Ekco radio model A26 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Skywave · 17th Apr 2021, 11:43 pm

In a few days time, my wife & I will be attending an auction for things she collects, none of which would ever appear on this web site. However, at this auction, an Ekco radio model A26 (so the auction text-only catalogue states) will appear. To me, this radio may be of interest, but I cannot discover anything about it. Can anyone here enlighten me, please: text, photo, tech. data, etc.?
Thanks,
Al. / Apr. 17

Herald1360 · 18th Apr 2021, 2:26 am

Maybe it's a Murphy, rather than an Ekco?

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/murphy_a26_a26.html

Lloyd 1985 · 18th Apr 2021, 8:05 am

By the look of it, Ekco didn’t make an A26! Unless it’s an obscure export set. Nearest I could find was an A28. There is the possibility they got the make wrong and it’s actually a Murphy, they made an A26.

Regards
Lloyd

Viscount · 18th Apr 2021, 8:11 am

all ive found so far is its a wood cased radio dated 1935 ,will get pic sent soon

Viscount · 18th Apr 2021, 8:47 am

Photo of A26

Viscount · 18th Apr 2021, 8:51 am

sorry about poor pic ,best i could do ,this pic came up on another site as an ekco a26 but looks the same as the murphy a26

Skywave · 18th Apr 2021, 3:09 pm

Thanks for all the responses. The auction house listed it as an Ekco; apparently, the lot comes with an unidentified Sobell radio. When I've seen it - purchased or otherwise - I'll be able to report back.

Al / Apr. 18

Skywave · 28th Apr 2021, 8:04 pm

I purchased this Ekco radio: it is indeed a model A26 - photo of its back attached . . .

Al. / Apr. 28

Lloyd 1985 · 28th Apr 2021, 8:28 pm

Interesting, What does the rest of it look like?

Regards,
Lloyd

Trifocaltrev · 28th Apr 2021, 8:53 pm

It looks as if it is an export model as it has the 100/135v mains option. I agree it would be good to see some more pictures of it.

Regards
Tervor.

dakster · 28th Apr 2021, 9:46 pm

Is this the one (picture from auction site)

Skywave · 28th Apr 2021, 9:53 pm

dakster: yes.
More photos of mine in next post, q.v.

Al. / Apr. 28

Skywave · 28th Apr 2021, 10:15 pm

Here are some technical observations.
Valve line-up:
ECH35, EF39, EBC33, EL33, AZ31. All quite standard for this vintage.
Tuning capacitor is 3-gang with 2-speed tuning mechanics.
2-core mains lead.
Freq. coverage:
MW: 550 - 1600 kHz
SW1: 2.5 - 7.5 MHz
SW2: 6.6 - 24 MHz

To me, that SW coverage plus no LW hints of a wireless designed for the export market.

► As for more photos, I am having real problems trying to get Irfan View to re-size properly (in point of fact, it won't re-size at all!

) using Windows 7. (I never had this problem when I was using Windows XP). When I've fixed that, I send in more photos.

Al. / Apr. 28th.

Lloyd 1985 · 28th Apr 2021, 10:24 pm

The knobs look like the ones found on the A22!

I think you can upload photos here without resizing them first, the forum auto resizes them itself, drops them down to 800x600, or something like that.

Regards
Lloyd

Skywave · 28th Apr 2021, 10:31 pm

Apparently not. The photos were 1.4 MB jpegs 800 x 600 and were rejected when I tried to upload them. (Max. jpeg size is 200 kB). However, that's history (for this thread) for now.
Next post should accept and present 3 more photos.

Al. / Apr. 28

Skywave · 28th Apr 2021, 10:34 pm

Ekco A26: 3 more photos . . .

The EBC33 is hidden behind the mains transformer and the a.c. voltage selector plate on top of it.

Al. / Apr. 28th.

Skywave · 1st Jun 2021, 6:57 pm

Necessary repair & overhaul work now complete.
The beneath chassis work was the 'usual': replacement of most capacitors, resistors that had 'gone high' or were looking in poor physical condition and some of the wiring. Cabinet stripped and re-varnished.
And yes, this set was manufactured for export only and dates from 1946.
Photos attached - which were taken in my workshop.

Al. / June 1st., 2021

cathoderay57 · 1st Jun 2021, 9:08 pm

That's an impressive job, well done! Cheers, Jerry

Lloyd 1985 · 1st Jun 2021, 9:13 pm

That’s come up really nicely! Lovely cabinet

Regards
Lloyd

Skywave · 2nd Jun 2021, 12:22 pm

Thanks for your comments.
FWIW, this radio was photographed on the bench in my workshop - hence the things seen in the background.

Al. / June 2nd.

17th Apr 2021, 11:43 pm	#1
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Ekco radio model A26 In a few days time, my wife & I will be attending an auction for things she collects, none of which would ever appear on this web site. However, at this auction, an Ekco radio model A26 (so the auction text-only catalogue states) will appear. To me, this radio may be of interest, but I cannot discover anything about it. Can anyone here enlighten me, please: text, photo, tech. data, etc.? Thanks, Al. / Apr. 17

18th Apr 2021, 2:26 am	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Ekco radio model A26 Maybe it's a Murphy, rather than an Ekco? https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/murphy_a26_a26.html __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

18th Apr 2021, 8:05 am	#3
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,818	Re: Ekco radio model A26 By the look of it, Ekco didn’t make an A26! Unless it’s an obscure export set. Nearest I could find was an A28. There is the possibility they got the make wrong and it’s actually a Murphy, they made an A26. Regards Lloyd

18th Apr 2021, 8:11 am	#4
Viscount Heptode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Folkestone, Kent, UK. Posts: 711	Re: Ekco radio model A26 all ive found so far is its a wood cased radio dated 1935 ,will get pic sent soon

18th Apr 2021, 8:47 am	#5
Viscount Heptode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Folkestone, Kent, UK. Posts: 711	Re: Ekco radio model A26 Photo of A26 Attached Thumbnails

18th Apr 2021, 8:51 am	#6
Viscount Heptode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Folkestone, Kent, UK. Posts: 711	Re: Ekco radio model A26 sorry about poor pic ,best i could do ,this pic came up on another site as an ekco a26 but looks the same as the murphy a26

18th Apr 2021, 3:09 pm	#7
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Ekco radio model A26 Thanks for all the responses. The auction house listed it as an Ekco; apparently, the lot comes with an unidentified Sobell radio. When I've seen it - purchased or otherwise - I'll be able to report back. Al / Apr. 18

28th Apr 2021, 8:04 pm	#8
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Ekco radio model A26 I purchased this Ekco radio: it is indeed a model A26 - photo of its back attached . . . Al. / Apr. 28 Attached Thumbnails

28th Apr 2021, 8:28 pm	#9
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,818	Re: Ekco radio model A26 Interesting, What does the rest of it look like? Regards, Lloyd

28th Apr 2021, 8:53 pm	#10
Trifocaltrev Hexode Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Lancing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 285	Re: Ekco radio model A26 It looks as if it is an export model as it has the 100/135v mains option. I agree it would be good to see some more pictures of it. Regards Tervor.

28th Apr 2021, 9:46 pm	#11
dakster Tetrode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 78	Re: Ekco radio model A26 Is this the one (picture from auction site) Attached Thumbnails

28th Apr 2021, 9:53 pm	#12
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Ekco radio model A26 dakster: yes. More photos of mine in next post, q.v. Al. / Apr. 28

28th Apr 2021, 10:15 pm	#13
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Ekco radio model A26 Here are some technical observations. Valve line-up: ECH35, EF39, EBC33, EL33, AZ31. All quite standard for this vintage. Tuning capacitor is 3-gang with 2-speed tuning mechanics. 2-core mains lead. Freq. coverage: MW: 550 - 1600 kHz SW1: 2.5 - 7.5 MHz SW2: 6.6 - 24 MHz To me, that SW coverage plus no LW hints of a wireless designed for the export market. ► As for more photos, I am having real problems trying to get Irfan View to re-size properly (in point of fact, it won't re-size at all! ) using Windows 7. (I never had this problem when I was using Windows XP). When I've fixed that, I send in more photos. Al. / Apr. 28th.

28th Apr 2021, 10:24 pm	#14
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,818	Re: Ekco radio model A26 The knobs look like the ones found on the A22! I think you can upload photos here without resizing them first, the forum auto resizes them itself, drops them down to 800x600, or something like that. Regards Lloyd

28th Apr 2021, 10:31 pm	#15
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Ekco radio model A26 Apparently not. The photos were 1.4 MB jpegs 800 x 600 and were rejected when I tried to upload them. (Max. jpeg size is 200 kB). However, that's history (for this thread) for now. Next post should accept and present 3 more photos. Al. / Apr. 28

28th Apr 2021, 10:34 pm	#16
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Ekco radio model A26 Ekco A26: 3 more photos . . . The EBC33 is hidden behind the mains transformer and the a.c. voltage selector plate on top of it. Al. / Apr. 28th. Attached Thumbnails

1st Jun 2021, 6:57 pm	#17
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Ekco radio model A26 Necessary repair & overhaul work now complete. The beneath chassis work was the 'usual': replacement of most capacitors, resistors that had 'gone high' or were looking in poor physical condition and some of the wiring. Cabinet stripped and re-varnished. And yes, this set was manufactured for export only and dates from 1946. Photos attached - which were taken in my workshop. Al. / June 1st., 2021 Attached Thumbnails

1st Jun 2021, 9:08 pm	#18
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,382	Re: Ekco radio model A26 That's an impressive job, well done! Cheers, Jerry

1st Jun 2021, 9:13 pm	#19
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,818	Re: Ekco radio model A26 That’s come up really nicely! Lovely cabinet Regards Lloyd

2nd Jun 2021, 12:22 pm	#20
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Ekco radio model A26 Thanks for your comments. FWIW, this radio was photographed on the bench in my workshop - hence the things seen in the background. Al. / June 2nd.