[Boatanchors] Minerva Tropic Master Decals

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

	Hi All, 	
	
If any of you have a Minerva Tropic Master WW2 morale receiver and need a new
decal for the one on the front door bottom left side, I have them. Check to see
if the letters "MCA" are in red or gold. The decal came both ways. Cost is $2
plus postage.	
	
I will soon have my cabinet back from N0ALO, Lynn Brock, who is silk screening
the "Minerva Tropic Master" lettering back on the drop down front door. Lynn has
determined the original paint was a gray with some blue in it, a crackle finish
of some sort. My cabinet has been repainted. When it returns, I will post some
photos of it on the HCI web site for all to drool over. (patented Fischer smirk)

	
I have three Minerva Tropic Master sets fully electrically restored. If any of
you need copies of the five restoration articles published in Popular
Electronics in 1995, please contact me. Mark Ellis wrote them.	
	
I also have the original schematic that came with the Minerva Tropic Master. It
shows a pair of 50L6 tubes in the push/pull audio section. The later model had
the pair of 25L6. I suspect, that the military version, which I have one of,
used the 50L6. The civilian version released in late June 1945 had the pair of
25L6. 	
	
I also have the only known original copy of the data sheet that came with the
Minerva Tropic Master. It states unequivically that it was manufactured for the
United States Army and Navy. Hence proving once and  for all time, it really was
a morale receiver. 	
	
The original price when sold to civilians in June 1945 was $75. A hefty price
for that time! 	
	
I have also discovered some subtle differences. The short-wave band goes to 18
Mhz on some sets and 19 mhz on others. The dial stops at 18 Mhz. The medium wave
band also goes down to 540 Khz on some sets.	
	
A very powerful receiver and the six inch pm speaker pumps out some impressive
audio, yet! The push/pull audio is so powerful, that it can easily shred the six
inch speaker, which makes me wonder why no provision was made for an external
speaker. But the MTM is strong as a Bull on steroids and about as rugged of a
receiver as one can find. A lot of bang for the buck at a weight of 19 pounds.  

	
Duane Fischer, W8DBF	
dfischer@usol.com