Picture of early home-brew Receiver - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Rhombic · 30th Mar 2020, 9:50 pm

Can anyone put flesh on the bones of this (probably 1920's) photo? It is part of a collection of old photos (not just radio pix) in the archive of Eastbourne Local History Society.

The coil and the capacitor (he would no doubt have called the latter a 'condenser') are easily recognised. I understand that the rectangular box is likely to have been a battery for the valve filaments.

I presume the set would have been for medium wave reception. In the collection there is a shot of a circuit diagram from a 1924 issue of 'Modern Wireless'

The listener was almost certainly a member of the Woodland family of Eastbourne, England. I don't believe that he ever held a transmitting licence. However, another pic shows the same man, now older. In the background can be seen an assortment of various aerials – a veritable aerial farm.

RH Woodland and Sons were cabinet-makers that also produced invalid chairs.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

813itF

PJL · 31st Mar 2020, 12:02 am

There are two 'pip-top' valves that would be from around 1923-5, the nearest one could be a Cossor P1, http://www.r-type.org/exhib/aaj0002.htm. Operating a set with early 'bright emitter' valves outside would be quite risky as they used a rheostat to adjust the brightness by eye and would burn out if set too high.

ms660 · 31st Mar 2020, 10:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 813intheFinal

In the collection there is a shot of a circuit diagram from a 1924 issue of 'Modern Wireless'

Modern Wireless archives, all months from 1924 appear to there:

https://www.americanradiohistory.com...n-Wireless.htm

Lawrence.

AC/HL · 31st Mar 2020, 2:27 pm

Back then MW was known as short wave. What we now call short wave was thought useless by the professionals until Amateurs proved otherwise.

Silicon · 1st Apr 2020, 1:01 am

The battery with the leather strap could be a 6 Volt or possibly a 12 Volt lead acid battery.

Is there any chance it could be a NiFe battery?

The vertical device could be a variometer variable inductor.

Silicon · 1st Apr 2020, 10:29 am

The battery looks like an Exide unspillable accumulator.

Aub · 1st Apr 2020, 10:42 am

Looks like it could drive two sets of headphones.

Rhombic · 15th Apr 2020, 9:26 pm

Apologies for not having replied sooner.
Very many thanks for the helpful replies ... I was particularly interested to see that the back numbers of Modern Wireless are available online.
I didn't know about the 'pip-top' valves and the attendant dangers.
All very good indeed.
de 8itF

30th Mar 2020, 9:50 pm	#1
Rhombic Triode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Var, France Posts: 12	Can anyone put flesh on the bones of this (probably 1920's) photo? It is part of a collection of old photos (not just radio pix) in the archive of Eastbourne Local History Society. The coil and the capacitor (he would no doubt have called the latter a 'condenser') are easily recognised. I understand that the rectangular box is likely to have been a battery for the valve filaments. I presume the set would have been for medium wave reception. In the collection there is a shot of a circuit diagram from a 1924 issue of 'Modern Wireless' The listener was almost certainly a member of the Woodland family of Eastbourne, England. I don't believe that he ever held a transmitting licence. However, another pic shows the same man, now older. In the background can be seen an assortment of various aerials – a veritable aerial farm. RH Woodland and Sons were cabinet-makers that also produced invalid chairs. Thanks in advance for any comments. 813itF Attached Thumbnails

31st Mar 2020, 12:02 am	#2
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver There are two 'pip-top' valves that would be from around 1923-5, the nearest one could be a Cossor P1, http://www.r-type.org/exhib/aaj0002.htm. Operating a set with early 'bright emitter' valves outside would be quite risky as they used a rheostat to adjust the brightness by eye and would burn out if set too high.

31st Mar 2020, 2:27 pm	#4
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver Back then MW was known as short wave. What we now call short wave was thought useless by the professionals until Amateurs proved otherwise.

1st Apr 2020, 1:01 am	#5
Silicon Nonode Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Coulsdon, London, UK. Posts: 2,162	Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver The battery with the leather strap could be a 6 Volt or possibly a 12 Volt lead acid battery. Is there any chance it could be a NiFe battery? The vertical device could be a variometer variable inductor.

1st Apr 2020, 10:29 am	#6
Silicon Nonode Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Coulsdon, London, UK. Posts: 2,162	Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver The battery looks like an Exide unspillable accumulator.

1st Apr 2020, 10:42 am	#7
Aub Nonode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 2,037	Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver Looks like it could drive two sets of headphones. __________________ Life's a long song, but the tune ends too soon for us all.

15th Apr 2020, 9:26 pm	#8
Rhombic Triode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Var, France Posts: 12	Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver Apologies for not having replied sooner. Very many thanks for the helpful replies ... I was particularly interested to see that the back numbers of Modern Wireless are available online. I didn't know about the 'pip-top' valves and the attendant dangers. All very good indeed. de 8itF