Here's a spot to post pictures of your transistor portable radio collections and new finds.

Dave

Here is most of my collection. I excluded cheap 60s/70s multiband sets. I also have doubles triples and quadruples of many of these sets.

Left to right then center.
Sony CRF-5100 Earth Orbiter(late production) circa 1975-80 ten band
Norelco/Philips North American model L5W34T circa 1962 four band(FM BC)
SHARP Multiband FV-1710 six band circa appr 1968
Ray Jefferson model 630-RDF five band circa appr 1975

Next.....

Right to left
Zenith Royal 3000-1 Trans Oceanic ten band circa 1966(FM, no 13m band)
Zenith Royal 1000D Trans Oceanic ten band circa 1960(13m band, no FM)
Zenith D7000Y Trans Oceanic eleven band circa 1972-78(late production on mine)

Next.....

Left to right
Panasonic RF-5000A thirteen band circa 1968
Panasonic RF-2200 eight band circa 1975

Here we have some of the original paper work.....

Trans Oceanic 1000D

Next.....

Trans Oceanic D7000Y

Next.....

Sony CRF-5100 Earth Orbiter


Sony ICF-5900W

Here are links to further paper work.....
http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/view_p ... ollection8

http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/view_p ... ollection9

All these sets perform beautifully. The Trans Oceanics have all been thoroughly cleaned and completely aligned starting with the IFs.
The only sets I haven't aligned because I see no reason are the Panasonic RF-2200 and Sony CRF-5100. All these sets are with 90% or better condition. I hate using the term "mint" because that infers they're the same as when new. I don't buy it with 20-40 year old sets.
Performance wise, these sets are very close to one another. The best is hardly above the worst in sensitivity. The main difference I find is image rejection and selectivity. Here they are in order with these parameters in mind.

Sensitivity/Selectivity & Image Rejection in order of best to worst;

Panasonic RF-2200 & Sony ICF-5900W(the 2200 & 5900W are the only dual conversion receivers in the bunch. Both operate about the same)

Sony CRF-5100

Zenith Trans Oceanic D7000Y & Panasonic RF-5000A(the Panasonic loses to the Zenith in image rejection, other than that they're equals in every way).

Zenith Royal 3000-1, Zenith Royal 1000D, Norelco/Philips L5W34T are just about equal in every way. If anything the 3000 T/O seems to have an ever so slight edge in SW reception. Being I have several sets each of the 1000D & 3000 it's an honest comparison. Not sure why but if you like to nit pick sensitivity, that's my finding.

SHARP FV-1710

Sound quality in order best to worst;Sound quality for the various sets are close. Some sound better on FM than others but not AM. This is based on overall sound performance.

Panasonic RF-5000A

Sony CRF-5100 Earth Orbiter

Norelco/Philips L5W34T

Panasonic RF-2200

Zenith Trans oceanic models D7000Y & 3000(no real difference)

Zenith Trans Oceanic 1000D & Sony ICF-5900W(sound quality on FM is on par with the RF-2200. BCB/AM performance is about the same as the 1000D Zenith)

SHARP FV-1710

Build quality in order from best to worst
Now this is probably the most debatable category of them all. I've had all these sets apart at one time or another. Plus I have parts sets for all these radios so I feel I know them fairly well. All sets show generally good to excellent build quality given their intended use & price range when new. But, there are known issues with many to watch out for.

RF-5000A all T/Os SHARP FV-1710 and the CRF-5100 I would rate equal in build quality. The RF-2200, Norelco/Philips & ICF-5900W seem about the same in build quality. They are a step below the other sets.

The build problems associated with these sets are;

RF-5000A band button stops are rubber. They deteriorate with time causing loss of reception

Sony CRF-5100 have issues with the band scale drum warping, WATCH OUT FOR THIS! It's not always evident so if you purchase one ASK ABOUT THIS. You may find yourself disappointed. I've taken the time to contact Sony of Japan for replacements and they're not available. I also find many of the Epay sets seem to lack the original antenna. Note my pick is the original antenna for reference. Parts sets aren't common and when they do pop up on Epay they usually go for $70+ dollars.

Zenith 7000 series sets really have very few issues. Other than switch cleaning there are none to mention.

1000 & 3000 series sets suffer pitting and bubbling chrome. Also the brushed face cover pits badly. The carry handle is also the antenna and 5 out of 10 can be found cracked. Keep this in mind when shopping for one.

The Panasonic RF-2200 suffers dirty switches in a big way. I seem to find them needing a serious cleaning more so than the Zeniths. Also watch out for a broken rotating ferrite rod antenna. What breaks on these is the detent socket/ball that holds them up. Also ask about dial backlash. These sets use delicate plastic gears to rotate both the dial & dial scale/scroll. If the dial knob is damaged or turned past it's stop, damaged gears could be the result. This makes accurate tuning difficult.

Sony ICF-5900W. Similar to the RF-2200. Broken pop-up antenna, dirty switches. Also the battery cover seems to come up missing more often than not. If you are looking to purchase one, make sure you ask the seller. The dial system also suffers the same issues as the 2200, WATCH FOR THIS!

No known issues with the Norelco/Philips but I've been told the dial strings in most Norelco's are a Bear to deal with if broken. Worse than many of our beloved tube sets.

No noted issues with the SHARP sets. There are various models similar to the one I own.

Ease of use/Ergonomics
Operation is generally obvious, but I thought I would comment anyhow. My take on this is ease of use, handiness and portability in order from best to worst

1)Sony ICF-5900W - Very easy to handle, light, easy acquisition of operating controls. I've found I can get on freq FAST with this set. Easy to hold with one hand.

2)Panasonic RF-2200 & Norelco/Philips.

3)Sony ICF-5100 all Zenith T/Os & the SHARP - Easy to use but heavy making portability less desirable.

4)Panasonic RF-5000A - Damn heavy! I mean a serious 25 lbs of weight. Forget portability with this set. Also, slow to operate. Takes a second or two to figure out which band you're on and operate. Consider this monster set for permanent table top placement


Well that's all from me. I would like to see other multiband sets and any info associated with them from other members. Also any experiences counter to my own. Please post'em.

Great post Brian, I'll have to get busy and round up some sets for a shot.

I've posted 3 pictures of some of my collection to the gallery entitled "transistor collection 1, 2, 3. I haven't yet figured out how to post pictures into the Forum window.

(edit by moderator) Here they are!

Serge
Go to each of your pics. On each one right click and pick "properties". You will see an address URL. Highlight it and copy. Then come back here and type
[img]PASTE%20YOUR%20URL%20HERE[/img]

That's all there is to it. Do that for each one and then "post". Your pics should come up.

Thanks guys, I'm learning.

Here are a few of my latest finds. Unfortunately the pics are on the temporary galleries (I use a Mac computer and can't seem to post here)

http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/view_a ... mName=temp

(edit by moderator - fixed Mac problem using a PC)

The pics are;

Zenith Royal 3000


Zephyr ZR-930 and Global GR-900


Black, handwired Royal 500


Beige/pink Global GR-711


Toshiba 7TP-30


A battery display from an old store

here are a few novelty radios in a collection of over 1500

Jimmy Carter radios...............

To satisfy my thirst for older and unusual multiband portables, I sometimes bottom feed on ebay when I notice a radio of interest is receiving few or no bids. This Philips L3X78T was begging for a bid shortly before the auction ended. While it has a ferrite loopstick antenna for the BC band, it uses a single flip-up rectangular loop for the 5 - 12 mhz shortwave band. Its handwired chassis is meticulously constructed and performance is very good for a radio that is stamped with a 7-Jan-1959 build date.

Dave

I've updated my collection post with the Sony ICF-5900W including a pic. I've also added an ergonomics post towards the bottom of the original post.

Here's half of mine:

http://www.tompolk.com/radios/radios.html

And now for something completely different:

http://www.tompolk.com/recorders/recorders.html

WOW Very nice Tom.

Here are some baby T/O wanna-be's that haven't left the nursery yet.



When Japan imposed an export quota limiting the number of AM transistor radios that could be shipped to the US, companies countered by selling these mini-multibanders which didn't have restrictions. Can you identify the one American-made set hiding among them?

Dave

Recent additions to the collection are a Panasonic RF-1600, a Panasonic RF-2200 and a Philips (model unknown).

The RF-1600 was a $10 purchase at this Fall's AWA flea market in Rochester. Although it's a little rough, it has taken up residence in my kitchen because of it's stainless steel look and good performance. It has continuous coverage in three bands from .530 to 18 mhz and from 87 to 174 mhz also in three bands. Audio performance is quite impressive.

The RF-2200 was an ebay purchase during a weak moment. It is in "like new" condition and lives up to the fine performance that others have claimed.

The Philips was a recent purchase from an ARF member who advertised it in the Classified section for $15. It came complete but in pieces. It cleaned up well and works great. It covers LW, BC, SW (49 - 19 meters) and (US) FM. The FM dial is on top.

Dave

Dave, that looks like my Norelco L5W34T. Yours might be the same except it has the Philips name plate. Look at my pic above. Nice performer BTW.

Sure looks the same. There are two paper labels (one on the battery cover and the other inside the radio) that had the model number but they are unreadable.

What is the green light for? It flashes on briefly when I push the dial light button. Dial lights stay when the button is held down but the green light immediately goes out.

Dave

Not sure? Mine does that.

Heres some of mine.

Art,

Very nice, high quality collection! You display your sets on your website magnificently. Do you have any other transistor radios besides the three T/O's?

Dave