Atwater Kent 206 (Cathedral radio)

[Cathode Ray]

Folks,
I gave my Ultra T401 away as a Christmas gift and it sparked a memory in my family... Two days later I am presented with this Atwater Kent but without it's chassis. The speaker is present.
The radio is from a close relative whos wife purchased it 30 odd years ago with the intention of getting it refurbished.
Alas his wife (my sister) passed away before seeing it completed.

I would dearly like to return this to the family as a working unit.
What options do I have ?
Might there be chassis out there ?
Or could a chassis from a different model fit ?

Thanks
Ray

[PJL]

You could try a wanted advert on http://antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php.

[Cathode Ray]

Thanks PLJ, since posting my question I can see that it's fairly unique, Atwater only made one other radio with that particular knob layout.
Guess I'll just cast my line and see what bites in America.

Cheers
Ray

[cathoderay57]

Hi Ray, I expect you've found this link already http://atwaterkentradio.com/ak206.htm and you might have noticed there is an email address on that page for the owner Bryant Scott. He might be able to put you in touch with someone who could help? Sadly anything purchased and shipped from the USA these days is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Cheers, Jerry

[Radioroslyn]

Hi Ray
The AK 206 chassis is going to be a tough find even here in the states. I believe the model 145 has the same dial/control layout but it doesn't have a rf amp. Found this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-ATW...wAAOSwvGlaWr4o It's miss represented it should say 145 rather than 154. Here is the service info: http://www.nostalgiaair.org/pagesbym...6/M0001276.pdf
The original knobs were wooden and the tuning knob is in two section as it has a two speed dial drive. If you like I can nose around and see if there are any one is making repos.

GL & Happy Year!!
Terry N3GTE

[Cathode Ray]

Cheers and thanks Terry,
That seller wont ship international I'm afraid.
I'll post a wanted advert Antique Radio Forums and see if anything pops up.
The 145 sure looks like a good fit.

Thanks and Happy Hew Year to you also.

Ray
EI3GD

[Radioroslyn]

If push comes to shove and you can't find another chassis I could be the middle man if you like. I don't mind shipping over the pond. PM me you need assistance.

Terry N3GTE

[Cathode Ray]

Thanks for that offer Terry, very decent of you.
I'll see what comes of my WTB in Antique Radio Forum.

The more I look at this, the more I realise this is a long shot. I don't have the front dial bezel either.
The best I can hope for is if someone has a 406 which has a total right-off case.

Ray

[Cobaltblue]

Hi Ray

Sorry can't help with a chassis or the correct bezel however I have a bezel which if it fits might do until something better turns up.

I suspect it was from a Ferguson set but many manufacturers in the UK used this heavily American influenced style bezel in the mid 30's

I picked up 20 or so mid 30's sets in the early 90's all so badly woodwormed they had collapsed into a rusty dusty mess.

Anyway FOC just postage at cost.

If it's no use to Ray it open to any other forum members of course.

Cheers

Mike T

[Boater Sam]

Would be a good project to make a new chassis using an existing common radio as a donor for all the electrical parts. Slow motion drives are fairly common.
Then you could get the knob layout correct.

[Cathode Ray]

Mike that's incredible!
I'll pm you and insist on paying for posting it at the very least.

With Sam's suggestion I can actually see a path forward on this one.
I'll have to get some dimensions and see what doner is suitable.

Thanks lads

Ray

[Cathode Ray]

So I measured the internal dimensions,
I estimate the latgest chassis which will fit is...
11.5" wide
7.5" deep
and the speaker transformer attached to the speaker is 6" above the inside floor.

Any suggestions on a doner?

[dave walsh]

What happened to the original chassis Raymo? Is there a story behind the set being in your part of the world? Ironically this "Cathedral" design is one that came out some years back in a range of modern reproductions at half or a lower size. They weren't very well thought of on here, as I recall but they did have [IC ?] innards. I've got one of the original sets in the North [donated by a Forum member who had lived in the States for some time] but I don't think it's the same model cabinet that's is in your family They seemed to be a very popular design in America. I've often wondered if that was something to do with an [apparently] more religious society. There isn't an equivalent in the UK or Europe that I can bring to mind!

Dave W

[Cathode Ray]

Hi Dave,
Well there are two stories about how this radio came into the family.
My mum thinks my sister purchased it from an antiques dealer in Dublin.
But the other story is a bit more interesting, my brother-in-law thinks it belonged to a great aunt who was Scottish and well travelled.
I like the second story but we're not sure if it's true.
Either way it probably wasn't sold as new in Ireland, more likely it was imported by someone.
As to the religious aspect, you could be right. It does have church window appearance.
ps the price tag in 1934 was 49 dollars, quite a lot I think.

Cheers
Ray

[dave walsh]

Thanks Ray. Its hard to get a straight story. I've traced my family to Accrington [not the was West Coast of Ireland as I'd hoped ]. Going back beyond 1740 I was told would be a lost cause. We then found an illegitimate [but acknowledged in Church Records-very rare] ancestor whose dad was a Mr Riley but it still doesn't prove I'm Irish. That can be the same with radios and humans. As I was brought up in an area of Bury known as "Freetown" I had wondered if there was a connection with an Itinerant Irish workforce in the Manchester area but apparently not Ramsbottom has an Irish/Scots community. I wondered if your radio might be an Irish/American connection wrong again. None of this is an exact science but my DNA kit arrived today.

Happy New Year for tomorrow,

Dave W

Currently in Bexhill

[Boater Sam]

I would start with a clean sheet, ally chassis bent up to fit the cabinet and then add controls in the correct places.
You could dismantle something like a Cossor Melody Maker or Bush AC11 for the rest. Plenty about.

[Cathode Ray]

Originally Posted by Boater Sam

I would start with a clean sheet, ally chassis bent up to fit the cabinet and then add controls in the correct places.
You could dismantle something like a Cossor Melody Maker or Bush AC11 for the rest. Plenty about.

Your a braver man than me old boy!
If all else fails I will consider it.

[Cobaltblue]

I finally got the bezel in post sorry for the delay I will drop you a PM with tracking info

Cheers

Mike T

[Cathode Ray]

Thanks Mike, must appreciated.
I will share the final photos...