posted on October 29, 2005 01:46:28 PM new
I have 4 European radios that I need a good site for looking them up...they all have the funky euro plugs and I haven't found anything on eBay like them or name brand either.They are all about the same size... 18 inches long and 12 inches high. Here are some pics,they are in need of a major clean up and I also have to go buy a Euro adaptor to see if they even power up.Do you think it will be ok to plug them up? Don't want to have them go boom ,buzz,spark or anything else lol. Also is there a market for the Euro type radios on eBay ?
1.Ducretet Thomson L934...I did find a year of making on yahoo of 1959 but no picture to make sure it was the right one
2.Marconi -3397
3.Marquett -Societe Industrielle Constructions Elecironiques-74,Rue Joseph De maistre-Paris 18
posted on October 29, 2005 02:35:48 PM new
Toasted...If the radios were made for domestic consumption in Europe, which I imagine they were because of the "funky" plugs, then they were most likely designed to operate on 220 VAC. Most of the adaptors in this country are for travelers to Europe and will step down 220 to 110VAC so the yankee tourist can operate an electric razor or hair dryer in Paris or London. It may be difficule to locate an adaptor in this country that will convert a 220 appliance to operate on 110VAC. Many of these radios, and other appliances, will have a switch inside to allow for operation on 110 or 220, or there will be a wiring diagram showing the power cord hookup options to the power transformer to allow multi voltage operation. It will entail removing the back from the case, or in some instances the chassis from the case to look for a switch or wiring diagram. If there is no way to switch it easily, you will need to locate an adapter. They may be available at Radio Shack. I've never had occasion to need one, as I usually rewire the power supply when necessary. The most likely place to find an adaptor for operating 220 appliances on 110 VAC would be Ebay UK. Also, Agitprop may have an easy solution if he happens to pop in.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on October 29, 2005 02:54:56 PM new
Thanks Sparkz ! 2 have a switch I can see that can change them to 110 (yeah!) on the backs , one Jason just opened had a switch that looks easy...un-screw and swing a swing arm type thing to change voltage...the other has a billion screws so it will have to be looked at later.I'm really glad you knew about this kinda stuff.I will check Radio Shack tomorrow .
posted on October 29, 2005 03:22:03 PM new
Most of them do have an internal switch for changing voltage. A few will require changing the cord to a different tap on the power supply transformer. You'll need to pick up some standard type AC plugs at RS or a hardware store and replace the Euro plugs. Don't discard the old plugs. Your buyer may be in Paris While you have them opened, be sure to blow out the dust and cobwebbs from the top of the chassis as well as the underside. Those little fuzzballs, when loaded with dust, can direct the high voltage straight to ground and pop a circuit breaker and make it look like the 4th of july. Don't ask me how I know What frequencies do these radios cover? From the pictures, they look like multi-band receivers. And yes, some of these radios are very collectable and command high prices. Tomwiii was in the same situation as you recently, so you're lucky, he's already done a lot of the leg work and should be able to save you a lot of time.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on October 29, 2005 03:48:42 PM new
I'm 99% sure 3 of them are multi bands the Marconi has 5,8/18,2 MHZ, 523/1620 KHz,150/300 KHz on the front with about 40 names Nice,France,Strasbourg,Milan,Munich,B.B.C.,Lyon etc etc and there is push buttons that I need to test for Bakelite that are marked PU ANT. Go PO DC
2 of the cases had a reaction to simicrome ,they rubbed a red color on the Q-tip.
I can't hardly wait to see if they power up.
posted on October 29, 2005 05:07:21 PM new
Be sure to offer them WORLDWIDE, as the JAPANESE, BRITS, etc, will pay a FORTUNE for some of these old radios!
posted on October 29, 2005 06:12:40 PM new
I have an old multiband/short wave radio that my dad used during WW II. I have it stored away in the garage. I wonder if it's worth anything?
posted on October 29, 2005 06:56:40 PM new
Tom is correct. Offer these WORLDWIDE. You may even want to consider tinkering with your launch and ending times so that bidding will end in prime time in Europe. The one you describe is a multiband L/W - S/W, Broadcast band receiver. This is much more desireable than a standard broadcast band receiver. When you fire it up, you can test it on a local AM station with the built in antenna. If you decide to try the shortwave bands and want to use an external antenna, the markings on the back of the first radio (and probably the others) show one connection as a wire going to ground. This can be a cold water pipe or a copper rod in the ground outside. The other terminal will be a length of wire (cheap hookup wire from Radio Shack) will work. 20 feet or so as high as you can get it outside will do. Just one word of caution. Be absolutely certain that the radio is unplugged from the AC source before attempting to connect an outside antenna. Only after the antenna is in place should the radio be plugged in. The stations at the low end of the SW band will come in best at night and the upper end during the day.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on October 29, 2005 08:21:06 PM new
Hi - take a look at www.radiomuseum.org. It's a German site with thousands of European radio specs. Good luck.
posted on October 29, 2005 09:05:04 PM new
Thanks for all the info Tom and Sparkz !! I let you know if we have power tomorrow afternoon sometime.
Bidpay is about the only safe way to take international payments or the pink postal money order in USD ? I really don't sell much international and the sales are always under 50.00 so I have been taking paypal.I'm to chicken to try anything higher and the shipping is going to be high cause these radios are heavy. Tom I know you can help here lol .
jacob360 I'd kiss ya if you were here what a awesome site !! Book marked for more use later ...woohoo Thanks !
posted on October 29, 2005 09:20:32 PM new
Jacob360...THANK YOU for posting that link. I also bookmarked it for future reference.
Toasted...You're right on payment. Bidpay or international postal money order. A Western Union wire transfer would be fine also, but Ebay strongly discourages buyers from those. Don't consider any other type of payment such as bank transfers, etc. May be popular in Europe, but we're not in Europe, and stiff fees can apply here.
Also note that on the site Jacob360 posted, it has two extremely valuable pieces of information. The first notes the receiver's operating voltage (110/220). The second is the tube lineup. It gives the tube numbers by their European designations, along with the American numbers. Very valuable if you have to replace a tube.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
[ edited by sparkz on Oct 29, 2005 09:39 PM ]
posted on October 30, 2005 01:59:50 AM new
YES! I couldn't remember THAT site, but it is the BESTEST!
I found even my most obscure radios there!
I accepted INT POSTAL MO's and BIDPAY only, and most just sent me US CASH anyway!
The JAPANESE used the POSTAL MO's and some of the BRITS used BIDPAY!
FOR USA BIDDERS, I offered UPS GROUND & set up a UPS account for this -- with my driver's help, this worked out GREAT for me!
FOR NON-USA bidders (due to SIZE & WEIGHT), I had to use USPS AIRMAIL PARCEL POST, and INSURED thru DSI! Since there is NO tracking available (for shipping at a REASONABLE price), I did NOT accept PayPal as some of my radios sold for a goodly amount of buckeroos!
<<<<>>>>****<<<<>>>>DANGER WILL ROBINSON<<<<>>>>****<<<<>>>>
When you TEST yer radios, plug into a TEST STRIP that has a CIRCUIT BREAKER & use a NON-CONDUCTIVE item (I used an ole short broom-handle & wore RUBBER GLOVES) to turn on the radio...
I forget the rationale (Hey, Sparky! Didn't YOU warn me of this?), but some of the antique radios can entertain ye with a real shocking experience!
<<<<>>>>****<<<<>>>>DANGER WILL ROBINSON<<<<>>>>****<<<<>>>>
posted on October 30, 2005 07:08:23 AM new
WEll, I guess I'd better get mine off the shelf n the garage. I remember using it in school to listen to the radio. I believe it was also a transmittor. It worked when i put it up on the shelf more than 20 years ago. Thanks for the tips on testing it.
posted on October 30, 2005 09:51:51 AM new
ROFLMAO Tom !! Thanks for the warning...it's the first thing at the top of my mind. I sold one of them robots last year.One of the 3 foot tall ones. Made good money on that thing even without the remote.
I will put all that you guys have told me in my auction for international sales.It's getting to close to Christmas to have a charge back through Paypal. Where going to Radio Shack after 3:00 when we take our daughter to work.
posted on October 30, 2005 10:56:19 AM new
Tom...Thanks for reminding me about the multi-outlet strip with breaker and switch. It's second nature for me. I never plug anything into a wall outlet except the strip itself. Yes, it can be an electrifying experience to do otherwise. That's how I came up with my Vendio username Besides, it's much easier to reset a breaker on the strip than it is to go outside in the middle of the night and find the tripped breaker in the box.
Paloma...If your radio is also a transmitter, post back here with the make and model before you attempt to power it on.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on October 30, 2005 04:10:54 PM new
You know you live in a small town when Radio Shack is closed on Sunday guess I'll have to wait till tomorrow ...bummer
posted on November 6, 2005 02:08:45 PM new
Tom or Sparkz, I have a question about shipping. I'm planning on a well packed double box. Did you put any packing (peanuts in my case) inside to keep parts from jiggling loose inside while in route to where ever it might be heading.
3 of the 4 power up ,2 of 3 played music the other just hissed .The 4th one has a blown fuse on back so it will be listed later when we have time to find a fuse to see if it will power up.Its a funky (lol love that word) foreign fuse .
posted on November 6, 2005 02:54:47 PM new
If the tubes are seated well, there's not much that can shake loose inside. In fact, peanuts could actually damage the speaker cone. If it's original, it will be dry and fragile. The greatest danger from bumps or vibration is to the internal elements of the tubes themselves. If the tubes have quite a few hours on them, the cathodes, grids and plates can become very fragile. On the fourth radio with the blown fuse, try to find out why it blew. Do a thorough visual check of the inside and look for the aforementioned dust balls. Also, insects can get inside and cause a short. If the fuse is European, it will be an original. There should be an American replacement. Remember, the original was likely for 220 volts. If it was a 1 amp fuse, you will want to replace it with a 110 or 220 volt fuse with a 2 amp rating.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
What frequencies do these radios cover? From the pictures, they look like multi-band receivers. And yes, some of these radios are very collectable and command high prices. Tomwiii was in the same situation as you recently, so you're lucky, he's already done a lot of the leg work and should be able to save you a lot of time.
