Some call these sets that. I call them "luggage-style" portables. In the pre-war years these sets had nice big chassis' and very often tweed cloth covering with multi-colored or brown stripes. Those are my favorites. The post-war models often had wimpier chassis' and non-striped tolex covering. This 1939 Motorola 41D has an unusual dial. Off, you see a decorative "Batteries Off" plate. When you turn it on that plate swiftly springs to the left revealing the numbered dial plate behind it. Someone killed all 4 tubes sometime in it's past, but with the help of a friend and modern batteries it lives again! It's one of the best playing battery-only portables I've ever heard too. Very sensitive with plenty of volume.

http://videokarma.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=197950&d=1543079705

very nice!

very nice!
Thanks. They're fun sets at bargain prices.

Back when radios were cool!

Back when radios were cool!
Oh yes. That's the whole reason to be in this hobby - cool styling. When you get one of these portables, you'll soon have another. That have a warm yellowish/beige tint and a warm sound to match!

These are so inexpensive and fun that I got another one. This is a cute cube-shape stlyed 1939 Emerson CT-275. Again, it has the old "luggage-style" striped tweed case, and is battery only. With modern batteries and a friend going over the chassis, it is an excellent little performer. Sensitive, clear, and with a nice mellow tone. The red mark on the left side bottom of the dial designates that it is on. When you turn it off it's gold.

http://videokarma.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=197997&d=1543723960

I be liking that two band!

I be liking that two band!One band, AM only.

.

I be liking that two band!
Thanks. Yes, that one's my favorite so far. It plays as good as it looks too. It's only a single band though showing both Kilocycles and Meters.

These are great fun! :thmbsp:

I have always wondered why they don’t seem to be more popular among radio collectors. I’m guessing that many are avoided because of the batteries, but it is really easy to make a workable battery pack, and with more effort, duplicate the appearance of the original pack. :scratch2:

Could you post a picture of the Motorola “turned on”, so that we might see the dial markings after the dial changes?

jr

These are great fun! :thmbsp:

I have always wondered why they don’t seem to be more popular among radio collectors. I’m guessing that many are avoided because of the batteries, but it is really easy to make a workable battery pack, and with more effort, duplicate the appearance of the original pack. :scratch2:

Could you post a picture of the Motorola “turned on”, so that we might see the dial markings after the dial changes?

jr

I have several of those large portable radios, but most of them are the 3-way type, AC-DC and battery. I did build up a few AC power supplies for the battery only sets. The best way of doing it now is to use a 5 volt regulator chip.
I still have to build one up like that.
For a power transformer, I use a transformer from a scrap VTVM or other obsolete, worthless test equipment. Total line isolation!

I love battery tube sets! all mine are post war though. I've got a funky red Motorola one that does three way power and a battery only bakelite Emerson. I also have a "recipe" for homemade 67 1/2 volt batteries.

Thanks. Yes, that one's my favorite so far. It plays as good as it looks too. It's only a single band though showing both Kilocycles and Meters.

Ah, gotcha.

These are great fun! :thmbsp:

I have always wondered why they don’t seem to be more popular among radio collectors. I’m guessing that many are avoided because of the batteries, but it is really easy to make a workable battery pack, and with more effort, duplicate the appearance of the original pack. :scratch2:

Could you post a picture of the Motorola “turned on”, so that we might see the dial markings after the dial changes?

jr
They are fun and, as I mentioned, will surprise you how good they play. I was a collector who ignored these for years too. I always thought they were too utilitarian looking with the mesh grills, handles, and unlit dial. As whenever you go outside your area of focus in the hobby, you soon get hooked! I did that a while back with '20's sets too.
I don't concern myself with the look of the batteries. A single "D" and a series of 10 9V's is easy to tuck into the back of these early sets. With limited collector use, the batteries last for a good long time.
Here's the Motorola turned-on with the "Batteries Off" plate out of the way. It's really cool how it springs back and forth!

http://videokarma.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=197998&d=1543788207

Very nice... thanks for posting! Still scratching my head trying to figure out where the other plate goes. :scratch2:

jr

Very nice... thanks for posting! Still scratching my head trying to figure out where the other plate goes. :scratch2:

jr
You're welcome. It's actually a bit complicated. The plate is on a center geared shaft with a zig-zagged tension wire attached to a notch on it's right side. On the on/off control shaft is bent metal wire that tugs a tab at the bottom of the plate when you turn the shaft, the plate pulls it away to the left. When you turn the set off that bent wire frees the plate to spring back.

The springing action isn't abrupt. I happens swiftly, but rather softy. I'm glad it's a tension wire rather than springs because I doubt it would be still working!

I love battery tube sets! all mine are post war though. I've got a funky red Motorola one that does three way power and a battery only bakelite Emerson. I also have a "recipe" for homemade 67 1/2 volt batteries.
I could never understand the reasoning to buy a battery-only radio after the three power models came out. Almost all the US firms made them until the end of the tube era. Those batteries were never cheap!
I have a Motorola model 41H that looks like the one pictured, only a 3 way job. That is one interesting circuit, using the resistance line cord from H*ll,
dissipates 38.25 watts. :scratch2:

I could never understand the reasoning to buy a battery-only radio after the three power models came out. Almost all the US firms made them until the end of the tube era. Those batteries were never cheap!
I have a Motorola model 41H that looks like the one pictured, only a 3 way job. That is one interesting circuit, using the resistance line cord from H*ll,
dissipates 38.25 watts. :scratch2:

The battery only sets seem to be smaller, lighter, and they were probably cheaper too than the plug-in models. Likely that appealed to people who might of also realized they had their AC home set. I believe these battery only sets had maybe one battery replacement and then they went into storage because, as is still today, batteries are expensive!

I could never understand the reasoning to buy a battery-only radio after the three power models came out. A

Some of the ultra compact shirt pocket tube battery only sets were the smallest lightest radios you could get before transistors were being sold.

I'd imagine reason for owning one would be similar to the reason for having a Walkman in the 80s or 90s sure your average home stereo had a cassette deck that was better by all measures, and you already own a home stereo, but that thing is not practical to take with you on your daily walk to _______.

Some time ago I read a piece on the first small portables with miniature tubes pre WWII and there was an ad for a IIRC Sonora portable advertisement that had a picture of a lady jogging with the set strapped to her arm.... It sort of blew me away how ahead of it's time that ad seemed to be.

there was an ad for a IIRC Sonora portable that had a picture of a lady jogging with the set strapped to her arm.... It sort of blew me away how ahead of it's time that ad seemed to be.
What, the portable, or jogging? I didn't think people jogged back then.

.

The battery only sets seem to be smaller, lighter, and they were probably cheaper too than the plug-in models. Likely that appealed to people who might of also realized they had their AC home set. I believe these battery only sets had maybe one battery replacement and then they went into storage because, as is still today, batteries are expensive!

Smaller, lighter, cheaper for sure, but also I might add safer... as a little kid, my battery only Arvin was the only radio that I was allowed to take into the bathroom and damp basement, as there was NO shock hazard.

Batteries were fairly expensive for a kid whose source of income was doing dishes and mowing lawns, but I assure you that that many sets of batteries were purchased for the set. IIRC, a 67.5 “B” battery was $2.75 and the “A” cells were just inexpensive (25cent) flashlight “D” cells. A “B” battery outlasted the “A” cells about 3 to 1.

jr

….I assure you that that many sets of batteries were purchased for the set. IIRC, a 67.5 “B” battery was $2.75 and the “A” cells were just inexpensive (25cent) flashlight “D” cells. A “B” battery outlasted the “A” cells about 3 to 1.

jr

Now that you put it that way, it does seem like the price of the batteries wasn't the issue. It's just hard to figure out why some of these sets are found used, yet in such clean shape. I guess it was simply that the old generations were frugal and took care of what they had!

PS WISCOJIM - I'd like to see that ad with the woman jogging with an early portable set. It would be way ahead of it's time! Although some of the "camera-style" portables were small, with the batteries installed they were not exactly super-light. They were not really practical to run with.

This ad, perhaps:

https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/924/119024/61002469_1_x.jpg?version=1&width=512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&quality=50

jr

This ad, perhaps:jr
Thanks. It looks like the couple is just taking a leisurely walk. Even a small battery set like that would not be good to run with. In the early days of portable tube electronics, they often tried to make them seem even lighter than they were.

This ad, perhaps:

https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/924/119024/61002469_1_x.jpg?version=1&width=512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&quality=50

jr

That may have been it.

The battery only sets seem to be smaller, lighter, and they were probably cheaper too than the plug-in models. Likely that appealed to people who might of also realized they had their AC home set. I believe these battery only sets had maybe one battery replacement and then they went into storage because, as is still today, batteries are expensive!

Also, the pre-war battery models spent 3 or 4 years on the closet shelf because batteries were almost un-available during the war. :thumbsdn:

Also, the pre-war battery models spent 3 or 4 years on the closet shelf because batteries were almost un-available during the war. :thumbsdn:
Interesting. I never knew that. Likely, after the war, people choose to get the newer smaller models. The airplane-luggage look may've have seemed dated.

Interesting. I never knew that. Likely, after the war, people choose to get the newer smaller models. The airplane-luggage look may've have seemed dated.
The buyers that had the foresight to buy the 3 way portables used them as an extra radio. The '40 Zeniths I have are rather beat up from all the use they got. The leather handles are missing and some had a removable cover over the controls. They're missing as well.

On many battery portables, the volume by design couldn't be turned all the way down, so as to prevent the radio from being left on unintentionally.

On many battery portables, the volume by design couldn't be turned all the way down, so as to prevent the radio from being left on unintentionally.
Aha! I noticed that on some sets. Very clever. This thread is really revealing a lot about these portables!

Aha! I noticed that on some sets. Very clever. This thread is really revealing a lot about these portables!

My favorite lugables are the Emerson models 505 & 523 post-war or the pre-war FU424. These were 3 way portables That had the elegant design of having a higher power output stage for use on the AC-DC mains, 1 watt vs 250-300mw on batteries. They designed the tricky way running the battery tube filaments from the cathode of the line audio output tube. Some models used a 50B5 and 35W4 and others used a 117N7, combination penthode and rectifier
A few other firms built a variation of same.
They sounded a lot better than the others that ran the battery output tube when using it on AC or DC.

My favorite lugables are the Emerson models 505 & 523 post-war or the pre-war FU424. These were 3 way portables That had the elegant design of having a higher power output stage for use on the AC-DC mains, 1 watt vs 250-300mw on batteries. They designed the tricky way running the battery tube filaments from the cathode of the line audio output tube. Some models used a 50B5 and 35W4 and others used a 117N7, combination penthode and rectifier
A few other firms built a variation of same.
They sounded a lot better than the others that ran the battery output tube when using it on AC or DC.

I personally try to stay focused with these and stick to the battery-only models with the airplane-luggage covering. As time went on they lost the simplicity of the early models with busy metal and plastic grills.

This western air patrol has been in my collection for about 25 years. I really like the simplicity of the design, and the proportions of the cabinet. I ran it off 9 volt batteries in series for the B cell, and a couple of Ds for the A cell. It worked nice, I should try it again some time.

http://videokarma.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=198000&d=1543953472

This western air patrol has been in my collection for about 25 years. I really like the simplicity of the design, and the proportions of the cabinet. I ran it off 9 volt batteries in series for the B cell, and a couple of Ds for the A cell. It worked nice, I should try it again some time.

http://videokarma.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=198000&d=1543953472
Thanks for the pics. You have a real gem there and rather rare one, especially in that condition. The decorative grill trim was a very nice touch. If I may give you a tip for the frayed threads - put a little dab of CLEAR Elmer's glue on your finger tip and smooth the threads down. It works great and neatens-up the cabinet.

Thanks for the pics. You have a real gem there and rather rare one, especially in that condition. The decorative grill trim was a very nice touch. If I may give you a tip for the frayed threads - put a little dab of CLEAR Elmer's glue on your finger tip and smooth the threads down. It works great and neatens-up the cabinet.

Hey that's a great tip, thank you! I don't usually go for battery radios, but this one is quite attractive looking. It's also kind of unusual to find a US market set of this age in Canada.

Hey that's a great tip, thank you! I don't usually go for battery radios, but this one is quite attractive looking. It's also kind of unusual to find a US market set of this age in Canada.
You're welcome. Just put a dab of glue on your finger, not a big glob. It seems these sets are very addicting once you get a good one and see how well it plays. The bargain prices make them very enticing too. I'm up to 7 so far!

That's easy enough to do! I'm not really actively collecting radios right now, but they do tend to find me from time to time. I do like the complete absence of hum with battery portables. The one battery set I'd really like to get my hands on is the R-100/URR morale radio from the second world war.

That's easy enough to do! I'm not really actively collecting radios right now, but they do tend to find me from time to time. I do like the complete absence of hum with battery portables. The one battery set I'd really like to get my hands on is the R-100/URR morale radio from the second world war.
That "morale" radio is an interesting one. A nice war-time artifact. I keep saying that I'm not active in the hobby anymore because of display space, but I keep getting that "last one"!

That "morale" radio is an interesting one. A nice war-time artifact. I keep saying that I'm not active in the hobby anymore because of display space, but I keep getting that "last one"!

One solution is to sell stuff you like less... I always want something so when I run out of space I sell stuff I like less than what I want.

That "morale" radio is an interesting one. A nice war-time artifact. I keep saying that I'm not active in the hobby anymore because of display space, but I keep getting that "last one"!
Is that the big metal cabinet job that is both battery and AC/DC?
Most were made by Majestic and used
locktal and octal tubes. I have two and the backs are missing on both. :sigh:

Is that the big metal cabinet job that is both battery and AC/DC?
Most were made by Majestic and used
locktal and octal tubes. I have two and the backs are missing on both. :sigh:
I just learned about them from maxhifi, but yes, that's the one. Very utilitarian, but an interesting WWII radio.

Is that the big metal cabinet job that is both battery and AC/DC?
Most were made by Majestic and used
locktal and octal tubes. I have two and the backs are missing on both. :sigh:

That's the one! I like the looks and build quality of Mil spec stuff, plus, they actually played a role in defeating the bad guys.

Not pre-war, but tubed and three-way powered.

Motorola 5A7A on my desk at work:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4886/45499505374_a10cfdca3a_z.jpg

My favorite tube portable at the moment :banana:

Not pre-war, but tubed and three-way powered.

Motorola 5A7A on my desk at work:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4886/45499505374_a10cfdca3a_z.jpg

My favorite tube portable at the moment :banana:
Nice set. Very automotive dashboard looking!

PS - Tom - I agree that buying and selling is the only way to keep the hobby fluid, but I've gotten to a point where I either really like what I have, or the sets I would part with are of such menial value it wouldn't even be worth selling. I'm very surprised that collectors seemed to be turned off when you say "trade". I personally would love to swap an equal value set to have something different!

Nice set. Very automotive dashboard looking!

PS - Tom - I agree that buying and selling is the only way to keep the hobby fluid, but I've gotten to a point where I either really like what I have, or the sets I would part with are of such menial value it wouldn't even be worth selling. I'm very surprised that collectors seemed to be turned off when you say "trade". I personally would love to swap an equal value set to have something different!

Motorola made several different models of the flip-cover portables, some battery only models.
Does yours state Motorola Inc or Galvin Mfg. Co.? That might the first model after they changed the corporate name. :scratch2:

Motorola made several different models of the flip-cover portables, some battery only models.
Does yours state Motorola Inc or Galvin Mfg. Co.? That might the first model after they changed the corporate name. :scratch2:
I opened the back and it has one tag that just reads "Motorola". I know there was another more deluxe version, I believe with a front drop-down door, three knobs, and possible AC/DC. I would suspect this was their first line of battery only portables in 1939.

I like that moto too. I briefly had one just like that and still have the older version with the knobs stacked (first 3-way that I adapted to modern batteries)...The older on came from a yard sale in Lombard Il. When I was around 10-12 years old I bought it from the kids of the original owner...Apparently, it was bought by a paperboy as his bicycle radio. Also got a Grunding so-205U console from that sale...It had a sad fate.

I like that moto too. I briefly had one just like that and still have the older version with the knobs stacked (first 3-way that I adapted to modern batteries)...The older on came from a yard sale in Lombard Il. When I was around 10-12 years old I bought it from the kids of the original owner...Apparently, it was bought by a paperboy as his bicycle radio. Also got a Grunding so-205U console from that sale...It had a sad fate.

Good stories Tom. I too started collecting at about 12-13, and I too basically trashed those early sets. The were very inexpensive back then and when they stopped playing my father would say "you can't get the parts for those old sets anymore". One nice '48 GE was ruined when I sprayed Windex on the dial - need say more!

PS - I recently grabbed one more of these airplane-luggage battery-only portables - a 1939 RCA-Victor 94BP-1. When I saw how nice this original set was and how reasonably priced it was (working w/battery pack), it was a no-brainer to get it. That great little dial with the blue-background, small "little nipper" knobs, and nice brass plaque is just enough to make it attractive.

http://videokarma.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=198005&d=1544298626

Thanks.

I actually was a very responsible kid when it came to tube radios (Newer SS gear though I often bought just for the fun of dismantling)... I was probably around 4-6 when I got my first tube radio and most were kept well.

That Grundig was pristine except for the dial strings being off (I just set FM tuning cap to my favorite station and used the record changer)...When I was 12 years old and my family getting ready to move I brought it to a certain S&S Grundig shop in Chicago the changer on the unit was not secured and on the ride there it fell out and the pickup arm broke...The mean Germans that ran the place had the gall to blame ME for breaking the arm. A bit of a scene and argument broke out. After that, we took it to the shop of the fellow that got me started in radio repair. He discovered there was a damaged friction clutch mech on the tuning knob that the band switch actuated to operate the FM cap independent of the AM/SW cap. He was unsure if he could get the parts he needed, and while he was looking into it the console fell off a cart in his shop and the cabinet got ruined...After that, it got sold for parts. I really liked that console and was not happy at what became of it.

Thanks.

I actually was a very responsible kid when it came to tube radios (Newer SS gear though I often bought just for the fun of dismantling)... I was probably around 4-6 when I got my first tube radio and most were kept well.

That Grundig was pristine except for the dial strings being off (I just set FM tuning cap to my favorite station and used the record changer)...When I was 12 years old and my family getting ready to move I brought it to a certain S&S Grundig shop in Chicago the changer on the unit was not secured and on the ride there it fell out and the pickup arm broke...The mean Germans that ran the place had the gall to blame ME for breaking the arm. A bit of a scene and argument broke out. After that, we took it to the shop of the fellow that got me started in radio repair. He discovered there was a damaged friction clutch mech on the tuning knob that the band switch actuated to operate the FM cap independent of the AM/SW cap. He was unsure if he could get the parts he needed, and while he was looking into it the console fell off a cart in his shop and the cabinet got ruined...After that, it got sold for parts. I really liked that console and was not happy at what became of it.
Sad about the Grundig. Even in my case, sets got ruined not from misuse, but mishaps. I learned as I got older how to leave well enough alone with these old sets in both tinkering and cleaning. Also, as I got better sets and spent more money on them, it gave me incentive to be extra delicate with them!

In my experience those battery only radios or 3-way power radios like what is being discussed in this thread are NOT inexpensive the "cheapest" one I've seen so far was over $100 which isn't inexpensive, for me if its $50 or less that's what I consider inexpensive. So unfortunately I'm probably never going to own a battery only set, seeing as I don't ever spend more than $50 for anything like a vintage radio or stereo equipment.

In my experience those battery only radios or 3-way power radios like what is being discussed in this thread are NOT inexpensive the "cheapest" one I've seen so far was over $100 which isn't inexpensive, for me if its $50 or less that's what I consider inexpensive. So unfortunately I'm probably never going to own a battery only set, seeing as I don't ever spend more than $50 for anything like a vintage radio or stereo equipment.
I'm saying these are inexpensive in relation to the average price mid-level antique radios go for these days. In that light I feel I'm fair in what I said. I got my first example this year, the '40 Firestone, for $55, and it's in exceptional condition. If you keep an eye open for them, I'm sure you can find one within your range. To call these anything near expensive radios would be incorrect.

In my experience those battery only radios or 3-way power radios like what is being discussed in this thread are NOT inexpensive the "cheapest" one I've seen so far was over $100 which isn't inexpensive, for me if its $50 or less that's what I consider inexpensive. So unfortunately I'm probably never going to own a battery only set, seeing as I don't ever spend more than $50 for anything like a vintage radio or stereo equipment.

These portables and farm sets do tend to be on the low end of the market. With farm radio tombstones where there was also an AC set that used the same cabinet the battery only versions tend to fetch ~1/2-1/4 the price of the AC versions. Many portables tend to be cheap as well. Granted better condition tube radios have generally been climbing out of the $5-40 range.

The nicer stuff you gotta pay more for or be really persistent in your search and or lucky. I often go to radio swapmeets ready to spend $100-300...Sometimes I hunt up a bunch of deals on low price stuff sometimes I blow most of it on a big ticket item that I feel I'll enjoy more than 5-10 average or project sets, sometimes I just don't want anything all that much and buy nothing or close to it (and save that money for other stuff).
Also you only have so much space, once it fills (that has happened to me a few times) if you still want stuff you start to realize that selling 10 cheap and or junky sets and spending the money earned on one really nice set both fixes the space issue and improves the overall quality of what you have...

These portables and farm sets do tend to be on the low end of the market. With farm radio tombstones where there was also an AC set that used the same cabinet the battery only versions tend to fetch ~1/2-1/4 the price of the AC versions. Many portables tend to be cheap as well. Granted better condition tube radios have generally been climbing out of the $5-40 range.

The nicer stuff you gotta pay more for or be really persistent in your search and or lucky. I often go to radio swapmeets ready to spend $100-300...Sometimes I hunt up a bunch of deals on low price stuff sometimes I blow most of it on a big ticket item that I feel I'll enjoy more than 5-10 average or project sets, sometimes I just don't want anything all that much and buy nothing or close to it (and save that money for other stuff).
Also you only have so much space, once it fills (that has happened to me a few times) if you still want stuff you start to realize that selling 10 cheap and or junky sets and spending the money earned on one really nice set both fixes the space issue and improves the overall quality of what you have...
I agree. The bottom line is collecting antiques is a luxury. If you can't afford to pay what the average selling price is to be in the hobby, then it's probably best not to be involved. I sacrifice money that I could be putting towards many other things to enjoy this hobby, but then I'll back away from it for long stretches every once in while due to finances.
In the antique radio hobby, if you can't afford these battery sets, or typical AA5's and such, then it's definitely not for you.

I recently grabbed one more of these airplane-luggage battery-only portables - a 1939 RCA-Victor 94BP-1. When I saw how nice this original set was and how reasonably priced it was (working w/battery pack), it was a no-brainer to get it. That great little dial with the blue-background, small "little nipper" knobs, and nice brass plaque is just enough to make it attractive.

Thanks for the reminder... I just hauled one of these down from a top shelf where it has been sitting as a static display for at least 20 years. It has a slightly different color scheme than yours, with a light olive green front and back, green dial background and cream colored “little nipper” knobs. I just replaced one tube and connected it to power supplies and it appears to work, but is fairly weak. Pix will follow after clean-up and re-cap.

IMHO, these battery only sets are usually quite inexpensive compared to AC radios from the 30s.

jr

Thanks for the reminder... I just hauled one of these down from a top shelf where it has been sitting as a static display for at least 20 years. It has a slightly different color scheme than yours, with a light olive green front and back, green dial background and cream colored “little nipper” knobs. I just replaced one tube and connected it to power supplies and it appears to work, but is fairly weak. Pix will follow after clean-up and re-cap.

IMHO, these battery only sets are usually quite inexpensive compared to AC radios from the 30s.

jr
Cool! It's a nice robust set and a great performer once restored. My research on it has shown that it was available in a few different types of Tolex finishes, dial and knob colors.

I find that the days of nice $50 sets are about over. Usually a $50 radio is either an undesirable model, or an example which needs a lot of work. There's a lot to the statement that something is only original once. When I began this hobby, I liked the prospect of buying a beater for low money, and re-finishing it. These days, I have zero interest in a cabinet which needs extensive work. I either want original, or I'll pass on it. Unless of course it's a really cool radio, and there's options for rescuing the original finish.

Cool! It's a nice robust set and a great performer once restored. My research on it has shown that it was available in a few different types of Tolex finishes, dial and knob colors.

Here is a quick shot of the color scheme on mine... I just ploped it down on an end table that is being prepaired for our tree. The Matchless “wonder stars” also date back to the 30s.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4910/31327200007_02d4d8d808_z_d.jpg

jr

Here is a quick shot of the color scheme on mine... I just ploped it down on an end table that is being prepaired for our tree. The Matchless “wonder stars” also date back to the 30s.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4910/31327200007_02d4d8d808_z_d.jpg

jr
Very nice example! I like that variation too. Nice how they used the light colored knobs on yours to contrast the darker tone.

Another battery only set in my collection is this compact Majestic 130 which at only 4x5.5x7 inches, is similar in size to the Sonora “Candid” mentioned earlier in this thread.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4876/46240908502_6b1787fe21_z_d.jpg

Major difference in design philosophy however, the Sonora uses 4 miniature tubes, while the Majestic stuck with octal tubes, and only had room for 3 tubes. Performance is not outstanding, but it is a cute little radio, and difficult to find. Likely not as inexpensive as the larger sets.

jr

Another battery only set in my collection is this compact Majestic 130 which at only 4x5.5x7 inches, is similar in size to the Sonora “Candid” mentioned earlier in this thread.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4876/46240908502_6b1787fe21_z_d.jpg

Major difference in design philosophy however, the Sonora uses 4 miniature tubes, while the Majestic stuck with octal tubes, and only had room for 3 tubes. Performance is not outstanding, but it is a cute little radio, and difficult to find. Likely not as inexpensive as the larger sets.

jr
Nice example. A friend and fellow collector had one of them for sale once and being he did my repair work, he didn't seem too excited to get it working for me, so I passed. It's a nice set, but the tenite disk knobs warp badly. Like the little '33 Kadette Jr. AC set, it was more of novelty than anything else. You just can't beat the more typical larger models.

Nice example. A friend and fellow collector had one of them for sale once and being he did my repair work, he didn't seem too excited to get it working for me, so I passed. It's a nice set, but the tenite disk knobs warp badly. Like the little '33 Kadette Jr. AC set, it was more of novelty than anything else. You just can't beat the more typical larger models.

If you look at the schematic in N/A, you'll see the 1D8GT tube is a multi-purpose tube. It's a proper superhet, but not much in the line of AVC.
I don't think too many were made or survived. :sigh:

If you look at the schematic in N/A, you'll see the 1D8GT tube is a multi-purpose tube. It's a proper superhet, but not much in the line of AVC.
I don't think too many were made or survived. :sigh:
Interesting little set. Yeah, the one my friend had was the only one that I can recall I had the chance to acquire. I should've gotten it because other than a missing strap, it was in pretty good shape. I do have my little 2-tube Kadette Jr. working and it's almost comical how it performs. It just squeaks out audio!

Interesting little set. Yeah, the one my friend had was the only one that I can recall I had the chance to acquire. I should've gotten it because other than a missing strap, it was in pretty good shape. I do have my little 2-tube Kadette Jr. working and it's almost comical how it performs. It just squeaks out audio!
It's some form of a regenerative TRF.
I looked at the schematic again and they made four different variations of it.

I saved this one from a likely bad end. It actually cleaned up nicely. The flash of the pic does not do it justice. The interior is very clean and no doubt I'll have this one working soon. It's a 1939 Trutone "Tiny Four". No model number which is common on these smaller brand sets. It's a darker tweed then typical. It also went under the Admiral name and likely a few others. It's slightly larger than it looks in the pics and needed a strong replacement handle.

Here's a '39 Stewart Warner "Companion Radio" model 02-41. I got the set with the original Burgess batteries in it dated 1942. I replaced them with modern batteries and cleaned all the sockets and controls and it came on playing well as-is! 75+ years dormant and it plays. If that's not a testament to the quality of products back then, nothing is!

I hope you held onto the original batteries. They can be kept as an artifact or gutted and used to hide modern batteries and or a DC to DC voltage stepup converter.

I hope you held onto the original batteries. They can be kept as an artifact or gutted and used to hide modern batteries and or a DC to DC voltage stepup converter.

Yes I did Tom, thanks. They're in pretty good shape too. Amazing how they never leaked in 77 years. They barely moved when I tried to take them out, but then they finally budged. They actually looked great in the set, but they made it very heavy! The 3 of them are nearly the weight of the radio!