Emerson 868 "miracle wand" hand wired transistor radio

[radiotvnut]

I obtained this interesting Emerson 868 "miracle wand" transistor radio from someone on ARF. It's a 4 transistor radio built on a metal hand wired chassis using plug in transistors. It runs off of a large older style 9 V battery that's expensive today. I'll probably modify it to run on a couple of modern 9V batteries wired in parallel for more current. I see where someone has already added a regular 9V battery holder to the chassis. As you can see, this radio uses old style multi-section electrolytic caps and there's even a paper cap visible. The radio plays; but, is very weak which is probably due to bad caps. I will try to wire modern caps out of sight under the chassis and leave the old multi-section units in place for appearance purposes.

I'm really not expecting much performance with just 4 transistors; but, I think it's still an interesting radio.

[batterymaker]

They're okay performers. Only thing you have to watch for is the tuning knob--poor design, shaft will snap with so much as a cross-eyed look to it.

[Arkay]

Cool vintage look to those. Nice catch!

You can get rechargable 9V batteries for that, which will save you money in the long run, if you plan to use it a lot. [I use rechargables for my metal detectors that use those batteries --most do!] Otherwise, you can also use six smaller 1.5 volt batteries, wired up appropriately. In total, they get bulkier, of course, but electrically it's an option.

[electronjohn]

That IS a cool set! Lotsa empty space in there...wonder if they used a tube-type case and substituted solid-state guts?

[AUdubon5425]

That empty space was for the batteries - looks like one on each side.

[radiotvnut]

Yep, two large 9 volt batteries wired in parallel for more current.

Speaking of hand wired transistor radios, I saw an early Olympic on ebay that used a tube looking chassis, complete with tube sockets with transistors stuck in them. Olympic must have been in a hurry to get a transistor radio on the market; so, they took a tube chassis and modified it's circuitry for transistors. I would have bid on the radio if I still had an ebay account. I think it went for $28.89.

[tincat2]

antenna was in the handle, which rotated, correct? i believe a relative had one of those a good while back. nice piece.

[michaeljpro]

Looks like this model used the early, blue Raytheon CK722 transistors (in production in 1955 and 56). This is definitely an early Emerson transistor radio, not their first but close to it.

[radiotvnut]

Yes, the antenna is in the handle and, I believe, is supposed to rotate. I think Motorola made some tube portables with an antenna like that.