Marconi Radio - please help identify it - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Walterh · 2nd Dec 2009, 4:35 pm

Hi all

a friend gave me his Marconi radio for repair. It shurely was sold as new here in Switzerland (because of a sticker on the chassis).

Please see the pictures of the radio and of its two labels. But on both i can't see a model number!

http://image.n0t.de/t-4d500b4fc2f0a7...36165473b3.jpg

http://image.n0t.de/t-e8163c52b0a5a4...cac6cced43.jpg

http://image.n0t.de/t-4d05626b5fc9ff...29af56de12.jpg

http://image.n0t.de/t-ca442359b1626c...460ed3e94b.jpg

In a localy published schematic collection i found a schematic showing the same valves - except the eye tube - but i found quite some differences in the values of some (original) parts (the schematic is stated as for the models 557, 559, 567, 575 and 576).

So my question: can someone tell me, what model we have and where to get the correct schematic? I got the radio working well, but had to replace some previously replaced parts with new ones of other values - otherwise the radio had poor performance (specially on SW). I could test the tubes - all are in the "? to low in the good" range. I don't have known good ones to test the radio with.

Kind regards, Walter Haring, Switzerland

Al (astral highway) · 2nd Dec 2009, 4:47 pm

Could this be a 559 from 1937?

Al

Walterh · 2nd Dec 2009, 5:01 pm

Hi Al

According the schematic that i have, the 559 doesn't have the eye tube......?

Also the radiomuseum.org lists it as having 6 tubes ... (but is showing a picture of a radio that "could" have the eye tube....) see http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/marconi_559.html

Do you have more infos about the 559?

Kind regards, Walter

Al (astral highway) · 2nd Dec 2009, 5:50 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walterh

Hi Al
Do you have more infos about the 559?

Hi Walter, a forum member - Phil G4SPZ - did a lovely restoration on one of this series (that's if I'm right.)

Take a look at these pics, especially the 3rd and 4th, clearly showing a magic eye:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...&highlight=559

You can also clearly see the wires leading to the valve-holder for the magic eye in Phil's shot of his chassis from the back of the set, just as you can in yours.

What do you think?

ekcobeach · 2nd Dec 2009, 6:00 pm

I have one of these. Definately a 559. Regards, Colin.

Al (astral highway) · 2nd Dec 2009, 7:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekcobeach

I have one of these. Definately a 559.

Lucky you! Lovely-looking set.

Mr Moose · 2nd Dec 2009, 7:49 pm

Hello,
Could it be special export version of the 559 as it has two extra tappings (100v-117v and 118v-130v) on the mains transformer?
Yours, Richard

Walterh · 3rd Dec 2009, 9:15 am

Hello all

Thank you for your replies.

As the tag in the radio states, it shurely is a "special model" (= export model).

Does someone happen to have an (original) schematic for the model 559?

Kind regards, Walter

Phil G4SPZ · 3rd Dec 2009, 9:31 am

It certainly looks the same as my 559! Lovely sets, well worth restoring.

Al (astral highway) · 3rd Dec 2009, 8:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walterh

Does someone happen to have an (original) schematic for the model 559?

Hi Walter, you can download one from this very website for a very modest fee.

Aub · 4th Dec 2009, 11:29 am

When i was a lad, i had one of these, except that the speaker grill was curved , so that the top of it was a couple of inches back into the case. Other than that it looked the same, as far as i can remember. It used to rattle the windows when the volume was up!

Cheers

Aub

2nd Dec 2009, 4:35 pm	#1
Walterh Triode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Near Bern, Switzerland. Posts: 48	Marconi Radio - please help identify it Hi all a friend gave me his Marconi radio for repair. It shurely was sold as new here in Switzerland (because of a sticker on the chassis). Please see the pictures of the radio and of its two labels. But on both i can't see a model number! http://image.n0t.de/t-4d500b4fc2f0a7...36165473b3.jpg http://image.n0t.de/t-e8163c52b0a5a4...cac6cced43.jpg http://image.n0t.de/t-4d05626b5fc9ff...29af56de12.jpg http://image.n0t.de/t-ca442359b1626c...460ed3e94b.jpg In a localy published schematic collection i found a schematic showing the same valves - except the eye tube - but i found quite some differences in the values of some (original) parts (the schematic is stated as for the models 557, 559, 567, 575 and 576). So my question: can someone tell me, what model we have and where to get the correct schematic? I got the radio working well, but had to replace some previously replaced parts with new ones of other values - otherwise the radio had poor performance (specially on SW). I could test the tubes - all are in the "? to low in the good" range. I don't have known good ones to test the radio with. Kind regards, Walter Haring, Switzerland

2nd Dec 2009, 4:47 pm	#2
Al (astral highway) Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,496	Re: Marconi Radio - please help identify it Could this be a 559 from 1937? Al __________________ Al

2nd Dec 2009, 5:01 pm	#3
Walterh Triode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Near Bern, Switzerland. Posts: 48	Re: Marconi Radio - please help identify it Hi Al According the schematic that i have, the 559 doesn't have the eye tube......? Also the radiomuseum.org lists it as having 6 tubes ... (but is showing a picture of a radio that "could" have the eye tube....) see http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/marconi_559.html Do you have more infos about the 559? Kind regards, Walter

2nd Dec 2009, 6:00 pm	#5
ekcobeach Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wilmington, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 230	Re: Marconi Radio - please help identify it I have one of these. Definately a 559. Regards, Colin.

2nd Dec 2009, 7:49 pm	#7
Mr Moose Octode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 1,043	Re: Marconi Radio - please help identify it Hello, Could it be special export version of the 559 as it has two extra tappings (100v-117v and 118v-130v) on the mains transformer? Yours, Richard

3rd Dec 2009, 9:15 am	#8
Walterh Triode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Near Bern, Switzerland. Posts: 48	Re: Marconi Radio - please help identify it Hello all Thank you for your replies. As the tag in the radio states, it shurely is a "special model" (= export model). Does someone happen to have an (original) schematic for the model 559? Kind regards, Walter

3rd Dec 2009, 9:31 am	#9
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: Marconi Radio - please help identify it It certainly looks the same as my 559! Lovely sets, well worth restoring. __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts

4th Dec 2009, 11:29 am	#11
Aub Nonode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 2,039	Re: Marconi Radio - please help identify it When i was a lad, i had one of these, except that the speaker grill was curved , so that the top of it was a couple of inches back into the case. Other than that it looked the same, as far as i can remember. It used to rattle the windows when the volume was up! Cheers Aub