'39 Motorola "Picnic" portable

[Electronic M]

I like that moto too. I briefly had one just like that and still have the older version with the knobs stacked (first 3-way that I adapted to modern batteries)...The older on came from a yard sale in Lombard Il. When I was around 10-12 years old I bought it from the kids of the original owner...Apparently, it was bought by a paperboy as his bicycle radio. Also got a Grunding so-205U console from that sale...It had a sad fate.

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by Electronic M

I like that moto too. I briefly had one just like that and still have the older version with the knobs stacked (first 3-way that I adapted to modern batteries)...The older on came from a yard sale in Lombard Il. When I was around 10-12 years old I bought it from the kids of the original owner...Apparently, it was bought by a paperboy as his bicycle radio. Also got a Grunding so-205U console from that sale...It had a sad fate.

Good stories Tom. I too started collecting at about 12-13, and I too basically trashed those early sets. The were very inexpensive back then and when they stopped playing my father would say "you can't get the parts for those old sets anymore". One nice '48 GE was ruined when I sprayed Windex on the dial - need say more!

PS - I recently grabbed one more of these airplane-luggage battery-only portables - a 1939 RCA-Victor 94BP-1. When I saw how nice this original set was and how reasonably priced it was (working w/battery pack), it was a no-brainer to get it. That great little dial with the blue-background, small "little nipper" knobs, and nice brass plaque is just enough to make it attractive.

[jr_tech]

Originally Posted by decojoe67

I recently grabbed one more of these airplane-luggage battery-only portables - a 1939 RCA-Victor 94BP-1. When I saw how nice this original set was and how reasonably priced it was (working w/battery pack), it was a no-brainer to get it. That great little dial with the blue-background, small "little nipper" knobs, and nice brass plaque is just enough to make it attractive.

Thanks for the reminder... I just hauled one of these down from a top shelf where it has been sitting as a static display for at least 20 years. It has a slightly different color scheme than yours, with a light olive green front and back, green dial background and cream colored “little nipper” knobs. I just replaced one tube and connected it to power supplies and it appears to work, but is fairly weak. Pix will follow after clean-up and re-cap.

IMHO, these battery only sets are usually quite inexpensive compared to AC radios from the 30s.

jr

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by jr_tech

Thanks for the reminder... I just hauled one of these down from a top shelf where it has been sitting as a static display for at least 20 years. It has a slightly different color scheme than yours, with a light olive green front and back, green dial background and cream colored “little nipper” knobs. I just replaced one tube and connected it to power supplies and it appears to work, but is fairly weak. Pix will follow after clean-up and re-cap.

IMHO, these battery only sets are usually quite inexpensive compared to AC radios from the 30s.

jr

Cool! It's a nice robust set and a great performer once restored. My research on it has shown that it was available in a few different types of Tolex finishes, dial and knob colors.

[jr_tech]

Originally Posted by decojoe67

Cool! It's a nice robust set and a great performer once restored. My research on it has shown that it was available in a few different types of Tolex finishes, dial and knob colors.

Here is a quick shot of the color scheme on mine... I just ploped it down on an end table that is being prepaired for our tree. The Matchless “wonder stars” also date back to the 30s.



jr

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by jr_tech

Here is a quick shot of the color scheme on mine... I just ploped it down on an end table that is being prepaired for our tree. The Matchless “wonder stars” also date back to the 30s.



jr

Very nice example! I like that variation too. Nice how they used the light colored knobs on yours to contrast the darker tone.

[jr_tech]

Another battery only set in my collection is this compact Majestic 130 which at only 4x5.5x7 inches, is similar in size to the Sonora “Candid” mentioned earlier in this thread.



Major difference in design philosophy however, the Sonora uses 4 miniature tubes, while the Majestic stuck with octal tubes, and only had room for 3 tubes. Performance is not outstanding, but it is a cute little radio, and difficult to find. Likely not as inexpensive as the larger sets.

jr