is based upon a new chemistry in cleaners. This stuff instantly solubilizes oil, grease, and dirt and, most importantly, brown nicotine. This cleaner is not just another soap-based cleaner, yet is biodegradable and phosphate-free.

Here is the best way to use Super Clean, along with a few cautions. First remove all the tubes, then spray the chassis with Super Clean. Avoid getting any liquid into IF cans or transformers, or onto dial scales and painted surfaces. The idea is to get the cleaner only on the chassis. Within seconds, rivers of dirt and nicotine will begin to run off–even from around tube sockets, screws, and rivets that would otherwise require rubbing and brushing. Use a small brush to quickly and lightly go over all surfaces to loosen thicker accumulations of crud. After no more than one minute, rinse the chassis thoroughly with water (avoid getting water in the IF cans and transformers) and let the chassis dry for several days before applying power.

A few words of caution. Super Clean is strong stuff. First, dilute the off-the-shelf product 50% with water. A 50% solution is strong enough to produce the result you want. Second, keep it away from painted surfaces (like the front panel) except for short periods. You don’t want streaking. Third, do not leave it on the chassis for more than one minute. If you must contend with painted surfaces or silk-screened tube designations on the chassis, test a hidden painted spot before proceeding. Some paints are hardier than others.  Following these guidelines, I have never had a problem, and I’ve probably cleaned at least eighty radios.

To help protect the chassis from tarnishing and corrosion after it has been cleaned, spray on a thin coat of silicone. Use water-based silicone (often referred to as food-grade silicone) rather than a petroleum-based product, which can attack rubber and some plastics. A commonly available water-based silicone is LPS Heavy-Duty Silicone Lubricant.

If a chassis is not permanently rusted or tarnished, this cleaning technique can often make a brown, nicotine-coated chassis shine like new. Collectors have looked in amazement at some of my “Super Cleaned” Collins amateur radios, thinking that they were new. Corrosion has never been a problem with this cleaner, either. Just flush the chassis well with water. Radios I cleaned back in 1996, including a Collins KW-1 transmitter, still work like a charm. Try this experiment yourself: clean a chassis with Simple Green, and then watch the rivers of brown flowing off the chassis during a subsequent Super Clean treatment. You’ll be amazed. Super Clean is available at most automotive stores and chains like Wal Mart. Simple Green and my other cleaners have now been relegated to more mundane tasks such as cleaning floors and toilets.

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