PARS Member Articles
PARS Member contributions to original radio history and lore are found here. These articles and this entire web site are copyrighted and may not be used without prior permission.
The PARS Pittsburgh Oscillator
For more than 30 years, PARS members have contributed thousands of articles to our club newsletter, The Pittsburgh Oscillator. PDF Scans of complete issues of the Oscillator are found elsewhere on this web site. In this section, you have access to copyrighted articles that have previously appeared in our newsletter.
Copyrighted Work
Like this entire site, the articles you can read here are the copyrighted property of PARS and the named author (if any). We are generally happy to grant you authorization to reproduce the work featured herein but you must request permission and follow our requirements for attribution.
2020 Radio Changed Our World 100 Years Ago!
This year we have a special section of our web site devoted to the early work of Frank Conrad and the founding of the world’s first broadcast station here in Pittsburgh, KDKA.
Radio Free Clinics!
Twice a year in March and October, the club unleashes its’ radio experts on whatever shows up at the door! Bring us your grandfather’s pride and joy and we will try to make it play again–free!
PARS Blog
Every dues-paying PARS member can author articles for our blog (and our printed newsletter, The Pittsburgh Oscillator). Articles are displayed in the order they were POSTED on this site, not by the date they appeared (if they did) in the Oscillator.
Glad Tydings
Prior to the war, "radio" stores sold mostly parts. The "Radio monopoly" led by RCA was trying to use their patents as bludgeons to make you buy RCA and the others. It wasn't working. But still, this 1940 Tydings catalog pictured features mostly parts with a good...
Notes From Ross Kilgore Related to Vladimir Zworykin
By Ross Kilgore - Westinghouse Engineer His experiences relating to Vladimir Zworykin (Contributed by PARS Past President Richard Brewster) At the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago, Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Corporation demonstrated a...
Re-Using PC Power Supplies
Re-purposing old PC power supplies has long been an inexpensive solution to our low-voltage power requirements. Lots of people must be doing this for various needs and so the market has responded with a way to make it easier,. To simplify re-using old PC power...
Buck/Boost Power for Your Bench
This "new" power supply design is worth looking at. I've put the word "new" in quotes to indicate that this design is probably much older than I realize. So the design is "new" only to me! I'm always the last to know! The nice part is that it seems to be becoming...
A Philco 90 Restoration by Lou Gaetano
Philco Model 90 - Single Ended # 47 Output Tube, With AVC. By Lou Gaetano Around 14 years ago, Chris Wells donated a non-working Philco 90 chassis to me. At that time, I repaired the chassis, replaced the guts, capacitors, in all the Bakelite blocks and metal cans and...
Silvertone Restoration–A Web Story
From PARS member Mark Hepburn...finding a good restoration candidate radio (a Silvertone 110-146) at the Tri-State Radio Fest and the adventure of the ensuing restoration. As presented at a 2012 PARS meeting.Web Story of a Silvertone
Hamstrung Dial Stringing
I need your help. What you're looking at here is the Hallicrafters S-38B dial string mechanism. The "wheel" closest to you in the image is for the main dial. The one in the background is a similar mechanism for the bandspread dial. Both dial cords are broken (thanks...
Capacitor Tips
The pictures below are from the back of a 1970's-vintage Calectro electrolytic capacitor package. I think it's hard to argue with any of this. What do you think?
Get Involved
PARS needs you! Every member must consider how they can make a contribution to the future of PARS. Can you make a presentation at a meeting? Can you help with the auctions? Write an article for the Oscillator? Write a blog post on this web site? Chair a committee to get a specific project done? Or just add your comment to any blog post on this web site so that it become a more interesting discussion. You CAN help. Speak with any club Officer or Board Member to volunteer your support! Do it TODAY!
PARS Meetings
Most meetings are held at the Brentwood Presbyterian Church basement hall located at 3725 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh 15227. Check the NEWS & EVENTS page on this site for the current meeting schedule.
PARS Special Events
Two of our annual events do not happen at the Church. The Tri-State Radio Fest, PARS' biggest event of the year, is held each April at the Center Stage Banquest Hall at 1495 Old Brodhead Rd, Monaca, Pennsylvania 15061. The PARS Annual Radio Picnic is held each July in North Park, generally at the Roosevelt Pavilion if we can get it. These two events plus our annual holiday luncheon at the church are PARS' best-attended events of the year. Please see the NEWS & EVENTS page for this year's specific details.
PARS Officers & Board Members
Bob Knowlton, President - [email protected]
Vice-President (OPEN)
Jeff Pleva, Treasurer - [email protected]
Chris Wells, Secretary - [email protected]
Andy Manko, Board - [email protected]
Ed Kaczkowski, Board - [email protected]
John Busalaachi, Board - [email protected]
Joe Patrick W3KWZ, Editor of The Pittsburgh Oscillator (PARS Quarterly Newsletter) - [email protected]
Rex Kraeuter, Club Historian & Publications Manager- [email protected]
James Stevens, Webmaster - [email protected]
PARS Volunteers
As with most hobby clubs, PARS is entirely staffed by volunteer Officers, Comittee Chairmen and Board Members. New volunteers for these positions are always welcome. To contact any of the current slate of officers and Board members, please see the ABOUT PARS page elsewhere on this web site.
NOTICE: This web page and this entire web site including all photographs, text and content is copyright 2019-2024 by The Pittsburgh Antique Radio Society, Nothing on this web site or in our newsletter The Pittsburgh Oscillator may be republished in any form without the express written consent of a PARS Officer or Board member. Permission must be sought and granted in advance of publication and proper attribution to PARS must appear on the same page, on the same screen or video segment in such a way that it occupies the same space as the republished PARS information. See the ABOUT PARS page for PARS contact information.