Riviera Radio set.
 

Arrived today a radio set made by Riviera Radio. I know nothing about the firm that made the set except the electronics resemble the battery version of the KB Pup. That is, a very simple circuit employing two triode valves. Only one tuned circuit for medium and long wavebands. The reaction control functions as the volume control.
As the attachment shows there isn't much scope of improving the set other than constructing an entirely chassis using better valves. In it's present state the choice of valves is limited by the four pin sockets.

I bought the set because I liked the look of it.

DFWB.

Re: Riviera Radio set.
 

https://www.bvws.org.uk/publications...letin_10_1.pdf

Lawrence.

Re: Riviera Radio set.
 

Hi Lawrence,
many thanks for your research. Like certain KB models the set was acquired by cigarette coupons.
So apart from the missing loudspeaker which I can do nothing about except fit a modern PM unit the set should be restored to it's original state.

DFWB.

Re: Riviera Radio set.
 

At the price it went for there wasn't enough of it left to warrant me bidding lol

Re: Riviera Radio set.
 

Hi David - Lawrence is spot-on [as usual!] .... I was going to mention the apparent absence of the speaker and the similarity to certain EKCO cases/cabinets [also referred to in the BVWS article]. I wonder who actually did make the case ..... E.K. Cole?

These 'Cigarette Coupon' sets seem to be very rare .... perhaps because their owners [and secondary inhalers] checked-out prematurely! When I was in the BVWS [early days] I seem to recall an article regarding the restoration of a very rare 'Kensitas' [mains-powered with selenium rectifier] 'Coupon Set' too.

I wonder in what sort of quantities these things were manufactured?

let us know how you get on eh?

:clap::clap:

Re: Riviera Radio set.
 

David

Are those solid dielectric variable capacitors labelled 'Igranic'? I have one here just like them - the profile is quite different to the usual Jackson Bros 'Dilecon' type.

Ron

Re: Riviera Radio set.
 

"I wonder in what sort of quantities these things were manufactured?"

Hi Tractionist, I'd say tens of thousands and that means of course tens of thousands smokers. What an awful way to acquire a radio set.

Hi Ron, there's no makers name on the tuning and reaction capacitors, or should we call them condensers.

The coupling transformer has an open circuit secondary.

DFWB.

Re: Riviera Radio set.
 

The moving iron part seems to be present so it is just missing the paper cone. I have rewound a couple of these recently and they were pretty easy to do.

Re: Riviera Radio set.
 

They sound so much better if you can make the cone from a thin sheet of Polystyrene of the kind used to make paper cups, burger boxes etc. Even a drinks cup made of the same material gives good results! John.

Re: Riviera Radio set.
 

Is this set based on the British Radiophone 2 valve sets ?

Re: Riviera Radio set.
 

Hi Trabant,
Was British Radiophone was a brand name used by the Plessey company?
Extract from Graces guide: 1922 Byron Clark seems to have been connected to Norman De Maid Watsham and A. H. S. MacCallum who founded British Radiophone Ltd. Watshams won an order from Marconi for 2 types of crystal set and a valve receiver[3]; it is unclear what role]British Radiophone Ltd played in this order but the order for crystal sets was sub-contracted to Plessey Co. This was the start of Plessey’s diversification into radio and electronic manufacturing.

From Graces Guide:
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Plessey_Co

DFWB.

Re: Riviera Radio set.
 

Two OT posts deleted.