Anyone recognise this? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Skywave · 19th Jun 2008, 6:39 pm

As per the title.
Has a certain ex-military WW2 look about it. It is housed in a leather case with a carrying handle. Tuning coverage is MW and SW 6 to 16 MHz; 3-gang tuning condenser; IF is 455 KHz.

If anyone here can identify this for me, perhaps with a bit of history for it - I'd be grateful.

Al / Skywave

PJL · 19th Jun 2008, 9:17 pm

I saw that too! The paper labels makes it look homemade but the pressing for the grill suggests otherwise. Mainly loctal USA valves with riveted bases. Heavily hacked about especially the power supply

Skywave · 19th Jun 2008, 10:59 pm

You too, eh?

I don't know where from, but I vaguely recognise it - or something very much like it - from somewhere a long time ago. The valves, the knobs, the dial and the 455 KHz IFTs make me think it's of USA origin - but again, I just can't place where or when.

And yes, it's definitely been well ' got at' - did you notice the EZ80 'mod.'?

OTOH, could this be a 'hybrid homebrew special' - as in various bits from a number of old radios put into a home-made case? That might explain why I think I recognise it - when, in actual point of fact, I'm only recalling various parts & features.

Intriguing, none the less.

Al.

PJL · 20th Jun 2008, 9:02 pm

The pressed steel speaker grill suggests it always was a radio. The dial says 'broadcast' so that's from the USA and the valve line-up which is marked up on the chassis says USA too. I can see a TCC silver-mica but it could be a mod. The conversion to make it an optional amp is also a mod including the jack socket and toggle switch (used to be the aerial/earth connector). It has an RF amp. I don't recognse the triangular logo on the wax caps?

Everything points to it being of USA origin but it's odd to have a mains powered portable especially as it has no access to change the mains settings.

Your turn Sherlock...

Sean Williams · 20th Jun 2008, 9:22 pm

If the piccys were a bit bigger it would help!

Skywave · 20th Jun 2008, 11:02 pm

Sean: Sorry - All my attempts to make the pic larger (it's a JPG) exceed the Forum's 200 Kb limit.

PJL: "The dial says 'broadcast' . . . so that's from the USA".
I've never thought about that / realised the significance of that . . . 'till now . . . .

Thanks.

Al.

Dave Moll · 20th Jun 2008, 11:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywave

Sorry - All my attempts to make the pic larger (it's a JPG) exceed the Forum's 200 Kb limit.

If I tell it to display actual size, the radio's image pretty well fills my screen. When it is automatically scaled to fit the window, the actual radio is very small, owing to a large white area being included in the image.

davidw · 21st Jun 2008, 9:07 am

Definately American...dial markings in "Meters" not Metres.. Interesting mod to PSU with valve holder adapter.It looks as if it was designed for the type of case it's in as there are no connections on rear of chassis.

Skywave · 21st Jun 2008, 11:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Moll

. . When it is automatically scaled to fit the window, the actual radio is very small, owing to a large white area being included in the image.

Thanks Dave. I've always wondered why I get that trouble; in retrospect, of course, it's obvious

In future, prior to Posting, I'll make sure I crop accordingly.

Al.

Skywave · 4th Oct 2008, 11:55 am

I am reviewing any of my originating Posts that (from my viewpoint) can now be closed.
This is one of them.

Thank you to all who provided assistance.

Al / Skywave.

19th Jun 2008, 6:39 pm	#1
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Anyone recognise this? As per the title. Has a certain ex-military WW2 look about it. It is housed in a leather case with a carrying handle. Tuning coverage is MW and SW 6 to 16 MHz; 3-gang tuning condenser; IF is 455 KHz. If anyone here can identify this for me, perhaps with a bit of history for it - I'd be grateful. Al / Skywave Attached Thumbnails

19th Jun 2008, 9:17 pm	#2
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: Anyone recognise this? I saw that too! The paper labels makes it look homemade but the pressing for the grill suggests otherwise. Mainly loctal USA valves with riveted bases. Heavily hacked about especially the power supply

19th Jun 2008, 10:59 pm	#3
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Anyone recognise this? You too, eh? I don't know where from, but I vaguely recognise it - or something very much like it - from somewhere a long time ago. The valves, the knobs, the dial and the 455 KHz IFTs make me think it's of USA origin - but again, I just can't place where or when. And yes, it's definitely been well ' got at' - did you notice the EZ80 'mod.'? OTOH, could this be a 'hybrid homebrew special' - as in various bits from a number of old radios put into a home-made case? That might explain why I think I recognise it - when, in actual point of fact, I'm only recalling various parts & features. Intriguing, none the less. Al.

20th Jun 2008, 9:02 pm	#4
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: Anyone recognise this? The pressed steel speaker grill suggests it always was a radio. The dial says 'broadcast' so that's from the USA and the valve line-up which is marked up on the chassis says USA too. I can see a TCC silver-mica but it could be a mod. The conversion to make it an optional amp is also a mod including the jack socket and toggle switch (used to be the aerial/earth connector). It has an RF amp. I don't recognse the triangular logo on the wax caps? Everything points to it being of USA origin but it's odd to have a mains powered portable especially as it has no access to change the mains settings. Your turn Sherlock... Attached Thumbnails

20th Jun 2008, 9:22 pm	#5
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,518	Re: Anyone recognise this? If the piccys were a bit bigger it would help! __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

20th Jun 2008, 11:02 pm	#6
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Anyone recognise this? Sean: Sorry - All my attempts to make the pic larger (it's a JPG) exceed the Forum's 200 Kb limit. PJL: "The dial says 'broadcast' . . . so that's from the USA". I've never thought about that / realised the significance of that . . . 'till now . . . . Thanks. Al.

21st Jun 2008, 9:07 am	#8
davidw Heptode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 643	Re: Anyone recognise this? Definately American...dial markings in "Meters" not Metres.. Interesting mod to PSU with valve holder adapter.It looks as if it was designed for the type of case it's in as there are no connections on rear of chassis. __________________ Dave G1AGK. My perception is my reality!

4th Oct 2008, 11:55 am	#10
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Anyone recognise this? I am reviewing any of my originating Posts that (from my viewpoint) can now be closed. This is one of them. Thank you to all who provided assistance. Al / Skywave.