1951 Zenith Super Trans-Oceanic H500 Short Wave Radio

[BDM]

BDM;
Did you have to do any realigninmg after you installed the SS replacement ?
D/P

Yup. If I remember correctly, the higher bands went high. Of course all bands were effected. But the higher the frequency, the worse it was effected.

[Dan/Panther]

Are you happy with it ?
Any problems ?
D/P

[BDM]

No, no problems. Worked fine. I say worked because I removed it from the set I restored, now I can't find it

[HobieSport]

Where do I get a decent SS unit to replace a 1L6?

[Dan/Panther]

On ebay the guy sells 3 models of it. the original small circuit board, one built inside a small tube, and one I suggested, inside a tube with a small under powered wheat bulb for an orange glow. About $30.00.
D/P

[HobieSport]

Like this?:

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/eea101_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ

[BDM]

Yup, seems like cost has gone up a little.

http://tinyurl.com/5tqe8d ( dead link 05-18-21 )


The way I see it. Reasonable 1L6 tubes can still be had. Don't bother right now, especially if your tube is good.


(Note, I shrank the web address down with tinyurl as it was making the page too long-  Mcheath) 

[bingster]

If the 1L6 is causing the problem of dead shortwave as Dan mentioned, will the tube still test as good?  I'm having that problem now.  I cleaned the heck out of the contacts in the tower, but it didn't help at all.  BC comes through like a champ, though.

[BDM]

If the 1L6 is causing the problem of dead shortwave as Dan mentioned, will the tube still test as good?  I'm having that problem now.  I cleaned the heck out of the contacts in the tower, but it didn't help at all.  BC comes through like a champ, though.

Are all the SW bands dead? Usually a weak 1L6 will stop oscillating as you go higher in frequency. Also, what is the filiment voltage (DC) between pins 1 & 7 of the 1L6 tube?

[bingster]

Part of the problem is that I'm hobbled when it comes to testing, right now.  The leads on my voltmeter need attention before I can use it again, and my tube tester doesn't test miniature tubes.  I was thinking that taking the tube to be tested might be worth the trouble, though.

The SW bands are all pretty much dead.  Sometimes on the lower frequencies, the signal will break in, but it's rare.

[BDM]

Could be a possible alignment issue. More likely, it may be low B+ to the filaments.

[Bill]

Might want to revisit that "B+ to the filaments" idea.

Bill

[PSGreg]

Hey, just realized I have one of these too.  Had it for years but I don't think mine works either.  I'm not sure which model number it is.  All I know for sure is that it's covered in brown material instead of black. I'll have to dig it out now and see what's up.
Best,
          Greg

[Bill]

Whoa, if the brown material is leather, then you have a much more valuable radio! Not enough to change your retirement plans, but still very nice - and very expensive.

Bill

[bingster]

It could be brown oilcloth, too.