Zenith Trans-Oceanic Radio - which model to buy?
 

I would like to buy only one Zenith Trans-Oceanic Radio and I wondered what everyone's opinion "pro/con/$ value" was the best one to buy: i.e. one of the military models (R520 or R520A), or, non-military models tube models, or, a transistor set.
Thanks!

Murray

Are you serious?

Here's a current auction on the Trans Oceanic R-520A/URR.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

If you don't want to go quite that high, the leather-covered R-600L can usually be had for $600 or so.

The less rare tube-era TO's are frequently available for around $150-$200 depending on condition.

The solid-state models are developing quite a following. There's some difference of opinion on which one is worthwhile. The end of the production runs are thought to be of lower quality. You need to do some studying! These can get a littly pricey, too!

You can start here:

http://trans-oceanic.fortunecity.net/

http://www.transoceanic.nostalgiaair.org/

http://antiqueradio.org/transoc.htm

Good luck! They're a lot of fun!

Clay

R520a
 

Is this set worth the likely $1,XXX+ winning bid when compared to the other sets already mentioned?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT


Murray

Depends on what you mean by "worth it". "Worth it" depends on who wants it.

For a collector, the military version of the TO is the rarest model of all, so if you want it bad enough, it's worth it.

Does it sound any different than a "regular" TO, no. The circuit is basically the same. Would I recommend it as a first radio for a new TO collector, no.

Use this link for a study guide. It's all the TO's that have sold on eBay in the last month. Should be a good intro for you!

http://search-completed.ebay.com/tra...anicQQsbrsrtZl

Thanks for the search link.

My problem is I woulsd to avoid buying more than one T/O

I'd like to zero in on one that captures the whole history, at least for me.

So, for instance that could be a G500, a leather 600 or one of the military models.

It seems like few T/O fans stop at buying just one or even three or four different models.

The R-520A is the rarest of the military Trans-Oceanics, so that's why it fetches so much money. The R-520 is an earlier military model that is not quite as rare, but is still very collectable. If you want a TO from the tube era, I would recommend that you look for a nice H-500. There's always plenty of them to be found on eBay. If you want a later solid state radio, then look for a D7000Y which dates from the early 1970's. I have a small collection of these radios and the D7000Y is definately my favorite to use!

Check this site for tons of info on the R-520/URR:

www.thisoldradio.com

So, you prefer the transistor D7000Y to all the tube T/O's- interesting.

Is the R520A, rarity aside, a better radio than an R520?