DISCLAIMER:  This guide does not replace manufacturers’ specific instructions for tube clock radio operation.

WARNING:  Make certain you verify the operational condition of a radio before using it.  Most old radios do not meet today’s manufacturing safety standards and may pose risk if operated in an unsafe manner.

GENERAL:  This guide covers clock controls for tube radios manufactured during the 1950s and 1960s.

• BASIC CONTROLS:  Tube clock radios generally have at least one control (knob) on the front (facing) side of the clock:  ALARM/OFF/ON/AUTO.

• ­ ALARM (BUZZER):  This control, usually operated by a knob on the clock, sets the clock’s alarm to activate when the clock’s time meets the preset alarm indicator setting.

• ­ OFF:  This control, usually operated by a knob on the clock, “turns-off” the radio.

• ­ ON:  This control, usually operated by a knob on the clock, “turns-on” the radio.

• ­ AUTO (WAKE TO RADIO):  This control, usually operated by a knob on the clock, sets the radio to “turn-on” when the clock’s time meets the preset alarm indicator setting.

• OTHER CONTROLS:  Tube clock radios may have additional controls on the front or rear side of the radio:

• ­ SLEEP SWITCH (COUNTDOWN TIMER):  This control, usually operated by a knob on the front (facing) side of the clock, “turns-on” the radio for a set amount of time and “turns-off” the radio at the end of a set amount of time.

• ­ CLOCK AND ALARM ADJUSTMENT:  Tube clock radios generally have a combined control (knob) on the rear side of the radio:  TIME ADJUSTMENT and ALARM ADJUSTMENT.  Often, this combined control requires “pushing in” or “pulling out” the knob to perform the following actions:  TIME ADJUSTMENT (or setting the clock hands) is usually performed by rotating a knob at the rear of the radio.  ALARM ADJUSTMENT (or setting the alarm time) is usually performed by rotating a knob at the rear of the radio.

• ­ DAY OF THE WEEK/DATE INDICATOR:  This feature, usually operated by a single control (knob) at the rear of the clock, adjusts the display of the day of the week and numeric date.

• APPLIANCE OUTLET:  A tube clock radio may have an appliance outlet at the rear of the radio that “turned on” a lamp or coffee percolator in conjunction with the alarm setting.

• Do not plug in or turn-on a tube radio unless it is in operational condition.
• Before deciding whether to operate an old tube radio have it checked-out by a technician.
• Use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) to prevent potentially hazardous electrical shock when using a tube radio.
• Use a fused power strip (preferably one with surge protection and filtering) between a tube radio and the wall outlet.
• Disconnect a tube radio from its power source if it is not being used.
• Do not allow unsupervised children to operate a tube radio.
• Keep the area around a radio free of items that could block radio case ventilation passages.