1948? Zenith Chairside Radio/Phono ...
 

I am trying to identify a Zenith Chairside Radio/Phono ... couldn't find a model# ... the phono arm is Cobra ... the radio has 3 bands ... Am ... FM ... ? ... I found an Ad for a similar looking one on eBay that refers to 1948 ...

AM and both FM bands. For a brief time in the 1940s the FM broadcast band was from 42 to 50 MHz. This was abandoned in 1946 in favor of the current 88 to 108 MHz allocation. Radios with the early FM band are somewhat rare, and those with both more so.

Thanks ... so would the fact that it has 2 FM bands make it earlier than 1948? ... anyone know when Zenith started using the Cobra arms on its phongraphs? ...

Both FM bands means 1946-1948, there were a few broadcasting on the old band until 1948. Usually Zenith stamped the model number on the edge of the cabinet - there also should be a chassis number like 8C20 - which is in my 8H061 console (the dial bezel is identical to my console...). This one may be a "9H" - 9 tubes, adding the phono preamp.

Just knowing the number of tubes is a start - Zenith model numbers start with the number of tubes, then type (H = FM), then year (1946 is "0"), then then higher numbers are the higher models - so 8H034 is a table radio, 8H061 a console, and I suppose a chairside would be in between.

I have the same combo but in a different cabinet and its a 1947 model

Another short note on the old 42-49 MHz FM band: After the current 88-108 MHz band was commissioned following World War II and television stations went on the air, the 42-49 MHz band was slightly realigned, its frequencies becoming TV channel 1. Still later, by about the very late forties or so, channel 1 was eliminated. The 42-49 MHz band formerly used by this channel was again realigned by the FCC to 50-54 MHz, eventually becoming the radio amateur six meter band.

It is possible to hear old-style analog cordless telephones and walkie-talkies (those which operated between 46-49 MHz) on the 42-49 MHz range of any radio capable of tuning this band, including the Zenith 1948 chairside (and Tony V.'s 1947 model as well) under discussion here. These radios may also be capable of receiving baby monitor transmissions, depending on the frequencies used by the monitor.

Thanks Tom ... knowing what to look for was a big help ... I found the Model # stenciled on the inside bottom edge of the cabinet ... 9H082R ... so I guess it's 1946 ... I took a picture the phono player ... I didn't see a speed adjustment switch ... so I assume it's 78 only ... does anyone know if the phono player is suppose to swing out for better access? ... there appears to be a handle for doing so, but I couldn't get the player to move and I didn't want to force it ...

Yes...the turntable is a 78 rpm only and is the first cobra changer Zenith put out. Whats interesting about this one is that the mechanism is chain driven instead of having gears. You were asking about if it swings out...if you look on the front of the base you will see a black knob which suggest that it pulls out and the support it sets on suggests that when you pull it out it should also pull up to be even with the top of the cabinet and the shaft below the base looks like the stop for it or the release for the mechanism.
-Tony

Cool Cobra arm. It looks like it should pull out, look underneath for a release or slide mechanism.

Also, FYI the record on the turntable is not a production disk. It is a one-off cutting on an "Audiodisk", probably a home recording from the era. Home portable record cutting machines were fairly common in those days, made by Recordio and Wilcox-Gay. You can see the offset hole for the drive pin in the label area of the record. These disks are metal with a lacquer or shellac coating and were cut directly one-at-a-time. They show up at thrift stores sometimes, the material on them is usually boring but can be a hoot, like someone's wedding or birthday party from a long time ago, or a recording of an old-time radio show.

Service information for this : http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByM...2/M0025482.pdf

I have been given the opportunity to purchase this unit for a "fair price" ... anyone have a feel for what is a reasonable price range ... assuming the phono doesn't work ... the radio portion may need some minor repairs (a few new caps probably) which I am probably not qualified to perform ... and the cabinet is in excellent condition ...

Thanks again, Tom ... you have been a big help :) ...

OK ... the good news is that I bought it ... the bad news is that all it does is hum when I turn it on (the dial does light up) ... I couldn't help myself :) ...

Well, the caps are shot...Hope you didn't take out an IF can...

That's what I was guessing ...


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