Bill's Radio Den - billsradioden

Featured pictures

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Favorite sites

Hudson Valley Antique Radio & Phono Society
New Jersey Antique Radio Club
Radio Daze
Nostalgia Air
EH Scott Radio Enthusiasts
Antique Electronic Supply
Antique Radio Collector's Resource
Radio Attic
Retro Radio Repair
Rolls Royce of Reception
Old Time Radio free downloads
Antique Radio Grill Cloth
Steven Johannessen Antique Radios

Greetings

& welcome to my site! I have created these pages to showcase some of the amazing and beautiful radios which I've had the pleasure to collect and restore in recent years.

The Radio Den is a place where I invite people to share in the hobby and in the appreciation of these pieces of functional memorabilia.

With a bit of imagination, you may be able to step back into a time where the wonder of radio was new and when craftsmanship and innovation meant something to the men who put their names on these "magic boxes".

Click on one of the tabs above to view a descriptive photo album for any of the different categories listed.

My name is Bill Liers. As a proud member of the Hudson Valley Antique Radio & Phono Society and the New Jersey Antique Radio Club, I would be glad to share in your interest about Antique Radio. Inquiries can be made at bliers@gmail.com. Also, feel free to write your comments in the guest book.


The Latest Updates

The Westinghouse "Osiso" Oscillograph starts the T.E. section

Yet another page has been added to the site as a bit of a "catch all". Vintage Test Equipment, Phonographs & Quack medicine devices are the first categories to show the various non-radio items that show up on the doorstep.

See the Osiso operating in the video section at the bottom of the Console page.                

 http://billsradioden.shutterfly.com/otheroldtech/36

Scott Philharmonic XXX in Ravinia Grande cabinet

Another "Grande" addition to the Radio Den...   
                                                                                                                  http://billsradioden.shutterfly.com/consoles/378

Philco 641 Custom Cabinet

One of the most exquisite cabinets you'll ever see found in the corner of a little antique shop. Under consoles.                                                                                                                                                                                                        http://billsradioden.shutterfly.com/consoles/346     

Deforrest Crosely Albertan

This unusual and very stylish set comes to us from our "Deforrest Crosley" Canadian cousins. Under Tombstones

Midwest A-16 and new Video section

Videos will be added to demonstrate some of the interesting tuning indicators and more unusual features of the radios. The section is at the bottom of the Console page.

Scott Special Communications Receiver Photos!

Check out these pics of one of the rarest of the rare, on the SW page.

Murphy Station Master A92 added

This wartime high end British receiver is under the Foreign tab.

Hartman vertical horn speaker

This stunning wood horn is the first in the speaker album of the "20's" page.

Philco 38-690 arrives!

We were lucky enough to find about the best Philco money could buy. She needs some work but, cold weather is on the way and I'll be starting a complete restoration around Thanksgiving.

http://billsradioden.shutterfly.com/consoles/233

Telefunken Opus 7

A super clean example of this "wunderschon" radio has been added to the collection.

Radiomarelli model 9A26 added

This beautiful Italian set has some of the best lines you'll ever see.

Stern - Rochlitz Stradivari IV added

I am proud to show this rare, East German top of the line set.

Federal model 61 with loop antenna added

The Grand daddy of high end receivers joins us.

Shortwave page added

-and has been christened with the RME model 70 receiver.

Brunswick 11 AVC

This very unusual design is complete. See the fix up process including shield re-plating photos in the restoration section.

Croydon Cathedral

The Croydon is finished. Before pictures are shown in the restoration page.

Memories from Art's basement

Some photos from the collection that inspired many of us. (of interest page)

Silvertone 1708 Deluxe table radio added

A special addition to the line commemorating the 1933, '34 Chicago Worlds Fair

FM Radio is 75 Years Old Today

Thank you E. Howard Armstrong for your ingenious invention & dedication to excellence.
Attachments:
fm cover.jpg

Kolster K-45 album added in Console section

For the pinnacle of performance and luxury...

Thanks Due

When looking through my collection, I'm always reminded of the help and support I get from my sweetheart & fiancee' Mary. Not only does she tolerate having a number of large consoles placed throughout the house,  but she actually has developed an appreciation for many of them and has her own favorites. Just one of the many ways she makes my life special.

In Memory of...

Art Kingsley has moved on, as his priest said," to a different frequency". He will be surely missed by all of the members of the HARPS radio club and countless others who's lives he touched with his warmth and endless generosity of spirit. Thanks for everything Art.

Guestbook

10/28/2011 6:49:09 PM - 003086681443
Wow! I am thoroughly impressed! It almost makes me want to start another collection! The web site is great, but your collection is just outstanding! Well done!
Joe Cook
10/2/2011 1:45:35 AM - 004046754530
The website is great but the radios look even better in person. Great job Bill.
9/25/2011 9:09:53 PM - 004044877900
Very cool!! Thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the models.
Jim Oliver
2/26/2010 12:41:36 AM - 003020586175
cool website uncle billy. remember i was there when u\you took some pictures of the radios
11/19/2009 1:55:00 AM - 002054423378
Bill,
the site looks great so far!
Bruce

To get around...

Just above the photo bar at the top of this page are tabs for consoles, table radios etc. click any one and it will take you to a different part of the collection. Then click on any "photo" to go to the particular album.

"Why"

The answer is difficult to put into words. Restorers of antique furniture or vehicles of days gone by don't have to answer this question as their product of choice is simply "beautiful".

Many radios of the past are beautiful also, and like the classic automobile, can still be used. These radios often have great sound and are fun to listen to or even DX with (distance receiving).
The radios from the earlier part of the century, can take our thoughts to a time when broadcasting brought our country together in a new way. In the 30's, the depression created a workforce willing to work for low wages on radio sets with elaborate and unique cabinetry. Many of these have no equal today.

As expensive and difficult to operate as they were in the beginning, few households were without one a mere 10 years after they were introduced. With "Wireless" coming into being at the turn of the century and "Broadcast radio" entering the home in the early 20's, a profound shaping American ideas and ideals had begun. This period had much to do with "art deco" designs which, along with technological advances, channeled ideas towards the theme of "progress for all".

Early radio programming sparked the minds of people young and old, creating a "common ground" of entertainment and information that moved into our living rooms with the speed of light. The "miracle" of radio suddenly made everything seem possible and formed a social conduit that moved our country forward as could never otherwise have been achieved.

Some early radio designs are so elaborate and decorated, even on the inside, as to arouse a sense of wonder about the people who created them and whether or not they were out to appease the "gods of the airwaves".

Waxing nostalgically, I have developed a sense of great satisfaction in collecting and restoring old radio equipment. Often, I feel these gods speak to me as I watch the tubes begin to glow and listen to a 90 year old radio crackle back to life. There's just something about it that's hard to describe.

Related Pages

billsradioden
Consoles
Table Sets
Foreign
Early Radio
S.W.
T.E. & Other
Ads & History
Restoration

5/17/2012 12:09:00 PM