Gecophone No.1 Crystal Radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Mr Etronic · 25th May 2020, 10:28 pm

Looking to buy a Gecophone No.1 Crystal Radio. I thought the glass on the catswhisker was broken but looking at the diagram in the instructions in the lid, some had a glass, some never. Which would have been the oldest? I assume without. Did the glass provide any other function besides protection?

Station X · 25th May 2020, 10:40 pm

I have one of these sets and it does have a glass. As far as I know the only function of the glass is to provide protection against dust etc.

When I first got my set the glass was broken, but laboratory glass supplier made me a new one plus two spares. So if you come across a set with a broken glass I'll be able to help you out.

60 oldjohn · 25th May 2020, 11:00 pm

The one in the picture would never have had a glass. I believe the way to tell apart from the label, which may be a repro, is the spare crystal holder in the lid on the left of the picture. This was not used with the later glass version.

John.

Mr Etronic · 25th May 2020, 11:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60 oldjohn

The one in the picture would never have had a glass. I believe the way to tell apart from the label, which may be a repro, is the spare crystal holder in the lid on the left of the picture. This was not used with the later glass version.

John.

Thanks both.
That was pure genius, I never spotted the spare holder on the left.

Brigham · 26th May 2020, 10:38 am

I haven't spotted the spare crystal holder.
...Oh! I see it now.
The spare is still in its tin.

60 oldjohn · 26th May 2020, 11:17 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Station X

I have one of these sets and it does have a glass. As far as I know the only function of the glass is to provide protection against dust etc.

.

That is possibly correct, there was something or why would they include 3 spare crystals complete with holders. Just needed a screwdriver to quickly swap one. It would be interesting to know if the Glass / open detector sets have different hole spacing's. My Glass detector measures 46mm hole centres. Anyone an open detector set to measure?

John.

PJL · 26th May 2020, 8:55 pm

It is roughly 46mm. The older ones with open detector are model BC1001 the later ones BC1002.

25th May 2020, 10:28 pm	#1
Mr Etronic Triode Join Date: May 2020 Location: Caernarfon, Wales, UK. Posts: 46	Gecophone No.1 Crystal Radio Looking to buy a Gecophone No.1 Crystal Radio. I thought the glass on the catswhisker was broken but looking at the diagram in the instructions in the lid, some had a glass, some never. Which would have been the oldest? I assume without. Did the glass provide any other function besides protection? Attached Thumbnails

25th May 2020, 10:40 pm	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,287	Re: Gecophone No.1 Crystal Radio I have one of these sets and it does have a glass. As far as I know the only function of the glass is to provide protection against dust etc. When I first got my set the glass was broken, but laboratory glass supplier made me a new one plus two spares. So if you come across a set with a broken glass I'll be able to help you out. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

25th May 2020, 11:00 pm	#3
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,986	Re: Gecophone No.1 Crystal Radio The one in the picture would never have had a glass. I believe the way to tell apart from the label, which may be a repro, is the spare crystal holder in the lid on the left of the picture. This was not used with the later glass version. John. __________________ My favourite text message "I'll be there in five minutes, if not read again"

26th May 2020, 10:38 am	#5
Brigham Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Co. Durham, UK. Posts: 1,116	Re: Gecophone No.1 Crystal Radio I haven't spotted the spare crystal holder. ...Oh! I see it now. The spare is still in its tin.

26th May 2020, 8:55 pm	#7
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: Gecophone No.1 Crystal Radio It is roughly 46mm. The older ones with open detector are model BC1001 the later ones BC1002.