Re: 1930s Bestone clock radio combo.
Thank you for your kind compliment re my restoration. You are absolutely correct that the clock doesn't self-start, and a knob is provided to spin the mechanism over by hand, at which point the motor takes over and keeps it going. Unfortunately, in the Bestone design this start knob is deep inside, and you have to reach over the mains transformer and the valves to get to it. The sticker on the back of the clock warns not to do this with the radio section switched on, for fear of electrocution!
The loudspeaker is a little 3.5 inch diameter mains-energised model facing downwards in the chassis, with a speaker aperture made underneath the clock. Being honest, it doesn't sound great, but then I am sure this was only ever meant to be a bit of a novelty radio rather than a serious listening set, and the sound quality is way better than many large-selling 1960s transistor sets.
best wishes
Duncan
|