modernizing?

[Electronic M]

You gave evidence to what I already knew (women were a good portion of the assembly line workforce in electronics), but have failed to convince me Zenith's employees were underpaid or worked in 'sweat shop' conditions (which is what I objected to).

The 5R10 IS ham/pro SW listening gear. It is however the stripped down bottom of the line model. I've got it's big brother with more features (such as a BFO which only HAMs had use for back then), and tubes. After WWII FM replaced SW as the additional band of consumer interest and high end SW sets were limited to Ham's and passionate SW listeners mostly. If that were a consumer model it would not have a metal cabinet like that (Wood for the nice models and plastic for the cheaper ones had been basically standard since just before WWII).

SW has always been an international broadcast and ham band, and is still in use by many analog stations, but unless you are near the coasts, or atmospheric conditions are right you are not likely to receive much since there are few stations in the USA.

The reason the Japs kicked our buts was dumping and our squishy politicians not enforcing our trade laws properly (carmine has gone over that here on VK in depth a few times).

I currently have about 150 vintage radios (over 100 being tube) most of which I've worked on, and have had many pass through my ownership over the years.

You do nice neat work.

[quaddriver]

Well lets meet halfway: during that time frame the vast majority of electronics workers were women who worked in substandard conditions for substandard pay, except for zenith workers who had climate controlled safe facilities with no glass ceiling.

At any rate thank you for the compliment, hopefully it wont sit long in my shop before someone gloms it up. Yes, I sell the units I work on, I have no cherished tube units - I barely have room for my surviving silver pioneers and most of them are in the closet...but in the interest of full disclosure lest I earn any ire from the omnipresent trolls who feel that someone who sells radios has no right to ask about fixing them (yes, I was told that): I earn sweatshop rates for my work. I aint a gurl. Is it self sustaining, i.e. acquisition+refurb cost < sold price? Yes, Does it pay the mortgage? No, but the point is gaining knowledge, experience and keeping people in the loop. These radios can finish off a room. Even better if they play. Plus admit it, there is a certain panache earned when you know something far more technical than the people whose only achievement so far is being able to use twitter...

To sum up the bendix world, I wish I knew how to get a shine on old thermoplastic cases subjected to smoke. Nonetheless, it has a great patina and that cheesy white c9 looks cool (I wonder what green would look like? they make bulbs that size now that draw 3.5w plus LEDs....)

Finished product:


(next up, an slqd33 TT then an old post war wood case AMFM that works now, the wife is going to 'shabby chic' the case and I restore the guts...)