Bush VTR178 another gift from Mum-in-law. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

colly0410 · 20th Apr 2013, 5:24 pm

MIL asked if I wanted the above? (a mains/battery transistor radio) of course I did.

It hadn't been used for many years so thought I'd better not plug it straight in the mains or it could go bang. I charged up some old ni-cads & left them standing for a few hours for the voltage to drop. When they'd dropped to about 4.6 volts I put them in & switched on, & bingo it worked. The band-change buttons & sliders were a bit crackly but after a bit of use are a bit quieter. I then felt brave & plugged it into the mains & it works even better. I'm not sure how old it is but Radio 1 is flagged as 247 mtrs so it's it's at least 35 years old. It sounds very good on FM & medium wave, (to my surprise it doesn't have long wave) & picks up loads of stations on short wave. The case is a bit of a mess so I'll have to have a go at cleaning it up. I'm feeling a bit smug.

michamoo · 20th Apr 2013, 6:58 pm

Maybe the lack of Long Wave is something to do with it being an earlyish Japanese model maybe. Certainly a great looking set from 1973!

Hybrid tellies · 11th May 2013, 5:43 pm

These were very good sets noted for their good performance and their robust build quality. Indeed Rank advertised that this was used on one of the Everest expeditions to receive weather information etc. A great set as long as you don't need Long wave.

20th Apr 2013, 5:24 pm	#1
colly0410 Pentode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 223	Bush VTR178 another gift from Mum-in-law. MIL asked if I wanted the above? (a mains/battery transistor radio) of course I did. It hadn't been used for many years so thought I'd better not plug it straight in the mains or it could go bang. I charged up some old ni-cads & left them standing for a few hours for the voltage to drop. When they'd dropped to about 4.6 volts I put them in & switched on, & bingo it worked. The band-change buttons & sliders were a bit crackly but after a bit of use are a bit quieter. I then felt brave & plugged it into the mains & it works even better. I'm not sure how old it is but Radio 1 is flagged as 247 mtrs so it's it's at least 35 years old. It sounds very good on FM & medium wave, (to my surprise it doesn't have long wave) & picks up loads of stations on short wave. The case is a bit of a mess so I'll have to have a go at cleaning it up. I'm feeling a bit smug.

20th Apr 2013, 6:58 pm	#2
michamoo Hexode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cambridge, Cambs. UK. Posts: 469	Re: Bush VTR178 another gift from Mum-in-law. Maybe the lack of Long Wave is something to do with it being an earlyish Japanese model maybe. Certainly a great looking set from 1973! __________________ If smoking is so bad for you, how come it cures kippers?

11th May 2013, 5:43 pm	#3
Hybrid tellies Nonode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: 1966-1976 Coverack in Cornwall and Helston Cornwall. 1976-present Bristol/Bath area. Posts: 2,967	Re: Bush VTR178 another gift from Mum-in-law. These were very good sets noted for their good performance and their robust build quality. Indeed Rank advertised that this was used on one of the Everest expeditions to receive weather information etc. A great set as long as you don't need Long wave. __________________ Simon BVWS member