Radio Buttons Function, 1947 Series 62

[SheldonCharles]

I will preface this by saying that I am not an owner of a 1947 Series 62. I am an author who is using that particular model of car as part of the story I am working on. As part of the research into the car, I wound up finding this forum.  In my story, the protagonist is restoring a Series 62 convertible and he is working on the last part which is the radio.

I have found a good many instructions on how to take the radio and out as well as other functions attached to the radio. What I have been unable to find is what function each of the six buttons in the center of the radio performs, the two on either end are marked.

If anyone could supply me with that information, I would deeply appreciate it. Also, as other questions arise, if you would be willing to serve as a subject matter expert, I would appreciate an email address.

[J. Gomez]

I will preface this by saying that I am not an owner of a 1947 Series 62. I am an author who is using that particular model of car as part of the story I am working on. As part of the research into the car, I wound up finding this forum.  In my story, the protagonist is restoring a Series 62 convertible and he is working on the last part which is the radio.

I have found a good many instructions on how to take the radio and out as well as other functions attached to the radio. What I have been unable to find is what function each of the six buttons in the center of the radio performs, the two on either end are marked.

If anyone could supply me with that information, I would deeply appreciate it. Also, as other questions arise, if you would be willing to serve as a subject matter expert, I would appreciate an email address.

Sheldon,

This site can provide a general overview of the Cadillac radios just general references.

https://sites.google.com/site/identifyingcarradios/home/radios-1/cadillac

The panel buttons are shown as "Tone" left, "On/Off" right while the middles ones (five) are for the pre-selections of the radio stations, once pressed the tuner dial will moved to the selected radio station.

HTH

[SheldonCharles]

Thank you for the speedy response and the information. I didn't want to take for granted that the buttons in the middle were for preset stations, I like my stories to have as much accurate information as I am able to find. Since the radio is a big part of the story itself, I wanted to be sure that everything about it was completely correct.

A few more questions, since the radio is tubes and not transistor, it would take a few seconds for it to warm up before it began to receive a signal, correct?  Did the hood ornament have a name?

Thanks in advance.

[J. Gomez]

Sheldon,

A few more questions, since the radio is tubes and not transistor, it would take a few seconds for it to warm up before it began to receive a signal, correct? 

That would be correct, the vacuum tube would take a few seconds for the filament/heater to warm up before the radio is operational. There is also the traditional buzzing/vibration sound one will hear from the radio which is the vibrator. This item is responsible to convert the lower DC voltage over to a step-up transformer to generate the higher voltages required for the vacuum tubes.

Did the hood ornament have a name?

I believe the ornament still called the "Flying Goddess" but I could be wrong, maybe someone can chime in if I'm in error.   

HTH

[SheldonCharles]

Thank you, I had found the flying goddess reference but was unsure if it had a nickname that was given to it by owners.

Final question about the buttons, do the tone and power button both work by pushing them in or do you turn them?

By the way, if you will DM me your email address I would be glad to send you a copy of the e-book when it is published. It might help you understand why I was asking what may seem like strange questions.

[J. Gomez]

Sheldon,

Final question about the buttons, do the tone and power button both work by pushing them in or do you turn them?

According to the 1947 radio diagram for the 7253207 model the tone control looks to be a rotating type switch, the on/off could as push (click on/click off) type.   

I do not have or worked on this vintage radio so I can't validate if the on/off switch is a push type, maybe someone can chime in to validate.   

By the way, if you will DM me your email address I would be glad to send you a copy of the e-book when it is published. It might help you understand why I was asking what may seem like strange questions.

Appreciate your offer, PM with my email send to you. Thanks,

[TonyZappone #2624]

I just had mine on yesterday.  I didn't mess with the tone, but if I recall correctly, you push it from bass to more treble, one click a a time

[Jay Friedman]

I believe the ornament still called the "Flying Goddess" but I could be wrong, maybe someone can chime in if I'm in error.   

HTH

I have a '49 with a similar hood ornament.  I've always heard referred to as "The Goddess", without the word "Flying".  On the other hand, she is flying, so...... 

[bcroe]

The 39 I overhauled in 2019 got an electronic vibrator, in
which case the external hum may not be heard.  What I did
notice, the noise level on the AM band has gotten so bad
(with all the electronics out there), only a limited number of
stations came in with little background noise.  Perhaps that
would improve far from the city.  Bruce Roe

[SheldonCharles]

Great information! 

[Lexi]

Sheldon, from one author to another; good luck in your writing project and research! I own a 1956 Cadillac and recently had the radio (which is a 2 part part radio), rebuilt. When I turn mine on it takes about 12 - 14 seconds to warm up and be heard. That said, my car operates on a 12 volt system while the '47 was 6 volt. Perhaps someone with a '47 can add what their warm up time is. Also, when "working" on the radio as you note in the restoration process of your story, I believe that radio work even then would require that the unit be "trimmed". On my car that involves putting the antenna up to the height it is normally extended to when the radio is on; then tune the radio to a specific AM band then adjust the signal strength by turning a screw found top side on the radio to bring in the strongest signal. I imagine that a similar process is required for the '47 model, but not 100% sure. If that aspect is of interest, perhaps someone with that style of radio can chime in as well. Would add to the realism of what you write. And remember no FM back then for cars, as far as I know! Clay/lexi

Edit: Trimming the radio would be about the last thing done after rebuild and installation, to ensure optimal signal in the car with the actual antenna & it's connecting cables hooked up to the radio. I am told testing on the bench is one thing but once back in the car, or if you change the antenna, the radio should be trimmed for best efficiency. Assuming that holds true for '47, that may be a factor to consider in your story-depending on what stage the protagonist is at with the rebuild.

[bcroe]

The post war car radios I have seen pretty much all used the
same tube types, the change with 12V being in the filament
heater inside the tube, and of course the B+ power supply. 
The specs and construction of a 6SA7 vs a 12SA7 tube for
example are otherwise identical.  I would expect the warm up
time to vary more with the tube running time to date, than
6 vs 12. 

With the antenna circuit varying from car to car, the input circuit
trimmer allows optimizing each installation.  Bruce Roe

[SheldonCharles]

Sheldon, from one author to another; good luck in your writing project and research! 

Thank you much for the information. The story went to the editor today with the book being released on 9 August. The trimming information is interesting but due to other restraints, I won't be able to delve into it much.

At one point in my life, I had a 1962 Ford Fairlane, it wasn't a classic -- just a piece of crap that cost $200. Anyway, I spent an entire afternoon trying to get the radio to work before I realized that if I didn't give it sufficient time to warm up, I would never hear anything. I must have rewired it at least 15 times because I thought it wasn't working. At some point I also discovered that the heater had been connected backwards and as result served as a better air conditioner.

[SheldonCharles]

The post war car radios I have seen pretty much all used the

Thank you for the great background information Bruce.

[SheldonCharles]

To anyone who has been following my Q&A here and might be curious as to where this information ended up, I have included your membership in those eligible for the SmashWords presale.  Thank you all again for your help....Here is a pre-release review & link:

"A thoughtful and emotional collection of short fiction, POMSILv2 by Sheldon Charles is a captivating and unpredictable group of stories. From young lovers finding connection on a dance floor to Covid-inspired casino drama, future fiction about terraforming, and hard-hitting reflections on military legacy and PTSD, Charles once again proves his versatility in subject, mood, and execution. " SPR

Written by an Air Force veteran & Army brat, POMSILv2 is being released on 9 August, but you can get yours right now on SmashWords for just .99.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/presale/1095719/HRXR3X .

[TonyZappone #2624]

?