Some Vintage Electronics

[kenmore1978]

old radio batteries

so how does one get those batteries they used to pwoer the old tube portable radios from the 50's?

 

[tolivac]

Batteries for older radios

When I saw your entry-I got out our Newark catalog and looked it up-(catalog#121)The batteries are still made!-but expensive-Everyready still carries them.I can remember them from an older Feild strength meter at our radio station that had tubes(like the old radio)It used the D batteries and two 45V NEDA type#201.If you have A Newark catalog-you could call 1-800-463-9275 to get one.I don't see UV199-what voltage is it?Newark carries them under the "Electronics and Special Applications" listing on page 1230 of catalog#121.I am amazed the batteries are still made-you may even check other companies that have Everyready batteries.Yes-they are expensive.I can now see why that radio station doesn't use that old Nems-Clarke Feild strength meter anymore.

 

[radiobill1966]

Batteries

You can still get some of the B batteries, although you have to pay dearly for them, somewhere around $30 a pop. On the other hand, I built mine. The A batteries are nothing more than modern #6 cells with vintage covers on the outside. The B pack is really one large masonite box--it has grooves cut into it to give it the illusion of four separate B batteries. For motive power, I have a DC-DC converter. You put in 6 volts, it'll pump out 67.5. Add another 1.5 to the mix and it'll give you 90.

 

[tolivac]

DC converter

Another benefit to the converter-it would be lighter than lugging all those batteries!I would imagine you use it to run the radio in your car or from a DC supply at home-a battery eliminator?It would definitly be cheaper to use the radio from the car source or from at home.

 

[radiobill1966]

Nothing special-- I just use a set of either AA's, C's or D's. The more portable I make the set, the better.

 

[tolivac]

And the batteries could lower the signal-noise ratio if you use the radio for "DX'ing"I use a battery powered radio for this.-no hum or line noise.