Hi all,

I had been hunting around the net for info on the old valve radio I have that I got from my grandfather about 44 years ago and what do I see but an image of the exact same model on this website (a Mercury).
If I my be so bold as to use the path to the thread; http://vintage-radio.com.au/default.asp?f=1&th=185 and ask if anyone has any further information on this radio or a schematic and description of the unit or another unit which has a similar schematic.

thanks, Bart

Welcome Bart.

That's a very attractive looking console. I have no information on the Mercury brand, but as discussed in that previous thread, it was probably a 'private label' re-branded chassis made by a major manufacturer.

I have 3 possibilities in my files, but it would help if you could confirm the actual valve line-up for us.

Not sure how much experience you have with these old sets, but we would caution you not to power it up if it's been unused for a long period lest some irreparable damage be done as the result of some failed component. There is a structured approach to getting old sets ready for the power-up step.

Hello GTC

I used to listen to the radio all the time during my childhood and teens and still used to fire it up on a regular basis until a number of years ago, but really recall the last time. Great sound from it though!

The valves are 5Y3G, 6V6G, 6B6G, 6U7G & 6A8G. these are from markings on the chassis.

I used to have a local old gentleman do repairs on it whenever it needed it so some components have been changed underneath. He is very aged now and is in a local aged facility.

Thanks, Bart

Hello Bart

As the link says, the chassis is reminiscent of Astor with the bakelite cover of the mains voltage adjustment. And Astor did make chassis with your valve line-up, but in the early forties (http://www.hws.org.au/RadioHistory/manufacturers/astor.htm).
Horizontal dials started becoming popular about then so that fits.
Can you see the prefix letter on the ARTS&P sticker if it is still there. That will set the date.
I once did see a list of brands that Astor/Radio Corporation made but can't locate it.

The 3 possibilities I have for that line-up are:

Astor model 551 (1940)
Healing model C501E (1946)
Monarch chassis DP (1940)

Of those 3, I have the schematic, components list and alignment notes for the Healing 501E.

I can do the Astor & Monarch schematics from AORSM.

The green label has all but disappeared and merged into the pattern of the chassis but alongside this, letterpunched into the metal of the chassis are the letters/numerals "ELU M199".

Dark Green suggests1946-1952 label with red letters, serial number prefixed by the letter T.

You might also get a date from date codes on the tuning gang, speaker transformer or speaker though these can be unreliable if something was replaced in servicing, or taken from old stock in the factory. Sometimes there will be a pencilled date from an inspector underneath.

The rounded edge of the chassis is unusual and must mean something to somebody.

I've been scanning over the unit with a light a magnifying glass to find any detail; what's left of the green label I can tell that it is the darker green of the series of labels.

The tuning gang has "PC 2?2" ? could be an 8 and within a hexagon figure "206".

The speaker is Rola Manufacturing Company; Model 11, 1500 Ohms.

Looking through the magnifying glass and light I can see a number of the paper capacitors appear to have a corroded look to them around the ends and one seems to have some black substance oozed from it. These all will need replacing when the time comes?

Thanks, Bart

Click on image for larger resolution

"I can see a number of the paper capacitors appear to have a corroded look to them around the ends and one seems to have some black substance oozed from it. These all will need replacing when the time comes?"

Yep. A recap of paper and electrolytics is usually top of the list.

This console would most likely be from the late 1940s. The large oblong tuning dial and the square features give it away.

A large high-res photo of the chassis would assist with confirming a build date, from the rear view if possible, showing as much of the licence transfer that still exists.

I have taken some images of the back, top & underside. How big can the files be to send and what email address do I use for this.

Thanks, Bart

G'day Bart,

I can host the photos on this server. They can be as big as your own e-mail provider will allow. I'll shrink copies of them to display in your post and link them to the high-res copies.

My e-mail address is on my profile page.

Update: Pictures uploaded.

The date that often appears on speaker transformers was most often simply stamped on with an office stamp and because the enamel paint on the transformer enclosure isn't porous the ink simply wears off when the speaker is handled. Rola made speakers for most of the manufacturers, including those who, at times, manufactured their own so the 'stamper' would have been very busy and may have stamped some speakers in a hap-hazard way.

The only references I can find in web searches is an American company by the same name.

I have just had another look over the speaker and noticed on the side of the transformer is marked "31J1". Would the 6V6G valve normally be so black on the glass as this one is?