Sonora 50s metal portable

[bandersen]

Maybe I should keep an eye on eBay for a cabinet as empty ones do show up now and then like this Airline including knobs http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tele...-/251393913708

[Eric H]

Originally Posted by bandersen

Maybe I should keep an eye on eBay for a cabinet as empty ones do show up now and then like this Airline including knobs http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tele...-/251393913708

Bob, that's a GE, with the bottom hacked out no less.

[bandersen]

Oops. I saw an airplane on a knob and assumed it was an Airline.

[akent36]

In case anyone's interested, Echo Tube Co. was a rebuilder in Chicago.

[wa2ise]

Model 666? It probably didn't sell too well in the Bible Belt. Something about 666 being the devil's area code...

[Electronic M]

Originally Posted by wa2ise

Model 666? It probably didn't sell too well in the Bible Belt. Something about 666 being the devil's area code...

It'd be kinda ironic if that was the red on black two tone cabinet model...

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by David Roper

Looking at that big honking sweep tube in there I wonder if this is another true AC/DC set?

I looked at the Sams today. It has a voltage doubler. The circuitry is about the same as the larger Sonoras and Travlers. The only difference is the tubes are 450ma versions of the tubes used in the earlier models. Also, the pictures of the chassis, show Wards Airline branded tubes.
Another observation of mine, would be, who in their right mind would replace a CRT in a seven year old set, that cost under one hundred dollars new.

[Eric H]

Bob, you probably noticed this but both tuner tubes seem to have gone to air.

[decojoe67]

A buddy of mine has the EXACT set in his basement, pink and cream too, but with the "Airline" name on it. I had eyed it's unique "buy-eye" look along with it's wire-type front feet years ago. It needs TLC, but has the back.

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

... Another observation of mine, would be, who in their right mind would replace a CRT in a seven year old set, that cost under one hundred dollars new.

No idea, but I assume they got it cheap - it's not even the right type !

Originally Posted by Eric H

Bob, you probably noticed this but both tuner tubes seem to have gone to air.

Yep, noticed that right away The tip is even broken off one of them. Hopefully replacements are in my meager stash of .45 amp tubes. Now that the Dumont is off the bench, I'm going to do a little house cleaning then put this puppy up for a closer look.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by bandersen

No idea, but I assume they got it cheap - it's not even the right type !



Yep, noticed that right away The tip is even broken off one of them. Hopefully replacements are in my meager stash of .45 amp tubes. Now that the Dumont is off the bench, I'm going to do a little house cleaning then put this puppy up for a closer look.

IIRC, the tuner uses a 6CL8 and a 4CB6.

[bandersen]

So close - it's a 4BC5 I'll have to venture into the frigid attic to look for them.

[paulg]

I used to use ECHO rebuilt tubes.. He sometimes used the brand PRECISION tube.
He was a one-two man outfit on the Southside of Chicago - somewhere around 63rd and Kedzie I think.
He was very much the expert. The place was a fascinating workplace. Crude but effective. His tubes always turned out beautifully. He prided himself on how broadcasters would bring studio CRTs to him to rebuild.
He would write the date of pickup on the tube. He would give a warranty of "a year, a month and a day. " just to cover the tech's butt if he couldn't get the dud tube back in time... Quite a character. I learned a lot from him.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by bandersen

So close - it's a 4BC5 I'll have to venture into the frigid attic to look for them.

I looked at the schematic again! I didn't think, the tube makers, made a 4BC5, as it was a somewhat dated tube design at the time. There was a newer issue tube at the time, a 4CE5.
I think, the tuners were made by OAK, a Chicago firm. The UHF/VHF model has a 6U8A and a 6BK7A, plus of course a 3AF4.

[bandersen]

I get the set up on the bench last night and took a closer look. It's like a big 3-D puzzle with parts tucked in every which way!

No wonder there are so many reference photos in the Sams service info.







Here are all the tubes. Five are "Super Wards Airline", three GE, one Sylvania and one unmarked


I was puzzled at how to get the tubes out of the tapered shields for a while. Then I realized they split apart. Be careful not to cut yourself on the sharp edges!


Everything appears to be present and original except for whatever held the yoke on the CRT neck and the centering rings. Next, I'm going to do a resistance check on the yoke and transformers and continue cleaning.