Hi
I am new round here. My current project is a Radiola Console with curtain over speaker and pushbutton automatic tuning. It has a still legible green licence sticker with serial number E 2140 which I understand dates its year of manufacture as 1938 by AWA under licence from RCA.

Its speaker is model 10E6. The magic eye was disconnected (and is gone) before I acquired it many years ago I think because the transformer replacement was insufficient to drive the automatic tuning motor. It still has manual tuning of course.

It is many years since I powered it on - at that time the radio was not working but the amplifier section was working because I played a portable record turntable through the input plugs in the back of the chassis. The cabinet is still in reasonable condition with some scratches and nicks in places.

I am thinking of paying to get the radio section repaired - I am not technical enough to do that myself. Does anyone here know the approximate value of this radio:
(a) in its current not-working condition;
(b) if it was restored to working condition?

Regards
Hoarder

Hi

After a bit more research and comparing tube codes, I have now confirmed the receiver is a Radiola Model 264 made in 1938.

Hoarder

Hi

Look here:
http://www.kevinchant.com/uploads/7/1/0/8/7108231/264.pdf.

You might be able to eBay the magic eye and reconnect it.

What it's worth is difficult to say, you can't be told what it's worth with accuracy, you can only sell it.
Prices also vary in different circles.
In the end if you want it working it's worth the parts to bring it back.

What it's worth is difficult to say

Both these models will almost guarantee to sell. The one pictured in the small photo once belonged to me and it was my quickest-selling console.

It didn't make me a millionaire though up-market beasts like these will almost always be a favourite. The downside is that AWA made no effort to reduce the complexity of these pushbutton models. There's almost no finger room under the chassis. These sets were set up like a rotary channel selector for televisions - a tuning coil for each preset.

Be careful if adjusting the slugs - if one breaks that is the end of that preset.

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A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

It would be interesting to see the chassis of such an all bells and whistles model if you have photos of it.

Looking at the circuit in AORSM this radio has automatic frequency control (AFC) as well as AGC and push button tuning. I guess AFC is needed to help the push button tuning to be spot on.

Did you really disconnect the magic eye for fear of overloading a replacement transformer?

I just got my first magic eye radio before the weekend.
It would be difficult to let it go!
Almost worth another Xformer hidden away just to power it.

Thank you posters for your feedback. To STC830, I had bolted the chassis back into the cabinet before I read your email. However, I have emailed some photos to the Administrator (now uploaded) of the chassis in situ - they may not show the detail you need?

Regards

Hoarder

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/151238994922?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649.

Same beast, even has a remote control. It would've been worth a king's ransom back in the day. Console's don't usually bring a very high price but I won't be surprised if this sells for more than the starting bid.

If a reasonable starting bid was implemented by the seller it'd have bids already though he's made the costly mistake of setting what is effectively a reserve price.

No doubt the receiver is a beast though - I count roughly ten valves and the tuning is motorised. Definitely a model for Sydney's eastern suburbs.

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A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

QUOTE: However, I have emailed some photos to the Administrator of the chassis in situ - they may not show the detail you need?

QUOTE:

Not so much need as interested. The most complex radio of the late thirties previously shown here was the STC 1030, 10 valves + indicator. To me it seems that STC were were marketing on fidelity (hence the advertising slogan 'For Tone it Stands Alone") whereas Radiola was going for ease of use eg push button tuning.