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 New to collecting vintage radios
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 Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 5:41:59 PM on 8 January 2025.
MiataNut's Gravatar
 Location: Melbourne, VIC
 Member since 8 January 2025
 Member #: 2696
 Postcount: 3

Hi all. Thanks for accepting me here.

I’m 48 years old, dad of 3, from Melbourne Australia. I’ve just started my collection this week after many years of admiring my dad’s collection.

My favourite acquisition so far is my Bakelite Philips Radioplayer 100 from 1946-1948. Apologies if this has been asked before, but what’s the best way to research these units, in particular; how do I know the colour I have? and…how many were produced in Australia? Mine has the number “5659” stamped into the chassis (placed above the power cord), and it appears to be a Walnut case but it also has a reddish/brown colour in sunlight.

Thanks again and any information is greatly appreciated.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 6:12:48 PM on 8 January 2025.
STC830's Gravatar
 Location: NSW
 Member since 10 June 2010
 Member #: 681
 Postcount: 1307

Hello, welcome to Vintageradio.

The colours of your radio are mentioned here:
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/philipsaus_radioplayer_100.html

My guess is that "5659" is the serial number, but as I have not seen one of these, hopefully someone else will know.

If the radio is not known to have worked recently, it is not a good idea to turn it on as deterioration of some components, particularly electrolytic and paper capacitors, can lead to damage to difficult to source components especially the power transformer. Valves generally are not hard to replace.

Good luck


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 3 · Written at 6:20:54 PM on 8 January 2025.
MiataNut's Gravatar
 Location: Melbourne, VIC
 Member since 8 January 2025
 Member #: 2696
 Postcount: 3

Thank you! The radio has recently been restored and works well.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 4 · Written at 7:03:42 PM on 8 January 2025.
Robbbert's avatar
 Location: Hill Top, NSW
 Member since 18 September 2015
 Member #: 1801
 Postcount: 2116

I have a white one, just like in the photo, but the case is cracked and in poor condition.

It worked, the last time I tried it (a while ago).


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 5 · Written at 7:19:55 PM on 8 January 2025.
MiataNut's Gravatar
 Location: Melbourne, VIC
 Member since 8 January 2025
 Member #: 2696
 Postcount: 3

Sounds like a perfect candidate for a full resto!


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 6 · Written at 11:25:02 PM on 10 January 2025.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6802

Welcome to V-R.

The advice about not powering up old gear is a golden rule for savvy collectors/restorers.

Doing so without first dealing with the usual time bomb suspects can cause irreparable damage to components which could otherwise have been completely avoided.


 
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