John Eng's Dead Tech Rescue

1945-1959 Post War Tube Radios

Page 6

Specialty Vacuum Tube Radios During the Postwar

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1951-52 National Hospital Radio Service 1583W
Hospital Coin Operated Radio (Modified Majestic 5LA50/60)

Research found that radio entertainment helps in patient's convalescence. Coin operated radios were made available. This model used a modified Majestic chassis that added a coin box, timing mechanism and internal volume limiter. A pillow speaker was used to promote privacy and personal listening comfort. 1 to 5 dimes can be used providing 1 hour play time/dime. The on-off switch on the volume control can stop the timer so one can listen another time without wasting the remaining time from the dime deposit.

Coin box not only collects dimes but locks the back cover to prevent tampering.

Left National Hospital Radio Service radio and Right a pre war Majestic 5T10. Majestic used this same cabinet early in the post war with upgrades in circuitry.

The Pillow Speaker has a convenient storage which doubles as a speaker stand.

First Postwar Zenith Transoceanic Portable (1946-48)- Model 8G005

TUBES USEDEarly (1946-47) - 1LA6, 1LN5 (2), 1LD4, 1LE3, 1LB4 (2) and 117Z6
Late (1947-48)- 1LA6, 1LN5 (2), 1LD4, 1LE3, 1LB4 (2) and 117Z3
Zenith introduced a totally redesigned Transoceanic replacing the first unit model 7G605 (1942) often called the "Clipper". Still using pre war loctal battery tubes, Zenith employed the best design concepts for consumer electronics at the time. This is the only model that used a push-pull output stage. Improvements in electronic band spread and a more streamlined layout set the stage for later tube based Transoceanics. Sold from 1946 to 1949 only one major change was implemented. The 117Z6GT octal based rectifier was replaced with a miniature smoother operating 117Z3 rectifier.

This the first model that is an integrated suitcase style radio. Opening a door leads to radio back access, instruction manual and radio front panel.

ABOVE: The coil tower design (left side) was used throughout the tube Transoceanic tube series. Most of the parts were PREWAR types.BELOW: One of the nice things about battery radios is that intermittent used presents less heat and less damage to vulnerable parts like paper capacitors. I restuffed the capacitors that are near the power supply (most concentrated heat). The rest I left alone and straightened out. The major problem is replacing the rubber wire Zenith used, many have dried out and cracked. The power supply was modified and I had to redo it. All electrolytic capacitors were repaired by stuffing modern ones in.

BELOW: Closeup of coil tower.

Zenith 8G005 Companion Portable

ULTRA RARE

Zenith Universal Global 6G004 (1946)

Zenith Transoceanics often had a companion radio that was different in application but had a similar profile, In 1946 Zenith decided to provide two companions the very common 6G001 Universal series and the ultra rare 6G004 Global. The 6G001 series was an AM band only while Global was a AM/SW portable. The 6G001 Universal series continued for the entire run of the 8G005 Transoceanic while the 6G004 only for the 1946 year. To 6G001 had a TRF front end RF amplifier while the 6G004 used a simpler wide band RF amplifier to keep cost down. Unlike the Transoceanic the Global did not use bandspread tuning which made the Global no better than most basic radios with SW.

The red switches are for band select and AC/DC cselection. The were missing but Renovated Radios has reproductions available.

ABOVE: Tubes in the 6G004 used are1LA6, 1LN5 (2), 1LH4, 3Q5GT and 117Z6. The bottom of the cabinet houses the battery similar to the Zenith Transoceanic 8G005.

ABOVE: When I purchased the radio it was recapped but never finished. I restuffed the electrolytics and check other components.

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