[Boatanchors] Zenth Transoceanic

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Sun, May 27, 2012 at 12:35 PM, Walter Treftz <sjotrollet at yahoo.com>wrote:

> On an estate here. Anyone got any idea what a Transoceanic is worth? In
> pretty good condx,
> with tubes & antenna. Was told it works.
>

Walt -

Model is everything, as others have said. If you have the early 'Bomber'
model in good, complete shape, several hundred dollars isn't out of the
question. The 500 and 600 in nice condition can also bring $150-$200 most
days. But they're fairly common in comparison, and even a few dings or
slight wear brings the price down considerably due to availability. They
can often be found at yard sales, antique shops, and flea markets for $50
or less. I bought a good working parts donor for mine a few years back for
$12 at an antique mall.

I can give you a recent hamfest value from one I sold. It was a model H-500
in working condition but with broken whip, cracked bezel, and broken front
latch. Maybe a 7 out of 10 overall but working well on all bands. Sold it
along with two old wooden beehive/tombstone radios also needing some work
for $150 total. So roughly $40-$50 in April of this year.

The 1L6 isn't terribly difficult to find these days and prices have come
back down to $20-$35 depending where you look. But that's for a new,
guaranteed tube. Having one in a working radio is a different ball of wax
and is only as valuable as the utility it brings to a functional radio.

I've got a nice H-500 picked up in the early 80s for $10 with a broken
latch. Was able to replace that along with the missing telescoping whip
clip in recent years. It came with the manuals and Wave Magnet external
window aerial complete with cable and suction cups. Pound for pound, it's
one of the best working and sounding receivers I've ever come across.
Definitely a keeper for me.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4