Would like info on these two radios please - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

trainee joskin · 6th Jun 2018, 12:14 pm

I have these two similar looking sets and know nothing about them. Would appreciate any info please. Fuzz

ColinB · 7th Jun 2018, 9:05 pm

Well, they are early, that's for sure!

I'd say 1926-ish, from the parts. At that time, probably very expensive too. Each valve would have cost around a week's wage for an average working person, so not cheap to buy.

No doubt someone more knowledgeable will be along soon to provide some more details.

PJL · 8th Jun 2018, 11:18 pm

They look nice and early.

They look like home builds although it is interesting that the markings on the ebonite panel look too good - is there a makers mark? Maybe the panel were purchased pre-drilled and labelled.

The rheostats for the filaments would mean they were designed to work with bright emitter valves so 1926 is likely the latest date they would be. The wiring looks a little amateurish and the intervalve transformers are a bit of a mixture so probably been through a few iterations by an early radio experimenter.

Ed_Dinning · 9th Jun 2018, 3:43 pm

Hi Fuzz, main problem areas will be switches and connections; then any wax caps (probably only one).

The intervalve transformer needs to be checked it is not open circuit. Expect readings in the low kohms on all windings. These can easily be rewound.

Ed

Techman · 12th Jun 2018, 1:22 pm

That radio without the case looks familiar - I was bidding against you at one point for that at the 'junk sale'. We were a bit of a way off the reserve when I dropped out, but I did hear that you went to see them over at the table and struck a deal - a bit like I did with that old Trio. There was a biscuit tin of valves with some of the same, or similar types that were fitted to that radio that I was bidding on, but I got outbid on them. However, there were several valves in one of those 'job lot' boxes that I bought for a quid or three, including a nice PM2A, which probably should have been with those in the tin, but the tin was already too full by the look of it. the filament tests good, so it's likely to be a good one and has gone into my stock for possible future repairs.

Glad to see that radio has found a good home. It'll need 'sympathetic' repair/restoration, unless you just keep it as it is for show only.

trainee joskin · 15th Jun 2018, 10:21 am

Thanks to all who answered and yes Techman it is that one I paid the full reserve for it which was not too bad. The other one I got at a very good price. Fuzz

AndyP-UK · 15th Jun 2018, 4:00 pm

Your cat doesn't seem very impressed with it (Pic 1)

My cat now hates radios as much as laptops

TonyDuell · 15th Jun 2018, 4:22 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyP-UK

Your cat doesn't seem very impressed with it (Pic 1)

Well, that's probably because there is no crystal detector (and thus no need for a whisker).

6th Jun 2018, 12:14 pm	#1
trainee joskin Triode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Holland, North Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 10	Would like info on these two radios please I have these two similar looking sets and know nothing about them. Would appreciate any info please. Fuzz Attached Thumbnails

7th Jun 2018, 9:05 pm	#2
ColinB Heptode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Newton Abbot, Devon, UK. Posts: 761	Re: Would like info on these two radios please Well, they are early, that's for sure! I'd say 1926-ish, from the parts. At that time, probably very expensive too. Each valve would have cost around a week's wage for an average working person, so not cheap to buy. No doubt someone more knowledgeable will be along soon to provide some more details.

8th Jun 2018, 11:18 pm	#3
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: Would like info on these two radios please They look nice and early. They look like home builds although it is interesting that the markings on the ebonite panel look too good - is there a makers mark? Maybe the panel were purchased pre-drilled and labelled. The rheostats for the filaments would mean they were designed to work with bright emitter valves so 1926 is likely the latest date they would be. The wiring looks a little amateurish and the intervalve transformers are a bit of a mixture so probably been through a few iterations by an early radio experimenter.

9th Jun 2018, 3:43 pm	#4
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: Would like info on these two radios please Hi Fuzz, main problem areas will be switches and connections; then any wax caps (probably only one). The intervalve transformer needs to be checked it is not open circuit. Expect readings in the low kohms on all windings. These can easily be rewound. Ed

12th Jun 2018, 1:22 pm	#5
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Would like info on these two radios please That radio without the case looks familiar - I was bidding against you at one point for that at the 'junk sale'. We were a bit of a way off the reserve when I dropped out, but I did hear that you went to see them over at the table and struck a deal - a bit like I did with that old Trio. There was a biscuit tin of valves with some of the same, or similar types that were fitted to that radio that I was bidding on, but I got outbid on them. However, there were several valves in one of those 'job lot' boxes that I bought for a quid or three, including a nice PM2A, which probably should have been with those in the tin, but the tin was already too full by the look of it. the filament tests good, so it's likely to be a good one and has gone into my stock for possible future repairs. Glad to see that radio has found a good home. It'll need 'sympathetic' repair/restoration, unless you just keep it as it is for show only.

15th Jun 2018, 10:21 am	#6
trainee joskin Triode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Holland, North Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 10	Re: Would like info on these two radios please Thanks to all who answered and yes Techman it is that one I paid the full reserve for it which was not too bad. The other one I got at a very good price. Fuzz

15th Jun 2018, 4:00 pm	#7
AndyP-UK Triode Join Date: May 2018 Location: Haywards Heath, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 19	Re: Would like info on these two radios please Your cat doesn't seem very impressed with it (Pic 1) My cat now hates radios as much as laptops