Are these the last Hurrah of the little barely glowing glass bottles in UK?
I have left out Export only models but included are some Vidor that may never have made it to Market, but exhibited the Autumn show before.
Anything else?
I think the Sky Captain and the Berec Buccaneer equivalent are generally agreed to be the last. Transistor radios existed in US and Japan before the 1956 Pam 710 in UK, but 1958 was the year they really "took off" with a trickle in 1957. So no surprise that 1958 is probably the last year of new model valve portables with the Ever Ready very large and clunky compared to Continental models the previous years from 1955. Though there is a Berec Commander, the Sky Emperor must have been mainly export as LW was more important than SW to the UK domestic market.
Does the Marconi P-60B belong in this list, Michael? It was, after all, Marconi's last portable offering that used valves (I think)! Of course, it also used three legged beasties too!
That is a useful list, but what about some of the earlier ones, it may be useful to have a definative list of all battery valve portables.
Some that I have scattered around
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/kolsterbr_fp151fp_15.html
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/ferranti_945.html
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/ferguson_fawn_343bu.html (yet to upload pictures)
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/vidor_my_l ... cn430.html
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pye_p31mbq.html
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/marconi_ma ... _20_b.html
And dont forget all those 1920's & 30's sets
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/kolsterbr_ ... table.html
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/kolsterbr_masterpiece.html
Not sure this should be included as the batteries are not internal within the radio.
Mike
A list of ALL battery portables, even just for UK is very very large!
Then there are Battery Transportables
Finally Battery Table Models. 1922 to about 1960
Here is a very late Philips, sold in Canada as Philips
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/mullardval_mkb_2043.html
The Ever Ready Sky Lord seems to have been sold as late as 1962 even though released in 1957.
In USA and Japan they used valves developed for Military & Hearing aids to make the smallest portables. Only 8 Hours LT on some. HT often 45V 140mAH stick layer cell with PP3 style top. (Cells in it same size as in B121).
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/koyo_denki ... r_4s1.html
The 1V6 is Triode-Pentode Osc/Mixer, rather than the traditional Heptode in Battery sets.
cor that Canadian Philips is the spitting image of this, less a couple of knobs.
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/cossor_cr1200ucr_1200.html
Categories of Battery Valve Sets:
Table Model: Covers original 1922 boxes with external horn or earphones. Later moving iron cones, then moving coil speakers built in. Early models mostly no integral aerial, but not all in 1950s have a built in aerial. Later models (After 1928) look like mains models. Some are even in same cabinet as mains even in 1950s. Wet LT lead Acid. 2, 4 or 6V. Very early models use up to 70 off 2V Wet Lead Acid. By 1926 Dry Cell HT packs with "B" cells. The Grid bias on early models is 6 x B cells tapped.
Transportable: Has a built-in aerial and often a handle. Wet LT lead Acid. 2, 4 or 6V. May use Grid battery or Tapped HT battery for grid.
Portable: From mid 1930s Gel Lead acid (from 1938 Dry Cells for LT), early versions with "wet" LT are really suitcase/valise Transportables, hence "Koffer" = Suitcase for even small portables in Germany. About 300mA 2V LT by late 1930s before 1938 (Continent 150mA 4V more popular before Drycells). Dry Cells 250mA. Almost no Portable uses separate Grid battery, either a tap on the HT pack (-10.5V) or a resistor in series with HT- by 1938. Dry Cell valves 1938 in USA, 1939 UK, various stranger continental models (Telefunken) 1939 & 1940. B7G in 1940 USA, 1946 for domestic use in Europe. Also produced in Eastern Europe, China, Japan and Russia.
Early models don't bother with then costly HT and Screen dropper series resistors but just use more battery taps, saving on decoupling capacitors too. Actually a good scheme if designing your own Battery Valve radio.
Personal: From 1940. Lunch box size, B7G miniature valves. Not in UK till 1946/1947
Pocket/Miniature: From early 1950s in US and Japan. Using wire ended sub-miniature valves developed as Bomb fuses in 1940s and used in two Way Military Radio from late 1940s to late 1960s. Also used in early 1950s hearing aids before transistors. None known in UK models. The "better" similar sized Russian Rod tubes never used in Domestic Radio. The US types (European Dx6x and Dx7x ranges) are simply shrunken B7G types with wire ends. Dx6x are outside pinch and Dx7x series are button base (like DM70) and larger but used for Audio out.
There were also some "novelty" table /transportable models.
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/jewel_jewel.html
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/ingleburn_pixytone.html
cor that Canadian Philips is the spitting image of this, less a couple of knobs.
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/cossor_cr1200ucr_1200.html
Well the one in the Link is obviously Philips made but Mullard Branded and possibly sold to Middle East.
The Cossor is obviously the same case moulding but otherwise unrelated completely different chassis. How did you spot it?
I have one I repaired recently. I appreciate the insides would be different.
Mike
Amazing...
...There were also some "novelty" table /transportable models.
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/jewel_jewel.html.. .
I looked at this one because from your table above Michael, it seemed a bit late in 1957 to be using a DK92.
And it's an interloper! A mains only set!No batteries in sight!
So, with pedant's hat on, I'm wondering, is the title of this thread "The Last Battery-valve Portables in the UK", which the Jewel be admissible for as it does use 3 battery valves and 1 mains valve (and hence many others would be also admissible such as the Eddystone communications receivers using the DM70; plus a few transportable tape recorders which also using the DM70, and the little Nombrex LCR bridge which is highly portable, also used the battery DM70, and is battery operated as well)?
Or is the the title of this thread "The Last Battery, Valve Portables in the UK" in which case it definitely wouldn't!
No, it's not under the title category, but definitely a mad radio with Battery Valves. There is a USA version I have misplaced.
I forgot that set was mains only.
Edit
The USA version is battery.
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/lawrenceco ... r_101.html
Shortwave sets would still use a DK92 in 1958 even for better performance than DK96. Same performance as the rare 1L6 used in Zenith Transoceanic. pin 5 & 6 reversed though.
The DK92 will work in a parallel LT socket instead of DK96, but not in a DK91 socket. With adaptor it will replace DK1, DK32. But I'm not so sure about it replacing a DK40 as it's an Octode.
Michael
I have uploaded photos of the Ferguson "Fawn" they are waiting to be activated.
Mike
Some mysterious person does that. I can look and fix selected options and even edit the notes, but not approve or "hide" photos. I think nothing EVER is deleted, just hidden. Which is as it should be with a database.
Yes, that's the one with the funny Air Corp knobs!
Shortwave sets would still use a DK92 in 1958 even for better performance than DK96.
Interesting! I have seen a Mullard application note which included a 'booster coil' for the DK96 on SW. I guess the gm is a bit low and oscillation is not as strong.
Presumably the DK92 is that much better.
Though the Bush ETR82 gets SW coverage using a solitary valve... and it's a DK96, as your table shows! Maybe Bush's coils were less lossy, or they used a booster coil?
Or maybe it didn't go as high frequency or you replaced the LT filament battery earlier.
People found with 1R5 (DK91) on sets meant to use an 1L6 (like a DK92, but pin 5 &6 swapped) that on the highest SW band some worked and some didn't and also stops sooner as LT battery discharges.
Most post 1953 sets with "serious" Shortwave use DK92 rather than DK96. I have one set with a DK40
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pye_pe55mbqpe_55_mb.html
4: DK40 DF91 DAF91 DL94
Because the DK91 / 1R5 wasn't good enough. The DK96 is similar performance to DK91 but 1/2 filament current and interchangeable with DK92. DK92 and DK91 are not pin compatible.
If a Bush ETR82 isn't still working at LT = 1V or at top end of SW you can plug in a DK92 without modification instead of DK96.
The Transoceanic came out AFTER the B7G valves. Till the 1L6 B7G, the TO used LO/Mixer 1LC6 (loctal), maybe some used Loctal 1LA6.
http://www.radiomuseum.org/forum/zenith ... anics.html
In Europe before the DK92 (Dec 1952) the DK40 (Dec 1948) was used for serious Dry Battery SW battery sets. Before that I'm not sure what was used for SERIOUS Battery Shortwave. The 3rd Romac (1947 or 1948) used 1R5 / DK91, but hardly a serious SW set.
In Europe I think the DK1 and DK32 are similar to each other and basically the 1938 Sylvania 1A7G Octode. There seems to be a suggestion that the Mullard DK32 (or some of them) is a Heptode and other DK32 an Octode . A DK92 works in a DK32/1A7GT socket with adaptor.
I don't know how the (DK1, DK31, DK32, DK32_Mullard, 1A7G), (DK21, DK22, DK25 DK25_Miniloktal) compare with 1LC6, 1LA6 or with DK40 (octode) or DK92.
The final Mixer osc used was the 1V6, I can't imagine it's good for SW, but I will buy one and see! Maybe cost too much to import or some UK makers might have made really small sets in 1950s with that family of valves.
Ever Ready Sky Emperor 1958
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/ever_sky_emperor.html
9: DF97 DF97 DK92 DF97 DM70 DF97 DAF96 DL96 DL96
The first DF97 is "triodised" as the VHF additive Mixer/Oscillator.
The DK92 is only used for MW & SW
Some Schaub Lorenz Models switch the DK96 to 4MHz osc. for VHF-FM so the first DF97 is 10.7 MHz IF, "triodised" as the VHF additive Mixer/Oscillator, DK96 is then converter and 1st 6.7MHz IF. The remaining IF amp is 460KHz AM, 6.7MHz FM. The DK96 is used for SW, but I don't know how high a frequency it is. Presumably similar performance to Bush ETR82 on SW. I'd like one of those. LW, MW, SW and VHF-FM with dual conversion in a Battery set!
The Vidor Vanguard (1957) is maybe unique in having no Frequency converter valves! The first DF97 "triodised" as the VHF additive Mixer/Oscillator and then a staggering THREE 10.7MHz IF amps using DF97. On LW/ & MW the first DF97 "triodised" as the VHF additive Mixer/Oscillator is then a L.O. only. The 1st FM IF becomes a Pentode based mixer!
IMO the Vidor Vanguard is the most innovative post WWII UK battery valve set. But surely they ought to have designed a better cabinet? They solved the increased HT & LT consumption by using the 1940s B117(vidor L5515) and AD4 (Vidor L5041). Ever Ready solved it by using an Obsolete Combo pack as they preferred combos, the B103. The mainland Europeans simply used separate 90V packs, NiCd + Mains PSU and optional "D" Cell in parallel with the NiCd (DEAC) on virtually all the very very many AM/FM battery Valve Portables from 1955. But VHF was more in demand in Germany (1949 Launch and more content than AM)
The Vidor Vanguard (1957) is maybe unique in having no Frequency converter valves! The first DF97 "triodised" as the VHF additive Mixer/Oscillator and then a staggering THREE 10.7MHz IF amps using DF97. On LW/ & MW the first DF97 "triodised" as the VHF additive Mixer/Oscillator is then a L.O. only. The 1st FM IF becomes a Pentode based mixer!
IMO the Vidor Vanguard is the most innovative post WWII UK battery valve set.
Arguably!
The Ever Ready Sky Monarch does have a push-pull output, using one of the HF stages, reflexed, as AF phase inverter. Though I'd be the first to say that reflexing was hardly innovative in the 1950's! But unusual, yes!
I seem to recall reading about one of the battery Philips sets where extra AF amplification was needed late during the development phase... the chassis had already been punched for first production batches, no space for an extra valve. Luckily they did have a tuning indicator (DM70) so wired this up as a triode amplifier. Lost the ability to indicate tuning, but it did show the thing was switched on!
I think you mean Sky Emperor/ Berec Commander! Thanks for pointing that out. I had wrongly assumed the DM71/DM70 was phase inverter. Someone somewhere incorrectly claims this. It's clearly a tuning indicator.
The 1958 Sky Emperor uses a DM70 as a tuning indicator and does use V2 as audio phase inverter and extra FM IF gain (but only a coil to load, no IFT). It uses the DF97 g2 as a "triode" Anode for Audio amp. C21 on g2 is 1nF which decouples it in Pentode mode as 10.7MHz IF amp, so not your regular "reflex" mode. Also normally "reflexing" is for extra gain rather than gain of -1, so a neat idea.
C11 (V2 grid) fed from V6 DAF97 which feeds also V8 DL96
C18 (V2 g2 used as a Triode Anode) feeds V7 DL96
But is the Ever Ready Sky Emperor a real Portable? It's enormous! Is it even bigger than the over sized Vidor Vanguard, which is much bigger than a Philips Annette?! Is it otherwise an inferior copy of the Philips & German models as they had mains, NiCd. Some had push pull using either DM70 or DAF96. Some had LW, MW, SW & VHF-FM, most LW, MW & VHF-FM?
The Sky Monarch AM and Sky Monarch AM/FM uses a 2nd DAF96 as a phase inverter for the push pull.
AM 7: DK96 DF96 DAF96 DAF96 DM70 DL96 DL96
FM 10: DF97 DF96 DF96 DK96 DM70 DF96 DAF96 DAF96 DL96 DL96
(AM version is similar)
Ever Ready Skyscraper L26 (BEREC Skyscraper 1) has an extra RC coupled IF amp, no push pull.
Ever Ready Spacemaster (BEREC Skyscraper II) is push Pull. No circuit, but seems to use a DAF96 as phase Inverter.
8: DF96 DK96 DF96 DAF96 DM70 DAF96 DL96 DL96
The Philips Colette LD562AB (1956!) had Push Pull using DM70 as inverter, rechargeable NiCd, Mains PSU, LW, MW, SW & VHF-FM ... ALSO it used the L.O. (kept on, on VHF-FM) to bias the output valves into true Class B so that HT- resistor only needed to drop enough volts for safety bias if L.O. not running.
10: DF97 DF96 DF97 DF97 DM71 DF96 DAF96 DAF96 DL96 DL96
Why didn't it use one of the DAF96 as phase inverters and DM70 as tuning indicator?
Because mysteriously they used the 2nd DAF96 as extra audio gain and for a tone control!
The Swedish version of Annette from 1955 has veneer finish and added SW where the charge button is on the regular 1955 to 1959 Philips Annette (Dutch & German Markets, LW, MW & VHF-FM). Seems that you unplugged it to stop charging or it only charged while on? Still had DEAC.
Also in 1950s Battery Valve Portables with VHF in Germany: Schaub Lorenz, Akkord, Telefunken, Metz and others.
Philips seems to have only marketed the LW/MW basic valve Portables in Ireland and UK. No VHF in Ireland till 1966 (some tests in Dublin from 1962) and VHF in UK 1955 to 1970 really only a duplication of Home, Light & Third for HiFi Buffs and most areas needed a roof aerial. Continent had more diverse services and VHF was well established in a few countries before 1955 when Valve Portables with VHF-FM possible (DC90 then next year DF97). So a Continental /Scandinavian market and none in UK.
I think you mean Sky Emperor/ Berec Commander! Thanks for pointing that out....
But is the Ever Ready Sky Emperor a real Portable? It's enormous!
Yes, I meant the Sky Emperor. Senior moment... 
The Sky Emperor has a handle, retractable telescopic aerials, self contained batteries, therefore it must be considered as a portable even if it is nearly a 2-man lift (not really!)
Despite having only a single puny DL96 and no tuning indicator, I actually like the Vidor Vanguard better than the Sky Emperor. I have one of each although neither has been exercised yet.
Thanks for the helpful info on the continental Philips models! I do feel curious about them!
