Hi Steve!
Thanks for posting the pixes. It's a real beauty and yes, it actually works! The old electrolytics dried out and have been replaced with modern ones but we kept the old ones (big aluminum cans) in place for the authentic look. I'll send you a couple of photos of the back of the set - wait till you see the size of the woofer (electromagnetic of course). The tuning eye is a meter movement and on the tip of the pointer is a small ball. When the set is tuned to max signal the ball is centered in the bulls eye. It has 4 bands, from the AM broadcast band up to 54 Mc. Most of the tubes are ORIGINAL Zenith tubes, including one of the rectifiers (5Y3). Push-pull outputs are 6L6G. 17 watts! Copper plated chassis. I have the schematic and the originial owners manual.
There's a story that goes with the set. My father had it for many years and it was in my radio shop in the basement in San Francisco when I was a kid. When I was in college I was in a theatre group next to the Buena Vista Café (if you know SF you know where that is :-) called the Interplayers. I loaned the radio to the theatre as a prop and then I got drafted into the Army (1967) and before I could get it back it disappeared. I loved that old radio and I always thought of my dad when I remembered it as it was his pride and joy.
A few years ago, I as sitting in that chair and thought to myself, this old house (it's a 1878 Victorian farm house), this library room, is the perfect place for the radio! I wonder if there's one on eBay? So I looked but didn't find one but did find a dealer in Cincinatti and when I described it to him, he said he knew exactly the model # I was looking for and he had one in his store! "Check's in the mail", I said! ($1500)
And a few days later, at Boston Logan Airport was this beauty. Its not the same radio (I can tell as I spent so much time on my dad's set) but it's the same year (1937) model (12-U-159) and according to the dealer it was the best model they ever made.
Here's a nice description http://www.tuberadioland.com/zenith12u158_main.html but the wood work is different as it is a 158 model (same year).
Here's a description and picture of the 159 model http://www.radioblvd.com/ZenithPhoto.htm
Model 12-U-159
1937
If you wanted Zenith's "top-of-the-line" (and couldn't afford the Stratosphere models), the 12-U-159 was it. At $175.00, it offered the purchaser a 12 tube chassis with 4 bands (band-in-use illuminated and color-coded), a 12" bass speaker with a 6" treble speaker, shadow-graph tuning indicator and an acoustical adaptor on the bass speaker. Push-pull 6L6 audio output produced about 15 watts of power. The cabinetry was stunning with burl veneers, japan trim and parquetry inlays. Much care was afforded the design of the transformer coupled audio section and it results in the 12-U-159 being one of the best sounding Zenith console radios.
When I pass on, I want a casket big enough for me and the radio :-) !
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Gregory [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 7:12 PM
To: Bob Landman; [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] NTC: GEC BRT 400S
Hi Bob!
Sorry I didn't get your pics posted earlier, but it's been a long day today...
Now I'm sitting home relaxing in my favorite chair like you are in this picture you sent:
http://stevezeva.homestead.com/Bob_Landman.JPG
Although, I noticed that you left your drink sitting on the counter in the foreground, and your cat seems to be staring at you like; "What are you
doing in MY chair?" ;^)
Here's the picture of your Zenith:
http://stevezeva.homestead.com/Bob_s_1937_Zenith.JPG
What a beauty! How long have you had that? It looks like something I would see on "Antiques Roadshow"!
So it still works huh? Lemme' guess, no lead free solder in that beauty huh?
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Landman
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 1:58 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] NTC: GEC BRT 400S
Try this design http://www.hamuniverse.com/shortwaveantenna.html
Or buy one of these http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Antennas/Shortwave/
I have a 1937 Zenith console set (sending Steve a pix) and I have been meaning to put up a decent aerial. When the snow leaves, I'm going to have a go at it. Let me know what you find works for you.
Bob Landman
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Stadem, Richard D.
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 9:33 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] NTC: GEC BRT 400S
Whatever antenna is used needs to be matched up to the receiver with the appropriate jack or connector to get the appropriate impedance match. Inge, can you describe the antenna input terminals on your receiver?
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ahne Oosterhof
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 1:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] NTC: GEC BRT 400S
I searched BING for "+Antenna +lf" and found small ready made antennas covering the band you mentioned for less than $200 and some descriptions of antennas like those on your ship.
No idea regarding which is best or even acceptably useful.
Have fun,
Ahne.
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Inge Hernefjord
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 10:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] NTC: GEC BRT 400S
Thanks, Steve & Blair,
the manual is excellent, thanks again. Unfortunately very little about antennas.
When I look through the 56 ps manual, I realize this is a very advanced machine for its age. They are said to be one of the best for that time. Just wonder what they cost then? Nothing for the picnic, weight 75 pounds!
A funny problem: it's almost impossible to get the old copper lines with porcelain isolators. Whoever I try look at me as being a Neanderthaler. So, seems as it will be a variable dipol of some kind. From what you say, Blair, it will be little of a monster to cover all bands. On the other hand, is there anything today at kHz bands? Beacons? Navigation buoys? Radio sonds? I guess my old receiver will be laughed at by the VHF/UHF/GHZ radios: " Have you seen, folks, a GEC BRT 400S...ho-ho-ho..it smells of stinky selenium rectifier and leaking electrolytes. Poor thing, got a frequency range like an elephant..ho-ho....use capacitors with blades and gear boxes..no, no, not kidding....and you should see the line transformer...my...weight as a six feet man...guys...let's help him back to the museum.."
Inge
On 27 February 2011 17:19, Steve Gregory
<[log in to unmask]>wrote:
> Hi Inge!
>
> Haven't heard from you in quite sometime! Glad to hear from you! I
> have your pictures posted:
>
> http://stevezeva.homestead.com/Inge_s_Lab.jpg
>
> You have a nice little lab to work in! Here's your receiver:
>
> http://stevezeva.homestead.com/Inge_s_BRT400.jpg
>
> I know nothing about antennas, but I did find this. I don't know if
> you have a manual for your receiver, but here's one for download:
>
> http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/ge/brt400
>
> But before you can see it, you will have to download this viewer:
>
> http://windjview.sourceforge.net/
>
> It's almost like an Adobe *.pdf viewer
>
> In the manual, it does talk about antennas (they are called aerials in
> the
> manual) on page 20 and 21.
>
> Steve
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Blair Hogg
> Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 10:46 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [TN] NTC: GEC BRT 400S
>
>
> Inge,
>
> I'll wait for the photos, but an antenna is an antenna. It can either
> be resonant at a particular frequency or tuned by an antenna tuner as
> needed.
> Probably for a wide coverage receiver a long wire antenna is the
> easiest place to start. The longer the better, up to a certain point.
>
> If you are interested in a particular band of frequencies, a dipole
> works well, but tends to be directional - not necessarily a bad thing.
>
> For 28 MHz I've used dipoles that are roughly 5.8 meters on each leg.
> The length varies inversely with the frequency, so at 3 MHz the dipole
> would need to be 58 meters or so. But any piece of wire will work,
> some will
work
> better than others.
>
> Once I see the photo I'll refine my comments.
>
> Blair
>
> On Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:57:42 +0100, Inge Hernefjord <
> [log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> Hi, when I left the navy decades ago, I missed my radio equipments.
>> However,
>> I succeded to save one traffic receiver as you can see on the photo
>> (if Steve can give a hand). This machine is of course stonaged and
>> hopelessly behind technology of today, but of nostalgic reasons I
>> would like to give it a try. I've spent some money for service and
>> now the receiver can work.
>>
>> Now, I've little knowhow about aerial antennas for 380 Kc/s to 30
>> Mc/s. I remember I had a network of copper lines across the
>> destroyer, but know nothing of the design.( Had to be repaired
>> frequently after shooting with the anti-aircraft artillery).
>>
>> So, to the question: Anyone familiar with the GEC 400S? How would a
modern
>> antenna look like and what kind of tuning and compensation is necessary ?
>> I've contacted some DX guys, but they know nothing about this antiquity.
>>
>> Wait for the photos.
>>
>> Inge
>>
>>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To
> unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
> the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt
> or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to
> [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing
> per day of all the posts: send e-mail to
> [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
> Search the archives of previous posts at:
> http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site
> http://www.ipc.org/ContentPage.aspx?Pageid=E-mail-Forums for
> additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or
> 847-615-7100
> ext.2815
> -----------------------------------------------------
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
> For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or
[log in to unmask]
__________
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To
> unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
> the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt
> or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to
> [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing
> per day of all the posts: send e-mail to
> [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
> Search the archives of previous posts at:
> http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site
> http://www.ipc.org/ContentPage.aspx?Pageid=E-mail-Forums for
> additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or
> 847-615-7100
> ext.2815
> -----------------------------------------------------
>
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or
(re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to
[log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to
[log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/ContentPage.aspx?Pageid=E-mail-Forums for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100
ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or
(re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/ContentPage.aspx?Pageid=E-mail-Forums for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100
ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or
(re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/ContentPage.aspx?Pageid=E-mail-Forums for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100
ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to
[log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to
[log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/ContentPage.aspx?Pageid=E-mail-Forums for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100
ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask]
______________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/ContentPage.aspx?Pageid=E-mail-Forums for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------
|
