Found a nice Atwater Kent type H chassis & cabinet- PICS

[DENNYDOG]

I couldn't pass up the big estate auction they had here in southern MN today. There was a lot of junky stuff but a few things sure were nice.

Does anyone have any info on this Superheterodyne radio? It says type H on the chassis but that is all I know about it.

They said they had it pluged in and working earlier in the day but am not sure if it has been worked on lately or not. I will have to take the bottom off the chassis to see what it looks like.

It looks like he did some type of modification on one of the socket tubes but otherwise looks very nice. They fixed a small tear in the speaker cone but did a very nice job with the repair. The only other flaw I can see is the dial has a few cracks in it most likely from age.

There was a lady nice enough to tell me the speaker is just hooked in the back of the cabinet. She said she had sold one like this and when the guy went to lay it on its side the speaker fell out and landed on the guys bare toe. I guess he must have been wearing sandals. Ouch!

[Sandy G]

Woah !! That's Bee-Yoo-Tee-Full !! Atwater Kent went out of business in 1936, superhet sets came in around 1928-29, so that oughta give you an idea..

[zenithfan1]

I second that! That thing looks mint! Awesome find!

[WhiteSE]

Thats a beauty!!

[DENNYDOG]

Wow I didn't realize it was that old.

I even got a photocopy of the manual. Now looking at that it says type H-2, No. 16500, Super-Heterodyne Chassis. Model 72.

[electroking]

You found something like a pre-war Mercedes-Benz, IMHO. Congratulations!

[Sandy G]

I wouldn't be surprised if it has a couple "balloon" tubes in it-Just may be old enuff to have had them from the factory...

[targeteye]

Very Nice... AK's are very desirable and that look like a mint example. Someone put a lot of work into it. Those chassis don't survive 70+ years that clean, its been restored. The RCA tube is not correct. The restorer used an equivilent in place of the original type 80 rectifier with a diferent base.

Very Very nice, Atwater Kents first superheterodyne.

Here are the schematics
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Resources/458/M0001458.htm

Steve

[targeteye]

Originally Posted by Sandy G

I wouldn't be surprised if it has a couple "balloon" tubes in it-Just may be old enuff to have had them from the factory...

Yes the originals would have been globed. But they've all been replaced. Too bad as it would have had Globed 45s on the output. The ST 45's there are nothing to sneeze at.

Steve

[electroking]

Are you sure it was a 80? This looks like a 5U4GB, which would be a direct sub
(except for the different base) for a 5Z3. With all those tubes and a push-pull
output, I guess this radio needs a lot of power.

[DENNYDOG]

Here is the modfied base of the RCA tube.

[markus]

that is a BEAUTIFUL radio. . ..

looks like the old owner just used an adapter socket for the 80 --> 5U4

keep your eyes peeled . . . I've scored a NUMBER of beat to hell late 20's and early 30's consoles for short money (under $30) that coughed up some yummy globe 80's and 45's . . . it'd be cool to return it to 'stock'

To be totally honest though, I doubt you'd notice the difference in that circuit . . . just bring it up slow on a variac and enjoy !

I've never seen a Atwater chassis that clean before . .. cabinet looks to be refinished, (color's off) but it sure looks slick . . .

WAY TO GO

[DENNYDOG]

I guess I don't mind if it has been refinished or not. The only thing is the top of the cabinet is slightly faded on the left side. They must have had something sitting on it.

Even though they said they had it working today I'm a little leary plugging it in and turning it on. I was the same way even after I got my Fisher rebuilt.

[targeteye]

I could be wrong but I do not think the RETMA numbered rectifier tubes were available or in common use when this radio was built (around 1930) it would have used a type 80. The 80 is equivilent to a 5y3 not the 5u4/5z3 tubes. If that is a 5u4GB in the I would not use it. The 80 has a 2 amp filament whereas the 5u4 has a 3 amp filament.

I would cough up a few dollars to put the correct 80 back in there if you plan on using else the tranny might run hot and be damaged. (if there is a 5u4 in the there).

Steve

[markus]

[QUOTE=DENNYDOG;2133583]Here is the modfied base of the RCA tube.

cool . . . looks like a DIY adapter

if you can, take a peek at the underside of that rectifier base . . . chances are, it's the stock 4 pin socket . . .

if so, it should be easy enough to score a (correct) 80 for the chassis . . .