HMV Valve radio

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xpd

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#310919 30-Nov-2023 10:08

My folks are moving house, and while going through the garage cleaning up, found this on the shelf. Apparently was working until a few years ago.

So, I've taken it, and will attempt to clean it up, and maybe get it going. Failing that, gut it and use as a mini PC case or throw a RPi into it for some form of music player.

Should be fun....... ;)

XPD / Gavin

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eracode

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#3166226 30-Nov-2023 10:29

Does it get Spotify?

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

xpd

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#3166227 30-Nov-2023 10:32

Yup, in pure digital 7.1 Dolby Surround mono.

XPD / Gavin

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xpd

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#3166228 30-Nov-2023 10:33

Found some info here.. The NZ Vintage Radio Project - HMV

1947 :)

XPD / Gavin

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eracode

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#3166284 30-Nov-2023 11:15

Interesting.

I see the 1947 Model 476 "Windsor' - single band, was priced about $61. Noticed a valve missing (and obviously a knob on the front).

I know nothing about these radios - except using the very similar one my grandparents had when I was a kid in the 1950's - but maybe you can still get replacement valves on the enthusiast market?

One thing I remember about valve radios is that they take about 30 secs to start because they have to 'warm up'.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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#3169080 6-Dec-2023 22:52

xpd:

Found some info here.. The NZ Vintage Radio Project - HMV

1947 :)

Great link - thanks! I have one squirelled away in the garage, also from my parents' house. I don't immediately recognise any on that website so I'll have to fish it out and have a better look to try and identify it. I haven't dared turn it on...

alasta

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#3169133 7-Dec-2023 08:57

eracode:

I know nothing about these radios - except using the very similar one my grandparents had when I was a kid in the 1950's - but maybe you can still get replacement valves on the enthusiast market?

Hi-fi enthusiasts still use valve amplifiers, so I'm sure they're still available.

Dyson

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Scotdownunder

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#3169210 7-Dec-2023 09:57

I doubt hi-fi gear uses such old style valves but there is a market out there, mainly in Eastern Europe I believe. The big issue will probably be the capacitors, especially the electrolytics in the power supply. You-tube has some interesting videos on restoring WW2 era military radios (e g. an AR88D type which I had as a ‘radio Ham’ in the late 60s).

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#3169316 7-Dec-2023 13:48

@Radiotron might have some knowledge on this?

eracode

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#3169374 7-Dec-2023 15:37

Scotdownunder:

I doubt hi-fi gear uses such old style valves but there is a market out there, mainly in Eastern Europe I believe. The big issue will probably be the capacitors, especially the electrolytics in the power supply. You-tube has some interesting videos on restoring WW2 era military radios (e g. an AR88D type which I had as a ‘radio Ham’ in the late 60s).

When we were teenagers in the 1960’s a techy mate of mine bought an ex-Navy B41 radio in a surplus auction. Can’t remember if or how he used it - but it sure looked (and weighed, at 45kg) impressive.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.