Zenith Universal?

[Nolan Woodbury]

Here's something unusual, found while surfing eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZENITH-Long-Dist...QQcmdZViewItem

It's not a Trans-Oceanic; as it appears to feature broadcast band only, but the six tube chassis features a number similar to that of period TO's. The plastic / bakelite face resembles the table radios of the era, but it is set in a lockable, vinyl-covered wood or metal case. You can clearly see the AC cord, but there's another, 4 or 5 hole female connector coming from the back as well...could this hook to a battery pack? Speaking of power, I don't see the transformer either.

What gives? Is this just an older portable? Military? A farm radio?

[Tom Bavis]

Yes it's a battery / AC / DC portable - hence the "universal" name. No transformer, it's a series string like the Transoceanics.

[Nolan Woodbury]

Thanks for the info Tom. I wish more of these eBay sellers would list model numbers! It would certainly make searching for information easier...and probably sell more radios too.

Anyone have an idea which battery it takes?

[bgadow]

This was my first tube radio; they usually have black leatherette-maybe this one was painted? As a snotty nosed kid I destroyed that first one but now have another example. This could be described, accurately, as a shutterdial, as the dial is covered by a shutter when you turn off the switch. It would use a big A-B battery that takes up the whole floor of the radio. You could make one up with a bunch of standard battery types strung together.