[Motorola] awful radios

[Mike Clarson]

Dick: I believe you are speaking of the "Voice Commander". Didn't some of
the earlier have a tube final?

Other than the legendary TPL, known around here as the radio that made
Motorola, one of my favorite awfuls is the RCA E Line (CMUE-15). I had a UHF
one. All tubes except for a transistor power supply and audio amp IN THE
CONTROL HEAD. Sending B+ back to the radio over the control cable. It
actually worked OK, but awful in other ways. Loved the microphone with the
PTT in center of handle, and a big red disk to speak into. 

Then there is the RCA Hybrid line designed to compete with the TPL and the
Motrac. The 500 series? I think there was a pre 500 series also. These used
quick heat filaments and ran current through the mic cord. If one left the
mic off the hook, it would melt the cord. 

Another favorite awful things (nice radio, however) was the Motrac
Consolette. There was a small space in the back where a mouse could squeeze
in to the nice warm cabinet. Unfortunately when he (or she) did, its back
would contact the 117V line terminals, frying the critter and blowing a
fuse. On turning the base over, there were two paws sticking out a vent slot
in the bottom cover. Saw this several times. --Mike, WV2ZOW

-----Original Message-----
From: motorola-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:motorola-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dick
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 10:29 AM
To: Discussion of equipment manufactured by Motorola
Subject: Re: [Motorola] awful radios

I vote for the portable GE produced shortly after the TPL.  I don't recall 
the
model or name, but it was the size and shape of a small book, weighed a ton
with batteries and the receiver sensivity was about 10 dB below a crystal 
set.
As I recall, it was blue/gray in color.  After working on many of them, I
decided its best application was as a weight to hold the lid on a trash can.

Dick W1NMZ