New Acquisitions.

[Joe]

In a recent thread on the acquisition of 'new' sets I suggested conventional auction houses. Today I put my money, literally, where my mouth is and bought a Ultra U930 and a Roberts RT-1 as a job lot for an all in price of £17.70. I wouldn't normally go into anything as base as prices but on this occasion feel it may be a useful guide to others.

So far I can't tell if I've got bargains or 'bin-fodder as my back has taken severe exception to the auctioneer's chairs and if I start bending over looking at them I'll end up in real trouble. At least it will stop me jumping in feet first.

I do know that the Roberts has a broken ferrite aerial and had a PP3 rattling about within which, as it should be run on 6v, won't have done it any good. It does produce a hiss which none of the controls effect.

The case is in very good nick but the tuning dial is badly scraped and for all that it has a sound handle it's a replacement.

[attachment=1850][attachment=1851]

The Ultra is still un-know beyond that too being in good cosmetic condition. Due to the warm weather I went to both the viewing and sale without my jacket and therefore didn't have a screw-driver on me. I did manage to see through and around the back a comforting amount of dust and no obviously missing valves. I was very pleased when I got the back off to see one of those nice green things which get warm in a cosy and friendly way instead of a threatening-looking great coil of wire.

[attachment=1852][attachment=1853]

Any information about these sets would be gratefully received. Apart from these I left a commission bid on an Ultra mains/battery one but think I'd have heard by now if I'd got it.

Besides these I made an on-line purchase last night which I'll report on when I've got it.

All the best

Joe

[ppppenguin]

The Roberts is on Trader 1357. Superglue will fix the ferrite rod. I doubt that 9V will have done it much harm. Even if a transistor has died they are readily replaced.

The Ultra is on Trader 1315. Don't forget the usual live chassis precautions.

You have a PM.

[OldTickTock]

Hi Joe,

nice finds and good price too, as you say will help as guide. The Ultra known as the Minstrel was released in Sept 1955 £17 8s

The Roberts RT1 all transistor Aghhhh!! (sorry) was released in April 1958 at the same price.

I have the data for both and will scan when time permits and post soon.

Chris

[Jamie-Skinner]

Well done

[Joe]

Thanks to you both. The Roberts was really a bonus and may be handy for spares - it's even got its knob-brights -but I'll obviously try and fix it. I made sure that it used OCxx transisters rather than AF. Wax capacitors though so it's not all new territory.

Cheers
- Joe

[ppppenguin]

Wax capacitors though so it's not all new territory.

Although they should be replaced, in a transistor set the leakage usually won't matter very much.

[fido]

That Roberts looks to have a very low component count compared to the '60s sets.

[Joe]

I thought that, Fido. It looks like a valve design with transistor put in their place. It will certainly be an interesting one.

I've given the Ultra a brief run through my lamp-limiter and it worked on Medium Wave. The wave switch is filthy for one thing. I'll get THAT capacitor changed as a priority and then take it from there.

Thanks for the tips.

Joe

[Bushbaby]

The Roberts appears to have one of the more desirable and rarer coverings - it certainly worth restoring.

Good find!

Regards

Rob

[Joe]

When I saw it on the web-site I thought somebody had had the Fablon out and it was only when I saw it that I realised it was original. I was more interested in it thermionic mate and it was only when I got it home that I realised that it wasn't a R300 as until then I'd been thinking of it more as a donor thing but not now.

I'll give it my best shot and at least there's life in the beast.

I'm joining the rest of you in having a 'To do' pile!

- Joe