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Help with identifying a late 30's early 40's HMV Console Radio
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Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 9:16:20 PM on 19 February 2018.
	Pitchersj Location: Albury, NSW Member since 2 July 2017 Member #: 2134 Postcount: 174
Hoping any forum members can help me identify my old HMV Console radio. When I bought it about 12 years I was told it was a 1939 model. It does work but I haven't switched it on for about 3 years. I am wary of the cord which looks to be original. Chassis needs a full overhaul as does the cabinet. The back is missing and the original speaker material is long gone. It needs some love to bring it back to life.

Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 9:30:29 PM on 19 February 2018.
	Marcc Location: Wangaratta, VIC Member since 21 February 2009 Member #: 438 Postcount: 5389
It should have a Number like 669, 889, stamped on the back of the chassis. One pic may not be enough ... we wait. Marc

Return to top of page · Post #: 3 · Written at 9:34:02 PM on 19 February 2018.
	Brad Administrator Location: Naremburn, NSW Member since 15 November 2005 Member #: 1 Postcount: 7395
Any chassis markings will be needed here. HMV made several consoles with the same dial glass. Late 1930s would be about right. Check the ARTS&P label for a prefix letter. F = 1939. ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

Return to top of page · Post #: 4 · Written at 9:39:59 PM on 19 February 2018.
	GTC Location: Sydney, NSW Member since 28 January 2011 Member #: 823 Postcount: 6761
What's the valve line-up? (Best to provide that info -- if known -- at the outset every time when the question is 'what model is this?')

Return to top of page · Post #: 5 · Written at 9:53:25 PM on 19 February 2018.
	Pitchersj Location: Albury, NSW Member since 2 July 2017 Member #: 2134 Postcount: 174
Thanks everyone I will pull it out from the wall and look for a number on the chassis. Watch this space........

Return to top of page · Post #: 6 · Written at 10:53:59 PM on 19 February 2018.
	Pitchersj Location: Albury, NSW Member since 2 July 2017 Member #: 2134 Postcount: 174
Another photo (thanks Brad) Number stamped on the chassis is 52076 Can't see a letter stamped on the ARTS&P label Hope the photo helps....

Return to top of page · Post #: 7 · Written at 12:26:26 AM on 20 February 2018.
	GTC Location: Sydney, NSW Member since 28 January 2011 Member #: 823 Postcount: 6761
Valve line-up?

Return to top of page · Post #: 8 · Written at 5:07:34 AM on 20 February 2018.
	MonochromeTV Location: Melbourne, VIC Member since 20 September 2011 Member #: 1009 Postcount: 1208
It looks like a Model 551, broadcast only (1941). There is scant technical information about this model online or elsewhere, but plenty of pictures on Trove. It is most likely an updated version of Model 550 (1940) with the same or similar electrics. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206817557/19522775

Return to top of page · Post #: 9 · Written at 6:30:34 AM on 20 February 2018.
	Clive Durham Location: Grenfell, NSW Member since 8 July 2015 Member #: 1771 Postcount: 212
From what I have found 550 is broardcast only and 660 is Short wave and broardcast. ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ Clive

Return to top of page · Post #: 10 · Written at 8:38:17 PM on 20 February 2018.
	Brad Administrator Location: Naremburn, NSW Member since 15 November 2005 Member #: 1 Postcount: 7395
Photo uploaded to Post 6. ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

Return to top of page · Post #: 11 · Written at 9:11:18 PM on 20 February 2018.
	Pitchersj Location: Albury, NSW Member since 2 July 2017 Member #: 2134 Postcount: 174
Hi Brad Thanks for the photo upload.

Return to top of page · Post #: 12 · Written at 5:11:19 AM on 21 February 2018.
	MonochromeTV Location: Melbourne, VIC Member since 20 September 2011 Member #: 1009 Postcount: 1208
There is a label just above the serial number that I can just barely make out the words Model & Chassis. Are there any numbers next to them?

Return to top of page · Post #: 13 · Written at 10:17:54 AM on 21 February 2018.
	Marcc Location: Wangaratta, VIC Member since 21 February 2009 Member #: 438 Postcount: 5389
The converter tube would be a clue 6J8 superseded 6A8 in BC/SW sets. 6A8 appeared in 1935; 6J8 1938; 6A7 1934. So which one has it got? From memory 661 had filter caps on the speaker. I very much doubt that that ever had a back: Most Consoles never did. Get the tripod out & get a photo of that ID label it may come up & we can read it? Vintage Radio Club of NE Vic meeting 1:30pm Sat 24th Uniting Church Benalla Cnr Church & Carrier Streets if you are in real strife. Slip the chassis & turn up. One of us may be able to overhaul it if you can't. I will probably be taking an STC Chassis I overhauled, so the member can take it home. (Its fixed: now clutter). There will be dates on the speaker patents.

Return to top of page · Post #: 14 · Written at 10:31:36 PM on 22 February 2018.
	Pitchersj Location: Albury, NSW Member since 2 July 2017 Member #: 2134 Postcount: 174
Thanks Marcc I think I might try and remove the chassis and bring it down one weekend. How often does the Vintage Radio Club of NE meet ? It won't be this weekend but maybe I could come to another meet. I wouldn't attempt to overhaul it, I just don't have the skills!

Return to top of page · Post #: 15 · Written at 11:24:37 PM on 22 February 2018.
	Marcc Location: Wangaratta, VIC Member since 21 February 2009 Member #: 438 Postcount: 5389
There is something about Firefox & this site. That IE doesn't have issues with when logging in? Now on IE. If you remove the chassis for repair the speaker comes with it. Normally that's only four big wood screws. Knobs are first before the chassis bolts. Club alternates between Benalla & Shepparton Feb. is Benalla; March Shepparton; April Benalla. & If its economically fixable, that's what I do.

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