Hi.. I'm new to this forum. Sure glad to find it too.

I've got a 46-420 Hippo that I grew up with. I remember in the early 60s playing on the floor with this radio playing in the back ground. When I was around 6 or 7 I got into it.. For some reason, as kids do, :no:I removed the loop antenna. Lost the back too.. durn! Now years later I unpacked it and thought I might restore it. A question for you folks: I've looked for some of that old wire, cloth wrapped and I think 26 ga for the loop antenna. You know of a source for this? And just how to get it to form into a “tape form” to look like the original?
Or is there a better way to do this.. find a junker broken case.. build a loop around a small frame or get a repro back and wind one around that.:scratch2:.??

I appreciate your advice. I've been viewing BandersentTV's vids on rebuilding and restoring radios. I really enjoy them. Takes me back to my early years at the old VoTech and later repairing Tv's at a local shop. I loved it!
Thanks

Why is it called "Hippo"?

I think it's called a Hippo.. because of all the bullges and ripples the case has.. Ckt wise, it's a 6 tube Superhet radio. I know it doesn't look like a Giraffe. :D

I think it's very classy or retro. I love Bakelite cases.
Just do a search for a Philco 46-420 and you'll see.

or.. maybe the guy that designed it liked Hippos.??:banana: Who knows?

Buzz

I thought maybe it was because the two knobs and speaker grill kinda look like a hippo smiling ?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4858485341_ace996e74f_z.jpg

Perhaps you could drive some dowels into a scrap of plywood to make a rectangular form. Just the right size to slip inside the back of the cabinet.
Then wrap your wire around it being careful not to overlap and glue it together to form a ribbon. When the glue sets up slide it off and mount in the radio. I used some two-part epoxy to affix mine to the cabinet.

Hi Bandersen,
Sure.. that should work. Didn't the old door bell wire come in a cloth covered style.. Might be too large of a gauge of wire to work here. The bigger the wire the more I'll need to make a 2.6 ohm loop. I'll have to spend more time searching Ebay and other sites.

Yes, I think you've got it. It does look like a Hippo smile. Must be it! :thmbsp: Especially from a viewing angle like you show in your pics.

I looked at that site that has the repo-backs for sale, and they mention in the FAQ section that no clips for the back have been designed or made to sell for the Hippo. So my search goes on.:D

As I remember.. about the time I ripped into the radio, it was humming. The folks just kept playing it that way until you couldn't understand what was going on... kinda funny, I can still here the newscaster in the background under the Hummmmmm! Amazing what one can remember from the "early" years. Fond memories.:lmao:

Buzz

Thanks for the photos,now I understand why it's called a Hippo radio.
Who would have thought the lowly Hippopotamus would be an industrial designers inspiration.

So where is the Walrus radio? How about an Octopus tv?:D

Octopus tv?:D
(L)ock-tal tubes?

(L)ock-tal tubes?

:D:D:D antenn-ticals:D eight antennas for better reception!

I think you guys have been getting too much radiation from those old CRTs... :lmao::lmao:

The 7C6 , 7C7, 7B7, 7A8 are Loctal the rest are regular tubes.

Buzz

think you guys have been getting too much radiation from those old CRTs...

Naw, it's an occupational hazard. The more involved you get in a particular field, the worse your jokes become, as a result of your understanding of the details. Majoring in both CS and chemistry, and a healthy dose of electronics hobby to boot, I can tell you that I find humour in the most unlikely places... and am forever doomed be around people who don't really appreciate it. :D

:D:D:D antenn-ticals:D eight antennas for better reception!
And how are you going to attach them? Little suction cups?

You can easily make your own loop antenna. See my page
http://www.wa2ise.com/radios/12ba7.html#loop

Hi WA2ISE,

Thanks... I could make that instead of buying a Retro back. I'll make it big enough to hold itself in the back (no clips needed) No.. I don't have any Litz wire but I do have a lot of enameled wire from winding toroids. That litz wire is real neat as it reduces skin effect for RF frequencies. Good idea.. and I'll check out some prices on da Litz also. Thanks.. and nice page of info.. I'll do some exploring there too...:banana:

I like humor too.. keeps ya in balance... Muhhhaaaaa!..:yes:

Hi WA2ISE,

Thanks... I could make that instead of buying a Retro back. I'll make it big enough to hold itself in the back (no clips needed)

Thanks.
Be sure to provide enough holes in that antenna holding back for venting the tube heat.

Hi,
I did reply to the last two responses around 3 mst. Funny, where did they go.. oh well...

Thanks for that link to your site. I'll do just that and it will save me from buying the Retro-Tronics Back for my Hippo. (sounds like something a vet would do in a zoo)

I don't have that fancy wire but I do have a lot of enameled wire used for toroid projects. Should work and it's the right size too. Would like to have it cloth wrapped but it will work great. Nice page and I'll go back here soon and read the rest of the cool stuff there! :thmbsp:

As for humor.. I love it. The more the better!:banana:

Buzz

I found my other post.. but had to click on the listing "tree" to find it. I'm just getting used to this forum structure.
Buzz...

Ok.. I switched to Linear Mode and everything shows now. That's nice to have a choice. Great Forum software!

Buzzsaaw

I was looking at the Retro-Tronics backs and came across this one: http://retro-tronics.com/itemDetails.php?shortDesc=Belmont+6D111+Antenna+Fo rm and thought this would be perfect for winding a Loop Antenna on. I should see what they'd charge to cut and odd number of slots around the edge of the back for the Hippo.
Retro-Tronics also has a picture of the Clip I need to hold the back onto the Hippo... : http://retro-tronics.com/images/trimouts.jpg They have a real nice website. Lots of pics of radios I've never heard of...

Buzz

Yes it would probably work, but with a saber saw and some 1/8" masonite (from home center or lumber yard) you can cut any form or back that you need, real cheap (that's me!)

Here's some pics of an Antenna I made and the back before painting:

http://www.nemontel.net/~scooters/Phil/Backofback.jpg

The Antenna Loop is just attached with clips for now until I see how it works (after recapping). 28 ga wire about 45 feet for 3 Ohms. (22.8 raps at roughly 2 feet per wrap). I left it long so I could take some off if needed.

http://www.nemontel.net/~scooters/Phil/AntOnBack.jpg

Wow, that's a beautiful job! Very nice.

Say, it just occurred to me, the title of this thread, "My old Hippo loop antenna," was a phrase never ever uttered before in history!

Yes.. that is a goofy phrase. But it's better than a "looped Hippo!" :D

http://www.nemontel.net/~scooters/Phil/AntOnBack.jpg

That looks pretty good, Is that wire wrap wire? IIRC, that kind of wire is silver plated, which would be good for this sort of work. Or untinned copper wire, like magnet wire (used in transformers and coils) is also a good choice.

Hi,
That's just plain ol' enamel coated copper wire.. 28ga. The kind you would use for winding a toroid.

Buzz

Here's a picture of the back painted and the UL and Philco lables in place. If you notice, I goofed up.! The ac cord comes out of the middle of the radio.. Guess what's in it's way?:tears:

http://www.nemontel.net/~scooters/Phil/Backgoofsmall.jpg

Oh.. boy!...:scratch2: I'll fix it.:music:

Buzz:thmbsp:

I looked at the made by Retro-backs. I should have looked at Banderson's back picture::yes:

http://www.bobandersen.com/images/philco%2046-420/hippo-203.JPG

Would have helped a bunch!:D

Buzz :thmbsp:

Bummer. Can you make yours fit or will you cut out a new one?

P.S. Retro-tronic does make one identical to the original. http://www.retro-tronics.com/itemDetails.php?shortDesc=Philco+46-420+Hippo+Radio+Back+%28Black%29

Oh.. well.. :tears:

I think I'll try to make it fit until I find some more Masonite. I still have my old pattern.. I'll modify that and build a new one. I'd like it to be close to original.

Hay.. this is good practice ya know...:D

Buzz

I tried to think of a way to attach the Hippo Back Antenna to the radio without soldering/un-soldering when it gets removed again later on.
I used molux connector pins and 1/8" heat shrink tubing:

http://www.nemontel.net/~scooters/Phil/antConn1.jpg

http://www.nemontel.net/~scooters/Phil/antConn2.jpg

Yes, I know it isn't original but I already have a screw holding on the pilot light. (which burned out). I looked all over town for a #47 6 volt bulb. No such critter here! I see lots on line..

Buzz:music: