Yellow and Green Catalin 1936-37 FADA Model 5F60 'Baby FADA' Vacuum Tube AM Radio Excellent Condition! Rare Model!
DESCRIPTION: Tabletop vacuum tube AM radio manufactured by FADA in the 1936 or 1937 time frame in excellent working and physical condition. This is the first Catalin model offered by FADA. In addition, this particular example is an early version of the Model 5F60 because there are no Intermediate frequency transformers only wound coils. It is also a 4 tube circuit with ballast resistor. FADA stands for Frank Angelo D'Andrea born 1888 Salerno Italy and founder of FADA company.
CABINET CONDITION: Cabinet is original molded yellow Catalin with bright green Catalin grill insert. Not repainted. No chips or major scratches or missing pieces. There is a repaired crack on the bottom right back edge by the back screw hole that was done by a Catalin restoration expert. The green grill piece is in excellent condition with no cracks, no chips and securely attached. The green color is not faded or yellowed, possibly a replacement Catalin piece. Usually, this onyx green grill insert is faded to yellowish green. The original tuning window is in excellent condition with no cracks, no chips, and securely attached. Original art deco looking tuning pointer is in excellent condition with no cracks, no warping, securely attached.
WORKING CONDITION: Picks up AM stations loudly and clearly with the antenna provided.
LOGO: Logo is partially rubbed off on bottom front of radio. Fada logo on tuning dial in excellent condition.
KNOBS: The original tuning and volume knob is in excellent condition no cracks no chips securely attached. Tuning pointer rotates with ease, no slipping, no sticky or stuck spots.
DIAL LIGHT: Dial lights works and lights brightly
CLOCK: No clock
SOUND QUALITY: There is a slight hum even though filter capacitors have been replaced. This is a 4 tube design so reception quality will be inferior to 5 or more tube sets. It is actually pretty impressive this radio receives anything at all.
INTERNAL ELECTRONICS: All out of tolerance paper and wax capacitors have been replaced with modern equivalents so this radio has another 50+ years or more of playing time! The tubes are working fine. All out-of-spec resistors have been replaced with modern correct value and voltage equivalents. The radio has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. All wiring has been thoroughly checked for possible bridging and weak solder connection.
BACKING BOARD: The original backing board is missing.
POWER CORD: The replacement power cord and safety polarized plug are in excellent original working condition with no cracks, or splits. No exposed wiring.
FACTORY LABEL: No factory labels.
COLOR: Yellow and green
YOUTUBE VIDEO here
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 8" x 4.75" x 5" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: 5 lbs
ADD BLUETOOTH MP3: See info here
ADD SMART SPEAKER: See info here
ADD DIAL LIGHT: See info here
Product: antique radio, vintage radio, retro radio, vacuum tube radio, AM radio, art deco, mid-century product.
Category: radio
Cabinet construction: Catalin
Period: 1930s
Country of manufacture: USA
Electronics: Mounted circuit board or chassis. Vacuum tube circuit.
Vacuum tubes: tested and working. Amplifier, converter, detector, pre-amplifier, rectifier