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 Valve radio identification
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 Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 6:25:53 PM on 9 August 2020.
Destino's Gravatar
 Location: Bells Beach, VIC
 Member since 20 July 2020
 Member #: 2428
 Postcount: 39

Hi there.

A friend dropped off a console radio this afternoon and I'm trying to identify it. Hopefully the smart and clever folks here may be able to help. Its a five valve console radio. The cabinet was manufactured by EB Dearing. i've asked that a photo of the label be added to this post.

The 5 valves appear to be .

Mullard ECH35
National Union 6sk7GT Jan CNU VT-117-A
Radiotron 6SQ7GT
6V6G
and a Mullard 5Y3GT

It has two speakers. A large 12 inch and a small 5 inch.

I've asked for a couple of images to be added to this post.

Please excuse the dust. Me thinks its been in friends fathers shed since just after it was manufactured .

Cheers and thanks.

Unknown Radio
Unknown Radio
Unknown Radio


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 6:43:55 PM on 9 August 2020.
Fred Lever's Gravatar
 Location: Toongabbie, NSW
 Member since 19 November 2015
 Member #: 1828
 Postcount: 1245

Hi, yes the pix will help the experts ID the set for you, sounds good.

Please DO NOT plug it in and turn it on!

The guys will fill you in as to why in due course.

Cheers, Fred.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 3 · Written at 7:26:50 PM on 9 August 2020.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6678

That's a fairly popular line-up for the period 1946 to 1950, with brands such as Airway, Calstan, Electrosound, Mullard, Philips and Weldon.

Given it's a console, it may be a Zenith/Calstan or Electrosound.

Some good, in-focus photos would help.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 4 · Written at 7:34:31 PM on 9 August 2020.
Destino's Gravatar
 Location: Bells Beach, VIC
 Member since 20 July 2020
 Member #: 2428
 Postcount: 39

Thanks for the comments so far.

Hopefully the pictures will get there in the next day or so.

No won't turn it on.

I know enough to be dangerous and hopefully stay out of danger. The wires to the speaker are broken so the transformer is not properly in circuit and the rectifier tube has a cracked base and is a bit wobbly in the base as well.

Cheers

Peter


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 5 · Written at 8:29:02 PM on 11 August 2020.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7290

Photos uploaded.


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 6 · Written at 9:19:59 PM on 11 August 2020.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6678

EB Dearing is mentioned in one STC mantel article, though I haven't found an STC with that line-up.

In 1964 Dearing had premises at 124 Dean St, Enfield doing TV cabinet production, and was wound up in June 1992. I wonder what they were doing up til they folded in 1992.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 7 · Written at 9:31:59 PM on 11 August 2020.
Destino's Gravatar
 Location: Bells Beach, VIC
 Member since 20 July 2020
 Member #: 2428
 Postcount: 39

Many Thanks Brad


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 8 · Written at 10:26:20 PM on 11 August 2020.
Tallar Carl's avatar
 Location: Latham, ACT
 Member since 21 February 2015
 Member #: 1705
 Postcount: 2149

Is that actually a 6V6G or a 6F6?


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 9 · Written at 10:56:25 PM on 11 August 2020.
Destino's Gravatar
 Location: Bells Beach, VIC
 Member since 20 July 2020
 Member #: 2428
 Postcount: 39

Hi there Tallar Carl.

Just been out to the shed to check. It is a 6V6G Radiotron. No idea if its the original valve. The bakalite centre pin is broken and there is an arrow etched into the base indicating the zero point.

I can send you a picture if you like.

Cheers

and thanks for your interest.

Peter


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 10 · Written at 11:55:13 PM on 11 August 2020.
Tallar Carl's avatar
 Location: Latham, ACT
 Member since 21 February 2015
 Member #: 1705
 Postcount: 2149

Nah thats cool you dont often see the 6V6G.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 11 · Written at 4:42:36 AM on 12 August 2020.
Robbbert's avatar
 Location: Hill Top, NSW
 Member since 18 September 2015
 Member #: 1801
 Postcount: 2011

That rounded chassis looks rather unusual.

I'm assuming that's a choke mounted on the chassis, rather than a speaker transformer.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 12 · Written at 7:37:25 AM on 12 August 2020.
MonochromeTV's avatar
 Location: Melbourne, VIC
 Member since 20 September 2011
 Member #: 1009
 Postcount: 1179

It is an unusual chassis. I’m thinking of a lesser Sydney brand like Electrosound.

Without a photo of the cabinet & dial we are no closer to identifying this radio.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 13 · Written at 8:53:25 AM on 12 August 2020.
Fred Lever's Gravatar
 Location: Toongabbie, NSW
 Member since 19 November 2015
 Member #: 1828
 Postcount: 1245

That chassis looks like a pretty competent superhet design.
Needs a complete re build electrically and some cosmetic work on the appearance.

The underchassis you may get away with just cleaning, the top side needs repainting.
My inclanation would be to do the chassis in two stages.

First, bring it to a temporary working condition by replacing all capacitors, and any resistor way out of spec.
That will prove the big parts like the valves, transformers and coils are ok.
Then second, cosmetic. Could be a complete strip down and bare chassis re build, or, just sand off the rust, mask and rattle can spray.
Dont try to polish alloy pieces just clean thoroughly.
Then the cosmetics could be good enough.
Then finalise the component changes and do any alinement required.

There is some scary 240 volt wiring in there including what looks like power feeds to one of the rear sockets!
Eeeeeeek!
All that wants reefing out and bringing up to year 2000 standard in regards to earthing and cord anchorage.

Try to preserve any pencil marks, tags, stickers from production line and sales where they exist, like that sticker.
The cabinet is a whole different issue I have no experiance to comment on, not a wood craftsman!

Nice set.

Fred.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 14 · Written at 10:23:05 AM on 12 August 2020.
Destino's Gravatar
 Location: Bells Beach, VIC
 Member since 20 July 2020
 Member #: 2428
 Postcount: 39

Hi there.

Again thanks for your interest.

MonochromeTV: I'll try and get a photo of the cabinet posted. Unfortunately the dial panel is missing. The cabinet is quite well built. I've already started to sand it back. They have done a very nice job on the veneer. The shellac is coming off quite easily and there are only a couple of small spots where there is missing veneer. They certainly made the radio a feature furniture item. I have the parts of the labels that surrounded the volume,tone,band and tuning knobs. I'll post them. It will have to be recreated.

Robbert: That was my guess as well. There are two speakers. a 12 inch and a 5-6 inch. The 12 inch has a transformer attached but the smaller one is connected to one of the two small 2 pronged sockets on the top of the chassis next to the small transformer.

Fred Lever: Yes that was my first impression when I saw underneath. The 240V that goes to the back socket that has the "blank" plug in it. You can see it at the edge of the top photograph. the empty socket held the speaker outlet. That plug is quiet corroded and is difficult to see what its actually doing. I haven't spent much time on it. At a guess it seems as if it could just be a loop through. However some WD40 may be needed first. When I get the dust out of it i'll post another photo.

I guess the next thing is to try and find a circuit.

Cheers and Regards.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 15 · Written at 12:41:18 PM on 12 August 2020.
Robbbert's avatar
 Location: Hill Top, NSW
 Member since 18 September 2015
 Member #: 1801
 Postcount: 2011

The 240v to the back socket could be providing power to a turntable. If that's the case, you'll find a "PU" position on the wave-change switch, and a socket to plug the incoming audio into.

You might find a large capacitor that connects the 6V6G anode directly to one of those sockets. If so, it's called the "Extension Speaker", and it's a cheap and nasty way (all too common in that era) to get a 2nd speaker into the system. You can imagine what would happen if that capacitor leaked even a little bit.

As for component replacement, all those carbon resistors and the yellow capacitors must be replaced. It's possible (but unlikely) that the black capacitors might still work, but only if there's no cracks in them.

It's also possible that those electrolytics might come back to life after suitable reforming. But if you're going to splash the cash, you may as well just get proper replacements from Carl.

The last thing to check is the continuity of the choke and speaker transformer. That type of choke is quite likely to have burnt out.


 
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