ZENITH Model H500 TransOceanic RADIO-A1 Marine/Short Wave/Regular/ETC. HISTORIC

ZENITH Model H500 Chassis 5H40 Super TransOceanic RADIO MULTI-FUNCTION Marine/Short Wave, Etc. This ZENITH radio model and chassis model was introduced in 1951. It was a revolutionary radio. A classic historic model that introduced many novelties, new designs, and new ideas into the world of radio. Zenith quit making tube-powered TransOceanics in 1962. Cabinet is 17-1/2 inches long, 7-1/2 inches deep, and 12 inches high. The massive antenna is 51 inches (4 feet 3 inches) high, measuring from the top of the radio. Dubbed as the "WORLD'S NEWEST AID TO NAVIGATION", this is a standard and short wave radio with many uses and versatile capabilities. Many of these features had never appeared in a radio before, making it a real groundbreaker model and design! It is capable of 1. Intercepting Marine Weather Reports, Small Craft Warnings, Storm/Hurricane Warnings, 2. Using 6 Short Wave Bands for world-wide reception coverage, 6.

Intercepting amateur broadcasts, and 7. Push-Button Band Selectors were a new thing when this radio was made. Here Zenith extended the gold bezel of the tuning dial well to the right. This created a much wider, rectangular form that also incorporated the six band switches. The 360 degree round tuning dial was also a revolutionary idea never seen before.

It was a radical new change in design, layout, and method of channel selection that was much different in the TransOceanic's predecessors. The push-button tone control (called "Radiorgan Tone Control" by ZENITH) feature was also touted as an innovation. It also was a new method of being able to better control the tone and the sound. The plastic Wavemagnet (antenna) was a major cosmetic change: a grey, gently rounded rectangle that replaced the more primitive earlier black oval.

It is attached to the radio case with two small, knurled brass knobs that screw off and on. Radio is able to work anywhere: trains, airplanes, ships, in steel buildings and skyscrapers. It is the first portable radio in the world to incorporate the entire 38 to 150 metre radio band (2 to 8 megacycles).

Very portable and goes anywhere: travelling, vacationing, fishing, hunting, camping, etc. Radio is made to work on AC or DC current or with a battery.

The H500 series also sported some electronic improvements. All-glass miniature tubes replaced the older loktal types. A solid-state selenium rectifier replaced the glass rectifier tube. And a multifunction 3V4 tube did the work of three tubes in the older sets. The 5 in the model number indicates five tubes, which are 3V4, 1U5, 1U4, 1U4, and 1L6. Includes a superb copy of a Schematics Chart with excellent Specs and Alignments Chart on the other side. Also a deluxe bound original "OPERATING GUIDE" or operation manual for the "ZENITH Super TRANS-OCEANIC PORTABLE". There is a colour magasine/brochure type publication that discusses the history of this radio, has some instructions about the radio, and also includes endorsements and comments by various luminaries of the sailing world at the time. Also included is a comprehensive original Short Wave Station List and Chart, which also has a World Wide Time Map. This radio looks to be in great shape and is clean within and throughout, based on my good comprehensive observations and examinations. Its cosmetics look real good, requiring only a minimum of work to restore to a pristine state. I don't have the means, the knowledge, nor any tools to test this radio technically. My experience with electric/electronic items is very little.

It turns on and it indeed picks up quite a few channels, although faintly. There is no damage as far as I can see.

It looks to be complete with nothing missing. Radio shows light age and use, but wears it well, commensurate with an item that is 64 years old or more. It looks as if it were always treated well, serviced, and kept clean. There is absolutely no evidence of any abuse, misuse, or unnecessary roughness.

SPECIAL PRODUCTION MILITARY MODEL R-520/URR TransOceanic. This radio model, the H500, served also as the basis for model R-520/URR. It was the only true military TransOceanic, manufactured for about two years in 1953 and 1954. It was essentially an H500 (of which this is a model) built to military specs: more heavily ruggedized standards, and with traditional olive drab material covering. These are prized by collectors for their rarity and US Army Signal Corps ID plate on the front.

The item "ZENITH Model H500 TransOceanic RADIO-A1 Marine/Short Wave/Regular/ETC. HISTORIC" is in sale since Friday, July 17, 2015. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone\Radios\Tube Radios\1950-59". The seller is "bendore206" and is located in Seattle, Washington.

This item can be shipped to United States, to Canada, to United Kingdom, DK, RO, SK, BG, CZ, FI, HU, LV, LT, MT, EE, to Australia, GR, PT, CY, SI, to Japan, to China, SE, KR, to Taiwan, TH, to Belgium, to France, to Hong Kong, to Ireland, to Netherlands, PL, to Spain, to Italy, to Germany, to Austria, RU, IL, to Mexico, to New Zealand, PH, SG, to Switzerland, NO, SA, AE, QA, KW, BH, HR.

Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORIC RADIO!