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#1
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"Last gasp" GE tube/transistor hybrid clock radio
Tonight, I dug out this GE AM/FM-AFC tube/transistor hybrid clock radio. On the front, it says "solid state tuning". I can't find any visible date codes without removing the chassis and the model tag is too faded to read; but, it looks very late '60'ish to me. It plays pretty good on AM; but, FM is not that great unless it's a strong local station. Anyone remember these?
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#2
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That "68-5" stamped on the clock motor is probably a date code. I wonder what they meant by "solid state tuning" - from the pic I don't see anything but an ordinary cheaper AM/FM set.
What kind of FM antenna does it use? |
#3
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Seriously though, maybe it's one of those jobs that uses the AC line for the antenna. Looks like some good-sized disc caps on the AC input plug. --Bob |
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#5
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It's funny that I didn't notice that date stamp until you pointed it out. And, yes, there are at least two transistors close to the tuning cap.
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Audiokarma |
#6
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I see them now! I agree, it's very unusual to see a "hybrid" radio, but if anybody did it GE would.
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#7
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There were a few battery operated hybrid radios made in the '50's. Most used transistors in the audio output stages while subminiature tubes were used in the rest of the circuit. And, let's not forget about the hybrid auto radios from the late '50's and early '60's. You know, the ones that used low B+ tubes and a big audio output transistor mounted to the rear or the side of the radio. |
#8
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Clean the tube sockets and the usual spots and you might be surprised how much better it gets.
__________________
I may be growing older, but I refuse to grow up. |
#9
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I've seen these before but never realized that they were a hybrid set. Whats the tube line-up in it?
-Tony |
#10
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It is rather nice! I like the way "lighted dial" is advertised on the face as a feature !
The 3 blue electrolytics are a bit of a shock to the eye. The clock mechanism looks just like the no-longer-working timer thing in my mother's oven! |
Audiokarma |
#11
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That's a Telechron movement. Very easy to fix if broken, as the coils and capsules are replaceable.
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#12
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I would be very curious to see the actual explanation from the schematic or service
data, but looking at the mechanical variable capacitors with a small number of plates, I would assume that FM tuning is conventional while AM tuning uses the transistors, and possibly a varactor diode or two. Anyone got more info about this funny radio? |
#13
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I have several of these radios...the FM RF, mixer and oscillator stages are transistorized and on a separate little circuit board which mounts on top of the main one. The AM tuner is a conventional 12BE6 tube and the rest of the circuit is just a conventional tube radio, 2 IF stages and solid state diodes for the FM ratio detector.
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#14
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I have a AA5 GE clock radio that is pretty common but it took me forever to figure out the model number. Do other GE radios have the model number on them? Do they just get lost with time? John |
#15
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the mechanical variable capacitor. A bit like early automotive electronic ignition setups that were still using the breaker points, if I understand correctly. |
Audiokarma |
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