Hi all

I am having trouble finding details on this console radio I picked up.

So far I know this:
Dial has AIRPLAYER written on it
ARTS&P D 524 - So it's 1937
Valves: 5Y3G, 6V6GT, 6K7, 6A8, 6Q7 + One I cant read.

http://hrsa.asn.au/ has only one Airplayer model and the valves are different.

This is the link to a photo
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dOAkRl4-t-BDDQVhbowK_M825e-UKlgtpDBnW8O4X9c?feat=directlink.

Any help identifying would be much appreciated.

Regards
Agrajag

A quick bit of research suggests that Airplayer radios may be a homebrand for Myer, Adelaide.

As mentioned in previous posts, some radio manufacturers produced generic sets for retailers to put their own brand on. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get information and circuit details on these generic radios.

Cheers.

It may be an idea to photograph the inside of the pan and that chassis.

I assume that the valve that you cannot read is actually a tuning indicator, such as 6E5 or 6U5 and will likely have six pins not eight, like the rest of them.

The fact that it uses a 6K7 is of interest as that was not often used in many Australian sets and was more commonly a metal type.. The 6A8 Pentagrid also dates it as that is a valve that was principally a BC band valve phased out and replaced soon after by 6J8 (or an equivalent Philips Triode Hexode) in the majority (but not all) Australian Shortwave sets.

It may be made by & rebadged by one of the bigger radio manufacturers, as that combination is more akin to a higher end of the market set.

The components etc. and the ARTS & P label are clues to who built it HRSA site has some info.

Marc

Hi

I can hear 1 radio station, seems to have 2 bands.
The sound is very quiet on full volume.

Here's a photo of the unknown valve.
This is what I can see
It emits a green glow from the top.
It has 6 pins
I think the number ends in 65 - not 100% sure of the 6 though

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jkVPikX1QptgJTp285Gc-Rx46f2-I3iyw7pXabvEhvE?feat=directlink

Some inner photos
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Gchi_VN7OLQ4owUMl3KXLhx46f2-I3iyw7pXabvEhvE?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pz8kzVyM2T18RaJexUnbzxx46f2-I3iyw7pXabvEhvE?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Cg3spfmxVHhaklVoq4NUeRx46f2-I3iyw7pXabvEhvE?feat=directlink

Thanks for your comments.

Agrajag

Marc

You could be right.

The 6E5 looks exactly like it.

Regards
Agrajag

Valves: 5Y3G, 6V6GT, 6K7, 6A8, 6Q7 + One I cant read.


I can't find anything with that particular line-up, especially with the 6V6.

However, if I use 6F6 instead, I get some potential candidates such as:

Airzone 565 (1936) ... has 6E5
Healing (1936) 56E/556E
Kriesler (1936) 240

I haven't checked all of those for dual band, etc.

Thanks GTC

Actually Looking at the unknown valve it looks more like a G5 rather than a 65

Marc gave me some clues so I googled 6G5 and it looks like it and has the same number of pins.

so my Valve lineup is
6G5, 5Y3G, 6V6GT, 6K7, 6A8, 6Q7

Sorry, still can't find an Australian match for that line-up.

I don't have hands-on experience with sets of the 1930s but I've not seen Saxon brand caps before. Perhaps that brand may provide a clue to somebody here.

6G5 has normally 8 pins but is the electrically same as 6U5 which has 6. The other is 6E5 which is a more sensitive tube with 6 pins.

6K7 was very popular in US sets like Midwest, wheras for some strange reason 6U7 was used here & can be a very cranky piece of work.

I would express concern at running it if it has not been overhauled. The weak volume may be due to old leaking caps. The cathode resistor of the 6V6 may be a clue as to that being the wrong valve as 6F6 will have more grid bias than a 6V6. The higher bias would shut the 6V6 down & produce less volume.

Marc

Saxon caps were made by Eclipse Radio. (Later on became part of Electronics Industries) That may be the clue as to the origins of this radio. Also, a Trove search led mainly to Adelaide retailers, especially Myer.

Cheers.

After looking at the pics. Saxon caps are not ones that I have struck in common use by the big guys.

It's a 6G5.

The set has been repaired by the "Dodgy Bros". The red green brown resistor If it is on pin 8of the 6V6; is not original nor is the cap across it which is wrong and will be part of the audio problem. 25μF 50V I would believe. Probably used 6V6 instead of 6F6 & changed the cathode resistor as for 6V6?

I note that has a Wet cap still in circuit and a hole where the other one was & failed. That red electrolytic appears to be parallel with it which is shonky if it is, and damage will result if the wet lets go shorted, or it risks damaging the 5y3 from over capacity.

The wax Ducon and a few resistors are not original either.

With what is there I would consider it straight forward (for me) to overhaul, without a circuit. All of the paper caps & electrolytics, in my book should be replaced & resistors checked.

There will be a 1M (normally) resistor, often on the valve socket under the 6G5 rear cover (if it has one) Normally that one will be a dud & out of spec.

Dial is possibly EFCO, who made that sort of thing

Consult us before attempting repair.

Marc

AORSM Vol 2, page 91. Eclipse-Croyden 554. Dual Wave.

6A8, 6K7, 6Q7, 6F6 & 80. Pretty much the same valve line-up minus the eye tube.

Cheers.

Have any of you guys got the Eclipse-Croyden 554 circuit?
If so, compare it to the photos on the links.
Apart from the butchering, it looks pretty close.

Cheers.

Thanks guys

I won't be plugging it in again until its checked over.

Does anyone know a contact in Adelaide that can service the machine?

Also, if I find someone what would be the ball park cost be?

regards
Agrajag

Airzone 516 is also worth a look also similar and has An eye tube 518 and others albeit not SW can be a reference.

There is the posibility of wrong eye tube based on what I see. so we may have to check the the grid voltages in particular if there is a problem

Be aware that the grid bias is not the same for 6E5 and 6U5/ 6G5.

The cheapest part is the parts, as it is sorta working one can at this point assume that the valves are probably ok, or well enough to get it mobile. I would think parts without valves would be around $30. Labour the bigger cost. Smooth run say 3 hours.

Marc