VOLUME 19            APRIL 2002                NUMBER  4

RADIO MISCELLANEA -- APRIL 2002

From Antique Radio Classified for April 2002
(Copyright 1996-2002 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

"Antique Radio Classified" invites its readers to contribute letters and information for inclusion in "Radio Miscellanea" and elsewhere in the magazine. "In The Marketplace" is based on information submitted by the businesses themselves. All topics should be of general interest and sent to A.R.C., P.O. Box 2, Carlisle, MA 01741. All material submitted should be verified for accuracy and may be edited for publication, which is not guaranteed. See the masthead for more details.

Wincharger Memories
Dear Editor:

The March issue article on wind-powered radios brought back memories to me. In 1941, my parents were one of three couples who qualified for an FHA loan to buy a farm in Nuckolls County, Nebraska. The house was old at the time, so was remodeled and indoor plumbing, electricity, and central heating were added. REA did not come to that area until 1948, so my father bought a 32-volt Wincharger. It had a 12-foot blade and a gear-driven generator, and it was mounted on a 40-foot high tower. The 16 storage batteries were in the basement. The house was wired using a pair of No. 6 wires running from the basement through the attic, tapped as needed for lights and outlets. The barn and corncrib were also wired. Besides the lights, we had appliances, electric motors, and even a welder. I used the welder only when the wind was blowing, which is often on the plains of Nebraska.

A neighbor had the ultimate turbine - a 110-volt Jacobs with a 3-blade propeller.

--Will Jensby, Santa Clara, CA

Dear Editor:

I enjoyed the windcharger story in the March 2002 issue. It reminded me of my youth. Farm systems were probably never the norm here on Long Island, although there were a few around.

While in high school, I fixed radios for my cousin who took care of a small radio shop during the day. The caretaker for an estate, where they obviously had no AC, brought in a 32-volt radio to fix. That was a challenge to me. I rewired the heaters so I could use 6 volts, fixed the radio, and wired the filaments back. I guess it was successful as I never got a complaint.

In 1937, I used to stare in the hardware store window where there was a 1 Kw AC generator for sale. When the New England hurricane of 1938 came along, it disappeared from the window and made the rounds powering water pumps for the local residents.

Several years later, I bought it used and found that it was made to be part of a farm system. It had a 32-volt DC generator to charge the batteries (when the wind didn't blow I guess), and if you turned on a light, the generator would start on the starter/generator windings and the light would light.

--Van R. Field, Center Moriches, NY

Hooked, So I Renewed
Dear Editor:

Okay, I'm hooked. I enjoy the articles and the ads. I'm not completely radio-crazy but getting there, so please renew my subscription for one year. Best wishes.

--Harry Hacker, Temple TX

Superb Article Leads to Renewal
Dear Editor:

I had decided to let my subscription to A.R.C. run out this month because the cost is quite high and there are just not enough restoration and repair articles. However, the John Hagman article in the February 2002 issue is superb, so I have once again decided to renew.

--Walt Zandi, Sugar Hill, NH

Glad to have you aboard. The more subscribers we have, the more articles are contributed and published. (Editor)

Questions about the GE Model M-61
Dear Editor:

I have been reading A.R.C. for several years and usually find the articles and information of great interest. However, an article in the January 2002 issue has a special interest for me.

On page 18 is John Hagman's article "Restoring an RCA Model 128" with photos of the RCA set. I have the GE version of this model - an M-61. The cabinet is very similar, except the top on mine is more squared off on the sides. I have had mine for over 30 years. It also has the dark red dial, but the cover is square, not round. The chassis looks identical to the RCA. I also have an approximate production date for mine.

I knew that GE and RCA went back a long way, but this is just one more example of how closely related they were. The label on mine says that it was designed for and tested with RCA tubes. So, is my GE an RCA chassis with a GE label, or is the RCA a GE chassis with an RCA label? It would be interesting to know.

--Thom Day, McNabb, IL

Your radio, a GE Model M-61, was manufactured by RCA for sale by GE. Both radios are 1934 models and use the same chassis. As you have observed, the cabinets and dials differ in appearance. A photograph of the GE Model M-61 appears on page 146 of "Machine Age to Jet Age II" by Mark Stein. (Editor)

Thanks from "Radio Nuts"
Dear Editor:

I would like to tell you what a good job you do on your publication. The month wouldn't be complete for me if I didn't have it to read. Keep up the good work! Thanks for everything you do for us radio "nuts."

--Tom Zenisek, Cedar Rapids, IA

High Tech Articles Appreciated
Dear Editor:

Thank you and keep up the good work with A.R.C. I'd love to see articles at a higher technical level.

--William Van Lennep, Pepperell, MA

We're happy to consider articles of a more technical nature. However, we also do try to match the interests of the average collector who may not be an engineer. (Editor)