Working calculators
Tube Radio Recap Cost EstimatorWhat a full recap actually costs by radio era. Reception Band Quality by TimeWhich bands will give you actual content at what time of day.Plain note about money: Some product links are affiliate (eBay Partner Network). Small commission, doesn't change your price.
Guides
Gear actually worth buying
Smart eBay searches we'd start with ourselves. We earn a small commission on qualifying sales through these links; the price you pay is the same whether you use them or go direct to eBay. Full disclosure.
Electrolytic capacitor kitsRecapping is the first step on any vintage radio restoration. Buy a full kit matched to the radio's model — capacitor plague is universal across 1950s-70s sets.
NOS vacuum tubesNew-old-stock Sylvania, GE, and RCA tubes test better than current production. Match by tube type; most AM table radios run 12AX7, 6V6, 5Y3 combos.
Indoor AM loop antennaA ferrite or air-core loop antenna dramatically improves AM sensitivity on restored sets. Terk and Quantum loop antennas connect to external antenna screws.
Speaker cone + grille clothDeteriorated speaker cones kill otherwise perfect restorations. Buy cone repair kits by speaker diameter; grille cloth from suppliers who stock period patterns.
DeoxIT D5 contact cleanerCrackling volume pots and dead band switches are fixed 80% of the time with DeoxIT D5. The real stuff, not generic contact cleaner — it matters here.