[R-390] Zenith Trans-Oceanic

[b_hagen at sbcglobal.net]

Hi Ken:

It is my understanding that Zenith really only bought CE to obtain control
of a couple of patents that were applicable to color TV demodulators.

Bruce 

-----Original Message-----
From: r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Transmaster
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 6:27 PM
To: David Freeman
Cc: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [R-390] Zenith Trans-Oceanic

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.
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