[R-390] Zenith Trans-Oceanic

[Transmaster]

I have a couple of Transoceanic's, a B600 and a Y600  the latter is
the last of the vacuum tube models.  The vacuum tube models are
excellent rigs the most collectible is the R-520 which is a 500
chassis with a military designation.  They have a brown covering. The
problem you can have with the tube model is some of the tubes they use
are very hard to find.  They have a ballast tube a 50A1 which is
extremely hard to find, but there is a solid state replacement for.
The solid state model the Royal 1000, and 3000 are in my opinion the
best of all of the Transoceanic models.  The difference between the
two is the 3000 has the FM broadcast band.  The tuning dial on these
two radio is like the megacycle drum on a 51J Collins receiver.  They
also have the best storage method ever for it telescoping antenna
which is stored with in the carrying handle.  None of these radios had
a BFO.  The first model to have this feature was the Royal 7000 which
was the last of the true Transoceanic's.  After this Zenith was not
much interested in the famous mark as they where making money hand
over fist on TV's.  The radio was cheapended until is died a ignoble
death as a the Heathkit Transoceanic  about 1980.  Zenith not only
ruined the famous Transoceanic but also destroyed Central Electronics
(CE) which made some really high quality ham gear. The purchased CE
and realised , after a year, it was not going to make they much money
so they literally threw the CE in the trash, hauling the books and a
the remaining hardware in dump trucks to a land fill.  As you might be
able to tell I am no fan of Zenith.  When purchasing a Tranoceanic
there are some cosmetic thing to looks at. On the Vacuum tube models
check the push button switch function on the bands.  Check the wooden
case for soundness, loose panels are not a reason for not purchasing
one they can be glued back togather but it does have a impact on the
purchase price.  On the Solid state models the big thing is corrosion
in the battery case.  Have fun once the Transoceanic bug bites one
just isn't enough they made the true Transoceanic from about 1938
until  circa 1972.

                                          Ken de W7ITC

On 12/29/06, David Freeman <ww8s at zoomshare.com> wrote:
> Off topic, but there is so much general knowledge on this list...
> Is there a definitive web-site to learn about the older large Zenith Trans-Oceanic radios? I'm interested in getting one, but can't figure out which. I want it to use, so performance is more important, (assuming there are any differences). Seems like there is a large disparity in $$ on e-bay. Are some that much more rare than others, or is it just e-bay lunacy taking over that makes some identical looking radios sell for $200 and others $30?
>
> Dave, WW8S
>
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-- 
Kenneth A. Crips, W7ITC Home of the Chew Crew,  Red Headed
Irish Terrier House Ninjas, Beezie, Chic', and Cowboy
10th degree black belts in Mouch Fue, Bed Fue, and
Con Artist Fue.