VOLUME 18            JULY 2001                NUMBER  7

RADIO MISCELLANEA -- JULY 2001

From Antique Radio Classified for July 2001
(Copyright 1996-2001 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.

On Tefifon, plus a Note on eBay
Dear Editor:

A quick note about Tefifon, shown in Photo Review in the December 2000 issue. This set is not so well known in the States, I think. Tefifon was developed in Germany in the early 1950s. It played a tape (tefistape in Greek) grooved like a record. The maximum playing time was one hour, and it could be played in moving vehicles. The tape was also "endless" (like 8 tracks) with 60 grooves in its width. Several thousand tracks were recorded in this system. Despite its features, the Tefifon set never reached the [expected] consumer market production figures, so it was discontinued by the mid-1960s.

Regarding eBay, I obviously agree with the AWA meet attendee's view of eBay vs. real human contact at meets (December 2000 Radio Miscellanea). Given the opportunity to attend a swap meet, everyone should leave eBay framed on his PC at home and maybe use it only for comparison, always remembering that eBay is an auction site. On the other hand, perhaps eBay is more useful for foreign transactions when face-to-face contact is simply impossible. My collection of American radios would never have been so large without A.R.C. -- and eBay too!

--Massimo D. Follaro, Rome, Italy

The true Tefifon enthusiast must have "Das Tefifon" by Herbert Jüttemann. This 202-page book is in German and is published by Verlag Historischer Technikliteratur Freundlieb, Konrad-Adenauer-Straße 3, 45699 Herten, Germany. Telephone: (0 23 66) 3 31 50. Fax: (0 23 66) 8 77 57. (Editor)

The Vagaries of the U.S. Mail
Dear Editor:

On January 16, 2001, I sent you an e-mail to report that my January issue had not arrived. A couple of days later, a January copy came in an envelope with a nice attached explanation and apology. I appreciate your timely response.

For your information, my original January issue was delivered by the Post Office today -- February 2! This is certainly terrible Post Office delivery. I'm looking forward to the next issue. Just thought I'd let you know.

--Hal Kravig, Memphis, TN

Though we are late in commenting on Hal's letter, over the years, we've had many examples of the vagaries of the U.S. Postal Service. We're always glad to know when someone's experience makes clear that we have no control once the magazine gets into the postal pipeline. We do, however, replace issues delayed, damaged or lost; just give us a call. (Editor)

Thanks!
Dear Editor,

... Thank you. I enjoy every issue.

--Jim Gabor, Bettendorf, IA

Spark Gap Connection Dear Editor: On page 15 of the October A.R.C., there is a photo of an adjustable spark gap as submitted by Wally Worth. I recognized it immediately as the type of spark gap used in an early physician's medical electric device. The spark gap can be seen above in the center of the panel. I thought you might get a chuckle as to this application of the spark gap. I think A.R.C. is an invaluable source of information and look forward to its arrival each month. --Harry Goldman, Queensbury, NY

Kellogg Tube Questions
Dear Sir:

I have just acquired a battery radio that used Kellogg tubes with the filament leads on top of the tube. I would like to know the specs on the Kellogg tube so that I can convert it over to another tube type. Kellogg tubes are too expensive for me, and I can't seem to find any information on them. Are they the same 401 Kellogg advertised by Antique Electronic Supply?

--Alton A. DuBois, Jr., Queensbury, NY

The October 1993 A.R.C. contains an article and specs on the Kellogg Type 401 tube. And, Antique Electronic Supply is very helpful about answering questions about their products. (Editor)