A 21A Transmitter in a Bakelite Handset. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ThePillenwerfer · 13th Aug 2014, 7:12 pm

I know that there's nothing remarkable about fitting a 21A in a Bakelite handset; I've done it before myself.

I've just acquired a 332 with a crackly carbon insert so set about putting a red 21A in it. Having to pad it out with with foam or something has always struck me as something of a bodge so I decided to see if I could come up with something better.

I took the red back off and then glue-gunned the inner black housing to the red top so this would sit in place like the original. I had to shave a bit of plastic from the black housing to clear the post were the contact spring mounted but after doing that it was a pretty neigh perfect fit.

After putting the cover on the insert rattled so I placed the spring off the old one on top and this holds everything nicely and can't be seen through the holes.

- Joe

Nickthedentist · 13th Aug 2014, 7:19 pm

Nice work, Joe.

I've done the same as you before, but another trick is to cut a notch in the red back with a hacksaw then re-fit the front, thus allowing the whole 21A to just drop in.

See here: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=34859

and a pic of Russell_w_b's implementation of it: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...7&d=1241260063

N.

13th Aug 2014, 7:12 pm	#1
ThePillenwerfer Octode Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,453	A 21A Transmitter in a Bakelite Handset. I know that there's nothing remarkable about fitting a 21A in a Bakelite handset; I've done it before myself. I've just acquired a 332 with a crackly carbon insert so set about putting a red 21A in it. Having to pad it out with with foam or something has always struck me as something of a bodge so I decided to see if I could come up with something better. I took the red back off and then glue-gunned the inner black housing to the red top so this would sit in place like the original. I had to shave a bit of plastic from the black housing to clear the post were the contact spring mounted but after doing that it was a pretty neigh perfect fit. After putting the cover on the insert rattled so I placed the spring off the old one on top and this holds everything nicely and can't be seen through the holes. - Joe Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Experts are only good at one thing: explaining why something will not work!"

13th Aug 2014, 7:19 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,844	Re: A 21A Transmitter in a Bakelite Handset. Nice work, Joe. I've done the same as you before, but another trick is to cut a notch in the red back with a hacksaw then re-fit the front, thus allowing the whole 21A to just drop in. See here: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=34859 and a pic of Russell_w_b's implementation of it: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...7&d=1241260063 N. Last edited by Nickthedentist; 13th Aug 2014 at 7:26 pm.