pete
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by pete on Oct 28, 2021 11:03:32 GMT 12
Hi guys. My apologies for "going dark" on you for 4 months ! Since last I had the opportunity to work on my radio, (early July), my situation has drastically changed. I have been forced to put the radio re-build on the back burner. I will literally have to box up the parts and put it in storage till at least Christmas. The problem centers around time, workspace and resources (definitely not a lack of enthusiasm or perseverance). I hope to get going again in the new year. You will certainly hear again from me then. All of the best in the mean time. Pete.
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Steve
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vintageradio.co.nz
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Post by Steve on Nov 3, 2021 8:43:09 GMT 12
Don't sweat it Pete - good things take time...
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pete
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by pete on Mar 1, 2023 11:39:59 GMT 12
Steve
Yes, its me again.
Things went awfully quiet at this end and you may have thought that I had given up on the project and disappeared out of site. I do not give up that easily ! I took me almost two years, some grief (and a little bit of money) to complete the project, but it is now all but complete. I did cheat though ! I got to a point where I had to call on an expert to do "the real radio work" for me. This has now been done and the radio is in working condition. There was just one failure on my part - I lost the three knobs which were at the time (June 2021) removed from the radio. I'll keep looking in my terribly cluttered garage but may have to find replacement parts. I then plan to close up the back with a sheet of plexiglass so people can still see the innards but not stick their fingers where they do not belong. The radio will have place of honour in my study and will be a conversation piece for years to come. I intend to have a little plaque made up to display the history of the radio and a write-up on the restoration project as well. Before I can complete the write-up on the radio, I need to get my story straight. I need to be sure that I am referring to the right model and year of manufacture in my documentation. Here is the problem. My radio (on the outside) looks like the one shown on the NZ Vintage Radio Project - Gulbransen site as a 1950, 6150. (See photo on the site - three knobs; same faceplate, speaker grille and wooden box.) The chassis and componentry looks slightly different. My radio's variable cap and wheel is oriented differently. The plate on my radio says it is a 6154. Any idea on what might be going on ? Once I have completed the documentation and placed a plaquard on my radio this will more or less be it for me on the restoration project. I intend to build a MW transmitter (Chinese kit set) to broadcast some "old time radio" to my Gulbransen, but that will be it. I will most likely not become involved with old radios again. (My wife will kill me otherwise !) I would like to thank you for the help and support you provided and wish you and the other members all of the best.
Regards Pieter
PS: The cord on the radio was checked and proven to be fine. I have replaced the mains plug with a more modern one simply because the old one had a shape which did not fit where mine is meant to go. I have thus far only picked up Radio Rhema transmitting out of Timaru. It is in the low side of the frequency range. This is good enough for me for now. I may have to limit interference from nearby electronic devices to open up a wider spectrum of the available frequency range. That is something which can be done later on.
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Steve
Society Members
vintageradio.co.nz
Posts: 732
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Post by Steve on Mar 1, 2023 21:35:53 GMT 12
Hi Pete, one thing that most here will understand is that these things take time. There is no rush, most of the radios we talk about have been around longer than we have. In a Gulbransen / Cromwell / Pacemaker scenario, model 6154 means 6 valve, 1 band (AM Broadcast band), 1954. Collier & Beale, who made these, often recycled models over several years, with just minor tweaks and an updated year code in the model number. I'm pleased to hear its all done and taking pride of place Cheers, Steve PS: Someone here will probably have those knobs if you can't find yours...
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pete
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by pete on Mar 2, 2023 16:54:22 GMT 12
Miracles never cease !
Upon learning that her husband has lost some stuff (and his marbles !), my wife informed me that there are cake tins in the kitchen containing mysterious objects she had gathered over the last few years. I investigated this issue and - lo and behold - my missing radio parts were found. The knobs can now be fitted to the front, the chassis be secured to the shell and she will be good as new. A transparent back for the radio is on order and as soon as it had been fitted it can safely go on display.
As the project has come to a close (and I will not be allowed to do any radio restoration in future), I now wish to sign off from this forum. I thank those who helped those who had shown an interest and even those who did not participate, were amused, or amazed, or were indifferent to my plight. You guys are a good buch - all of you !
All of the best Pieter
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Post by Peter Walsham on Mar 2, 2023 20:59:39 GMT 12
Hi Pete
I would be a very wary of fitting a closed in back on your radio. It's fairly important for the life of the set, and to prevent overheating to allow ventilation of the heat to occur. If you feel that you do need to fit a back on, then drill a whole series of 6mm holes to allow air to flow in & out of the set.
Good luck for your future!
Peter
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pete
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by pete on Mar 5, 2023 12:53:01 GMT 12
Peter
Thanks for the heads-up. Luckily I thought about that when I designed the cover for the back. I have had a plexiglass cover manufactured in Christchurch. (Picked it up on Friday, hope to install early in the week.) I requested rows of 10mm dia holes to be placed at the bottom and top of the cover. The result is a visually pleasing (and hopefully practically efficient) back for the radio. I plan to take photos once the set-up has been completed. Will then publish on this site. I'll stay on the forum in the mean time - need to finish things off properly before I leave.
Regards Pieter.
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pete
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by pete on Mar 6, 2023 21:23:45 GMT 12
As promised, photos of the completed Gulbransen radio. It is now in good working order, it is safe and ready to be displayed. All that still needs to be done is the compilation of the documentation and a plaque to give a short summery of the radio's history. RegardsPieter
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