Zenith Radio Photos
Updated 10/15/05
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1940's Zenith Console with 45 Mhz. FM band.
In the early 1940's the FM radio band was in the 42-49 mhz. band. It
was not until post WW2 that it was standardized to our current 88-108
mhz. band. This radio has both the 42 and 88 mhz bands as it was built
during the transition from one band to the other. In the modern day,
you can pick up baby monitors, older cordless phones, walkie-talkies,
etc. on the 42-49 mhz band.
We tested this unit on the short check lamp but it failed the test...new capacitors are definitely needed.
This unit has a 78 rpm phono with Cobra cartridge and we have removed the phono for repairs.
Pictures:
Cabinet front view. Dial before repairs.
Late
1940's Zenith Radio/Phono. Robbie found this at an estate sale
in Aug. 2005. Have not begun restoration yet. Has 78-rpm only phono.
Pictures:
Front
View Close
Up
1937
Zenith Radio Chassis and Speaker, Model 6B164: This unit needed new
capacitors and wiring repairs. This was originally a battery-vibrator
set and was modified to have an 84 rectifier mounted above the chassis.
We have installed a new tube socket in the chassis and will use a 5Y3
in it, as it appears the rectifier filament winding is 5 volts.
We disassembled the power transformer and re-insulated all the wires
with heat shrink tubing. For some reason, this radio uses 2 tubes which
have 2 volt filaments (type 15) and the rest are 6 volt. We re-wired
the filament leads to the correct tubes and hooked up the 5Y3. We
completely re-did the power supply wiring and replaced all capacitors.
The Vector turret type tube socket really came in handy on the 5Y3.
All old rubber wiring was replaced, and a new power cord and 1 amp fuse
were added. The radio appears to work great now. We replaced the leather dial belt and replaced some old wiring to the speaker.
Pictures: Chassis
and speaker. Repairing power transformer wiring with heat
shrink tubing:
Photo 1
Photo 2
Old
rectifier tube socket mounted above the chassis. Underside
of chassis before repairs.
New
capacitors and wiring installed. Testing
the chassis, view 1. Testing
the chassis, view 2. Completed rear view.
The radio's owner did an outstanding job on refinisihing the cabinet
himself. It was his great-grandparents in law's radio and they used it with a
Wincharger wind generator.
Here is a picture of the radio, before and after restoration.
1968 Zenith Console Radio/Phono. We had to clean the
controls and rejuvenate the phono drive wheel, and install a new
stylus. We also added a small CD player and connected it into the
auxiliary input. A concealed hole was drilled for the CD cables.
Pictures: Side view
showing CD player. Top front
view of console. Hole
drilled for cables.
1950's Zenith Console Radio/Phono. We
bought this unit for the shop: it has a Cobra cartridge and a tube-type
amp and tuner...works very well. It uses seperate power transformers
for the tuner and amp.
Pictures: Rear view
Open
top of console
1960's
Zenith Console Radio/Phono.
We traveled to Pecos, TX. to repair this unit. It needed new
electrolytic capacitors and repairs to the turntable.
Photos: Tool Kits
loaded up in van.
John
and Chad working on radio chassis. Chad
and radio owner Doug Fernandes. Chad
at the Pecos Radio Shack.
Replacing
capacitors in the Zenith chassis. Finished
Zenith console.
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