175
Item nr.
American portable, transistors in sockets.
| Production | United States, 1958. |
|---|---|
| Bands | MW (550-1600 kc). |
| Semi- conductors | 121-21 (Osc), 121-22 (Mixer), 121-70 (1st IF), 121-71 (2nd IF), 121-60 (driver), 2x 121-61 (Output). |
| Cabinet | Genuine top grain cowhide. Size 21x12.5x8.5 cm. Weight 1.3 kg. |
| Power | Batt 6xC. |
| Documents | Service doc for Chassis 7AT43Z3. |
As far as I know, the only radio I have in which the transistors are mounted in sockets, just like tubes. Zenith used sockets for transistors because they sourced transistors from different manufacturers. Using sockets allowed for different lead configurations. Transistor leads had not been standardized yet. Also, no one was sure of the reliability of transistors. Sockets made them easy to replace.The type number is not readable so this is a bit of a guess. 
But I studied Bunis and the description of the Royal 700 matches my radio exactly. The radio has CONELRAD markings. The photo shows them on the tiny dial as the printed CD at 640 and 1240 kc.
| Obtained | 3/2001 from NVHR Swap Meet. |
|---|---|
| Condition | 5. |
| Disposed | Sold 6/2018. |
| Sound sample | PLAY SOUND  When starting on a defective radio, it is useful to first find out if its local oscillator works. To this end, I put the Zenith on top of it and tune it to a weak station near 1200 or 1300 kHz, then tune the sick radio around 700 to 1000 kHz. If the oscillator is fine (as in this case) it will cause interference in the reception by the Zenith. |
Despite its poor condition the radio succeeded immediately in arising my interest because of the sticker and writing inside. The owner has written his name and address inside. The transistor sticker lists 19 data, running from March 22, 1958, to Jan 1, 1965. I presume these are dates of battery replacement. Sammy Steen either bought better batteries or used the set less, 
because the time intervals increase.The battery holder is incomplete but I can play it on a 9V battery and then it works great. I cleansed the outer part a bit, but it wasn't possible for me to restore the leather to fresh condition. Rubanom wrote me that It was common for American manufacturers to use imitation cowhide on portable radios. These types of radios saw hard usage - outdoors in the sun, at the beach, possibly in the rain. How old do cow get normally? If nature didn't overdesign the cow skin, my radio would fall apart in 2007.