Info on this mini "Nuclear" radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Gwarpy · 6th Aug 2007, 12:18 pm

Hello,

I found this mini "Nuclear" radio this weekend, but I'm unable to find any info on the Net.

There is strange voltage knob on the back that ranges from 10 to 220 volts.

Is there anybody who can help me e.g. value, rarity, technical info, ect. ?

Size: 6 by 4.1 bij 3 inches.

Thanks,

Han.

Herald1360 · 6th Aug 2007, 12:31 pm

I can't help with ID, but the voltage tappings may make sense....

Transformers (or heater dropper resistors) are often labelled something like

10-0-200-220-240 V

This allows you to select 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 V using only 5 connections instead of the 7 required if it was 0-200-210-220-230-240-250.

5 connections are of course cheaper than 7!

Chris

Gwarpy · 6th Aug 2007, 12:34 pm

Hello Chris,

Thanks for the voltage info ! It makes sense !

It's a strange little radio, that I've never seen before. I've tried to remove the chassis, but something is blocking it.

I hope someone will be able to help me with it !

Regards,

Han.

radiogammon · 6th Aug 2007, 1:01 pm

Han,
Could you please check that the name is in fact NUCLEAR. There almost seem to be too many letters in the photograph but it is difficult to tell from the angle. It looks like a miniature tube radio possibly from Japan or the USA. Is there a removable back on it? A photograph of the inside would be useful and also the tube numbers.

Tom_I · 6th Aug 2007, 4:47 pm

It looks like Nuclear to me. There is an Italian maker called Nuclear Radio - there's a link here to a page on radiomuseum.org. It appears to be associated with other companies called Trans Continents Radio and Dario Prandoni.

There are only pictures of one model, on this page. Have a look at the middle photo - does that look anything like your voltage selector?

Tom

Gwarpy · 6th Aug 2007, 5:01 pm

It doesn't look like it. The name is clearly Nuclear.

Here is a picture of the stationdail and the interior.

The tubesnumbers are: UAF42 and UY41 and one with the numbers rubbed off.

Gwarpy · 6th Aug 2007, 5:18 pm

Hello Tom,

It looks the same on closer inspection. Mine has a red plug !

Well: the maker is identified now the rest ?!

Regards,

Han.

Herald1360 · 6th Aug 2007, 5:27 pm

That voltage selector is decidedly odd. I don't think it relates to my previous suggestion- it looks more like there's an outer ring of numbers which are obscured by the chassis. At a guess the left hand two would be 110 and 125, I can't see enough of the others to speculate!

The whole thing looks like our old friend Mr B Odger has been in there- I hope there's no connections to complete the loop on those capacitor mounts or they would be shorted turns on the (output?) transformer.

Chassis removal- obviously the two screws in the bottom corners have to come out, after that presumably only the knobs have to come off unless there are further fixings underneath. If there's no obvious access to grubscrews in the knobs, they're probably push on, but from the general state of it they may well be rusted in place.

Not many valves- any sign of IF Transformers (very short superhet) or is it some sort of TRF? Lack of any calibrated tuning scale suggests it might be an old kit, perhaps?

Chris

Gwarpy · 6th Aug 2007, 5:48 pm

Hello Chris,

I don't know Mr. B. Odger personally, but there is some evidence !

Your suggestion regarding the voltage might proof right, but then I have to take the whole chassis apart. Not a job I would like to do with out some scematics !

I'll have a local friend of mine have a look at it, if he would dare !

Maybe some more info might turn up on the forum.

Regards,

Han.

Mersey_Swimmer · 6th Aug 2007, 9:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwarpy

The tubesnumbers are: UAF42 and UY41 and one with the numbers rubbed off.

The one with the number rubbed off is almost certainly a UL41. Take care to note the exact position of the "pip" when refitting the valves (assuming they are correctly fitted now). Those are B8A bases with symmetrical pins - the valves are normally located correctly by the skirts which seem to be missing in your radio.

Pete

Gwarpy · 7th Aug 2007, 8:46 am

Thanks Pete for the "warning" !

I noticed the lack of the metal skirt when I opened the back, so I was extra careful ! But you never know what has happened in the past.

I'm looking for some kind of electrical scematic to solve some of the mess that Mr. B. Odger has left behind.

Regards,

Han.

6th Aug 2007, 12:18 pm	#1
Gwarpy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hulsel, Holland Posts: 416	Info on this mini "Nuclear" radio Hello, I found this mini "Nuclear" radio this weekend, but I'm unable to find any info on the Net. There is strange voltage knob on the back that ranges from 10 to 220 volts. Is there anybody who can help me e.g. value, rarity, technical info, ect. ? Size: 6 by 4.1 bij 3 inches. Thanks, Han. Attached Thumbnails

6th Aug 2007, 12:31 pm	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Info on this mini "Nuclear" radio I can't help with ID, but the voltage tappings may make sense.... Transformers (or heater dropper resistors) are often labelled something like 10-0-200-220-240 V This allows you to select 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 V using only 5 connections instead of the 7 required if it was 0-200-210-220-230-240-250. 5 connections are of course cheaper than 7! Chris

6th Aug 2007, 12:34 pm	#3
Gwarpy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hulsel, Holland Posts: 416	Re: Info on this mini "Nuclear" radio Hello Chris, Thanks for the voltage info ! It makes sense ! It's a strange little radio, that I've never seen before. I've tried to remove the chassis, but something is blocking it. I hope someone will be able to help me with it ! Regards, Han.

6th Aug 2007, 1:01 pm	#4
radiogammon Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: County Down, Northern Ireland, UK. Posts: 275	Re: Info on this mini "Nuclear" radio Han, Could you please check that the name is in fact NUCLEAR. There almost seem to be too many letters in the photograph but it is difficult to tell from the angle. It looks like a miniature tube radio possibly from Japan or the USA. Is there a removable back on it? A photograph of the inside would be useful and also the tube numbers.

6th Aug 2007, 4:47 pm	#5
Tom_I Heptode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Herts. UK. Posts: 549	Re: Info on this mini "Nuclear" radio It looks like Nuclear to me. There is an Italian maker called Nuclear Radio - there's a link here to a page on radiomuseum.org. It appears to be associated with other companies called Trans Continents Radio and Dario Prandoni. There are only pictures of one model, on this page. Have a look at the middle photo - does that look anything like your voltage selector? Tom

6th Aug 2007, 5:01 pm	#6
Gwarpy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hulsel, Holland Posts: 416	Re: Info on this mini "Nuclear" radio It doesn't look like it. The name is clearly Nuclear. Here is a picture of the stationdail and the interior. The tubesnumbers are: UAF42 and UY41 and one with the numbers rubbed off. Attached Thumbnails

6th Aug 2007, 5:18 pm	#7
Gwarpy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hulsel, Holland Posts: 416	Re: Info on this mini "Nuclear" radio Hello Tom, It looks the same on closer inspection. Mine has a red plug ! Well: the maker is identified now the rest ?! Regards, Han.

6th Aug 2007, 5:27 pm	#8
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Info on this mini "Nuclear" radio That voltage selector is decidedly odd. I don't think it relates to my previous suggestion- it looks more like there's an outer ring of numbers which are obscured by the chassis. At a guess the left hand two would be 110 and 125, I can't see enough of the others to speculate! The whole thing looks like our old friend Mr B Odger has been in there- I hope there's no connections to complete the loop on those capacitor mounts or they would be shorted turns on the (output?) transformer. Chassis removal- obviously the two screws in the bottom corners have to come out, after that presumably only the knobs have to come off unless there are further fixings underneath. If there's no obvious access to grubscrews in the knobs, they're probably push on, but from the general state of it they may well be rusted in place. Not many valves- any sign of IF Transformers (very short superhet) or is it some sort of TRF? Lack of any calibrated tuning scale suggests it might be an old kit, perhaps? Chris

6th Aug 2007, 5:48 pm	#9
Gwarpy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hulsel, Holland Posts: 416	Re: Info on this mini "Nuclear" radio Hello Chris, I don't know Mr. B. Odger personally, but there is some evidence ! Your suggestion regarding the voltage might proof right, but then I have to take the whole chassis apart. Not a job I would like to do with out some scematics ! I'll have a local friend of mine have a look at it, if he would dare ! Maybe some more info might turn up on the forum. Regards, Han.

7th Aug 2007, 8:46 am	#11
Gwarpy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hulsel, Holland Posts: 416	Re: Info on this mini "Nuclear" radio Thanks Pete for the "warning" ! I noticed the lack of the metal skirt when I opened the back, so I was extra careful ! But you never know what has happened in the past. I'm looking for some kind of electrical scematic to solve some of the mess that Mr. B. Odger has left behind. Regards, Han.