Unidentified radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Elorens · 29th Nov 2019, 5:31 am

This radio has members of NZVRS stumped so far, and I’m wondering if perhaps it has a UK origin. The chassis label has ‘Type VL’, and a serial number. Can anyone help identify it, please?

AC/HL · 29th Nov 2019, 4:56 pm

Could that fret be a stylised Siemens & Halske?

Herald1360 · 30th Nov 2019, 1:11 am

What's the valve lineup?

Elorens · 30th Nov 2019, 8:48 am

Thanks for the replies. The valves use UX type bases. Some of the valves have lost their markings, but the bases seem to be marked with the valve type. In that case, the lineup appears to be something like 2A7, 58, 2A6, 2A5, and rectifier 80. There are a couple of very elderly looking electrolytics made by the Telegraph Condenser Co. Ltd., Acton.

Elorens · 30th Nov 2019, 9:00 am

The use of types 58 and 80 suggest that the radio dates from 1936 or later; however, the very basic tuning scale suggests earlier. The only controls seem to be tuning and volume, with no on/off switch.

Herald1360 · 30th Nov 2019, 10:32 am

The valve lineup suggests American but the TCC capacitors don't. Maybe they were replacements at some time.

Could it be Australian? There are some sets in Radiomuseum with vaguely similar cabinets and valve lineups, though I was looking earlier than 1936 from the style.

There's an NZ National type PC with that lineup and a similar style of case- maybe one of theirs?

Dave757 · 30th Nov 2019, 11:19 am

Hi,

I had a Hammarlund Comet Pro, which had types 57, 58, 2A5 and 280
dating around 1934, so quite possibly earlier.

I believe these valves had already been around for a while.

Kind regards
Dave

Elorens · 1st Dec 2019, 10:27 am

Thanks again all for the further responses. We have now spotted the word ULTIMATE on the front! I’m wondering if it could be a close relative of the Ultimate 514?

Yes, I think the Valve Museum got it wrong by suggesting that the 58 and 80 were available from 1936. Lots of clues put this radio nearer to 1933 or even slightly earlier. And yes, I also wondered if it could be Australian!

ms660 · 1st Dec 2019, 11:26 am

Those valves were certainly around by 1933, all listed in here:

http://www.nj7p.org/Manuals/PDFs/Tub...RC-11-1933.pdf

Lawrence.

FStephenMasek · 2nd Dec 2019, 5:22 am

Have you tried the database search on grillecloth.com? Do you have a closeup of that metal tag?

Elorens · 3rd Dec 2019, 10:36 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by FStephenMasek

Have you tried the database search on grillecloth.com? Do you have a closeup of that metal tag?

Thanks, Stephen. No luck with Grillecloth, but a very interesting link!
Here are closeups of the tuning escutcheon, and the metal plate on the chassis.

29th Nov 2019, 5:31 am	#1
Elorens Diode Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 9	Unidentified radio This radio has members of NZVRS stumped so far, and I’m wondering if perhaps it has a UK origin. The chassis label has ‘Type VL’, and a serial number. Can anyone help identify it, please? Attached Thumbnails

29th Nov 2019, 4:56 pm	#2
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Unidentified radio Could that fret be a stylised Siemens & Halske?

30th Nov 2019, 1:11 am	#3
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Unidentified radio What's the valve lineup? __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

30th Nov 2019, 8:48 am	#4
Elorens Diode Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 9	Re: Unidentified radio Thanks for the replies. The valves use UX type bases. Some of the valves have lost their markings, but the bases seem to be marked with the valve type. In that case, the lineup appears to be something like 2A7, 58, 2A6, 2A5, and rectifier 80. There are a couple of very elderly looking electrolytics made by the Telegraph Condenser Co. Ltd., Acton.

30th Nov 2019, 9:00 am	#5
Elorens Diode Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 9	Re: Unidentified radio The use of types 58 and 80 suggest that the radio dates from 1936 or later; however, the very basic tuning scale suggests earlier. The only controls seem to be tuning and volume, with no on/off switch.

30th Nov 2019, 10:32 am	#6
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Unidentified radio The valve lineup suggests American but the TCC capacitors don't. Maybe they were replacements at some time. Could it be Australian? There are some sets in Radiomuseum with vaguely similar cabinets and valve lineups, though I was looking earlier than 1936 from the style. There's an NZ National type PC with that lineup and a similar style of case- maybe one of theirs? __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O Last edited by Herald1360; 30th Nov 2019 at 10:37 am.

30th Nov 2019, 11:19 am	#7
Dave757 Heptode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Scratby, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 650	Re: Unidentified radio Hi, I had a Hammarlund Comet Pro, which had types 57, 58, 2A5 and 280 dating around 1934, so quite possibly earlier. I believe these valves had already been around for a while. Kind regards Dave

1st Dec 2019, 10:27 am	#8
Elorens Diode Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 9	Re: Unidentified radio Thanks again all for the further responses. We have now spotted the word ULTIMATE on the front! I’m wondering if it could be a close relative of the Ultimate 514? Yes, I think the Valve Museum got it wrong by suggesting that the 58 and 80 were available from 1936. Lots of clues put this radio nearer to 1933 or even slightly earlier. And yes, I also wondered if it could be Australian! Last edited by Elorens; 1st Dec 2019 at 10:32 am.

1st Dec 2019, 11:26 am	#9
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Unidentified radio Those valves were certainly around by 1933, all listed in here: http://www.nj7p.org/Manuals/PDFs/Tub...RC-11-1933.pdf Lawrence.

2nd Dec 2019, 5:22 am	#10
FStephenMasek Pentode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mission Viejo, California, USA Posts: 144	Re: Unidentified radio Have you tried the database search on grillecloth.com? Do you have a closeup of that metal tag?