Several Questions on Tube Radios

I'm not sure where to place this as I'm asking questions that could fit into different forums.

Is there a book I should buy for beginners? I'm a novice but would like to fix or improve the sound on my four tube radios. I guess I need information on tubes, testers and antennas along with other tube radio electronics. And I want to get another two radios, maybe a floor and a consol.

I would like to add that placing the radios in key locations in the house sure makes a great sound. Seems like each radio has a best place and I've moved them around to get the best sound. I supplement the four tube radios with six transistor radios keeping the volume and bass/treble tuned for a combined sound. I enjoy listening to baseball and old time theater broadcasts.

Welcome to TRF.

You might try finding some books on ebay. Most anything is better than you've got. Good luck.

Wildcat445 wrote:Welcome to TRF.

You might try finding some books on ebay.  Most anything is better than you've got.  Good luck.

I've been reading through past posts and am finding a lot of information. Sometimes it seems overwhelming on what I have to learn.

I bought this book in 1975 and it has been a go to book for each stage I have had to learn as I have progressed in my work. It has a lot of information and a good index. timewise, it ends about at 1969, but it has all the theory and explanations you could need and it can be accessed pretty easily. it has tube theory and plenty of solid state theory as well. It explains the circuits you will see as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Basic-Electronics-Dover-Books-Engineering/dp/0486210766/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478206719&sr=1-6&keywords=basic+electronics

This google search will take you to several downloadable books from VanValkenburgh including the "Basic Radio", "Basic Electricity" series that was used by the US Navy for training in the 1950's. I have the hard copy publications and they are my "go to" for refreshers on theory when I am having trouble solving a radio problem.

https://www.google.ca/search?num=100&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=van+valkenburgh+basic+radio&oq=van+valkenburgh+basic+radio&gs_l=serp.3...8082.10153.0.10418.12.12.0.0.0.0.138.1380.1j11.12.0....0...1c.1.64.serp..0.8.940...0j0i67k1j0i22i30k1j0i22i10i30k1j33i21k1.J2PYHtRx03Y

The book you want is called '' Elements of radio'' by Marcus and Marcus.
It is highly recommended by anyone on the antique radio forum.
I use it all the time.
you might find it on Ebay.

I would also seriously consider Alfred Corbin's "A Modern Look at Antique Radio Repair". It is a pretty simple book, and it has ringed binding so you can lay it flat.

Excellent link, John. Thanks for sharing.