My brother sent me photos of this Astor, but I can't find anything similar in all the Google images and we would just like to find out a bit more about it and when it dates to.

http://s6.postimage.org/wglpvjljl/Astor_Closed.jpg.
http://s6.postimage.org/s8qxmsk41/Astor_Open.jpg.


Thanks in advance

Daragh

Hi Daragh,

I might be able to find a similar photo in one of my books -- I'll have to go through them later on tonight. In the meantime, if your brother could let us know what valves are in it that may also assist in identification.

There may be a valve layout label inside; if not perhaps he can carefully remove each one at a time (by the valve base not the glass tube) and note what they are.

A photo of the inside may also be useful.

Update: I've checked all of my books but can't find an Astor model like the one pictured.

That radio looks a little like a tube portable Emerson set that uses tubes like 1R5, 1T4, 3V4 and such. Up here in the USA with our 120VAC mains, there would be a mode for running off house power, using either a 117Z3 or selenium rectifier.

Thanks for that information, he is going to send me some internal photos, I will upload when I get them.

Daragh

Looks like an Astor model KQ from around 1947 or 1948.

^ Give that man a Kewpie doll!

Astor KQ

Daragh, if you want the schematic and associated notes, unhide your email address in your member profile and I'll send them to you. Ordinarily you can do that by clicking on your member name, but until Brad finishes upgrade work on the site you can use this: Link

Wow the one in the photo looks great. Thanks for posting that.

Here are a few internal shots my brother took:

http://s6.postimage.org/yb9mxsvkh/astor_valves_008.jpg
http://s6.postimage.org/dseqsqhn5/astor_valves_011.jpg
http://s6.postimage.org/499nd0jip/astor_valves_018.jpg

I have unhidden my email address.

Thanks again.

Daragh

Okay, schematic and notes sent.

I've got one of those, except it's cream in colour, and has a nylon shoulder strap rather than a carrying handle. The date stamp on the speaker transformer says 24 Nov 1947. It still works, but it's a bother wiring all those 9V batteries together to make 63V.

All it took to change my mind was finding a good supply of 9V batteries priced at $1.70 each in my local bargain shop. Wired up an HT battery yesterday, and was amazed to hear Radio National coming through from Adelaide and Sydney. Music sounds slightly harsh on this set, probably because the original resistors and capacitors have aged, but no matter, AM's mostly talk these days.

There was a similar 40's shoulder-strap set called the Tasma Talkie-Walkie. Has anyone seen an example?

Since none of the Astor KQ photos I've found on the Web show the cream version in any detail, here's a photo of mine. The serial number is KQ 6453, and the set dates from late 1947.

There's one on eBay at the moment ...

"RARE COLLECTABLE VINTAGE RADIO ASTOR ICE CHEST. Most likely made in the 1940s - 1950s. In fair condition."

Item number: 140790989039.

Thanks, GTC, I can remake my lid labels with those Ebay photos.

Glad to have been of assistance.