14-09-2022, 08:31 AM
There were both American and British influences in New Zealand radio circuitry and valve lines-up. In the post-WWII valve era, possibly British influence was slightly greater by the later 1950s, but that is hard to be certain about.
Thus, both American and British/European valve designations were found. British valves were mostly, but not always used under their original designations, which as is well known, conveyed more information about them. But some makers used their American designations for British valves. I think AWA was one such. Also, there was significant use of the Rimlock valve series, as well as the novals.
So, NZ was definitely different to Australia, where for example Philips used American designations, and skipped the Rimlock phase, going direct to what it initially called its “Innoval” series. I suspect that the Australian orientation towards American designations had a lot to do with AWV, who was mostly RCA oriented. But AWV also had a relationship with Osram. In particular it obtained the American registration for the Osram X79 as the 6AE8, because it needed a triode heptode frequency changer valve in order to compete with Philips, whereas RCA had only the 6BE6 pentagrid.
A look through the many schematics available here: https://www.vintageradio.co.nz/brands will I think support the opening premise.
Cheers,
Steve
Thus, both American and British/European valve designations were found. British valves were mostly, but not always used under their original designations, which as is well known, conveyed more information about them. But some makers used their American designations for British valves. I think AWA was one such. Also, there was significant use of the Rimlock valve series, as well as the novals.
So, NZ was definitely different to Australia, where for example Philips used American designations, and skipped the Rimlock phase, going direct to what it initially called its “Innoval” series. I suspect that the Australian orientation towards American designations had a lot to do with AWV, who was mostly RCA oriented. But AWV also had a relationship with Osram. In particular it obtained the American registration for the Osram X79 as the 6AE8, because it needed a triode heptode frequency changer valve in order to compete with Philips, whereas RCA had only the 6BE6 pentagrid.
A look through the many schematics available here: https://www.vintageradio.co.nz/brands will I think support the opening premise.
Cheers,
Steve
