I don’t know if this Universal is actually rare, but I’ve ever seen another example of this brand. There is a date stamp inside the case of Nov. 23, 1962. The design is obviously a knock-off of the Sony TR-610 – TR 620. The Universal was made in Taiwan, not Japan.



You can see all my transistors at http://home.comcast.net/~btse1/vintrad/ ... istors.htm

Lucky that that set was not made in America exactly one year later! It would probably only half completed.
Curt

I've never seen that variant before. I like the spinning atom design on the speaker grill. Here's a similar one under the Monacor brand name. Another Sony TR-620 knock off!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/transistor ... 704527693/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/transistor ... otostream/

Initially, it's condition caught my eye. The fact it had automatic tuning sold me. This is a Play-Mate PMl000, l0 transistor DC set from Japan.

Not knowing much about solid state portables, is the automatic tuning an unusual feature? Both radio and it's motorized tuning work fine.



http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0d73 ... /ry%3D400/

Bruce Webster

...looks a lot like a repackaged Panasonic 'Radar-Matic'...that's key-wound (have to wind it up in the back), right?...this kind of mechanical/electromechanical automatic tuning was indeed a rather unusual feature in transistor radios, and only a handful of manufacturers offered it; the Panasonic 'Radar-Matic' (key-wound or motorized) is probably the most common of them...

...new addition to my modest collection. Probably still too 'new' to even be here. But it was given to me; I've cleaned it up, put some new batteries in it and checked out, and everything works, including the tape transport (although I haven't tried a tape in it yet)...

...Radio Shack DX-392 (aka Sangean ATS-818ACS)



...powered up, tuned to FM station



...if you plug in headphones, FM stereo reception is enabled, and that works, too...note the little headphone icon with the ST inside at the top of the display...



...and receiving WWV at 5.000 MHz (the display didn't show up too well!)...



...got some activity on 49, 41 and 31m (2230L) using the built-in antenna (I'm not in a place conducive to good outdoor antennas); also got a ham or two on 40m SSB and tried the BFO out...interesting to see how this compares to, for example, my RF-2200 for reception...but the accuracy of the PLL tuning is a plus...

Actually, the automatic tuning is totally electrical, dri<en by one of those tiny motors you'd normally see in '60's era battery operated toys. I suppose the no<elty wore off quickly once you'd gone through a few sets of "C" batteries. The hybrid Radar-Matic panasonic sounds way more practical...and one I'll keep a look out for.

BTW Nice catch on the DX392

Bruce Webster

cant post photo sorry

Here's my RCA Globetrotter collection. The one in back is a tube model but the front two are solid state.

Universal ptr62b brand new in the box......


Its never been used...ever....

I got a new in box radio as well. Stellar AM/FM around 1959 or so

That's a Stellar example.

Thanks!

We didn't have AM/FM Transistor portables in 1959.

Remember also, CD marks -at 640 and 1240 Kilocycles- would indicate a manufacturing date before about 1963. I don't see any on yours.

The radio has CD marks. Theyre not visible in this picture. I wasnt sure on a date. I thought it was 59 because it was very similar to a 1959 bulova two band transistor radio. Could the date be closer to '61 or '62?

Now this is what I call a portable radio Picked it up on Monday.

You can carry all 15 pounds of it around, sounds good too.

Frank

Nice Grundig. I bet it's a good performer.

Please post the model number, and I'll look that up in my Transistor reference books.

Im staring at Jayces Stellar now, it does have CD marks.

He sent it to me for repair.

Model number: 9FM-38

There is a date stamp: MY'62

Serial: 2-2454

I think this one is solved lol

Zenith was one of the first radio my granpa had. It is adorable!