V 0 L U M E 2 N U M B E R 3 & 4 W I N T E R l 9 9 7
Special End-of-Year Double Issue!
JOURNAL OF THE CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL RADIO SOCIETY .F 0 R T H E R E S T 0 R A T I 0 N A N D P R E S E R V A T I 0 N 0 F E A R L Y R A D I 0 California H i s t o r c a R a d i o Society N e w s CHRS OFFICERS AND STAFF ABOUTCHRS
PRESIDENT/ BOARD CHA.IR.MAN/ GENERAL COUNSEL The California Historical Radio Society MAIL PICK-UP MAILING CHAIRMAN Bart Lee (CHRS) is a non-profit coporation chartered in Steve Kushman Dale Sanford 88 Kearny St #1301 the State of California CHRS was fonned in 4233-25th. St. 107 St. Thomas Wy. San Francisco, CA 94108 1974 to promote the restoration and preserva• San Francisco, CA 94114 Tibouron, CA 94920 415 956-5959 tion of early radio and broadcasting. Our goal 415 821-7671 415 435-6131 is to provide the opportunity to exchange NAME BADGE CHA.IRJ.\1AN ideas and infonnation on the history of radio, VICE PRESIDENT/ ON SITE EVENT Nonn Lebfeldt particularly in the West, with emphasis in PUBLICITY CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN 757 Guerreo St collecting, literature, programs, and the Lee Allder Paul Bourbin San Francisco, CA 94110 restoration and display of early equipment P.O. Box 6785 25 Greenview Ct. 415 285-0643 The Journal of the Society is published and San Rafael, CA 94903 San Francisco, CA 94131 furnished free of charge to members. Yearly 415 499-9228 415 648-8489 TECHNICAL AD VISOR membership dues are $20 (U.S. funds). Larry Clark Submissions for the Journal are always SECRETARY WEBSITE CHAIRi\1AN 438 York Dr. welcome. Typed copy is prefered, submitted Russ Turner Alan Voorhees Benicia, CA 94510 on a 3.5 inch IBM or Macintosh diskettes in 414 Liberty St 10809 Mcintyre St. 707 745-9132 ASCII or Microsoft Word format. Send all San Francisco, CA 94114 Oakland, CA 94605 material to Alan Voorhees and include your 415 824-8367 510 562-3235 JOURNAL STAFF: name, address, and phone number. You write EDITOR about radio and we '11 print it. TREASURER MEMBERSHIP Alan Voorhees Will Jensby CHAIR1\1AN ©1996 California Historical Radio Society. All 645 Giannini Dr. Ylike Simpson CONTRIBUTORS rights reserved. No part of this publication Santa Clara, CA 95051 21818 Via Regina Dale Tucker may be reproduced in any form, or by any 408 296-6071 Saratoga, CA 95070 Bart Lee means, without prior written permission from 408 867-7315 CHRS, except that you may make "fair use" MAILING LABELS of quotations of text fully actribuited by you Hal Layer BOARD MEMBER SACRA1\1ENTO CHAPTER to the source (this Journal) and the author. P.O. Box 27676 John Eckland Bill Howell San Francisco, CA 94127 969AAddison Ave. 5724 Gibbons Street CHRS 415 661-6958 Palo Alto, CA 94301 Carmichael, CA 95608 P.O. Box 31659 415 323-0101 916 487-6384 San Francisco, CA 94131 BOARD MEMBER 415 821-9800 Mike Adams BOARD MEi\1BER SACREMENTO CHAPTER 112 Crescent Court John Wentzel Don Steger CHRS on the Internet: Scotts Valley, CA 95066 1609 Irving St. 4821 Rockland Way http://www.antiqueradios.com/chrs/ 408 439-9544 San Francisco, CA 94122 Fair Oaks, CA 95628 415 731-1920 916 967-4630 ON THE COVER
1939 ad for International Radio's Kadene "Tunemaster" wireless remote for any radio. California Historical R a d i o Society N e w s NEWS AND INFORMATION .. .FROM THE PRESIDENT Steve Kuslunan
NEWS: The highlight of the auction was an RCA CT· Lifetime Member 1998 Renewals 100. This is the first commercially produced Don Koijane, President of the Perham It's that time of year again! Your dues for color television (1954). Thanks for the high Foundation, has joined CHRS as a Lifetime 1998 are due and payable. Please take the bid from John Staples, who had been looking Member. We welcome Don, and thank him time to fill out the bandy renewal fonn . (It's for this set for a long time. John is a very for his commitment to our organization. Don the first page of this Journal.) Send it back as happy collector. It was important to the joins fellow Lifers, Norm Ber2e 1 Paul soon as possible, (no later than February Coulams, that the gear found its way into the Bourbin, Adam Schoolsky, Dale Sanford, 15th), if you want to receive the March hands of people who would respect, and take Robert Hope and Norman Leal. edition. Remember, if you try to sell at one of care of it. Thanks to our members, we took our events and your dues aren't current, it will care of that. Also my thanks to Paul Bourbin, Service Guide cost you $25. This fonn also has spaces for Stephan Ponek, Ekkehart Wilms, and Jeff The HOTLINE receives many calls from your free ad, repair specialties, name badge Hollin2er for their help on this project. To people who want to get radios, auto radios, orders, and coments. Fill it out completely Barbara and Bob Coulam, we are sorry for televisions, transistors, or phonos, (wind-ups and send it back now! your loss. We thank you again for the and electric) repaired or restored. Sometimes donations and wish you all the best for the it's easy to refer them. Sometimes it's not. Hints and Kinks Update future. Sometimes they are looking for service in a It's Here! CHRS Hints and Kinks specific location in the Bay Area or the State. (Twenty Years of CHRS), is back! Apologies -Negatives- We would like to compile a Service Guide, to those members who had to wait for their ! hope not to have to write under this composed of members who take in repair or copy. The wait was worth it! The New Hints beading too often, but. During the August, restoration work. It will cost you nothing to and Kinks is nothing like the old. It has been Foothill meet, I had two Sonitone, transistor• be listed if you are a current member. Just reviewed, edited, refonnatted, and turned into ized hearing aids, liberated from my table, send your name, address, phone mllilber and an invaluable guide to anyone serious about while I was away, doing Club business. Also, your repair specialties to: CHRS, P.O. Box repairing and restoring antique radios. The one of our transistor radio collectors has 31659, S.F. CA, 94131. Or leave the infonna• cover art is outstanding, and reflects the reported sets stolen at a previous meet. As tion on the HOTLINE. 415 821-9800 ...This is creativity of our editor Alan Voorhees. The members of the same Club, with common the same request that ran in the last Journal. New Hints and Kinks is available to those interests, trust is very important. Members I'm not pleased to report that only five people members who have lost their old copies or should feel comfortable, leaving their tables at responded, out of five hundred members! I'm wish to purchase the updated version. They our events. Remember sellers need to acquire sure that there are many members who would will be for sale at our events, at the special also. To the person with the Sonitones in lUs like to be listed in this guide. It' easy, just reduced price for members of $10. You can pocket. If you wanted hearing aids, enjoy write us , call the HOTLINE and leave a order them through the mail but send an extra them. Ifyou thought they were transistor message or fill in item #9 on the provided dollar for postage. Remember to tell your radios, ha, ha, fooled you! If you wanted to renewal fonn. friends that Hints and Kinks comes free as take value in a small package, there were two part of new memberships. Also, we have a #50 tubes about two feet away. OK, enough Hotline limited number of back issues of the CHRS said ... OOPS! One more item. Frank Remember, the CHRS HOTLINE, 415 821- Journal. They will be available at our events Camenish reports that a Radiograph, three 9800. Check the HOTLINE for the latest and for $5. dial battery set, (Serial #S581 ), and a Radiola best information or any changes involving our 1OOA speaker were stolen from his cabin in events. Since we are in the rainy season, ++Positives++ Placer Co. If you see these items or someone please check the HOTLINE the morning of the We would like to thank Barbara and Bob tries to sell them to you, please call Frank at event for rain cancellation. Use the HOTLINE Coulam, for the donation of items, for 415 453-9090. to register your repair or restoration specialty. auction, from their late son, Steve Coulam 's estate. Steve Coulam was the Chief Engineer Refreshments Anyone? On the Web at KOFY-TY, Ch. 20. I didn't know Steve, but I am pleased to report that we now have, Our web site continues to be a very we had a few things in common, besides our Commissioners of Coffee, Deliverers of popul:ir place to visit on the internet. Its first names. We both started in radio and Doughnuts and Sellers of Soda, (and juice). snappy graphics and valuable infonnation moved to television. We were both engineers And its all done with Love! That's Lynn and make it a must visit site. You can examine at Ch. 20. Steve loved to tinker, and so do I. Martin Love, who will have these items radios, he:ir vintage radio programs, read And when I walked into his house ...both pack available at our events. No more will I hear, articles from the CHRS Journal, see radios for rats' The auction was held at our Foothill "Where's the coffee?!" Thanks, Lynn and sale and much more. Also the number of radio meet, August 2nd, and I'm pleased to report, Martin, and keep up the good work. related links to other sites is growing. This we raised $3000, half of which, went to site is maintained by our Web Site Chairman CHRS, at the request of the Coulam Family. und Journal Editor, Alan Voorhees. When 3 C a 1 f o r n 1 a H s t o r c a 1 R a d i o s 0 c e t y N e w s
you see this super member, shake his hand send a note to Larry and let him know what starting to set up before 8am. (This does not thank him for the great job he is doing! Our you need. apply to the CHRS table, which has Club web site address is: Enclose a self addressed stamped information on it, and the coffee and dough• http:/lwww.antiqueradios.com/chrs/ envelope and $1. Mail to: nut table.) We have established a start time for Visit often! Larry Clark these events to make it fair for all, especially 438York Dr. for people coming from great distances. And, Journal Benicia, CA 94510 many other clubs now use this procedure. If We need more articles for the Journal. We (707-745-9132) we continue to have people who jump the need more articles for the Journal. We need Or if you need assistance with a repair gun, we will unfortunately for all, line up the more articles for the Journal. The preceding is project, call Larry and maybe he can help. cars and not open the lot before Xam . No one not a misprint. It's to express the seriousness Thanks Larry, for volunteering your time to wants to do this. So, PLEASE. leave your of this situation. Everyone says that this help our members! vehicles closed until 8am. Thanks for your co• Journal is great. Well, it is. And what keeps it operation. great is contributions of articles form our Presidio Project members. We are running out. The Journal As you may know, CHRS is involved with End of the Year Ramblings won't be so great if it's full of nothing but old the Perham Foundation, in a project to Another year has come and gone faster magazine reprints. How about writing down restore the original radio station buildings in than a 20 dollar Catalin. I hope everyone that article you've always talked about. Now the historic Presidio of San Francisco. The found a lot of items on their "want lists" in is a good time. Since the popularity of eventual goal is to have these sites restored to 1997, and hope everyone has enjoyed our transistor radios continues to grow, it would original condition, display working historical events. Our membership continues to hover at be great to have articles or a regular column gear, to possibly have a home for the Perham around 500 members. The costs of rururing about them. Who of our veteran transistor Foundation's Electronic Museum and to the Club continue to increase. Insurance, collectors is ready to accept this challenge? possibly build the California Historical Radio printing, postage and the costs of the Foothill What about articles on antique phonographs? Society Museum. The CHRS Museum would site are very expensive. The auctions we have My favorite radio. My favorite television set. not only contain radios, but other historically had this year have helped a lot, especially My most memorable restoration job. How to related media, such as phonographs, hi-fi when we have good items donated. What restore a specific set. Tips for displaying equipment, historical audio gear, micro• really doesn't help us, is to have the junk, that collections. Tips on repairs. This is my phones, wireless gear, etc. At this time we are you can't give away, donated for auction. We collection. You ge( the idea, start writing! And awaiting the placement and the startup of the will continue to have auctions, but please send in plenty of pictures. Thanks to all who Presidio Trust who will oversee all develop• think about the good of the Club when you placed want ads and keep them coming. ment in the park. We will then resubmit the donate and bid. Remember they are free to current members. paperwork to get the ball rolling again on this This Club continues to run well due to the Ifyou want your ad canceled, please let us project. See Bart Lee's article for the latest. hard work of the following people: know. As always, thanks to Alan Voorhees Alan Voorhees Journal Editor and Webmaster for an outstanding job as our editor. Museum Fund Dale Sanford Mailing chairman ( \\ ~ th help Thanks to all who continue to donate to from his wife. Vernelle) Name Badges the Presidio Museum Fund. The Fund stands Paul Bourbin On site event chairman & No rm Lehfeldt, our Badge Chairman, at a little over $1000. Th;J.nk you all. Keep the auctioneer reports orders for the new Plastic Name donations coming. Lee Allder Vice Pres. & publicity chairman Badges are brisk. This attractive new and Bart Lee Our general counsel improved badge features our favorite "Sky Foothill Procedures Will Jensby The Treasurer Terrier" logo and now features 3 lines of type! For the last couple of events at Foothill Norm Lehfeldt Name badge chairman Also the first 2 lines have larger type, making College, we have tried to let sellers drive in Larry Clark Technical advisor & librarian this badge easy to read. All these improve• and park themselves, then collected the fees Hal Layer Mailing labels ments cost you only 25 cents more. Send your later. This procedure didn't work too well. Russ Turner Our Secretary check for $7 along with your 3 lines of Starting with the February 7th meet, we'll be Mike Simpso n Membership chairman information to: CHRS, P.O. Box 31659, S.F. going back to the old system. Sellers should Martin & Lynn Love Refreshment chairper- CA 94131. Show your support for CHRS by tum right into Lot "D", check in, pay your sons ordering a new badge today! fees, then Paul Bourbin will direct you to Stephan Ponek Board member your space. Remember, we will be checking I could not do my job if it were not for Technical Reprint Service sellers for current membership. If it's not the efforts of these people. I wish to express Our Technical Advisor, Larry Clark, current and you want to sell, be prepared to my sincere thanks and gratitude to them for continues to offer reprints of schemahcs or pay $25. The other concern we've had, is that helping to make CHRS the best organization other materials from the CHRS Library. Just people have been putting up tables and in the country. Thank you!!!! 4 C a I f 0 r D a H s I o r c a R a d 1 o S 0 C I ~ \' N c " s
INFORMATION: August 2nd Saturday, Sam Los Altos Hills, Foothill College, Lot Collector Events "D". AUCTION. Sellers fee applies. Here is the list of events for 1998. All WARRANTED FIXED R ESISTORS events are subject to change or rainout. Please September 5th. Saturday, Sam- Joint meet call the CHRS HOTLINE: 415 S21 -9SOO, for HEAVY•DlJTY TYPE with SCARS in San Luis Obispo. The new Lynch wire-wound heavy the best updated information. Please note the Date is tentative. Loca1ion 10 be announced. duty resistors for eliminator and events that are "Ten1a1ive" or "To Be Thanks to Dan Steele. power work are now r eady. These units are ideal for use in Raytheon Announced." and all other power circuits. October 3rd. Saturday, 9AM EQlJALIZORS February 7th. Satu rday, Sam Western Railway Museum, between Fairfield For l)er!ect ftlament eontrol u.e th• Lynch Equaliion. Tbue ;,, a tyl)(! !or every tY'P• Los Altos Hills, Foothill College, and Rio Vista, State Rt.12. Collectors event of tube and !or any eombination o! tubee. A Lynch Equa lizor w ill take the 'Place o! Lot "D'. Take El Monte Rd. west off I-280. and Picnic. No sellers fee, pay reduced your ftlament rbC0<1tata. Coml)lete, with Make a right tum into the campus. At the Outer muselllll admission. Thanks to Paul Bourbin • mountin~. $1.00. Ly nch Sappr... on a nd Low-loH Campus Circle, you must now tum RIGHT, for setting up this one. moantlnp mun better radio. instead of left. Go up the hill and look for LOT At All Good Dtaleu tum :\R.THU R H . ~•u•u Gen.Mo~nBlda. "D", (formerly Lot "T"), and right into the November 7th. Saturday, Sam • • B'wa7 A 5Stb St. lot. AUCTION. Sellers fee applies. Los Altos Hills, Foothill College. L YNCH, INC., . New York, N. Y. Lot "D". AUCTION. Sellers fee applies. March 7th. Saturday, 9AM Sacramento, the Towe Ford Museum, December- (nothing yet) 'BBA$tERY on Front St. near Capitol Ave. Near Old Town. Happy Holidays from CHRS Sellers fee applies. See a fine collection of WMINATOR vintage autos in a great museum setting. Sacramento Chapter Mee tings- Are held the Thanks to Bill Howell for arranging this event. 3rd Tuesday of every month. 7pm at the 5 SMUD building, comer of Elkhorn and Don .,.~ . !1! - April 4th. Saturday, Sam Julio, In Sacramento. All members are invited WWTY w1th "8" Batterln! HMk ff a Concord, Concord Flea Market at the Solano to attend! Pet1act"· •w• u9 u Ba.ttwY Elialu._tw ud fttt tt Mt· tuy lroubleo I-t r. Tbls -dorful uw 11.. n. Drive-in. Sellers fee applies. Thanks to Stan tlon. aeaa1 bttttr rec.oUtn, atw'fu tvalot . Gives )'tu more ra.J J feuure fnm your Mt. Lopes for setting up this event. Please feel free to call me with any Completely Equippecl- Now£xuaa" to Buy Oporatea porf•tly .., dlnct .,. altenatlnt cur. thoughts and suggestions you may have for the rent, 1lvl11 up tt 90 volb curr111t. aad uJln1 Utt full wave of Ibo ,..., oupply. 81•olo dinctlono May 2rd. Saturday, Sam Club. This organization is kept fresh and ..cl o t«l-n~o ca.o olut It In to UIY -Ind of .C d 1<1 up to al• blba. C.ftltant ..ita o• Los Altos Hills, Foothill College, Lot "D". interesting by new ideas that come from the yen :,::: ::: :i°' :..'.i~ii .. c::~; r u~"· {400 SEND YOUR ORDER NOW AUCTION. Sellers fee applies. members. Your comments are most appreciat• &- Don't blHl6 yOllr Ml boeaUM Mlft """"";.._._.r dowa ..8 " Battw•ts nn't let It w.rlt ed. Call me at 415-821-7671 or leave a rltht. Onler YOll• Ellalnator NOW. Wrlta n.arn1 and add,.. lft a • lete .t ,.,,•• • In • June 6th. Saturday, Sam message on the HOTLINE at 415-821 -9800. dollar blll t• It. aod -11 It TO DAY. l'a1 ...t. ••• bollJltO ($3.75 olU1 a fow ...b OM111U) Rafael, Erik's Downtown Drive-In, I would like to wish all the members and wll111 ho dt!lv.. )"Ollr Ellmlnatw. UM 11 I• San daya. If HI . ... UW> a thftod, rdllnl II ..... 11t nur •onty back. comer of 2nd. and Lindaro. Sellers fee applies. their families, the Happiest of Holidays and a PERFECT ELIMINATOR CO. Thanks to Lee AIJder and remember ... Erik Prosperous and Healthy New Year! U4 NatllMI Th•tn Bldt.. Clad1natl, Ohio cooks a great breakfast! Date is Tentative. HAPPY COLLECTING! Make Any Good Receiver Steve BETTER July 4th. Saturday, Sam 0,n.. San Francisco, St. Annes of the Sunset, ~Mf g.~~: 850 Judah St. off Funston (13th. ave.). \E Inc. AUCTION. Sellers fee applies. Thanks to T U B ES ProJtfi.°"' John Wentzel of Aladdin Radio for making the arrangements. In Memoriam
George Edwards Hoffman Jan. 11, 1928-July 11, 1997
5 California H s t o r c a 1 R a d i o s 0 c e t y N e w s WANT ADS
Wanted- Televisions, Philco Predictas all Wanted- White dial indicator for Zenith 5- Wanted- RCA CED Videodisk players and models. All types of earlier TVs wanted. Send S 128. Cube cabinet for Philco 40-1 80. For movies. Art Adams 415-321-4886. fax or description to Sheldon Donig, 340 Sale or Trade- my novelty and replica radios. Laurel Ave. San Anselmo, CA 94960 SASE for list. Zenith 3000-1 manual, For Sale· Misc. parts, hi-voltage caps, DCC 415-454-8851 Fax 415-456-9322. complete, good condition $8. Ben Martin, wire, etc. Send SASE for list. 18334 Pepper St., Castro Valley, CA 94546. Dan Smith. 8904 Cypress. Cotati. CA. 94931. Wanted· Riders manuals, Volumes 17 thru 510-582-6804. 707-664-8156. 23. Call CHRS HOTLINE· 415-821-9800. Wanted- Back cover, chassis shielding or For Sale- Thousands of tubes, various tube For Sale- CHRS Tee shirts, $17, including power cord plug for Edison C-2 radio phono. sockets, (e.g., Amphenol octal ceramic) and postage. CHRS baseball caps $I 0, including Fred Deal, 916-478-4842. shields. Assorted hardware and components, postage. Call CHRS HOTLINE 415 821-9800. (wire, resistors, insulators, grid/plate caps. Wanted- Tuning mechanism for Atwater Kent etc.) Don Buchalter 510-569-3619. Wanted· Blue, etched, side mirror for Sparton 318. Jim Regan, 415-664-7814. 558 (4 knob). Chassis for Stewart Warner Wanted- Any information about radio R469. Abbottwares "Hula Girl" Radio. Steve Wanted-People interested in fonning a group operations at the Presidio, 1901- I 991. Kushman, 4233-25th. St. San Francisco, CA to buy capacitors in bulk and save money. Please call Bart Lee, 415- 788-4072(eves), 94114 415-821 - 76~) Martin Love, 415-341-6526. 415-956-5959 #103(days).
Wanted-1 945-1 953]~1ywood radios from the Wanted- Wave Magnet for a Zenith T.O. Wanted- Knobs for IO" Admiral plastic floor following companies: Emerson model model# &7G605 (bomber). 1L6 tube. Chris model TV. and fine tuning knob for 7" #503,#519,#535 or any with the perforated Rogers, 38 Smethurst Ave., Pakenham 3810, Motorola TV. also. Service- I repair auto fronts. Tele-Tone # 117, 117 A with speaker Victoria, Auatralia. radios. Roy Yost. 415-369-0890. holes. RCA model #28T. State price based on condition. Also want Zenith "radio nurse", Wanted- Western Electric 2A (power supply), Wanted- Large Midwest table model w/ half brown plastic speakers. Steven Cabella, 500 7A (amplifier), !OD horn speaker and tubes: round dial ( 1941) and other Midwest radios Red Hill Ave., San Anselmo, CA 94960. Phone 216A, 217A, 104D, 2050, 350B. and parts, what have you? For Sale· lots of 41 5-461-6810. Ming Yang, 510-376-4220. fax 510-376-8861. tubes and knobs, (send want list or call). also Victor wind-up/ Freed-Eisman radio phono Wanted- Mini-tube and hybrid coat pocket Wanted· chassis for Glori tone 27. combo, very rare and unique, $450/offer. size plastic radios, pocket crystal radios, Joe Selkregg, 408-980-0474. Mike Simpson. 408-867-7315. hearing aids. I'll buy, or trade my transistor radios. Mike Brooks, 7335 Skyline, Oakland, For Sale- Old radios, $50 to $150. 1930's to For Sale- Columbia HG phonograph. Plays CA 94611. Phone 510-339-1751. 1950's. Restored and working! Jim McDowell concert cylinders. Trade- Dyna Mark II plus 510-798-4333. cash for Dyna Mark III. For Sale- Send large SASE for tubes, parts, Allan Hibsch, 916-589-0138. literature, radios or for books, magazines, Wanted- Ampex MR-70, universal audio catalogs, manuals. Two stamps, please, brings compressors, mic pre-amps, EQs, other tube Services Offered-Repair/replacement of you both lists. broadcast and studio items. Leave message. meters before 1940. Wanted- Old meters/ Stan Lopes, 1201-74 Monument Blvd., Mark Drury 510-426-2300. Galvos before 191 0. As is okay. Thanks, Concord, CA 94520. 510-825-6865. Leonard Cart\\ right, 879 Russet Dr.. Sunny• For Sale- Edison Model C-2, radio phono, vale. CA 94087. Phone 408-739-6025 Wanted- Rack mount Navy radio RBC or unrestored, origin3l. $1000 or best offer. RBB, or the cabinet alone John Gibson, 1075 Wanted- assembly and operating instructions For Sale- Hallicrafters SX-43 restored-$175- Sterling Ave., Berkeley, CA 94708. Phone for a Globe "Chief' ham transmitter (no speaker). You pay UPS, local pick-up 510-849-1 051. "Zep" Bennett. 510-534-9576. preffered. Ted Stewart. 2157 Bracmar Rd , Oakland, CA 94602. Phone 510-531-7042 Free- Homemade LF/MF loop anterma. Range Wanted- Top $$$ paid for art deco sryle sets approx. 180-900Khz. Range can be altered. with chrome or metal grills/trim 11930-1940 For Sale- Bird Wattmeter with case and six Size: 40"x 60". You pick up. P.F. Warnke. only. Also buying radio & other advertising slugs. 2-30 'Mhz IOOw. 500w, IOOOw- I00- Vallejo. 707-643-6202. signs, clocks, banners. 250'Mhz 25w, 250w- 200-500 Mhz 25w. Adam Schoolsky. 503-579-1080. Excellent condition, Model 43, 50 ohm. Dave Schutt, 22 So. Keeble St. , San Jose, CA 95126. Phone 408-293-3437. 6 C a 1 f o r n i a H s t o r c a 1 R a d 1 o s 0 c e t y N e w s
For Sale- Kenwood TH21-A, 2 meter hand held tranciever, new ni-cads, short and long rubber duck, charger and l J5VAC supply. Original packing and manual- $60. Henry Meyer, 30 Tobin Clark Dr., Hillsborough, CA 94010. Phone 415-349-2071.
Wanted- UV-1 99 socket to make adapter to test tube at a 80 socket or an adapter. Edsel Erwin, 1513 E. Houston Ave., Fresno, CA 93720-2750. Phone 209-299-5012.
Wanted- Atwater Kent model 20, big box radios, any condition. please state price. Paul Thompson, 315 Larkspur Dr., Santa Maria, CA 93455. Phone 805-934-2778.
Wanted- Any information on the history, use, or development of the HT-4 transmitter by Hallicrafters. Mik.hael Brown, 188 Spruce• mont Place, San Jose. 408-578-6076.
Wanted- Small knob (one) for W. E. Aeriola Sr., either filament or tickler. Gene Warner, 522 Weiman, Ridgecrest CA 93555. Phone 619-446-2617.
Wanted- Antenna for Radiola Super VIII console, or details to construct one ... pictures, dimensions, etc. Mark S. Rauber, P.O. Box 1077, Minden NV 89403. 702-782-3596.
Wanted- Vintage and collectable TVs and related items, other than parts or service literature. Eric Stumpf, P.O. Box 60245, Santa Barbara CA 93160. Phone 805-964-9417.
Wanted- Good photos of tube type transmit• ters, trancievers, and allied equipment, for the next edition of 'Tube Type Transmitter Guide'. Gene Rtppen, 105 Dennington, Auburn, CA 95603. Phone 916-885-6147.
Wanted- Pocket size reel to reel tape or wire recorders. Guy Doss, 736 Los Padres Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95050. Phone 408-241-2437.
Wanted: Looking for help in repairing my Seeburg Model DS160 Juke Box. It rejects the selected 45 before it plays. Contact Norman at 1(510) 682-4592.
7 R a d o P e r s o n a e s 0 f w w Lord Haw Haw Nonnan Cox
September 11, 1939. In the early evening mil• cratic, public school or phony. lions of listeners in Great Britain are ruming on In March 1940 the riddle is solved. He is their radios and tuning in to Radio Germany not British. He is an American. A woman in where they often pick up important war bul• the village of Waldron, Sussex. interviewed by letins that will not be heard on the BBC Home The Sunday Pictorial, says that she is sure Lord News until 9:00 that everung. Tonight they Haw Haw is her ex-husband. William Joyce. hear a new voice from Joseph Goebbels' stable The British Catholic Herald states flatly that of propagandists. There is not much special to "Lord Haw Haw is William Joyce" British bring him to anyone's attention. His newscasts officials, after their own investigations. con• are at first mostly unremark- able. firm to the press that they have their man: Soon he develops an audience by rehash• William Joyce. On April 2, 1941 he identifies ing old grievances between labor and the coun• himself in a broadcast monitored by CBS's try's leaders. As the war runs more in the favor short wave listening station. of the Nazis his voice becomes more confident. Joyce was born I906 in New York of Irish It is arrogant and sarcastic and he delivers his parents and grew up in Ireland and the London news in a penetrating baritone. He now has slwns. He went to London University as a lan• adopted a pseudo Mayfair accent and he offers guage student, tutored for awhile and then in short skits, off color music hall style jokes and I 933 joined Sir Oswald Mosley's British Fas• commentaries against the English gentry. His cist party. Street brawls between different opening words "Gennany Calling" and "To political factions were not unusual at the time some I may seem to be a traitor but hear me and during an argument with a group of Com• out." become his trade marks. munists Joyce had his right cheek cut from William Joyce at the outbreak o1 ·rM 'liar Night after night he is heard and during the mouth to ear with a razor. He became one of long hours of the blitz, the British, huddled in Sir Oswald's leaders. Wearing his scar as a their bomb shelters, come to hate his voice as badge of dedication, he regularly took his tum no other voice has been hated in history. "Scur• on the Fascist speaker's stepladder at the Mar• ry into your cellars like rats you snobs of Kens• ble Arch comer of Hyde Park. Soon he devel• ington. The glorious Lufuvaffe is on its way to oped what he thought was a "cultured" speak• blow you to bits." Because of his fumbling ing accent from hanging around the University attempts at hwnor and his imitation accent The of London. In I937, when he was kicked out of Daily Express starts calling him Lord Haw Mosley's group, he fanned Britain's National Haw. The nickname sticks. His opening "Ger• Socialist League. many Calling" is repeated phonetically in the Just before World War II started. Joyce press as "Jairrnany Calling". BBC comics abandoned England and headed for Germany attack him in rhyme; he is impersonated at because he did not want to fight against lhe Mayfair events and he becomes a scornful Fuehrer and National Socialism. In September character in a musical revue. He becomes a popular listening habit and it is estimated, now, at the peak of his popularity, that over half of the 9,000,000 licensed British radios are tuned in to him nightly. Trying to figure out who he is becomes a national pastime. Some say he is: 1) a Ger• man professor who once taught in Scotland, 2) an ex Highlander, Norman Baillie-Stewart. who had been jailed in London for betraying military secrets or 3) Henry William Wicks, a onetime London insurance man now living in Germany with his Nazi-minded wife. The British, who always want to place people in their proper social level by identify• mg their accent, have many learned discus• sions in the press trying to nail down his back• ground which is variously described as aristo- 8 R a d 0 Person a e s 0 f w w
On May 18, 1941 the New York Times noted that the German press reponed: "A traitor. I Johann Wild, 49. was executed for regularly listening to foreign newscasts." These stnct actions, hard to understand today, were m response to the real and feared power of radio to mold public opinion. As the war wound down so did the once mighty Nazi radio propaganda machine Berlin's signal became weaker and weaker. Now broadcasting in shoner and shoner spasms it finally shut down without a sign off. Next Bremen faded away. Hamburg was now the sole source of the German High Com• mand's daily communiques. In Hamburg, on April 30, 1945, a week before Gennany surrendered, Joyce made his last broadcast. Sounding drunk, in a stuttenng and choking voice he admitted that Germany might be beaten. When Hamburg radio announced the fall of the city, Deuischland uber Alles filled the air. W!.lhelmshaven tried to carry on but finally, blaming poor atmospher• ics, it too shut down. Berliners, who still had working radios, heard their own Wagnerian Gouerdcunmerung flmeral played out just for them from somewhere inside Germany. "Vapors and smoke trail upward .... Underneath is a sea of flame, a volcano of millions of fires and twitching shadows." When Berlin was next heard it was speaking Russian. Hamburg
DJI 1s.20 - found its voice again but it was broadcasting a DJZ 11 .ICI - General Eisenhower speech in English. "The OJD 11.n- 25.4' ... DID 10.M- 21.54111 Allied forces serving under my command have •.n- JUIM DX, UJ- o .n .. now entered Germany. We come as con• querors." PROGRAM No. 38 WEEK OF APRIL 13, 1941 ./ Dr. Goebbels had realized that Joyce would be harshly treated if he fell into the ~ -- -~ hands of his fonner cmmtrymen and he issued special orders that he was to be given all means 1939 he signed on with the Nazis as an editor with each other by yelling out into the night of assistance to help him escape. He fled Ham• and announcer of English language news and their impersonations of his trademark "Jair• burg with a new identity and various travel propaganda. With all of the new found pub• many Calling". documents. He settled anonymously in the licity in the British press he soon became one When British planes were on their way to town of Flensburg. In the chaotic times of Goebbels' favorites. Adolf Hitler thought so bomb Germany the Hamburg radio station occupation he was unceremoniously kicked out much of his efforts that he awarded him the would shut down so that its signal could not be of his hotel room by the British who needed It Crown of War Merit medal, First Class. used as a homing beacon. The BBC gleefully for their own use. When the war started turning against Ger• gibed: "He shouts with rage and screams with Now on his own he started walking toward many the English tuned in to the hated Lord fear but pipes down when our planes are near." the Danish frontier carrying a German passport Haw Haw not for news, but for laughs. Now Inside Gennany the government was hav• made out in the name of Hanscn On the main his arrogant voice would describe retreats of ing trouble with its own radio listeners. On Jan• high\\'ay to Denmark he stopped to talk to £\\O the previously invincible Wehnnacht as "disen• uary 24, 1941 the Nazi controlled radio repon• British officers gathering firewood. Probably gaging movements". During the blackouts ed that six Germans had been sentenced from 4 to avoid suspicion he casually spoke to them Cockney office boys could be heard competing to 7 years for listening to foreign broadcasts. first in German, then m French \\'lthout 9 R a d 0 p e r s 0 n a e s 0 f w w
response. Then in what had to be the dumbest move on his part, he spoke to them in English. "I used to gather firewood myself." As any EVERY Englishman would, they recognized his voice DAY immediately. When they pressed him he S:OO A.. M. - 4:$0 P.M. OJZ- 2S m 0 1. - 19 .. , lO 11 JO "·-- io~a. admitted that yes he was Lord Haw Haw. He fr • •c~ CST J O 12 0 N. _.. i.a Pl>T 4 00 I 00 SIU:tn had his hand in his pocket and according to the LM. Ult. 6-()1) l.00 Coll. Early Bud Conc•l1 OZD-21m officers while he was talking he moved his ,.30 3.JO lf •-.iral...,~ 6 4$ ) .0 .. Action A. po11a hom the r,on1 • JO I lO "·- .. t.,.lM.la. hand in a threatening manner and one of the CMondar. w. on ..doy . fndou R1 • d•r Tolk - II :OS P .M. - 1:00 A..M. soldiers shot him in the thigh. He was quickly Cfu••do'f, Tl'\v" dgy Sol\irdoyJ 7 00 • 00 .,hauc 0 X P - 49 ID taken to Brixton Prison in England where he 8 00 s 00 Ne .. ta c;.,.ca 8 IS ~ : IS M UllC' II O~ wos Lal• Mueu: was 8 JO S·lO If•- la ...... II 1$ I 1$ Ne .. iaC..MM to be cared for until he could be tried for 1·0 us SIU:NT II 30 8 30 l.iat• M v • tc Conhnu.d treason. II JO I lO If•- la EatllM ~~· I 1.4S f ·O SIU:ln' 12.00 i 00 Ne.,.'-£.• liiiM The trial, which was to become the peoples .... A.M. 12 JO 'JO la C..lio.I. 12 IS i I~ Concert ot U9nt Mu• •c br n fit·cr ~ot version of the Nuremberg trials, took place in I? u 9 4S IfSIU:NT·- 81oodca•t1n9 O rchca1to I lO 10 lO ...... £..,U... I 00 10 References: Time, March 11 , 1940, May 14, 1945 Newsweek, June 11 , 1945 The New York Times, June 19, 26, 1945 September 18. 19, 20, 1945, Jan 4, 1946 10 B e h n d T h e M c r 0 p h 0 n e Lone Ranger "Test Recording" Arthur F. Adams While going to college in Chicago in the late with a portion of the Overture to WiUam Tell l940's I worked for a surplus electronic store by Rossini followed by the announcers intro• (Junk dealer ) in order .to make money to aug• duction, "With a fiery horse with the speed of ment my G. I. bill. Working in the surplus busi· light, a cloud of dust and a hearty Hi-Yo Silver ness at this time is another story in itself. Dur· The Lone Ranger!" On this date on the disk .. . and a ing this time I met many fascinating people, the sent to the sponsor the announcer opened the source of the following story being one of program with, "With a fiery horse with the FARTY them. His name escapes me, all I remember is speed of light, a cloud of dust and a FARTY Hi-Ho Silver ... that he was a former recording engineer for (full emphasis upon FARTY) Hi-Yo Silver, The radio station WXYZ Detroit. The word "for• Lone Ranger!" mer" stands out for reasons that will be come This disc was duly sent on to the sponsor to light as the story unfolds. and some four weeks went by without com• While at WXYZ, George (a name for ref• ment. The suspicions of the trio appear to have erence only) was a recording engineer for the been confirmed until a panic telephone call Lone Ranger radio show. At this time the Lone was received at WXYZ about a week before Ranger was aired three times a week, first over this program was to air. It was the sponsor! stations in Chicago and New York as well as What the trio was not aware of was that Detroit and then on others throughout the one of the senior vice presidents of Ralston country. Typically a show would be written and Purina (the sponsor) was an avid Lone Ranger recorded some six weeks in advance of its fan. Upon his direction to the mail room, all scheduled broadcast date to give time for Lone Ranger recordings were to sent to his review and distribution to network stations. At office as soon as they were received. This way this time there were no satellite or microwave he could upstage his friends by knowing in links. Telephone lines provided reasonable advance what was going to happen on future fidelity for sending radio programs to network Lone Ranger shows. As luck would have it, he stations. For serial programs like the Lone was on a month long marketing trip when this ranger it was important that programs be particular recording reached his office . Upon broadcast at the same local time in the different returning, he gradually caught up on the Lone U. S. time zones. In order to have simultaneous Ranger's adventures. When he listened to the broadcast of programs, shows were recorded "test" record he nearly had a stroke! At first he on 16" transcription disks which were then sent couldn't believe what what he heard. He had to the network for broadcast on a specific date several others listen and confirm his fears. At and time. this time broadcasters were very careful about In the case of the Lone Ranger, as with what was aired since bad language could many other radio programs at this time, the reflect upon the sponsor products .. For exam· show had only one sponsor, not like the multi• pie it wasn't until the l 960's that a person tude of sponsors seen on today's TV programs. could even say "damn" over the radio. He As part of the Network contract, a review copy could see the futures ofRalston Purina sudden· of each program was sent some five weeks in ly going down the tube! When he realized that advance of the air date to the sponsor for this show was to air in about om: week's time review and comment. If there were no prob• and hit the panic S\~~tch and phoned WXYZ 1 lems the broadcast discs were sent from Of course when the record file clerk at WXYZ to the network some two weeks in WXYZ pulled the master copy II was as pure advance of scheduled air time. as the drivc:n snow. It didn't take long. howe\·· After one particular recording session the er, to pic:ce togc:ther what had h:ippencd The announcer mentioned that no comments had sponsor insisted that someone had to be fired. ever been received back from the sponsor. It They couldn't very well fire the Lone Ranger appeared that the review disks were probably or the announcer since they were too well being filed away by a mail room clerk or knO\m, so they zeroed in on poor George, the thrown in the trash and that no one ever actual• recording engineer. In this manner he became a ly reviewed them. To see if this was the case "formc:r" recording engineer of WXYZ. George suggested that they produce a· "test" George went on to other record mg jobs during recording. The Lone Ranger (Brace Beemer) his career but s:iid that none was as enjoyable and the announcer went along with the idea. As :is workmg on the Lone Ranger. It 1s not clear many will remember the program started out what happened to the infamous "test" record. l l R a d 0 R e m 0 e c 0 n r 0 s Kadette Tunemaster Alan Voorhees THE AD COPY: AMAZING ... STARTLING every station on the broadcast band from 540 WIRELESS CONTROL FOR ANY RADIO to 1500 Kilocycles! Yet, the radio can still be WITH KADEITER TUNEMASTER used as before. Nothing is added to it-nothing Modernizes Customers' Present Radios ... taken away. Merely plugging Tzmemasrer into Makes New Ones Better Still any electric outlet (AC or DC) is the only installation! Retails for $25 complete You don't merely tell this exciting story• Tunemaster TO $~ ,.USHDUTTONS. Over 20,000,000 Prospects! you PROVE it! itself backs up TUN!! IN STATION, TIGHTl!N ~UNO KNO~ . ,.USH OOWN ON ,.USHDUTTON every word. There's something you can To visualize the tremendous sales possibili• REALLY sell, and virtually every radio owner ties of Kadette Tzmemaster, just imagine is an immediate prospect. You will find, too. yourself lounging at ease the whole evening that a surprisingly high percentage who come through, really enjoying radio as you have to buy Tunemaster will easily be persuaded to never enjoyed it before. Never once is the spell replace antiquated radios with new ones, and broken by having to leave your chair to change those who come to buy a new radio will be JUSt programs or adjust volume. Think, too, how as easily persuaded to add Tunemmter. convenient for the busy housewife. She can What's more, there will be no lack of carry Tzmemaster from room to room and opportunities for such sales. Powerful national operate a radio anywhere else in the home as ad\·ertising that starts "With a full page in the easily as if sitting beside it. November S [ 1939) issue of SATlfRDAr But this is only the beginning of the EVENING POST will soon have millions alluring sales-compelling picture. Tunemaster looking for Tunemaster. Someone in your actually improves reception-sharpens community is going to grab this unparalleled tuning-increases sensitivity-gets distant opportunity, and it might as well be YOU. stations with greater volume. In addition, it provides push-button tuning for four stations. remote volume control and true wireless tuning-not for just a few stations-but for . 1.0DEL KRC -2,Tun e~ stor INTERNATIONAL n-mcrSTHU~S. IN'C. mDEL 845 Sohenatio• 12 R a d 0 R m 0 e e c 0 n 0 s How Ir \VoR1'S: Just one of several approaches to remote controlled radios. The Philco "Mystery Control" that sent pul ses to a special circuit in the radio that decoded them into volume adjustments or station changes and Motoro- Ja 's 'Time Tuning" were among other approaches. Unlike those, the Kadette Tunemaster is simple in design. It utilizes the principle of the Superheterodyne radio circuit. After the set tunes in a desired station, it converts it to an I.F. frequency of 1570kc (A l550kc I.F. was also manufactured for areas with a broadcast station at that frequency). At this point, rather than extracting the program signal, the I.F. frequency was simply used as a broadcast signal capable of being tuned by any standard radio. This meant, of course, that your radio had WITH to be tuned to I 570kc and the volume had to be at a sufficient level to allow the TW1emas- TIME·TUNIN6 1er controls to function adequately. The scheme was successful for a number of reasons. Radios could tune to l 600kc (or Oeofe,. o il o••• the 13 R a d 0 R e m 0 e c 0 n 0 A Remote Radio Control Without Wires Radio News, February 1928 An Explanation of a Believe it or not, the average rad io listener is a going to get a decent cabinet for that radio? lazy mortal. This may seem to many to be I'm ashamed to have that old piece of junk Proposed Scheme for rather a harsh statement, but it is true neverthe• sitting there on the living room table." (No Tuning a Stationary less; else why should we find described daily mattt:!r how splendidly tht:! sat may work, it is new devices to eliminate some of the heroic always knO\\TI as "junk" to the females of the Receiver from Anywhere labors that the listener must perform in order to family.) For with the remote-control system in the House. operate his set? We now have trickle chargers that does not utilize any wires from the control that can be left cormected to the storage apparatus to the set (which is the case in the battery, so that the owner will not have to carry method, invented by Bowden Washington and the battery down to the cellar to clurge it, or Wilson Aull, Jr., of New York City) the band exert himself urmecessarily by lifting the amplifier and the foed-frequt:!ncy rt:!ceiver may telephone receiver from the hook and asking a be stowed in a closet with all tht:! battent:!s. service man to come around and get the clurgers and wlut not. battery. The latest labor-saving device to appear is Theory and Operation one that bas great possibilities. No longer will it be necessary for Father to leave his comfort• The question now arises, how 1s this done'' To able arm-chair to tune m on a different station, tell the truth. the procm is simplicity itself because Mother doesn't like the color of the Refer to Fig. 1, in which will be found announcer's necktie at Station WXYZ; no, diagra.med a band amplifier, a porrabk control "them days is gone forever," if you have ont:! of box and a fixed-frequt:!ncy receiver, together these "remote controls." All that need be done with four loop antennas marked A. B, C and D. is to tum a knob on the front of a little box, On the control box are indicated two controls; which stands on your chair arm, and tune in the a station selector and a volume adjustment. The station that Mother wants to hear. No need to band amplifier, to which is cormected the The loops in the station selector (on the small table) are get out of that very comfortable position with regular ariel and ground, is a radio frequency concealed with in hox; the left-hand cabinet on the table your feet on the mantle-shelf to adjust the amplifier which builds up the signals of the canlains the band amplifiers: and the fmdfrequency volwne to its proper intensity; merely tum waveband from 200 to 550 meters. It may ust:! receiver is on the right. another knob on the same small box and the fixed R.F. transformers with overlapping deed is done. Simplicity itself, isn't it" tuning curves. Thew output of the amplifier is A feature that will make its appeal to the cormected to a loop antenna, which, as shown female members of the family is that the only in Fig. 1, radiates all the signals picked up by apparatus which need be in sight is the small the outside aerial. control box and the loud speaker. No longer The radiations from loop A art! picked up will these words be necessary in the family by loop B. on the input side of the portable bosom of the eiqierimenter: "When are you control box. Across this loop is connected a Aerial BAND AMPLIFIER Ground ~w - - Signals from all stations within the receivers PORTABL~ BOX ronge are amplified in the band amplifier. and CONTRoL the one tn which it is desired to listen to is tuned in hy the sratiun selector and transmitted on a nrw wavelegnth to the fixed-frequence receiver. 14 R a d 0 R e m 0 e c 0 n r 0 s simple regenerative detector, the output of jacks may be distributed about the house, which modulates an oscillatory circuit, wired in parallel; so that, no matter it what operating on a frequency that is either above room it is desired to have music, the loud or below the broadcast waveband. Let us speaker and the control box are all that is asswne th.is frequency is about 540 kilocycles. necessary to carry there. There is little doubt Then from loop C we have a wave of 540 kc. that the radiations from the control box will frequency modulated by the detected signal be strong enough to operate the receiver from from a certain station, let us say WJZ, which any point in an ordinary-sized house. If the is selected by the regenerative detector. The area to be covered is greater than that of the modulated wave from loop C is picked up by average eight-room house, then more loop D, across the input of the fixed-frequen• powerful tubes can be use.cl in the control box cy receiver, this frequency being the same as which, of course, then would have to be that of the oscillating circuit in the control enlarged to accommodate the different box, 540 kilocycles. Thus only the single batteries. frequency, 540 kc., will in any way affect the The band amplifier should have at least A Better Set receiver, as it is tuned to that frequency alone. three stages, so the entire waveband will be satisfactorily covered and amplified suffi• with a 8111J11or Tunln1 One tunln.c ad .. Control Box is Simple ciently. The transformer in the first stage can Justment - a o Better Aerial othtn needed. be made to cover the frequencies between 200 Olr.. tltoal Those who g When the United States entered the war in 1941, did manage to land a job as a "'gofer" for a radio radio had already begun to play a major role in shop in my neighborhood. The shop was locat• American life. The I 930's brought rapid devel• ed under the ekYated train tracks in Clucago opment of radio technology bringing home across the street from the Jarvis Avenue station. radios to the status of a household necessity. The shop owner, Sam, was an old time radio Radio broadcasting had also achieved a degree man with less than scrupulous business meth• of sophistication with networks providing rea• ods. I later discovered that he had been run out sonably high quality programming. Rural com• of several neighborhoods for poor business munities were now brought into contact with the practices. big cities. Nightly news broadcasts suddenly His shop was piled high with boxes of parts became the focal point of everyone's attention and old radio carcasses and he lived in a cur• bringing the progress of the war into the home. tained off section in the rear of the shop. This Television broadcasting had actually begun on a was not only my first exposure to the business limited basis in 1939 and by 1941, 23 stations of radio repairing but also to business ethics were on the air throughout the country. They "Chicago style." Since new parts were in short essentially ceased operation during the war supply it was common practice to rewire sets for since not enough receiving sets were in use to alternate parts especially vacuum tubes. Sam make it pay. was quite good at selling rewiring jobs when With this increased interest in radio. both they were not needed and charging customers for entertainment and news, came an increasing for work not done. He was really quite good at demand for radio sets. Early in 1942 domestic troubleshooting and fascinated me \\"ith !us radio production ceased and radio companies method of checking voltages in small AC/DC either switched over to war production or went table radios. He would upend a chassis on the out of business. Many small radio companies bench and place his thumb on a termmal in the simply closed up shop since they were nothing negative return circuit and then with his callused more than loft operations that were ill equipped forefinger he would touch tube pins to check the to handle military work. presence of plate, screen and other high volt• With home radio production stopped, atten• ages. I tried it once and quickly discovered that tion was directed toward keeping existing sets in without calluses this can be an exciting and operation. By about 1940 nearly every block of painful experience. After this I used a volt medium and large sized cities contained a radio meter. repair shop. Radios were not very reliable and After I had been working for him a few as a result this was a good time to be a radio weeks and seeing how he bilked customers. I repairman. asked him how his conscious would let him do I got my start quite by accident. When the this. His reply was, "kid, when a man walks Pearl Harbor attack took place I was a 15 year through the shop door with a radio under his old Chicago high school junior. My interest in arm he has only one thing on his mind. He radio was triggered by my physics teacher who knows that he is going to get taken. Even if you recognized that I had a technical leaning. I start• did the work for nothing he would still think that ed with crystal radios and graduated to battery he is being taken. So, the only practical thing to operated one and two tube broadcast and short do is to take him!" A few days later I quit and wave sets. Since parts were relatively expensive looked for other work. I scrounged as many parts as I could from dis• I then managed to land a job in a store that carded sets. As the war went on, however, the did radio servicing and sold phonograph supply of discarded sets dried up since people records. The owner took me on as an apprentice. were having them repaired. My job was to sell records and help the service• Late in my high school junior year I was man ovmer repair sets. I developt!d a keen mter• getting tired of such after school jobs as grocery est in the work and found that I could soon han• delivering and clerking so I decided to try my dle quite a bit of the shop work. He was a very luck at radio repairing. My evaluation of my honest business man and it was refreshing to capabilities was somewhat inflated and after a work in this environment. It was here that I few interviews it became painfully apparent that learned the radio repair trade that would eventu• I was not adequately prepared for this work. I ally lead me into electrical and mechanical engi- 16 R e s o r a o n a n d T e c h n c a T o p c s neering. So much for me, now let's talk about disconnecting or removal of the short wave servicing during the war. bands on their sets. The theory was that these It wasn't until mid 1943 that part shortages bands could be used by hostile foreign agents really began to appear. Some hoarding took to communicate with their home land Unfortu• place but most of the repair shops were legiti• nately not all of these "electronic vasectomies" mate. About this same time radio repair shops were carried out neatly and some very good began rummaging through radio carcasses in radios were ruined during the process. To fur• their basements which had been abandoned by ther limit radio communication by foreign customers a few years back because they were agents all amateur radio transm1ss1ons were either too old style or too costly to repair. halted except those conducted by the War Household radio sets changed considerably Emergency Radio Service (WERS). In addition during the period of 1930 to 1941 . The old call-in musical request shows were taken off YELLOWliP round tops and highboys consigned to the attic the air to prevent the use of song titles to con• MICROMETER. ADJUSTING because they were old fashioned were now giv• vey espionage information to the enemy. CRYSTAL DETECTOR en a second life. These were now dug out and There were a nwnber of"gimmicks" used 1'1• U t fT·PUtDOSt d rlt<'tor - ftttd or $ reoaired and sold for good prices. by various radio repair men to get sets operat• tnangnble idjustmt nt. Just as r ou dt slrt . Tune with Illa YE.LLOWTIP. N o hunllnr 2 Starting about 1943 the govenunent ing. Many of these are used by set restorers \Ir looklns: fo r a ttndth'e 1po1-Jun " A 'fwlu or the Wrht- ll's Set''. ~Htramtltt allowed the manufacture of a certain nwnber of today. Typical of some of these expedients are, J ~!: . :'rc,~n~,~~%1 ~~m 0 ~ ~~r ~i~u:~~eftnlce l 1 . electronic components, principally tubes, for cleaning switches and volume control with cig• W ritt f or /oldtr ond """" of ""'" repair of domestic radios. These were marked arette lighter fluid, resurfacing of carbon con• Htart"sl d ~o fr r . • ''MR" which stood for "Maintenance and trols using a soft lead pencil, universal line WHOLESALE RADIO EQUIPMENT CO. Repair". Some of these \vere rejects from mili• cord resistors to replace ballast tubes, recenter• Excl•dot Fot.tory a,,,,,,.,Otif1ts tary production lines. It was against the law to ing speaker cones by lifting up the voice coil 38 WILLIAM ST.. NEWARK, N. J. Dtaltrt and Jobbtn writ• use these parts to build new sets. Most of the dust shield and recentering the cone using hr attractive prooosltiu. tubes were of the more popular types like the shims (made by General Cement Co.), you "All American Five" and found a ready market could also recenter a shifted speaker cone by both in direct replacement and in rewiring placing lines of celulose cement radiacing out tasks. Old stocks of tubes like OJA, UX99, 47, from the voice coil to the rim opposite the side 50, etc., gathering dust suddenly found their that was touching (When the cement dried it way into the previously abandoned sets men• would shrink and pull the voice coil away from foned above. the magnet), resistor/capicator networks could Rewiring sets for different tube types was replace audio interstage and I.F. transformers, a very common and profitable business. If you open filaments in some high heater voltage look at certain tube types such as the 57, 78, tubes (i.e., 35L6, 50L6) could be welded 606, 6K7, 6SK7, loktal types,6SG7,12K7, and together by momentarily flashing the heater 12SK7 you will find that their performance is pins with 700 volts from a set transformer, etc. similar except for heater voltage, current and It seemed that the day after V-J day thou• 123 WEST MADISON S'f.. CHICAGO basing. The same is true for other tube cate• sands of parts suddenly became available, gories. The rectifier tubes 5Y3 and SY 4 are hoarders rapidly began unloading their stocks. identical except for base wiring. Plug-in During the period from 1943 to 1944 until DUCK'S Blc 2Se Pact No. 16 Radio adapters were also good sellers when only base the time I was drafted I was fonunate in being C&WOI: ma tltd ror ~. - ID coin. Tb• la.rcest n dlo caa loe pub• or wiring changes were needed (i.e., octal to able to work on many old interesting radios llihtd. Sptclal Pr1 tu on IDIUll' radfo It.ems. Prompt tentee, or Loktal). (Current radio collectors may run into which were dug out of attics and garages and money refunded. Enr tlnce the ;ear 1909 Duck's cacal°' hu al· wan occupied the foremost posl· some of these modified sets.) put into service. In looking back the e:-..'Perience Uon amonc radio c.atalo , s ~ All radio books In caw °'. u• Another popular modification was the con• I gained as a radio repairman in high school CfPt book on pue 6! or our own e>ubUcaUcm. at halt orte~. -a ctu · version of automobile radios to home use by was very valuable. It didn't help me get inco all; lu.J I/Ian fobbrr's rosL D uclt b • h llle t nob and dial. fitting them v.~th AC power supplies. This was electronics in the Army, I landed in the 4bc. : Nu1 TrPe Transrormu Infantry, but it did lead me into a very interest• 3 It. l•o,tbs blchut c~ ~ - o ~~?:ii .~ ' ~ a ~~ Pl rr St.CO; a good move since gasoline was strictly NOTE.- Our new lotallon and lntemal chanees tin ua rationed during the war, an "A" ration sticker, ing career in engineering which lasted 41 admlrablo ladlltlu to aorto you promptly. for example, allowed a driver only about 3 gal. years. It also cultivated my interest in restoring THE WILLIAM B. DUCK CO. per week. old radios that I have been doing for the las! 20 OepL 3. 711°12 AOAMS ST.. TOLEDO, OHIO Another form of conversion was carried years. out on radio sets owned by German, and Italian nationals for security purposes. This was the 17 R e s o r a o n a n d T e c h n c a T o p c s A Vintag:e Book Review: Service Data Fragments Paul Joseph Bour~in So you have decided that you want to bring interested in its circuit design. You will not one of your sets back to life yourself. Maybe want to wait the few days that it will take to you want to save a little money. Maybe you send for and rec1eve the service data. You will want to see what it is like to work on an old have to aquire your own service data library. set. You have studied new and/or vintage For those of us who collect only one or repair books, bought some test equipment and two marques, one can generally find manufac• a soldering gun (and maybe a cheap All• turer's service data at the same places, and by American Five AC/DC set on which to the same methods. that we use to find old practice), practiced your soldering. Now you radios. An ad in one or more of the hobby think you are ready to tackle your first set. magazines will usually turn up some matenal. Aie you ready? Maybe. The problem with this is that 1s hit-and-miss The circuitry of the set you have decided and one will have to spend a lot of time to repair may not be like the "typical set" searching for necessary material. schematics shown in the repair books. There are also many of us who have Voltages given in tube manuals often vary general collections covering many marques over a fairly considerable range, so you will over many years. Aquiring service data for not be able to acertain the design voltage for even the large and well-known manufacturers that particular set. Sometimes resistances can will take a lot of time. space and money. An be hard to figure, especially coils. Often you easier way is to aquire the various compendi• are curious about what is supposed to be ums of service literature published during the going on in a circuit. For this information, Golden Age of radio. Various publishers have you will need a schematic diagram, and, accumulated and published large amounts of perhaps, voltage, resistance and alignment service data from many manufacturers at data as well. Occasionally, you will find a various times. In this article. we w11l look at schematic glued somewhere on the set most some of these. often, not. Now. what are you going to do? If Collectors of sets from the wireless and you only intend to repair a few sets or are not battery set eras are not blessed with many sure if you will want to continue to repair options. The earliest sets were either commer• your own sets, you can order a copy of the cial or homemade amateur t:qwp1m:nt. The service data from one of the many providers commercial sets were serviced m-house. or by who advertise this service. Unless your set is contract personel who were tramed by the an unusual one, the few dollars you pay will wireless company. Am:iteur gear was serviced get you all the information you will need. It is by the owner, however, amateurs often copied convenient, but does require some patience. commercial ..:quipment and one can often find Often, you will be in a hurry to dig into that clues m contemporary cataloges and maga• set you just bought at the swap-meet or are zines. Once broadcasting started in earnest, a 18 S a n F r a n c s c 0 s R a d 0 H s 0 ,. myriad of radio set and part manufacturers 1931, Rider published: "1931 Trouble Another fairly uncommon variation is the appeared, many of them were tiny and short• Shooter's Manual." This manual was over binding of Vols. I to III and IV to VI together bved. Repainnen, thoughout the twenties, twice the size of what preceeded it. The first in one binder. These books are about nine would write to the manufacturers for service quarter was devoted to troubleshooting while inches thick! They are a bit unwieldy to use data for specific sets. Radio magazines of the the next 800 or so pages were schematic and are NOT abridged in any way. They period were filled with diagrams for the latest diagrams and specific service infonnaiion. contain all of the information available in the book-ups. The sets designed in their laborato• The race was on! Rider then republished the individual volumes. By the time they were ries were filled with parts made by their best volume as Vol. I of Rider's Perpetual Trouble published, Rider had eliminated the trou· advertisers (which, in tum, sold more Shooter's Manual. Gemsback published Vol. bleshooting section. Rider continued to advertising). Many homebrew sets can be II of his Offical Radio Service Manual late in publish one or more volumes per year (except traced to these magazine articles as well as 1931 . It covered 1931 and 1932 models. during WWII) up to Volume XXIII. When factory-made sets. Probably the first attempt While both Rider and Gemsback depended television got going, Rider also published a to consolidate this infonnation was the Lefax upon manufacturers supplying service data, set of Perpetual TV Troubleshooting Manuals. Radio Handbook. This subscription service Rider's manuals always contained more data. These started out in the same fonnat and were started in 1922 and a subscriber would recieve It was probably this reason that servicemen very thick. Later volumes were published in a "Radiofax" updates monthly. Unfortunately, prefered Rider's, given the number of each larger page size. Some radio data was the service only lasted a few years. It was in a extant. Gemsback's manuals faded out in a contained in the TV volumes. Rider also small, loose-leaf fonnat. As with any sub• few years while Rider went on strong. Early published a Public Address manual, a record scription service data, one must make sure Rider's manuals can be a bit confusing. In changer manual and a series of auto radio that the binder is as complete as possible. addition to the different ones mentioned manuals. Both Rider and Gemsback relied on Some people argue that battery sets were above, the first two volumes have two material given to them by the manufacturers. simple and the types of tubes available were different numbering systems. The early Most manufacturers were glad to give them few and, therefore, published service data is volumes I & II were numbered sequentially, the information because it saved them from not necessary to repair these sets. This is only like a regular book. Later editions used the having to send individual packets to service· partly true, because many sets had strange numbering system that started with Vol. III, men to servicemen who ordered them. quirks put into them by manufacturers and set that i~, pages were numbered by volume and However, not all manufacturers participated designers to 1) give them a selling point to page within each specific manufacturer. Later and those who did. often did not supply data seperate them from the rest, 2) to get around editions also lacked the troubleshooting text. on all models. Therefore, it is possible for one patents and 3) to protect a circuit 01 part from There are also minor variations in the data to have a set that is not listed. At the same prying eyes (ie. the RCA Catacom). The first contained in different editions. When looking time, many manufacturers still published their volumes of Rider's and Gemsback's publica• for indicies for your particular set of Rider's own service data, which may or may not vary tions did cover some of the sets made by make sure that the index has the numbering from what is in Rider's. To make this even some of the better-known manufacturers. system that matches your particluar set. Some more interesting; even though Rider had more More on those later in this article. had booth, while some had one or the other. material than Gemsback, there are sets in With the advent of AC powered sets and Another variation is that of the cover type. Gemsback that are not in Rider! Both of the the proliferation of the superhetrodyne, sets One can find copies with the standard. blue first volumes of Rider and Gemsback have were becoming much more complex. The Rider's cover and also covers with the names data going back to the early twenties making need for service data increased along with the of various tube manufacturers and schools. them useful to those who collecl sets from number of repairmen, sets and models. Rider's manuals were only available through that era. However, they were many small Publishers such as John F. Rider and Hugo distributors and were often linked to tube manufacturers in the early twcniies who never Gemsback realized that comprehensive promotions; buy a bunch of Sylvania tubes got their data into either manual. Another service manuals, containing infonnation on all and get a Rider's manual with a Sylvania publisher of comprehl!nsive radio manuals sets that the serviceman was likely to cover. The material between the covers is the was Supreme Publications. Compiled by M encounter, would be very useful. In 1929, same. Volumes I through V are scarcer than N. Beitman, these "Most Often Needed Radio John F. Rider published a book entitled: later volumes. One reason is that many Diagrams" contained similar material as Rider Trouble Shooter's Manual. This slim (by collectors are only interested in sets covered with one major difference. While each volume Rider's standards, it was only 3/4 inch thick) by the first five volumes. Also, after a few of Rider is four or more inches thick, was the percursor of what was to come. About years, Rider ceased to publish those volumes Beitman's manuals are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch half of the book was devoted to troubleshoot• and offered an abridged edition containing the thick. This gives a idea of the difference in ing infonnation and the rest was devoted to more common sets found in the first five data contained in each. Bcitman ·s manual was schematic diagrams. In 1930, Hugo Gems• volumes. A serviceman who started later on proported to contain the mos! common back published a similar, one-inch-thick book and wanted a complete set of back issues models each year. Beitman also published entitled: Official Radio Service Manual. In would get the abridged volume instead. Record Changer. TV and troubleshooting 19 R a d 0 N e w s a n d F e a u r e s F r o m h e P a s t manuals, albiet much less complete compared electronic equipmen1. Sams is still 111 the 1m:xpcns1\·e at swap-meets etc .. and 1f the sci to Rider. Like Rider and Gernsback, Beit• business of providing electroiruc service you haYe is m it. you could get the one you man's first volwne contains data for radios technicians with the service data they need need. You then work on a few sets and sec tf made years prior to publication. An interesting Where Sams and Rider overlap, Sams has repairing set is your cup of tea wtthoul quirk anent Beitrnan is that the same volwne more models covered. investing a Jot of money and space. Through• can come in various cover colors. The data Sams was not alone in the post-war era out the vintage radio era, manufacturers contained therein was the same. Why this was There were other series published. For contmued to publlish their own service data done, I do not know. These manuals were soft example, Electronic Technician published for example: the RCA redbooks, Philco RMS bound and were not loose leaf. their Tekfax series of schematics and Wallace Yearbooks and GE Service Manuals. If you After World War II, another publisher Telaides, a Jarge-fonnat spiral bound series have a few favorite marques, it is wise to gel came on the scene. Howard W. Sams & Co., covered televisions by each manufacturer for the manufacturer's service data because it is Inc. started on April 11 , 1946 to publish the a number of years. They were Jess expensive often more detailed than Rider's. Whatever famous Sam's Photofacts series of service than Sams, but none endured. service data you decide to aquire. 11 is \"CT)' data. Sam's represented a great departure from What to own? It depends on what era of important to get an index. Some were in the previous publishers. Sams was primarily a sets you like to collect, how much space you volumes, but often they were published subscription service that supplied data in want to devote to service data and how seperately. Indicies for Rider's and others can packets as soon as it was available. It was serious you are about repairing your own sets. be gotten from Antique Electronic Supply, much more timely than others who issued a Ifyou are interested in sets from the twenties, Puett and others. Without indicies. finding volume a few times a year. Sams' material all you need is Rider's Vol. I, augmented, what you want is Yery difficult even if you was distributed in packets containing one or perhaps with Gernsback Vol. I and a collec• know when the set was made. For instance. more models from various manufacturers. The tion of radio magazines of the era. While sen~ce data for pre-war E. H. Scott sets was packets could be filed either in loose-leaf Radio News was the most popular of the published in post-war Rider's. binders or in file cabinets. Instead of being magazines of the time, Radio, Radio Broad• In addition to insouctive books published just dependant on what was given them by cast, Radio World and a host of others had by Rider, Sams and others. there are many manufacturers, Sams actually got the sets, many articles and diagrams of early sets. reference works that were published to aid the photographed them and traced the schematics. While not contemporary with the equipment. sen1iceman. Ghiraldi and Hicks published Much more material was offered than what the Vmtage Radio Indentification Sketch• "kinks" books that showed actual "case had been offered by previous publishers. The books, by D. H. Moore (see opposite page), histories" as reported by servicemen concern• Wlit and the chassis was photographed. Each are very useful. Billed as being "Beyond ing individual models by manufacturer. These component was numbered and the number Rider," they were compiled by him because books were based upon the idea that specific was listed, the location identified in a photo the information was not available in the design flaws or poor components would cause and the number shown on the schematic. This standard references. Unfortunately, they are a large percentage of a certain model to made things much easier for the serviceman. currently out of print. However, the Perham exhibit the same problems. These books are A component could easily be found on the Foundation plans to republish them in the very useful, especially when you get stuck. chassis, checked on the list for part number future. Occasionally, sets tum up in the Chances are servicemen had the same and general purpose replacements, and locate various hobby publications. If you collect sets problems with the set when it was almost the component on the schematic. Furthennore, from the end of World War II on, Sams is new. All one has to do is look up the set by each schematic was drawn in a standard fonn what you need. They do take a lot of space. model and manufacturer, find the problem so that each circuit appears in the same place Depending on the cut-off point of your description and implement the solution. It is on the diagram. This made it easier for collection, you will have to devote at least one not all encompassing, but it helps. Also, most servicemen to locate a specific circuit or file cabinet to them and, if your interest large manufacturers of parts and sets as well subsection quickly. As circuits became more extends into the transistor era, a lot more. as the service data publishers. published complex, especially with the advent of Sams still sell packets, but they are expensive. ncwslcuers that were meant to help the television, this was a real umesaver. Service• One can get an index and order individual serviceman make quick repairs These can be men switched over to Sams fairly quickly. packets from dealers found in the hobby n:ry infonnati,·e. Rider tried to change, but could not quickly magazines. Large libraries often have As one can see, the collection of scrnce enough. This explains why Rider's manuals collections of Sams (and even Rider's) data can become a hobby in itself A well become scarcer starting with Vol. XVI or so. available. If your interest spans the entire era thought out collection of service data can Sams, like Rider, also published a number of of radio, space will become the deciding enhance one's en.1oyment of the hobby Also. books to further the knowledge of the factor. One need only have Rider's up to Vol. half the fun is doing 11 yourself. There 1s great serviceman. These can be very infonnatlve to XVI or so (this will take over six feet of shelf sansfaction in bringing a dead set back to life. the vintage electronic hobbyst. Later on, space) because Sams takes over better from Sam's started publishing Photofact Special• there. Beitman's take up little space, but never Copyright 1997, Paul Joseph Bourbin. All ized Series covenng different types of seem to have the model you need. Thi.:y arc rights reserved. 20 k e c h b 0 0 k s D H M 0 0 r e s .S tLYE~to1A1.4SHA\.L 1\a . ~C. AMVL.\V \~lt. (x"+c"""c••-+c. 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O'S'"' .,\l,.~s U.~\-\-OI.~ S~o'"""'""'"'<;...\- CA~~~ )\0\\0'4>:"-\ t.o" ~'"l"'"~-\-:o"': /C;/ ~:} c~ 21 R e s o r a o n a n d T e c h n c a T o p c Why Old Radio Don't Work Herb Brams People who have an old radio ofter wonder in electrical characteristics to the point they tracer must be use to detect them. More why it doesn't work. "Probably a tube," they do not function well. Some may "open up" troublesome are intermittents: weak cmmec• think. "Just replace 1t and the set will work (become disconnected inside). Sometimes, tions that unexpectedly open up at odd times just fme." Well, I'm sorry to say that it's not through the fault of another component in the or under vanous conditions. These are that as simple as that. Radios have many set, too much electricity flows through a probably the repairman's worst nightman:. different kinds of parts in them; tubes, resistor and it bums up. Volume controls, tone Mishandling: These are problems that resistors, capacitors, coils, transformers, controls, and some other controls are variable arise simply from carelessness or ignorance. speakers, switches, volume controls, etc. resistors. These usually wear out after long For example, a tube may have been put in the Many of these parts have gotten worn with use. wrong socket, or one tube may have been use over the years or have just deteriorated Transformers, Coils, and Speakers: These misread for another (e.g. 6SQ7 for 6SQ7). An with time to the point where they fail. As a are usually large items in a set, easily unqualified repainnan may have replaced a result, an old radio is likely to have not just identifiable. Coils and transformers are often bad part with a sim ilar-looking one with one problem, but many problems. Let's take a inside round or square cans to protect them. different characteristics. To improve the closer look at the various components of a They consist of coils of wore, wound on a performance of a poorly-working set. radio and see what common problems occur. fonn, through which electrical currents flow. someone may have tam pered with the tuning Tubes: Tubes are surprisingly rugged and The trouble comes from the fact that some• adjustments, making its performance still long-lived. If they've been used a long time times the wire is very fine and it breaks, worse. Radio rcpaim1an will usm lly have they can get weak or burn out. However, stopping the flow of current. Similarly, a tiny many fascinating talcs of bizarre and lu1ex• while the set was working, the owner spot of dirt or residue may gradually eat away pected problems they have encountered. probably tested the tubes periodically and at the wire eventually causing it to open up. A I hope that through this discussion I have replaced the weak or burned out ones. Also, fault in another part of the circuit may cause made you more fam iliar with the various parts tubes do not go bad with age, so it is likely too much current to flow through the coil, in a radio and what kinds of problems can that there are only one or two bad tubes in a causing it to bum out. Also, the wire may arise. Even a small radio has many parts and set. touch another piece of metal causing electrici• so you can see how likely it is for an old set Capacitors: These electronic parts are ty to flow to a different, unwanted part of the not to work. This is also why repair of an old typically small round tubes of plastic or wa.'<• circuit. This is an example of a "short." radio can be time-consuming and expensive. coated paper with a wrre coming out at each Miscellaneous Components: Besides these end. A radio may have anywhere from 8-50 of components many other parts in a set can go them depending on the complexity of the set. bad. A common problem is the mechanical Loud ti Due to their construction, capacitors have the linkage connecting the tuning know to the Speaker I highest failure rate of all the components in a tuning capacitor. This is usually a cord or belt. Radio Adapter all broadca•tiJ>i: tbroucb phonc>• Make your own horn. Atta.ch set. Typically, the capacitors consist of two Eventually, these break so that one cannot fi':"R Phoa.adaptcr to YOUR pbonc>• graph. All can bear. Eotitt family, nei, bbors. sheets of metal foil separated by a thin sheet tune the radio. ~ ~ ,~~t!1r~ ~~~«t~~· ~i~:1rew;i V:~~ of paper. Even though the capacitors are Miscellaneous Problems: Besides the &tandard type head-ect and attaches to tone-arm ol ANY phonograph. Made of oo!t•• pure: cum rubber. Qvickty attached . sealed in wax or a sheet of plastic, air and actual failure or change in characteristics of *and n:mov~. Thousands in uaie.. moisture get in and they deteriorate. Corro• these components, other problems often arise. ~~lcn~:fllf: ~r. ~ · '":'~ • ~o~ - .SO For l)Q.irof ttc<:ivcn(moretban twic<: the volwne)Sl sion may break the connection between the Bad Connections: Some electrical Go to your dealer. If be c:annot supply you ecod money orde:r. check or currency at our rilk. Prompt dclivuy-poatpajd. Alao 8Clld wire leads and the foil ; the capacitor then connections consist simply of one metal part u.s name of lavoritc radio dealer. . becomes "open." Electrolytic capacitors are a touching another metal part; e.g., the pins of a The Beckley Ralston Company special type that have a moist paste in the tube pressing against the contacts of a tube 1803So.Michir&D An., Cbicaao, UL paper. Eventually, the paste dries out and the socket. With time, dirt may accumubte capacitor does not work. Sometimes the two between the two pieces of metal or a layer of sheets of metal foil in capacitors touch, corrosion may form between them preventing allowing unwanted electrical currents to pass a good electrical connection between them. through the connection. The capacitor is then Bad Solder Joints: This problem often said to be "shorted." arises if at some time the set has been worked Resistors: Resistors are usually hard rods on by an unqualified person. To make a good composed of carbon and other materials, electrical connection between the various brightly colored or with stripes to indicate components in a radio, a melted alloy, solder, their electrical value. A wire usually extends is applied to the joint, binding it together. If from each end. A radio may have anywhere this has not been done correctly, the parts may from 10-55 resistors depending on the eventually separate, breaking the electrical complexity of the set. Resistors seldom go connection between them. This is often bad, even on long storage. A few may change difficult to detect visually; a meter or signal 22 Calif o rnia Historica R a d 1 o s 0 c e I v N e " s CHRS Welcomes New Members An organization such as CHRS needs and welcomes new members. Nre members bring ide:is and enthusiam and keep the club interesting and fresh. Welcome! David M. knowlton-Nampa, ID Barry Siembor-Woodville, WA Victor Moore-Redwood City, CA Robert E, Roller-Belmont, CA Gregory C. Greenwood WB6FZH- Peter Chow N6YD-San Jose, CA . Larry Cowles-Chino, CA Kaneohe, HI Shashi Kumar AD6CR-Fremont, CA Mark Sabatini-Solvang, CA Mike Harrod-Salinas, CA Frank Moore-Billings, MT Curt Philips-Pacifica, CA William W. Smith WSNGV-Dayton, OH Donald L. Stewart-Santa Clara. CA Robert J. Toyer- Daly City, CA Martin Kornblatt-Flushing, NY James H. Jacobsen-Palo Alto, CA Chat & Tess Alberto KC6111-Va1lejo, CA Richard Bock-Fortuna, CA Jack ~feyer-Athens . GA Fredrick Stone-Orange, CA Sam R Burt-Fremont, CA Maynard 1\-1 Morris-Ukiah, CA William Herndon-Half Moon Bay, CA Earl M Rayburn-Escondido, CA Robert Whalen-Newark, CA Mike W. Mount-Martin, TN Allen Dickson-Walnut Creek, CA Kelly Scott Molles-Stockton, CA Bill Wray-San Francisco, CA Chris J. Buttery-Concord, CA A. William Allen-Austin, TX Ern ie & Polly Sagesser-COarsegold, CA Ramiz Alkass-San Jose, CA Don Koijane-Menlo Park, CA Gerald A. Morris-Oakland, CA Edward Wong-San Francisco, CA Donald J. Adams-Longmont, CO Arthur Anchetta-Vallejo, CA Anthony Zugec-Rocklin, CA Lee Qu i k~ Reno , NV Joseph S. Mayers-San Rafael, CA Peat Banchie~ San Lorenzo, CA Ordean Christianson-Mora, MN James Burnett-San Francisco, CA H. Keith Coulter-Santa Barbara, CA Paul A. Ward-North Fork, CA Mme. Asta Souvomia, the "Bernhardt ofRussia, " in exile in New York in 1922, with her dog Buster. Thr Sf/ pictun:d was cunst111cted hy her twu sons. !"ii i, " ,. 23 p e s d 0 R a d 0 H s 0 r \' p r 0 c BARTHOLOMEW LEE Atto rney at Law General Counsel to C.H.R. S . 88 Kearny Street, ste 1310 San Francisco, CA 94108 (415) 956 5959 December 1, 1997 Mr. James Meadows, Executive Director, Presidio Trust Presidio of San Francisco San Francisco, CA 94123 Re Presidio Radio History partnership Dear Mr. Meadows: Congratulations on your appointment as Executive Director of the Presidio Trust . We are part of and represent a community partnership working with the National Park Service to preserve, explore, present and explain an important part of the history of the Presidio of San Francisco, namely its role in the development of radio and communications since 1899. This community partnership includes the Boy Scouts, the Perham Foundation, the Military Radio Collectors Amateur Radio Net and the California Historical Radio Society. Along with the Park Service, it has f ocused on research with the goal of rehabilitating o f one o f the outstanding radio sites in the Presidio, the Army Coast Artiller y station on Presidio Hill (building 1444 ) . This project is well along, and we write to let you know o f its success sc far, in hopes of proceeding in partnership with t h e Trust. We enclose a copy of the most recent Journal of the California Historical Radio Soci• ety, the cover of which is devoted to this project, as is a feature article . Also enclosed is a clipping from the Northern California Boy Scout newspaper, the Scouter. It too reports on the success of this project. This project is also the subject of an upcoming article in the National Park Services' Journal C RM, written by Park Historian Steve Haller, on the benefits of this community partnership with the Park Service. It is the ambition of the partnership to bring part of the histor y of the Presid i o alive, while at the same time providing a nexus for com.rnunity communications services r C\r1g • ing from amateur radio to •wireless cable• Presidio-wide television broadcasting from t he site, consistent with its historical use. We expect t hat the site can generate r evenue no t only for its own maintenance, for also for the benefit of the larger Presidio community, while providing service for the larger community and enhancing the natural ecology of the site as well. Please let us know the next step to more fully inform you of this project and how we hope it will fit into the new Presidio. Very truly yours, P r e s d 0 R a d 0 H s 0 y p 0 e c Historians at Work Bart Lee, xWPE2DLT (415) 788-4072 San Francisco Cub Scouts The Presidio Trust has been fonned. The where Sam worked his tricks. CHRS, Perham Foundation and Scouts The new Executive Director and the new power-up first new use of proposal has been forwarded to Mr. James trustees have been told of the work of the Meadows, the newly-appointed Executive p'Jitnership for Presidio Radio History, and the Presido 's Coast Artillery Director of the Trust, along with copies of the specifically that on April I9, 1997, Earth Day, radio station site, followed most recent Journal of the California Histori• members of the Boy Scouts, the California cal Radio Society. The transmittal letter is Historical Radio Society (CHRS), the Perham by military collectors on nearby. The Journal is also in the hands of Foundation, and the Military Radio Collectors Armed Forces Day each of the Trustees of the Presidio. On our Radio Net, under the direction of Scouter and side, architect Joseph Chow has begun the Commissioner Dr. Eric McHuron, geologist. initial drawings for restoration of our site. We worked with National Park Service personnel now need as may good ideas and volunteers Eric Stew'Jit and others, to restore native plan! as we can manage to press our case with the habitat on the San Francisco Presidio's Robb Presidio Trust, especially as to the generation Hill, fonnerly and possibly soon again a Scout of revenue as well as RF. overnight camp site. After a morning of hard Further research into radio history at the work. Alex Seddio, KB6IDO, and Paul Presidio has found the World War II work Tbekan, N6FEG, from the Military Collectors there of the 324th Signal Operation Company. Radio Net, with the help of Cub Scouts and An oral history interview with fonner Sgt. Boy Scouts, operated World War Two vintage Richard Kain provided a wealth of new radios for several hours. The Cubs and Boy infonnation. The company apparently Scouts enthusiastically cranked the hand operated out of the fonner Crissy Field generator as well as keyed-up the micro• aeronautical radio station. It communicated in phones. This ScouFpowered activity put the Jick Dillman cronies GN-Y3 gtneraror forGRC-9 radio Morse code only with our spies and agents, Presidio "back Oif tf!e, ~" as it was during partisans, coast watchers, and our escaped and one of its most in'ktestiilg historical periods abandoned soldiers and sailors in the Pacific from one of its more interesting historical throughout the war. It almost always operated sites, the Coast Artillery Radio Station. in plain language because most of the men it Park Historian Haller has also written an talked to had no code books. That station article on the Presidio Historical Radio adopted amateur procedures and always Project for the National Park Service sought to sound like an amateur radio station resources Journal C R M The NPS is pleased enjoying some forbidden wartime QSOs. that the Boy Scouts, ~~th us as a community Towards the end of the war, it maintained p'Jitner, applied in 1996 to tht: National Park regular communications with submarine• Service to rehabilitate the Coast Artillery borne commandos landed in the Japanese-held Radio Station site on top of the Presidio's Philippines. Shortly after the war it set up the Robb Hill. The Golden Gate National first teletype "hot line" with Moscow. Sgt. Recreallon Area was plt:ased to receive the Kain said that counter espionage perso!Ulel initial and follow-up applicauons from the during the war were never so much concerned lead p'Jitner, the Perham Foundauon, as well with Nazi sympathizers as they were witl1 as CHRS, and the Military Collectors Tlus communists. application, facilitated by NPS P:irk H1stonan We also now have a Kleinsdunit tape Stt:ve Haller and other NPS personnel, was from a Presidio operator S.J. Pickering of viewed favorably by the Superintenden1 of the Seattle. He still uses the same sort of equip• Park, Brian O'Neill. ment he used at the Presidio on his amateur Dick Dillman, W6AWO, and Alex rig today: he keys it with a Boehme keying Seddio, KB6IDO, operated from our Presidio head and a Kleinschrnit Perforator. A graphic site on Anned Forces Day, working Bjorn of a piece of the tape he sent is nearby. A Fosberg, SM5UR/W6, and Paul Thekan, Alex, K86JDO. Anne 25 R e s o r a o n a n d T e c h n c a T o p c Replacing Antenna The Golden Age of Televisions Loop Coils Re\ ~ ew by Alsn Voorhees Herb Brams Antenna look coils were often mounted on the time you read this. the back of radio sets and so were easily ''The Golden Age of Televisions" is a 130 damaged. If 1t is necessary to replace a page color book that shows a series of TVs, in damaged or missing loop in an old set, the chronological order, from the 1920s through coil must be matched to the tuning capacitor 1990. Interspersed along with the photos are in the set; otherwise, there may be oscillation television related magazine covers. ads, problems or serious loss on sensitivity. Here's novelty items, and a running chronology of how one can adjust the loop to match the set. television. It's fa<.:inating to read what was on Disconnect the old loop. Attach a new loop or television through the years and he ahlc IO loopstick to the tuning capacitor, choosing a match it with the sets that people were using coil whose turns can be easily removed. AJso at lhe time to watch those programs.It's a fun attach an RF signal generator, diode network, book to have, even if you 're nm a collector. as and VTVM according to the schematic shown it can bring to mind back the sets your family below. Tum the tuning capacitor to the lowest Philip Collins writes picture books. This isn't bad as you grew up (unless. of course. you 're point on the dial, usu.ally 540 kc (plates fully meant as a derrogatory statement-he's goo < A typical spread from "The Golden Age ofTl!ln ·isirms" tl1e picture tube to be seperated from the chassis (wbich could he placed next to your Signal Diode easy chair for easy tuning), or why there's a e.g. 1N34 radio sitting next to the ·39 General Electric set. Grah up a copy at your local bookstore and spend an evening reminicing about the RF Signal VTVM televisions and the programs they brought us. Generator .001 0-IV Scale It's a trip well worth taking . Tuning Capacitor 26 RECOG).)\l'\01-J OF !-\IS l~\J E~f\ \O~ O'F Tr\E" PRllVIARY CELL !!! CONTENTS FACTORV TO YOU-SAVI: 30%-COMPARE WITH COSTLIEST OUTFtTS BEFORt YOU BUY a owerfuln ~4 W£ =~retc 30DAV 5 ,,- p Electric or Uco S:: REE Battery About CHRS 2 GetOurSend No Money 10th The President's Message 3 Anniversary Want Ads 6 oirer! Lord Haw Haw 8 Lone Ranger Test Recording 11 Kadene Tunemaster 12 Remme Control Without Wires 14 Radio Servicing During WWII 16 Vintage Book Review 18 D.H. Moore Sketchbooks 21 Why Old Radios Won't Work 22 New Members 23 Presido Upc!Ate 24 Only Historians At Work 25 llaluespossible because you Replacing Amenna Coils 26 deal direct wit/1 bi g factory Golden Age of Televisions 27 •"-• ut"'*""'• h•••· ,,,..,. --· ,,,...l.lllC .,.W,.u.. do-1'AYCll' , \~u ....-t\...,t ....•H• •••\-'"•"IV t-U'I' ....s;ar.,,.o • fw•CU.._ ll ~lttott ' -,oo arc s,:u..'lr· ~nt.-.:d. ~1ti..:lac __.. T"'-" ~ ...... u..• tic"1. '-:alt~ and ~•Yin~ un. f ..fh'l"lroityp1• 0 •lt•'k l"'4.h•1Htll••.... 1 U1 1!¢M:.Jt llJI NII ti '.1 ltll•lhl••I,..• :-,..,,.. ,.,., ii U SUPER DYNAMIC • 'UU).l'Kl f 1111 · ''IHJ.H•(.°'if"•IMl1'",.,.,,"r'U'~' ' CATH(l)RAL TONE REPRODUCERS 1'nh\r•1•00110,~ I •I\ Ir• '"' "f.ll'tt'n... t,C01tm111 nlw11bi;•o...,wnl11111 .2nd(\1611 -t111 111:dfw• .Qa.""'1"nu.~·C:..1l t lt11fTu•u·S1111"·'· l)yNi.tnk.""'P•i..rtl• nnlcft. \\\-1iMi 11 ~, ... Bulk Rate P.O. Box 31659 U.S. Postage San Francisco. CA 94131 PAID Tiburon, CA 415 978-9100 Permit No. 278 CHRS on the Internet: hrrp://www.antiqueradios.com/chrs/ "(rom the Germon H. on • 10 1 ~ 7 IS I~ " ...... c.--.. It was ruled that he gave help to the King's 7 4 IS Col N•w• R••te w 1n rrench 10 JO 7 JO ,.... ia c...~ Cb• TopC'OI TcMk in G.t1111on 10 so 1 so U11•n Oftd l uo~c IOI You1~ .. 11 enemies by broadcasting propa· ganda while 7 30 00 ""Today 1n Germany still owing allegiance to the British Crown. The DJ D - 2S m.: D Z D - Um: ~I m: 0 X P - 41 111 Tuesday, April 15 jUI)' returned a verdict of guilty and the first • 00 s 00 ,.... ;.. c..,... I IS S IS ~ A.e n.. .\ab - "'"---" ,._.,.. DJ0-1S m.: ll m.: OX P - 4.9m person to be described as a radio traitor was t At1 1w• t• k> Ouuhonii lrom Aman cor: Lu1en• tai 4 SO I SO Colt Ct-rmon roH :ioncH :I) 30 .. I.ORO HAW. HAW·· < SS I >S Pt·cqrol'I\ lor lh• Day sentenced to death for treason. s s ~ 8 I SS Proqrom for •h• Dor t IS I I) Economic A••••• Soviet Union". soo 200 Chomter M"'a1c 920 ''20 .. AC'hon Re porta 1'01'11 tht• rruot !I H ZO "•- la G.