I fancy a vintage radio now... - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

G4YVM David · 16th Jan 2019, 7:03 pm

I have been mixing with you lot too long...i Now fancy a vintage radio because they look so good. Ideally I would have one that covers short wave but it seems that these are uncommon in domestic portable style. I have found a unit which takes my eye, untested and sold as is so probably doesn't work. Just wondered what folks thought of this type. Shame no shortwave, but I don't know what does have shortwave. The unit I have been is a Roberts J9871 Radio, like i say, if unknown workingness.

Nuvistor · 16th Jan 2019, 7:45 pm

I can’t find any details about the radio, there is one on eBay, red, battery valve, can’t see any aerial for it, I would have thought a frame aerial would be used.

Some one on the forum will have seen one.

Edit It is possible a Roberts Junior.

crackle · 16th Jan 2019, 7:47 pm

Radio Museum lists a few which meet your requirements.
see the attached excel sheet listing some radios from 1950 to 1965.
Book2.xls

Mike

paulsherwin · 16th Jan 2019, 7:54 pm

Actually, most mainstream radios from the late 30s to the late 50s do have SW coverage, though it's true that this is much less common with small 'second set' models and battery portables. The SW coverage is normally fairly basic and intended for use with strong broadcast signals.

snowman_al · 16th Jan 2019, 8:13 pm

If you want a Roberts with short wave and valves, look out for the Roberts RMB.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/roberts_rmb.html

Alan

music-centre · 16th Jan 2019, 8:25 pm

If you can find one the Roberts P5A works well, mains only with Octal valves, a lot less of them around than the RMB though.
Steve.

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

g4aaw pete · 16th Jan 2019, 9:07 pm

Hello David

as said, there aren't too many battery valve portables with lots of wavebands, which might make finding one a challenge.

The Pye PE94MBQ looks quite impressive. I've only seen two in the last five years. One at auction, and one in a 'curio' shop in Hythe, Kent.

Radio museum has a picture.

G4YVM David · 16th Jan 2019, 9:40 pm

Thanks guys. I'll have a look then probably settle for a good looker with fewer scores on my wish list...

snowman_al · 16th Jan 2019, 10:06 pm

For better short wave coverage look for an American brand - Zenith and their 'Transoceanic' or Trans-oceanic models. They do come up over here from time to time.

Just an example https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/zenith...anic_r600.html

wd40addict · 16th Jan 2019, 10:29 pm

No long wave on the valve Transoceanics though.

G4YVM David · 16th Jan 2019, 11:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuvistor

I can’t find any details about the radio, there is one on eBay, red, battery valve, can’t see any aerial for it, I would have thought a frame aerial would be used.

Some one on the forum will have seen one.

Edit It is possible a Roberts Junior.

Yes that's the one. Looks nice don't you think?

Nuvistor · 17th Jan 2019, 12:01 am

The frame aerial is concealed under the plastic wrap that goes around the cabinet, you can see the wires going through the cabinet wall in one of the photos.

Convinced it is the Junior, beware of the filaments in the valves, very easily damaged.

Hope you win it.

G4YVM David · 17th Jan 2019, 8:19 am

Are the valves still obtainable?

snowman_al · 17th Jan 2019, 8:44 am

Nuvistor is correct - That red one is a Junior. https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/roberts_junior.html
The aerial windings are in the groove under the white / cream strip.

There are plenty of valves for them out there.
To be honest they are pretty robust unless someone puts 90 volts across the filaments...
Most common problems are microphonic AF valves, but you can live with it.
More of a problem is the DK91 frequency changer going very slightly low. Then it only works with a full 1.5 volt supply. Fine if you use a battery eliminator, but not so good if you want a portable. Anyway they are easy to find if it needs replacement.
Alan

G4YVM David · 17th Jan 2019, 10:33 am

Thank you all

chriswood1900 · 17th Jan 2019, 10:50 am

David
If you can wait a couple of weeks there is the Auction at RWB on the 3rd Feb probably a good chance of something coming up just take a look when Mike/Paul posts the list.
Chris

kalee20 · 17th Jan 2019, 11:04 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowman_al

If you want a Roberts with short wave and valves, look out for the Roberts RMB.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/roberts_rmb.html

No experience of one - but it looks like it ticks your all boxes.

Radios with this set of valves are capable of good performance! Having said that, SW on domestic sets was not particularly good, but is still fine with a strong signal.

Alvin · 17th Jan 2019, 11:14 am

The Junior radios in the posted ebay and radio museum links don't have SW which the OP said he wants but they do exist. In 2004 I purchased a MW & SW export version of the Junior from an ebay seller in the USA and sold it on a few years later - unfortunately I don't have a record of the model number and I no longer have the pics I took when I bunged it back on ebay.

crackle · 17th Jan 2019, 12:19 pm

The Radio Museum has an error on this model page. It would seem from the circuit diagram that the Roberts Junior (the OP's radio of choice) is NOT line/battery (mains or battery)
So in order to use the red radio being auctioned on line, a 90 volt battery will have to be made.
I will propose a correction on the RM page.

Mike

G4YVM David · 17th Jan 2019, 2:26 pm

Thanks chaps. I might wait and look at the rwb list. Im in no rush.

D

16th Jan 2019, 7:03 pm	#1
G4YVM David Heptode Join Date: May 2014 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 998	I fancy a vintage radio now... I have been mixing with you lot too long...i Now fancy a vintage radio because they look so good. Ideally I would have one that covers short wave but it seems that these are uncommon in domestic portable style. I have found a unit which takes my eye, untested and sold as is so probably doesn't work. Just wondered what folks thought of this type. Shame no shortwave, but I don't know what does have shortwave. The unit I have been is a Roberts J9871 Radio, like i say, if unknown workingness. __________________ David, G4YVM.

16th Jan 2019, 7:45 pm	#2
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: I fancy one now... I can’t find any details about the radio, there is one on eBay, red, battery valve, can’t see any aerial for it, I would have thought a frame aerial would be used. Some one on the forum will have seen one. Edit It is possible a Roberts Junior. __________________ Frank Last edited by Nuvistor; 16th Jan 2019 at 7:50 pm.

16th Jan 2019, 7:47 pm	#3
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: I fancy one now... Radio Museum lists a few which meet your requirements. see the attached excel sheet listing some radios from 1950 to 1965. Book2.xls Mike Last edited by crackle; 16th Jan 2019 at 7:54 pm.

16th Jan 2019, 7:54 pm	#4
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,959	Re: I fancy one now... Actually, most mainstream radios from the late 30s to the late 50s do have SW coverage, though it's true that this is much less common with small 'second set' models and battery portables. The SW coverage is normally fairly basic and intended for use with strong broadcast signals.

16th Jan 2019, 8:13 pm	#5
snowman_al Octode Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Llandeilo, West Wales, UK. Posts: 1,092	Re: I fancy one now... If you want a Roberts with short wave and valves, look out for the Roberts RMB. https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/roberts_rmb.html Alan

16th Jan 2019, 8:25 pm	#6
music-centre Heptode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 687	Re: I fancy one now... If you can find one the Roberts P5A works well, mains only with Octal valves, a lot less of them around than the RMB though. Steve. https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/roberts_unknown.html

16th Jan 2019, 9:07 pm	#7
g4aaw pete Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birchington Kent, UK. Posts: 596	Re: I fancy one now... Hello David as said, there aren't too many battery valve portables with lots of wavebands, which might make finding one a challenge. The Pye PE94MBQ looks quite impressive. I've only seen two in the last five years. One at auction, and one in a 'curio' shop in Hythe, Kent. Radio museum has a picture. __________________ Regards Pete Last edited by g4aaw pete; 16th Jan 2019 at 9:15 pm. Reason: Typo

16th Jan 2019, 9:40 pm	#8
G4YVM David Heptode Join Date: May 2014 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 998	Re: I fancy one now... Thanks guys. I'll have a look then probably settle for a good looker with fewer scores on my wish list... __________________ David, G4YVM.

16th Jan 2019, 10:06 pm	#9
snowman_al Octode Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Llandeilo, West Wales, UK. Posts: 1,092	Re: I fancy one now... For better short wave coverage look for an American brand - Zenith and their 'Transoceanic' or Trans-oceanic models. They do come up over here from time to time. Just an example https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/zenith...anic_r600.html

16th Jan 2019, 10:29 pm	#10
wd40addict Octode Join Date: May 2009 Location: Stevenage, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,518	Re: I fancy one now... No long wave on the valve Transoceanics though.

17th Jan 2019, 12:01 am	#12
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: I fancy one now... The frame aerial is concealed under the plastic wrap that goes around the cabinet, you can see the wires going through the cabinet wall in one of the photos. Convinced it is the Junior, beware of the filaments in the valves, very easily damaged. Hope you win it. __________________ Frank

17th Jan 2019, 8:19 am	#13
G4YVM David Heptode Join Date: May 2014 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 998	Re: I fancy one now... Are the valves still obtainable? __________________ David, G4YVM.

17th Jan 2019, 8:44 am	#14
snowman_al Octode Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Llandeilo, West Wales, UK. Posts: 1,092	Re: I fancy one now... Nuvistor is correct - That red one is a Junior. https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/roberts_junior.html The aerial windings are in the groove under the white / cream strip. There are plenty of valves for them out there. To be honest they are pretty robust unless someone puts 90 volts across the filaments... Most common problems are microphonic AF valves, but you can live with it. More of a problem is the DK91 frequency changer going very slightly low. Then it only works with a full 1.5 volt supply. Fine if you use a battery eliminator, but not so good if you want a portable. Anyway they are easy to find if it needs replacement. Alan

17th Jan 2019, 10:33 am	#15
G4YVM David Heptode Join Date: May 2014 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 998	Re: I fancy one now... Thank you all __________________ David, G4YVM.

17th Jan 2019, 10:50 am	#16
chriswood1900 Octode Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dorridge, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 1,485	Re: I fancy one now... David If you can wait a couple of weeks there is the Auction at RWB on the 3rd Feb probably a good chance of something coming up just take a look when Mike/Paul posts the list. Chris

17th Jan 2019, 11:14 am	#18
Alvin Heptode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: East London, UK. Posts: 761	Re: I fancy one now... The Junior radios in the posted ebay and radio museum links don't have SW which the OP said he wants but they do exist. In 2004 I purchased a MW & SW export version of the Junior from an ebay seller in the USA and sold it on a few years later - unfortunately I don't have a record of the model number and I no longer have the pics I took when I bunged it back on ebay. Last edited by Alvin; 17th Jan 2019 at 11:24 am.

17th Jan 2019, 12:19 pm	#19
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: I fancy one now... The Radio Museum has an error on this model page. It would seem from the circuit diagram that the Roberts Junior (the OP's radio of choice) is NOT line/battery (mains or battery) So in order to use the red radio being auctioned on line, a 90 volt battery will have to be made. I will propose a correction on the RM page. Mike

17th Jan 2019, 2:26 pm	#20
G4YVM David Heptode Join Date: May 2014 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 998	Re: I fancy one now... Thanks chaps. I might wait and look at the rwb list. Im in no rush. D __________________ David, G4YVM.