Put your thinking caps on guys.
Just acquired a Pilot II Radio Receiver and I need some help. I was told this was an early kit radio but I have no idea. The valves are: 1561, PM24A, E424.
I need a circuit, information, voltages of power supply.
Pilot II Radio Receiver
Does anyone out there have one ??
Peter

Hi Peter.

I can't help you with a circuit. But you might be able to find some clues on Trove Newspapers. Melbourne Argus, 25/07/1930 P15, have an article on a wireless exhibition held at the Melbourne Town Hall. Harringtons had on view there a Pilot Wasp short-wave reciever. Years ago I had a magazine from Electronics Australia. I cant remember its title, but it might of been called Vintage Radio. There was an article there on the Pilot Super Wasp short wave reciever. Unfortunately, I no longer have this magazine. From memory, the Pilot Super Wasp was from the US. Maybe Harringtons had them imported, knocked them out under licence or just simply pirated them. I think the EA publication may have even had a circuit. Hoping that this may help point you in right direction.

Cheers.

P.S. I've just remembered. Whilst I think these early Pilots were from the US (I might be wrong), the brand was common in the UK. Buried amongst my junk is a South African radiogram complete with its big chunky round pin mains plug. This unit, from the early 1950's, is a Pilot "Jack". The chassis is English made, but the dial has SA & Rhodesian stations marked on it.

Hi Peter

There is indeed an article in "Vintage Radio"on the Pilot "Super Wasp", however I am not sure it is related to your radio.
If it would help, I can scan and email the article to you, (3 pages).

Cheers

Harold

Thanks for the reply guys, I would indeed like any articles or circuits you may have. My email address is open all the time, no secrets here.

I can then post back to this forum on my progress so everyone can benefit.

Regards
Peter

Hi Peter.
Here is another mention of a Pilot radio. This one looks likes yours. (Trove, Melbourne Argus, 15/05/1931 P11) From Harringtons:

"PILOT AC2.£11/15/
THIS is the two-valve set that has broken
all records in popularity-no sooner do stocks come in than out they go. If you missed getting one before, here's another chance for you to get a low-priced radio that will out-perform many sets at double the price. Pilot AC2 lives up to the Pilot traditions of range, volume, and selectivity. Call at Stand 6, and hear it for yourself. Price, £11/15/.
Terms from £2/10/- Deposit, 4/- per week."

Although Harringtons did sell the Pilot Wasp (no mention of Super), I'm wondering if there is a connection with the Harringtons built Pilot. Pilot did sell kitsets, so maybe Harringtons bought and assembled them for sale. Here is a bit of Pilot history.

http://www.antiqueradio.com/Pilot_Radios_07-98.html.

Cheers.

The badge on the power supply says Manufactured by Harringtons Ltd, Melbourne.

HRSA's listing of EA articles indicates an article on the Pilot Super WASP:

http://www.hrsa.asn.au/hrsa-files/ea-rth-index-090512.pdf.

Jan 1990 EA Pg 168, Pilot’s Super Wasp S/Wave receiver. 1929 Peter Lankshear.

Pretty sure I remember this. Will look for it tomorrow.

PS The Wasp also gets a mention in HRSA Radio Waves article listings, p41.

http://www.hrsa.asn.au/hrsa-files/rwaves-2.pdf.

Lot 84 in the HRSA auction at Goulburn in March has two photos of the Pilot Super Wasp which is a different receiver to Peters.

Catalogue is on their web site under the ACT region meetings.

In Discovering Vintage Radio by Peter Lankshear, (an EA publication), Chapter 13 has an article on the Pilot company which mostly produced kitsets, together with a schematic and photos of the Super Wasp.

Cheers, Graham...

Have found the Feb 1990 EA article by Peter Lankshear which describes the Super Wasp with screen grid valve (UX222 battery, UX224 mains ) RF section and three triodes thereafter. So not your radio Airzone.

The article however has a description of the development of SW radio, and American Wasp radios in particular, so might be of general interest. Can scan to pdf if there is any interest (3 pages).

Thanks for the replies everyone. I will gratefully accept any info on Pilot radios and the Pilot company if you have it.
My email address is exposed under my user name.
Peter

Article on its way.

Some more treasures from Trove:

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/printArticlePdf/21327891/3?print=n.

This article below gives the audio valve as being type B443.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/printArticlePdf/21611074/3?print=n.

The valves in this radio are all 4 volt types and are typically found in early A.C. mains powered sets. The B443 & PM24A have the same base and pin out. But the PM24A has higher plate & screen volt ratings.

Cheers.

Thanks Monochrome625 slowly piecing this together.
OK the speaker mentioned with the radio is a Melodia Speaker, does anyone have pictures of this speaker, the input impedance etc so I know what I am looking for.

The Pilot AC2 is what's known as a "Regen" set. A quick look at the HRSA's Australian Radio Models list shows a 1930 Stromberg Carlson with virtually the same valve line-up. The dfference being a E415, which has slightly different ratings to a E424. But alas, no circuit.

Cheers.