Can anyone identify this radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Daventry 5XX · 2nd May 2014, 8:10 pm

Hi All

I bought a cheap ALBA radio online the other day just for something to play with, despite my best efforts I have been unable to identify it.

It was made around 1940 and outwardly bears a strong resemblance to Alba's 461 model, ( trader sheet no.795), it uses the same valve line up but the component layout is significantly different.

The frequency scale on the 461 is linear, on this set it is semi circular.

Nowhere on the set does it give a model no. Even on the I.D. plate the space for the model no. Has been left blank.

I've tried to post some photos, but for some reason, only the first one has come out, does anyone know why ?

Alan

Paul_RK · 2nd May 2014, 9:32 pm

Hello Alan,

Well, it looks very like the 830, including the tuning dial, but according to its service info that uses 'P' base valves. Looking at an R.T.R.A. publication, there aren't any Alba models listed between the 1939-40 range (830 etc.) and the immediate post-war 461. I'm heavily suspecting that Alba, like various other manufacturers, adapted to wartime conditions by producing some of their pre-war models for as long as they could, substituting the newly available octal valves for types that couldn't be had, without thinking it necessary to introduce new model numbers. If I'm right in this instance, your set will resemble the published version of the 830 chassis very closely indeed except as regards the valve bases.

Paul

Daventry 5XX · 4th May 2014, 4:33 pm

Hi Paul

Apologies for the delay in replying, I've checked the chassis layout against the Trader sheet for the 830 and it does appear to be very similar, apart from the different valve line up and a few minor differences, which were probably more likely to be due to component shortages rather than design changes.

This will now give me something to work on and hopefully I should be able to resolve the problems and get it working.

Many thanks for your help

Alan

2nd May 2014, 8:10 pm	#1
Daventry 5XX Pentode Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Daventry, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 163	Can anyone identify this radio Hi All I bought a cheap ALBA radio online the other day just for something to play with, despite my best efforts I have been unable to identify it. It was made around 1940 and outwardly bears a strong resemblance to Alba's 461 model, ( trader sheet no.795), it uses the same valve line up but the component layout is significantly different. The frequency scale on the 461 is linear, on this set it is semi circular. Nowhere on the set does it give a model no. Even on the I.D. plate the space for the model no. Has been left blank. I've tried to post some photos, but for some reason, only the first one has come out, does anyone know why ? Alan Attached Thumbnails

2nd May 2014, 9:32 pm	#2
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,259	Re: Can anyone identify this radio Hello Alan, Well, it looks very like the 830, including the tuning dial, but according to its service info that uses 'P' base valves. Looking at an R.T.R.A. publication, there aren't any Alba models listed between the 1939-40 range (830 etc.) and the immediate post-war 461. I'm heavily suspecting that Alba, like various other manufacturers, adapted to wartime conditions by producing some of their pre-war models for as long as they could, substituting the newly available octal valves for types that couldn't be had, without thinking it necessary to introduce new model numbers. If I'm right in this instance, your set will resemble the published version of the 830 chassis very closely indeed except as regards the valve bases. Paul

4th May 2014, 4:33 pm	#3
Daventry 5XX Pentode Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Daventry, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 163	Re: Can anyone identify this radio Hi Paul Apologies for the delay in replying, I've checked the chassis layout against the Trader sheet for the 830 and it does appear to be very similar, apart from the different valve line up and a few minor differences, which were probably more likely to be due to component shortages rather than design changes. This will now give me something to work on and hopefully I should be able to resolve the problems and get it working. Many thanks for your help Alan