RADIO-GRAM - wirelesses and gramophones

4
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.
4 Radiogram Issue 116 May 2010