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Two President Madison Radios in Rough Shape

C

chief30

Member
Dec 18, 2010
2
0
11
Hello everyone! A year ago I bought two President Madisons, one original speaker and one original mic at a garage sale for $20. Both power up but are in very bad cosmetic shape. The black skin is pealing and they are just over all dirty. I was going to make them a project but put them away until now. I turned both on and neither transmit nor receive. Here are some pictures below as well as an individual breakdown of what I can get each to do...

Radio 1

When turned on, light bulbs sometimes light up. As of right now I am unable to turn the radio part on, clock spins though. Clicks when keyed up.

Pictures:

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ADrive | 50GB Free Online Storage, Online Backup, Cloud Storage



Radio 2

When turned on, everything lights up except the AM bulb. Both meters are either a bit off or stuck in a half-transmit half-receive state. When turned off, they do not move. No audio from any of the three outputs. This radio has a three position toggle switch under the chassis (assuming extra frequencies, however I'm not seeing any extra crystals unless they are under the board) that as of right now seems to do nothing. Clicks when keyed up.

Pictures:

ADrive | 50GB Free Online Storage, Online Backup, Cloud Storage

ADrive | 50GB Free Online Storage, Online Backup, Cloud Storage

I know I probably wasted my $20 when instead I would have been better off buying snickers bars but let me know what I can do and if it would be worth it taking them to a repair shop. Unfortunately I'm about convinced they should be in the trash. Good news though - both clocks work!! (y)

Any questions, just ask and I can supply more/better pics if needed.

Thank you SO much!
 

i would say yes, they are both worth fixing. of course, the first one needs some exterior cleaning, too. those are great radios when working correctly.
 
try messing with the alarm switches,the unit can be on but the alarm setting can mess with it . i believe the alarm setting has to be in the off position for the radio to work correctly .
if its in any other position the alarm is controlling it .try cleaning the switches as well.

good luck
 
I'd fix them but if you decide to trash them I'll meet ya half way and give ya $10.00 for them? Just saying :)

P.S. I run a maddison but I have the digital clock on mine and I wouldn't mind haveing a spare or two to have on hand sides I have 2 speakers so in theory I could have 3 compleat radios LOL :)
 
Sitting around is not good for electronics and a multitude of components could be bad.
First clean all switches as corrosion can interrupt continuity.
Look for distorted, leaking and leaning electrolytic caps, could be shorted or
open.
Corrosion on the copper traces.
Not sure if the units use a relay, if there is, contacts might be dirty.
On and off switch may be high resistance, low voltage, needs cleaning.

There could be more....

mechanic
 
Last edited:
You stole all of that for $20! The President Madison is highly desired. You'd get several times your investment back via Ebay even if you decided to sell everything as is.

First thing I'd do is open them up and spray all switches and contacts with electrical contact cleaner. A can costs about $10 at Radio Shack. These CBs will exhibit all kinds of problems due to dirty contacts... including no receive or transmit. I've found just cleaning all of the contacts will get them working like new again most of the time.

Bulbs can be replaced fairly cheap for about $1.50 each from Radio Shack if you have some soldering skills. The meters might "free up" if you turn their adjustment screws back and forth just a tiny bit using a small jewelers screwdriver... but this only works about half the time. New replacement meters can be purchased if you want to spend the money, but most folks just leave them as is.

Don't give up! Try some contact cleaner and get back to us. Good luck.
 
Thank you everyone for the replies! I took the radios in to a shop the day after I posted this thread just to get an idea from a professional with what it needs. I will attempt what you guys have suggested when I get the radios back and I will get back to everyone when I find out what's what.

As of right now I do not plan on selling these, but in the near future, perhaps.


Talk to ya soon!
 
jopcobra89 said:
You stole all of that for $20! The President Madison is highly desired. You'd get several times your investment back via Ebay even if you decided to sell everything as is.

First thing I'd do is open them up and spray all switches and contacts with electrical contact cleaner. A can costs about $10 at Radio Shack. These CBs will exhibit all kinds of problems due to dirty contacts... including no receive or transmit. I've found just cleaning all of the contacts will get them working like new again most of the time.

Bulbs can be replaced fairly cheap for about $1.50 each from Radio Shack if you have some soldering skills. The meters might "free up" if you turn their adjustment screws back and forth just a tiny bit using a small jewelers screwdriver... but this only works about half the time. New replacement meters can be purchased if you want to spend the money, but most folks just leave them as is.

Don't give up! Try some contact cleaner and get back to us. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I agree. Exellent find for 20 bucks. You could turn them on E-bay as is and get 75 bucks easy or more. Put 50 bucks in each radio and they are worth 200-300 dollars.

LOLOL, yea.......i'll meet ya half way too and give you 10 dollars. Thats funny.
 
9C1Driver said:
I agree. Exellent find for 20 bucks. You could turn them on E-bay as is and get 75 bucks easy or more. Put 50 bucks in each radio and they are worth 200-300 dollars.

LOLOL, yea.......i'll meet ya half way too and give you 10 dollars. Thats funny.
Click to expand...

Hey easy there I was just saying if he was just going to toss them in the trash I would cut lose $10 and the cost to ship to save them from the landfill. I happen to LOVE mine and spare's even if only for parts would be nice. I wasn't looking to rob anyone I just don't have much money and I'd hate to see them trashed. I understand to most on here the $20 or $30 bucks is pocket change but to me it is a compleat dinner for my family of 6. I just hope that he saves them and they don't wind up in the trash :)
 

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