Looking for a woodcased 40s style small AC radio

[Christoffrad]

A friend of ours who is totally non technical, Is looking for a radio with a good sound and has a attractive 40s style wood cabinet. I found a GEC BC4750 which fits the bill but she feels it is too big. I would prefer a AC receiver. Better still if it had FM or/and internal antenna, but sets of the 50s had lost that 40s elegance.

[G6ONEDave]

You won't find a 1940's radio with FM, due to the fact that FM was not broadcasted until 1955.

Dave

[Radio Tech]

Hi Christoffrad

I have just put a Bush on here up for grabs, PM sent

Ken

[Herald1360]

Hmmm.... Good sound, attractive, wood cased AC (isolated?) and smallish is a tall order!

For appearance I think the Amplion Delegate takes some beating- it is ac/dc though it uses a barretter rather than a ballast resistor. Don't know about the sound- I've never tried mine!

Have you trawled Radiomuseum? Search for GB, RADIOS ONLY, 1946-1949, with picture. You get about 600 to choose from!

[Christoffrad]

Thank you Chris, I'll have to look out for one (I see one went on Ebay a few days ago!)

Chris

[PJL]

The wartime civilian is wood, AC and fairly small.

[mark_in_manc]

Lots of Cossor 500s around for not a lot of money?

[David S]

Hi.
just a thought...if it's for a non-tech friend who is just seeking the 40's look to fit in with their furnishings, then is it fair to assume that it is for decorative purposes only and that they are not concerned with the finer details of its workings.
If so, (perhaps most members should close their ears at this point) maybe an old cabinet with modern guts would suffice?
They could certainly have FM and hi-fi sound then, and a host of other features too.
Dave.

maybe an old cabinet with modern guts would suffice?

Or merrily plonk a bluetooth 'speaker inside. There is usually enough room inside for one of the modern (and remarkably good) ones.

[Nickthedentist]

Or a Bluetooth module connected to the set’s existing speaker, the chassis being left in situ but unused, offering the opportunity for someone to restore the whole thing later. A few yellowish LEDs to illuminate the dial would enhance the effect. Total outlay for the conversion would be about a fiver.

[Lloyd 1985]

How about one of those Steepletone fake 40's radio's?! Some even had a rather awful cassette deck fitted, which could e removed and replaced with an equally naff bluetooth/SD card reader thing! Some were even sold under the Bush brand.

Regards,
Lloyd

[Peter.N.]

The smallest ones I have seen were USA imports of the '50s, they made some very compact radios using 0.3A series heater octal valves. Most were fitted with a line cord dropper for 110 volts. Haven't seen one for many years. I think they are as small as you can get.

Peter

[Spike47]

What about this

[Herald1360]

Didn't the typical AA5 plus linecord set use the 0.15A heater octals? They added up to near enough 117Vac in their own right so no ballast needed "at home".


Typical octal lineup 12SA7, 12SK7, 12SQ7, 35Z5 and 50L6 then later (all glass, B7G) 12BA6, 12BE6, 12AV6, 35W4 and 50C5.


The Philco set above doesn't look very 1940s IMHO.

[David S]

Oh! it seems one of my posts did not find favour with one of the Mod's and has been removed from this thread.
My comment was very tongue in cheek (accented by an emogie) about the change in the thread responses toward up-cycling and, although I really can't see how, I sincerely apologise if it caused any offence.
I would be obliged if the Mod who removed it would perhaps PM me with an explanation and some guidance as to what was not acceptable about it.
Dave

[Peter.N.]

My mistake of course they were 0.15 amp valves, 12's instead of 6's and 35's instead of 25's. There was also a 117Z4 which you could put directly across the mains! used in battery mains portables.

Peter

[Restoration73]

This was available into the 1950's with AC/DC and AC only versions;

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pilot_..._ac_mw_lw.html

[Techman]

Originally Posted by G6ONEDave

You won't find a 1940's radio with FM, due to the fact that FM was not broadcasted until 1955.

Dave

I think that's your answer.

The OP needs to make it clear to his friend that a "traditional" looking forties radio is not perhaps (and very sadly) quite what she might be expecting as a usable set in the modern world of the 21st century.

A mid to late fifties radio with FM would be the only way to go (and even then she may be asking why she can't get those stations at the top end of the band), unless she wants to listen to just Radio 4 with all the buzz and crackle all day, or perhaps Absolute radio if it's still transmitting in her area - unfortunately all these AM transmitters that are still operational have their days numbered, so what you may be listening to on AM this year, may no longer be available next year.

It sounds like a modern "retro" looking set would be the best option, or one of the other ideas suggested by others - unfortunately AM radio is becoming a dead duck!