In the late 1950's the family had an old console type radio in the living room. The one unique feature that I have not seen on any radio since is the preset dial selector which was very similar to the old rotary telephone dials. i.e. put your finger in the hole of the station wanted and spin around to the stop. The audio and sensitivity of this remarkable radio was excellent. Sadly through the passage of time it dissapeared but recently I did happen to find the actual dial. Does anybody know what brand this radio was and at a long shot a photograph?? Thanks

A few manufacturers made radios with the phone dial station selectors but the one that comes to mind is Astor.

If you have any photos of the receiver you can e-mail them to Bradmail.vintage-radio.com.au and I will insert them in your post.

See attached image (adopted from EBay) This is an AIRZONE Model 533 chassis, used in 587 console, released 1938, 5 valve AC Broadcast console 456kHz IF, circuit is in "Technician" May 1941 p.82.
This Incorporates "Tele-Tune" automatic tuning dial and "wide-band" tuning.
These features were inter-related and occurred in following 1938 released models:-
1938 model 587 chassis 533 5 valve AC BC console
1938 model 588 chassis 532 5 valve AC BC mantel
1938 model 596 chassis 535 5 valve AC DW console
1938 model 597 chassis 535 5 valve AC DW console

Will EMail the image to Brad

I have an radio with a dial like this. It is a wooden table model.
The bakelite centre of the telephone dial is branded Monarch.
However, though it is a while since I have seen it, I remember it looked like an Astor chassis, two knobs are octagonal as Astor used.
Will post a photo when I get time to scan it.
I think Astor made a console and bakelite version. I have seen them on the net somewhere a while ago.
http://thebakeliteradio.com/page7/page7.html for the console
http://www.hws.org.au/gallery/75yrs.html for the bakelite


Chassis no is CF 1097
ARTS&P is prefix F ie 1939

Poking around on the net

http://www.hws.org.au/RadioHistory/manufacturers/Monarch.htm
shows Monarch also had a CF chassis in 1939, presto tuning. Valve lineup also 6A7, 6B7S, 6B7, 42, 80

http://www.hws.org.au/RadioHistory/manufacturers/astor.htm
shows this radio with valve lineup 6A7, 6B7S, 6B7, 42, 80

So it looks like Astor & Monarch chassis made on the same production line.

Late final extra : one for sale on Ebay!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270593661329
Sold for $438.98

WATCH OUT: asbestos used to protect the case above the rectifier & output valves.

Click on image for larger resolution

Astor often manufactured badge-engineered sets. Monarch, Kingsley and Aristone were a few such 'other' brands.

What an awesome set, scuse my ignorance here but I have never previously seen or heard of a radio with a "teledial" before.
I assume it still can be tuned manually?
Are the stations pre-set with the dial or does the user set them up?

Regards Paul

It is called both Presto tuning and Telephone Dial tuning by Astor, depending on the model, according to 1939 AORSM.
It works by pushing in the button of choice and turning the large dial until the station clicks in. I don't know if they are all preset and whether the user can set them up. I have yet to see instructions for operation.
However looking in the back the tab on the back of each button is at different angle, so maybe it could be set up by the user.
Yes it can be tuned manually - extreme right knob. It appears to be friction drive.
Out of interest, Astor also made a push-button motorised tuning model.

Regards
Graham