[R-390] Zenith Trans-Oceanic

[Transmaster]

That could well be true there was a article in ER about the end of CE
and what Zenith did.
                                                 Ken de W7ITC

On 12/29/06, b_hagen at sbcglobal.net <b_hagen at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> 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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-- 
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.