I have been spending far, far too much time browsing through flea markets and yard sales in the area. Very recently I came across this gem of an item for a low $5.00 purchase price. I kid you not. $5.00.


![20210929_175146.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/wwwiebe/23u677HSZoKpPg4g98y46JzvUNuLgjVD3fT41z4PRg37bzXZVEyfB5usgm2QiK7snrYCZ.jpg)

I didn't really think twice about it. It became mine very quickly.

This is an old Philco radio, model 37-620. It's in rough shape, but nothing that isn't repairable. What I really like about this radio is it's entire shape; other radios of the era (1930's) where standup radios, whilst this one is a box that can double as a small coffee table. The control panel is on top of the radio, which is an interesting design.

Upon getting it home and into my already crowded work area I took another look at it. On the surface (hah) it appears that there are speakers in both the front **and** the back of the system. Here is the rear of the radio.


![20210930_082845.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/wwwiebe/23ycyKuhYY7eWYEDaiPR5UA41nhV6oyhkCSyN7sbDtj8cp9U74r73enrAYomq2FqQ9tGb.jpg)

Upon flipping it onto it's side we can see that not only is there a **lot** of empty space inside but, interestingly, the only active speaker appears to be the one in the back.


![20210930_083000.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/wwwiebe/EoK5H2ewDEV9xDjryaer4vAe7jfuo895QZWnesPfHmN221wmi4k2fe1jjmHRcJA4bhc.jpg)

One might notice the cat's tail. Funnily enough, the cat did not come with the radio, despite what might appear to be otherwise:


![20210930_082941.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/wwwiebe/EoiUgEwLe2wJ3rdbVzfSVoxQWNZrrxr2UXLNT39sJELxhz33qkzUXYmT7QfD2LVzFoy.jpg)

Now, the radio components themselves are pretty beat up. The wires are shredded, and the radio itself is likely missing a whole craptonne of tubes, which I honestly have no plans to replace. I don't mind restoration, but I don't have any emotional attachment to this radio at all to try to rebuild it.


![20210930_083035.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/wwwiebe/EoprTu2cbAKYe1AA4rVRbrSXGqwgRYEhSxLLaXofMqLJuZk7Ew2Bn9mBFowFkcFq7wW.jpg)


![20210930_083048.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/wwwiebe/EoiWG6ext4himy2EXswqCjqjTnBHbLFofCu2pGvscNG5V7J9DQjNPhXvVPw6PveJAmJ.jpg)

Beyond refinishing the exterior to make it look snappy, I'm not yet 100% sure what I'm going to do with the innards. Most likely I'll gut it and retrofit it with something, though what that something is I'm not yet sure. I really do like the circular dial on the top of the radio; whatever I do with it will need to keep that as a feature. The rest of it, however, as far as I'm concerned, is junk. My immediate thought is to fit it with a raspberry pi to play internet radio; there is certainly enough space inside to place whatever I need to do so! And that'd make a pretty snappy addition to either my front room or work area in the basement.

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(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe

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**About Me**

```
Amateur photographer. Wannabe author. Game designer. Nerd. 
General all around problem-solver and creative type.
```


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