Midget Motorola 56A (USA) - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

yesnaby · 1st Nov 2008, 12:15 am

Hello,

There was minimal restoration done on this radio, which I had from Wootton Bassett in 2007. The photos are probably the most interesting part!

This red beauty measures less than 7 inches wide and contains five mains-type valves in a superhet configuration. Originally it was for 110V but someone has added a resistive dropper so that it can work on 220/240V.

I had some trouble getting the chassis into and out of the cabinet and one of the interior plastic long studs fractured, not surprising for something made in 1955. I mended this with araldite. The tuning dial was stiff, but cleaning and oiling the bearings has not helped much.

Incidentally the tuning dial is a little crazy, you multiply the marking by 100,000 to get the frequency (MW only). The volume dial has no marking at all.

Apart from the usual cleaning and use of switch cleaner, I did not change any components or valves since it all seems to be working well.

Michael

Jimmyhaflinger · 1st Nov 2008, 12:54 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by yesnaby

Incidentally the tuning dial is a little crazy, you multiply the marking by 100,000 to get the frequency (MW only). The volume dial has no marking at all.

Michael

most if not all American radios have this kind of marking on the dial, your also has the two CD (civil defense) triangles on the dial.

1st Nov 2008, 12:15 am	#1
yesnaby Octode Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Newport, Gwent, UK. Posts: 1,623	Midget Motorola 56A (USA) Hello, There was minimal restoration done on this radio, which I had from Wootton Bassett in 2007. The photos are probably the most interesting part! This red beauty measures less than 7 inches wide and contains five mains-type valves in a superhet configuration. Originally it was for 110V but someone has added a resistive dropper so that it can work on 220/240V. I had some trouble getting the chassis into and out of the cabinet and one of the interior plastic long studs fractured, not surprising for something made in 1955. I mended this with araldite. The tuning dial was stiff, but cleaning and oiling the bearings has not helped much. Incidentally the tuning dial is a little crazy, you multiply the marking by 100,000 to get the frequency (MW only). The volume dial has no marking at all. Apart from the usual cleaning and use of switch cleaner, I did not change any components or valves since it all seems to be working well. Michael Attached Thumbnails