84 Year Old Radio Receiver Restoration! Stromberg-Carlson 145L 

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I am 74 yrs old. My dad who was a radar technician in the war and went to work for his entire career at Gates Radio in Quincy, Illinois primarily making commercial radio stations for cities and governments around the world. So from my earliest childhood memories i watched my dad in his radio room at home building his transmitter (w9sft). Very shortly i was picking up what he was doing and new how to read schematics at 11 yrs old. In the late 50s i used to ride my bicycle through the neighborhood on monthly curbside trash pick up day and i would pick up old radios like you work on that people had placed on the curb for trash pick up. I would bring them home and identify the leaky capacitors and run the tubes down to the local drug store who had a tube tester set up in the corner. I would get my dad to get replacement tubes if needed but i would replace the leaky capacitors. I was 11 or 12 when i did this and loved doing it. I guess my dads work and hobby rubbed off on me. Most of the time the elegant wood cabinets were in perfect condition and were quite beautiful. I loved seeing my work bring the radios back to life. I dont know any 12 year old who ever did this kind of work. I spent hours listening to the various radio bands and hearing stations from around the world. When i watch you work on these old radios it brings back many good memories. That was before we had a TV so listening to the radio was prime time entertainment. Thanks for all your work and sharing your expertice.

Imagine listening to Orson Wells narrating War of the Worlds with this radio receiver back in the day...no wonder people panicked! 😊

I have almost 60 years experience working on both tube and solid-state electronics, yet every time I watch one of Mr. Carlson's videos, I learn something new. This is another incredible video on the restoration of an equally incredible radio. Congratulations Mr. Carlson. You have done it again.

Mr. Carlson must be the only person in the English speaking world who can be on-line for up to three hours and not say a single word about himself nor any other person. He's that focused. A kind of hyper-nerd without "issues" and very likeable. A rarity and amazing to watch.

Thanks for the christmas gift! This radio bears the "Carlson" name well

Merry Christmas to you all, Mr Carlson is an internet diamond.

What a delightfully witty comment section. Thankyou

I like your show. I’m 70 years old and I remember the IF for AM is 455 kHz and FM 10.7 mHZ.

That "radio" is in absolutely amazing condition. Virtually perfect. I use radio in quotes, because this is so much more than just a radio.

As the story goes... Mr. Carlson and his partner Mr. Stromberg were working on their best system yet, the 150 TRX Deluxe. This was to be the RX/TX variant of their previously popular 145L receiver for which they had become famous. As Mr. Carlson was in final testing stages one evening, after Stromberg had gone home, he decided to push the device to it's uppermost limits. Unknown to him an impending solar storm was en route, and it was to arrive at a most particular time. As Carlson keyed for transmit furious undulations of wave/particle duality excited the atmosphere and focused unimaginable amounts of global communications towards his device under test. As the key was released Mr. Carlson vanished. Not to a place, but to a time. Catapulted far forward to the new millennium with neither the 1930s or Stromberg in sight, he settled into a strange new life finding no way to return. As for what happened after that little is known, but some speculate he still teaches with the greatness of past philosophers the ways by which he is able to build such great apparatus. I have heard rumors that searches for him on RU-vid may reveal his whereabouts.

The old analog displays with incandescent bulbs were so much more attractive compared to the modern digital displays, I really miss that in modern equipment.

Stromberg Carlsson..... Two imigrants from Sweden 👍

Amazing to think that when the radio was manufactured in 1936, if spectrum analyzers existed at all they would've been only in research labs. This radio was probably aligned with a signal generator and a multimeter at the factory. The skill of the technician that originally aligned it, is something to be admired.

“I’m a little bit picky about what I do” 😂😂 Understatement of the century! Another great video, Paul! Absolutely beautiful unit!

Very nice old radio. They will never make everyday household appliances this beautiful ever again.

I love that you truly restored it rather than just putting modern electronics into an old case.

Anyone else think engineering has lost its soul? Sure, we can cram millions of transistors into a square inch and we have amazing devices in our pockets, but old machines like this have a certain beauty and magic.

AS a 81-year-old USCG-trained ET1 I thought I knew everything. Watching Mr. Carlson showed me that I missed a lot of trained/understanding of radio tech. I guess the 100Khz Loran C station I served in Matratin, Lybia in 1961 was simple to work with. Thank you for show me I can accept a better understanding.

Mr Carlsons lab your 84 year old Reciver stromberg calson 145L is cool 😎 👌 👍

I like this we have a 1942 anniversary console that was grandmas, it hasnt worked since 1955. wanted to get it working for my elderly mother to hear it working again.

A two hour plus video!!!! Getting the coffee ready!!! -- KE4EST

We still have a small table top version of this at my mom's house, my father inherited it from his father who bought it back in the 1930s. The radio still works as well as the record player on top. It still has the deep, clear sound that I remembered from my days in high school. FM especially sounds great! The company used to make these receivers right here in Rochester, and my uncle worked for them until he was drafted during WW2, helping to finish the wood work on various models. During WW2 Stromberg made a lot of radios for the military, and a lot of their work was top secret. Everyone I know who worked for Stromberg enjoyed working for them; they were good to their employees and their pay was well above the average. Not too far away in Tonawanda was the Wurlitzer factory and they too had high standards for audio and wood working.

I had one just like it in 1964. I like your videos Gary.

My moms family are all from Canada. So, I am part Canadian myself! I visited Toronto and Montreal. Had a good time visiting my family there!

I own the same radio. 30 years ago I was told it was broken. Today I keep it in my home theater room (unplugged) as eye candy. I appreciate Mr Carlson for explaining what is does and how to use it.

There is nothing more satisfying to watch you repairing and callibrating antique equipment that looks so pristine as well. And certainly refreshing to hear a whole other flavour of AM than we're used to on crappy transistor radios.

The thing that gets me with receivers of this age is, imagine the news people heard on it. The uprising of the Nazis in Germany, the invasion of Poland and start of WW2, Pearl Harbor, the atomic bomb, etc. Incredible stuff. Thanks Mr. C, it is a pleasure watching your videos.

Mr Carlson you are the restoration version of Bob Ross. Subscribed

I have watched this video multiple times and it has presented itself as a master class of extraordinary depth of knowledge. I don't own an antique radio, but now I wish I did.

We just witnessed the Carlson 2020 Christmas wonder of the IF stage curtain.

Listening to ANYTHING on that radio would be a pleasure. Just turn it on in the morning and it would be relaxing all day. And the cabinet is in mint condition.

old electronics have so much character in their designs

The best voice on RU-vid. Merry christmas from Norway☃️

Merry Christmas from Russia!

From the pinnacle of radio glory days. Beautiful.

You sir are a gentleman.

I will have to wait until Christmas day to watch when I will have off, but like a kid at Christmas, the anticipation is killing me.

Compelling watch, beats TV anytime, best electronics channel on RU-vid.

Take a drink every time Mr. Carlson mentions Patreon!

This is just awsome..I learn more electronics every time i watch your videos

What a wonderful Radio and again a great work of yours Mister Carlson.

Mr. Carlson, I have quite a few years in solid state Electronics Troubleshooting and Repair experience, most recently at a company that manufactures FM Stereo Transmitters and Translators for the broadcast Industry. It is with great interest and joy that I see you restoring a Stromberg-Carlson Reciever!!! Here is why. I have had some-what unstable and variable housing situations years ago, so I at that time asked my Father and Step Mother to care for and display my own Stromberg-Carlson floor radio in their home, they were ok with that as they had a good condition Victrola Displayed In their living area as well. They liked collecting and displaying Vintage Technology/ Furniture in their Home, and I would have had the Reciever stored in a storage unit and subjected to wide temperature and humidity swings that is usually not encountered in a general living environment. I inherited this particular unit From my Grand mother multiple decades ago as she was paring down her living situation for retirement. As I had a passion for radios and all things Electronic, she knew it would be in good hands. When I inherited it, I was quite new to Electro(nics, and a newly licensed Ham radio operator and I was thrilled to acquire and actually plug in and use the very cool receiver!!! So, many years ago it worked quite well. Fast forward to 2020, it had been stored and displayed for years. ( mostly stored) Unfortunately, This last July my Father passed away from complications of the Covid-19 Virus. And while settling his estate, my step mother and sister knew it was mine and that it used to belong to my Grandparents. I knew from watching you, reading, watching RU-vid videos and from hearing about fellow hams' experiences with antique radio receivers that the caps dry out and become unuseable in time, and to NOT risk plugging in the unit to 'See if it still works' .. So it is now living with me in a Basement Apartment, and I have a renewed interest in getting it to good operating specs again. This S-C unit is a different model than the one you restored, but I am sure it is of similar vintage. I lack the test Gear and expertise to confidently restore this unit on my own, but would be thrilled if I could find some to mentor me and look over my shoulder and advise me on how to restore it to 'like new' or 'as good as new' usability. I am Not opposed to shipping it to an appropriate place, and for the right price, I would consider paying for the restoration, I am currently between jobs, and have been for nearly a year now, so funds are limited, so would you consider helping me or doing a complete restoration of my Stromberg-Carlson floor radio on your RU-vid channel? Feel free to communicate with me here, on FB messaging, Email or texting. Thoughts? 🤔 73, And Thanks! Oh BTW, I enjoy your in depth and detailed YT Videos Myron

I would love to see a collaborative video between Techmoan and Mr Carlson. Two great people in their fields.

That radio is right at the crossroads where form , function , beauty and performance meet !

I know nothing about electronics, wiring, or radios but love watching these videos and seeing just how much care was put into building these items. The thought and care that went into building things back then is just mind blowing!!!

I admire tech people doing such broadcast quality videos.

I worked for Stromberg Carlson as an installer building Telephone offices in the 70's. Tucked away in the massive Factory was the wood shop that built these cabinets. I installed XY switching systems and Type 75 ticketing systems. This was one of the best jobs in the world.

That SR780 should be classified as one of the 7 wonders of the world. What a beautiful example of great test gear that is.

am i the only one who doesn't know a thing about electronics but love this videos?

I mentioned to someone I watched MCL videos. He asked me if I was an electronics hobbyist. I said I wasn't....changed a few capacitors, swapped a few resistors, etc. But not really. He replied that MCL videos are high end content. I concurred. He asked why watch them. I replied: "We live in a world of absolute slack, permanent inconsistency, reckless speed, and rampant absurdity. I watch his videos because in such a world it is soothing to listen to someone speak with knowledge, be thorough, do things correctly, and be fully committed to explaining all of it, even if you have no idea what the hell he is talking about." I've been wanting to say that for a while now.

That radio is well built, and sound great for it's age.

Stromberg-Carlson would have died to have your gear to calibrate and align their gear before shipping them out.

how the heck were engineers so talented in the 30's. This is like 20 years after the first antennas were even being developed. It's amazing how advanced things were in the early days and how innovative things got

My dad took correspondence courses in the 40's to learn electronics, and repaired radios and TV's. He became a fabricator of chassis for engineers at Allis Chalmers and eventually installed electronics on naval ships in Long Island, for Autonetics. We had a Gruneau "Teledial" that my dad converted to a record changer player combo, grill area folded for access to change records. He was also a good violinist.

American ingenuity, American workmanship. Amazing radio.

Wow, AM radio has never sounded or looked better than it did in 1936. The engineering and build quality of this radio is astounding. Thanks so much for bringing us along as you analyzed it, explained it, and lovingly brought it back to life. How did they do alignments on these without modern spectrum analyzers? You may have it working even better than new, especially with the optimized capacitor layout.

Always a good day when a new Mr. Carlson’s Lab episode premiers!

You're a life-saver! Like your videos.

Nobody in the world is interested in this kind of thing. Except for those who find it absolutely fascinating. This is an example of the very finest use of the internet. And beyond the technical expertise and historical interest it shows that even in subjects of a very technical nature the humanity, pride of workmanship, desire to spread knowledge and teach become so evident that one actually feels a strong emotional kinship and appreciation for such a fine and sharing craftsman. Thank you so much.

Man that is BEAUTIFUL book-matched wood on the cabinet. Just gorgeous!

thank you again for getting me into vintage electronics at 28!

I don’t know anything about electronics, I don’t know anything about radios but I find your videos hypnotic.. thank you sir

I found your channel many years ago. I am happy I found it again. I really like the way you explain what you are doing. And I really like the way you actually show it working. I had a really nice radio in the 1970's. I really liked listening to music from all over the world. It was my favorite!! Thank you so much for these videos.

What a great stocking-stuffer from Mr Carlson, a full-blown restoration of a drool-worthy radio most of us mortals will never see, let alone own. I don't know how this one survived in such good condition, but maybe all the thousands of its contemporaries made a sacrifice so that one could live again.

I can't be the only one who said "Sealedtite to keep the leakage in" in unison with Mr. Carlson at 13:57

Showed my Mother this video, she loved it and told of her grandfather having that very radio right here in the house I am sitting in.

What a beautiful console!

The knowledge, skill and fortitude are beyond compare. How lucky this man has the ability to bring back the romance of radio culture of 84 years ago. He is educating others in this rare field. I hope to hear first hand one of these radios. The recorded voice here seems to have a resonant peak in the bass frequencies that sometimes obscures the speech.

As a guitar player, I can tell you that the wood choices on this unit is pretty cool. The slight flame in the grain really puts it over the top!

Wow! A Communications Receiver from the 1930’s. Marvelous technology for that time.

I did radio back in the 30''s, it was a great lot of fun. especially during WW-2

I love how it has Carlson in the name on the radio, that has to make it extra special for you. I know if there was a radio with my last name on it I certainly would hold it in high regard. great video, I love old radio restorations

I spent the whole afternoon watching this video and i think this is the best i have seen. very detailed recapping and restore of that beautiful upright 1930's radio .I actually learned a lot from this video. Thank you so much for sharing...

You are a very great Instructor , thank you for your work.

What a beautiful machine!

There goes the next 2 hours and 16 minutes. Love these videos, love the way you explain things.

Merry Christmas from Poland!

Ridiculously good condition on that speaker.

Mr Carlsons lab you are good at restoring vintage shortwave receivers and alignment of vintage shortwave receivers

Paul, Thanks for listening to the "the longer the better" viewers and not the "I have the attention span of a goldfish" viewers! I have a request for you-could you mention a few words about how you got the equipment you are working on and what its destination will be? I would be curious to know. All the best to you and yours.

Such an absolutely incredible radio, and seemingly really well built as well. That wood is just incredible, and making it all original was absolutely the right thing to do. Great restoration!

That model is sitting in my mothers house. Cool

best description of cap failure I've seen!!!

Well, everything about how you restore radios is just perfect. You have the art Paul! Thank you for sharing that!

A nice receiver from the days where the unit cost as much as (or more than) a piece of furniture, and was designed to function just as beautifully as it looks. The audio is truly amazing, they obviously had someone with some acoustical knowledge on the design team. I'd genuinely love to hear it in person. Certainly hope you'll include a photo of it in a future calendar!

As a kid in 50s i used to repair and restore these old radios. Every hardware store had a tube tester.

I _use_ your channel to _smooth_ my thinking. Thanks.

That's not just a radio, it's a work of art inside and out!

I used to use those HP spectrum analyzers in my job on a daily basis about 20 years ago. That brought me back.

Mr Carlson the 84 year old radio Receiver is cool

Thank you for 2hrs of viewing pleasure. Your videos are always worth the time.

What an absolutely fantastic set! I can't believe how well designed and constructed it is! I would dearly love a set like this - I am so grateful to have followed this restoration. Thank you so very much

This radio is absolutely magnificent

Imagine operating this back in that day. It would have been very exciting. As long as you had a good Antenna.

That wood burl grain. yum! back when only the richest could afford high tech. glad to see such a beautiful piece restored for future generations to appreciate. Thank you very much.

Wow! Look at the condition after almost 90 years! Amazing. Great video once again.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I could swim in your audio:-)

Terrific. I cut my teeth on analog electronics. This was just a joy to watch. I cannot remember the last I time heard someone reference a VTVM. The Stromberg-Carlson is a marvel of old tech. In a day where board swappers call themselves electronic techs it is a pleasure to watch a real one in action. I must admit I laughed outload when he said "I'm a little bit picky". Obviously Mr. Carlson is more of a Electronic Design Engineer then a tech. Thank you for posting, great stuff. I have 65 year old Telefunken radio this has inspired me to look at restoring it.

Все геніально! Молодець. Старі речі варто реставрувати.