RADIO-GRAM - wirelesses and gramophones

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Issue 116
1 Radiogram Issue 116 May 2010
ISSN 084-6209
The Vintage Wireless and Gramaphone Club of Western Australia
RADIO-GRAM
August 2010
News from the Vintage Wireless and Gramophone Club.
This issue comprises the June and July Meetings!
At the June meeting/AGM, Tony Smith showed an amusing
“home” video he shot on Rottnest island, using one of the first
“portable monochrome video cameras and tape recorders available.
Those who were there on the night will know why tony has
that cheeky look in his eye!! Tony held a quiz afterwards and a
bottle of scotch was the prize!
Also at the June meeting was another large Auction.
The ubiquitous Steve Austin once again stepped up to be our
auctioneer. Although a large auction, it was somewhat sombre,
there being many items from the late Trevor Currie’s estate.
More photos from the auction
on pages 7 & 8

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VINTAGE WIRELESS AND GRAMAPHONE
CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Inc.
President: Rob Nunn
EXECUTIVE 2010-2011
51 St Helier Drive, Sorrento, WA 6020
Phone: 0418 922 629 (M) ; 08 94486143 (H)
Email : ranunn07@bigpond.com
Vice President: Steve Austin
Secretary: To Be Advised,
Vince Taylor (Minute Secretary)
Treasurer: Barry Kinsella
Email : barkinsella@optusnet.com.au
Website: http://vwgc.org.au
Email: info@vwgc.org.au
Committee: TBA, Barry Kinsella, Andrew Wakeman.,
John Newman, Vince Taylor, Tony Smith
and David Tennant.
Appointments: Librarian: Garry Stoyles; Editor:
Rob Nunn; Publicity/Website: Reg Gauci
Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each
month (with the exception of December) at 8pm in
the Veteran Car Club rooms at 6 Hickey Street,
Ardross. Visitors are always welcome!
Although the main interests of members are wireless
receivers and gramophones (or phonographs)
, many members are also interested in amplifiers,
telephones, musical boxes, tape recorders, television
receivers and other associated equipment and
memorabilia.
Radio-Gram is published four times per year, in
February, May, August and November.
Send articles and advertisements to the editor:
Rob Nunn : 51 St Helier Drive, Sorrento, WA, 6020
Email: ranunn07@bigpond.com
Phone : 94486143 or 0418 922 629
Please make sure your ‘copy’ is submitted by the
meeting night prior to the issue month.
Advertisements are placed FREE of charge, but
should be of a non-exploitive nature.
Please notify the secretary or the editor if you
change your address. (or email)
Subscriptions: $25 (payable in June)
(Concession rate: $20)
2 Radiogram Issue 116 May 2010
Minutes of the Club meeting held at clubrooms
Tuesday June 22 "d 2010.
28 members present. 3 visitors.
8.00m. Meeting commenced.
The meeting was opened by President Rob Nunn. A welcome
was extended to visitors Kevin C., Phil A. and
Richard A.. A brief report was given on the committee
meeting held on the pervious Tuesday. Rob announced
that he will be away for the next three months. Also that
a replacement for the late Trevor Currie is needed to
represent the club on the Wireless Hill Centenary 2012
committee. The executive have the necessary contact
details. There have been regular enquiries from the public
regarding gramophones and radios for sale and repair.
The club needs to find a new repair person to refer
these enquiries to. Anyone interested can place an advertisement
in the club newsletter.
Secretary's Report. There was no secretary's report
tabled.
Treasurer's Report. Tabled as a separate document.
Moved as correct by Rodney House, seconded
by Richard Rennie. Passed unanimously.
General Business.
Richard Rennie- Announced the passing of Harry
Hope, an ex employee of Beullers who had previously
given a talk to the club.
Len Lewis- Asked that the issue of a new cupboard for
the club library be revisited at the next committee meeting.
Items of Interest.
Norbert Tourney- showed an impressive collection of
Volksemphanger radios and gave a brief talk on
their history.
Annual General Meeting
Election of Office Bearers;
President; Rob Nunn. Nominated by Richard Rennie,
seconded by Laurie Bugeja. Elected unopposed.
Vice President; Steven Austin. Nominated by
Len Lewis, seconded by Richard Rennie. Elected
unopposed.
Secretary; Rodney House. Nominated by Tony Smith,
seconded by Richard Rennie. Elected unopposed.
Treasurer; Barry Kinsella. Nominated by Len Lewis,
seconded by Richard Rennie. Elected unopposed.
Committee; Len Lewis to fill vacant position.
Nominated by Lex, seconded by Laurie Bugeja.
Elected unopposed.
Meeting closed 8.40m. An amusing early video shot
on location at the Quokka Arms was shown by Tony
Smith complete with a questionnaire and bottle of
scotch for the most correct answers. After a break for
tea and coffee an auction was held.

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Coming Events
August 24, 2010 : Ian Vibart will talk
about his career in broadcasting.
September 28, 2010 : Tony Smith will put
on a film night. + Another Auction !
October 26, 2010 : Richard Rennie will
present the story of stereophonic sound.
We welcome volunteers and ideas for Guest
and Member Speakers at our monthly meetings.
Recent Events
February 23, 2010 : Richard Rennie
presented the Blake Horrocks story -
WA’s first TV transmitter and receiver in
Harvey in 1936. With working models.
March 23, 2010 : David Littley present
ed the story of Brunell Mastertone radios
April 27, 2010 : Rod House - 100 years
of the diamond disc
May 25, 2010 : Richard Ashton showed
CD and DVD, from National Film and
Sound Archives.
June 22, 2010 : Tony Smith put on some
DVDs. Also an Auction and our AGM.
July 27, 2010 : John Skevington gave a
talk on the technology of CD recording
and an introduction to digital radio.
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An Attentive Audience at the AGM & Auction
in June !
MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE
It is planned to have another auction at the
September meeting
Please give your list of items to be auctioned
at the June AGM to Tony Smith. Tony is
making a list so that members will know in
advance what is coming up for sale.
Tonys address is 25/104 King William St,
Bayswater, 6053
And phone is 9271 5668.

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Also at the June meting Norbert showed a collection of Volksemphanger
radios and gave a brief history of them
The following are notes and pictures supplied by norbert
Volksempfaenger, everybody knows the Volkswagen (peoples car) but the Volksempfaenger ( the peoples radio )
is a lot less known. In 1933 the German industry was ordered to produce an affordable radio, cut down to the
basics but still usable by the average household. Otto Griesinger from the Seibt company in Berlin was given the
job of desining the set.
The result was the VE301 w. The set made its appearance at the 1933 radio exhibition in Berlin, it found immediately
lots of public appeal. The magazines were hailing it as a success, even the US Radiocraft magazine printed a
112 page over the peoples radio.
Every German manufacturer was ordered to produce an identical model, all parts had to be interchangable and
the radios had to look the same. At first the industry wasn't keen but the radio proved to be a great sales success.
Every year small improvements hapend. Early radios did not have a dial light, no station names (0- 100), low RF
sensitivity, and antenna/earth sockets on the side of the case.
As with the Volkswagen regular improvement appeared without price increases. In 1937 the VE301 Wn appeared,
this radio was a large improvement on the earlier designs. All models had battery versions and DC versions, after
1935 ACIDC versions. The valve numbering does not follow
the regular valves many of the valves start with a V for Volksempfaenger. You find VY1, VY2, VF7, VL1, VL4
and so on.
The battery version was called the VE30 t Bor later B2, the DC only version VE301 G, the AC/DC
version was called VE301 GW. All AC only sets were produced with a bakelite case all DC and battery sets appeared
in a wooden case only heaven knows why. In 1938 the final version appeared it was called the VE301 dyn.
This model looked rather modern compared with the earlier ones.
The balanced armature speaker was replaced with a standard dynamic speaker, power output was increased, RF
sensitivity improved, and dial lights are now standard. All earlier models did require an aftermarket kit to light up
the dial. A lot of aftermarket accessories appeared and sold well. You still
Can find them on Ebay. The 301 dyn is by far my favorite, even now it makes a good second radio in the kitchen
for instants. Unfortunatelly it is the hardest to find und also the most expensive one if you can get it.
Alongside the VE301 dyn the industry introduced in 1938 the DKE Der Deutsche Kleinempfaenger (the German
baby radio) Since this set only has 2 valves special valves had to be designed, its performance is extremly
poor even as a second radio. The purchase price was half of the Volksempfaenger and anyone regardless of income
could afford it.
Strange, lots of those sold why? It must have been the price. The NAZI logo only exist on post 1938 radios, most
radios on Ebay DE have the logo removed. It is still legally illegal to use it in Germany. However I managed to
buy 2 DKEs in Austria with full undamaged logos one is the DKE38 the
Early model a very poor performer the other one is the more common DKE )10- 240 from 1942. This one has
got the Page 1 Untitled Telefunken Hannover upgrade which makes it a useful radio.
After 1938 these sets were also produced by all Austrian manufacturers, Eumig, Ingelen etc. After 1939 these sets
were manufactured in the Tschech republic, in Hungary and in Poland. My favorit is the variety produced by
Orion in Hungary this set has got the same guts as all the others but an ornamental art deco case- very appealling ,
it is the most expensive one around and I cant affort it. They are selling in Budapest for up to 500 euro about 700
$A. Further developement stopped until after the war.
However in the UK a similar radio shortage as in Germany existed, Churchill decide to get a few of the German
radios for evaluation, the engeneering team looking them over decided they can make a much better one The result
was The Wartime Utility Receiver, this set is really an upgrade of the VE301 dyn, its RF sensitivity is better
audio olp is nearly double and its all around a slightly better performer, sales started in 1944.
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Like its German counterpart it was manufactured by every manufacturer in the UK it also used non standard valve
numbers. It is a successful upgrade of the VE301 dyn. Mine was manufactured by Ferranti, German sets have a
manufacturers logo on the rear British ones only a number identifying the manufacturer. After 1951 nobody made
peoples radios anymore and the idea disappeared.
I have got of every model one except the Hungarian one, but there is always a tomorrow.
An original advertisement for the VE301
The VE301 dyn
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Picture of a German family listening to the
VE301W
Part of Norbert’s collection
shown at the
meeting
Norbert has submitted
more information which
will be featured in the
next issue.

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FENDER LITTLECHAMP GUITAR PRACTICE AMPLIFIER
At the moment, I look like an amplifier technician. However, this and a Lenard guitar amplifier were left to
me by the owners to receive a decent burial at a later time.
This musician’s practice amplifier had originally been plugged into a 240 volt power point whilst its transformer
tappings were set at 110 volts. This resulted in the power transformer burning out. The transformer
was not replaced then as the manufacturer’s transformer was too expensive for the client.
However 25 years later, and thanks to a radio restoring hobby, I had salvaged a power transformer from a
discarded radio chassis. If I strip a chassis for parts, I note on the transformers the valve line up that it fed.
This meant that I looked at the power transformer and saw that it fed a 5Y3, 6V6 and other valves. That
indicated that it was suitable for this amplifier as it used a 5Y3 rectifier, 6V6 audio output and a 12AX7 pre
-amplifier/driver. The filaments were connected for 6 volt operation.
The other repair was to remove two diodes that had been installed to replace the 5Y3 valve. I installed a
new rectifier valve to maintain the integrity of the amplifier. I t was common practice to relace unserviceable
rectifiers with solid state diodes such as 1N400 etc...
The amplifier is a very basic unit. The signal from the guitar is fed into the first half of the 12AX7, the
tone circuit, the second half of the 12AX7, the 6V6 output valve and to the speaker via the output transformer.
The amplifier has since been donated to the Moulden Park Primary school for use in their school music
classes.
Happy collecting and restoring, Fred
The Amplifier
The chassis
Fred Franklin 12 Dulverton Court, Karama. Darwin NT. 0812. 0428883195.
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Under the chassis

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More photos of items at the June Auction
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More over the page....

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FOR SALE
PYROX Wire Recorder
Contact : Nick Watling
Phone 07 4038 1731
8 Radiogram Issue 116 May 2010
FOR SALE
Yaesu Communications Receiver
Incl. : FRG 8800 Receiver, 200kHz to
30MHz (Plus 50 - 150MHZ with converter)
FRT 7700 Antenna Tuner
FRA 7700 Active (Electronic) Antenna
FRV 8800 VHF Converter, 50 to 150 MHz
All in new condition in original box and with
all the handbooks
(Current market value in excess of $400)
Contact Rod Edward or Steven Mudge direct
on 9386 8894
Note : Advertisements are placed free-of-charge,
but should be of a non-exploitive nature. (Editor)