The Cool386 site is now in its own domain. Unreliable hosts which delete the site are a thing of the past. As always, the site continues to be free of unneccessary bloatware.
If you find an old link to one of the previous domains, you'll need to change it to www.cool386.com. For example http://members.iinet.net.au/~cool386/AWA_221C/awa_221c.html is now https://www.cool386.com/AWA_221C/awa_221c.html

For further pics and information about my projects see also here http://www.flickr.com/photos/13469158@N05/ and my You Tube channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB8qCNGTrXO1nanG0yDFxeA/

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G.E. Monitor Top Refrigerators.

CA-2-B15 restoration - (Parts 1,2,3, 4, & 5).  Background to the General Electric Monitor Top refrigerator and restoration of a 1934 CA-2-B15.

Monitor Top thermal imaging.  See what the human eye cannot see with these thermal images of my CA-2 Monitor Top fridge.

Monitor Top manuals.  For 1927 DR machines, 1933-1934 CA machines, Canadian AK models, and 1934-1942 CK/CG/CE/CF/CH/CJ/DK/FBA/LK Monitor Tops, Globe Tops, Liftops, and Flatops. Also contains scans from Nickerson & Collins - Servicing Hermetically Sealed Units, covering DR rebuilding. 1934 Salesman's Bulletin. Other vintage refrigeration manuals relevant to the Monitor Top.

CA-1-B15 restoration.  After the CA-2-B15, another Monitor Top came into my posession.

Capillary tube conversion for CA Monitor Top. Eliminates troublesome float valves. Also learn about operating on the unit fully charged, and how to extract methyl formate.

Notes on Super-Regen receivers. Please read before attempting to construct the following receivers.

7193 Super-Regen Receiver.  VHF reception with this octal triode from WW2. NEW for 2024

6ES8 Super-Regen Receiver.  The frame grid twin triode 6ES8/ECC189 is tried as a super-regenerative receiver.

Portable 2 Valve FM Receiver.  Uses the 6GK5 in a super-regenerative circuit with a 6X9 for the audio amplifier.

6GK5 Super-Regen Receiver.  Getting the 6GK5 and other VHF frame grid triodes to work in a super-regenerative receiver.

6J6 Super-Regen Receiver.  Experiments with the popular 6J6 valve, for FM super-regenerative receivers, including a one valve circuit for headphones.

6AM6 Super-Regen Receiver.  Using the 6AM6/EF91 pentode for VHF reception.

12V Two Valve FM Receiver.  New 6BL8 circuit operates from 12V supply and draws only 1.25A.

6BL8 or 6U8 Super-Regen Receiver.  Excellent VHF performance using the common 6BL8/ECF80 or 6U8/ECF82 valves.

Mains operated 12AT7 Super-Regen Receiver.  Super-regenerative FM receiver with active filtering.

6 Transistor Super-Regen Receiver. Solid State Superregenerative Receiver. This separately quenched receiver far outperforms other solid state self quenched designs.

4 Transistor Super-Regen Receiver.  Pocket size VHF receiver as simple as possible while still being practical.

One Tube FM Tuner.  From August 1960 Popular Electronics, it uses a 6C4. I constructed this project as closely as I could to the original. Performance left a lot to be desired!

Improved One Tube FM Tuner. In view of the poor performance of the above receiver, I modified the design. Still using a 6C4, it is about the simplest valve receiver for FM.

12AT7 Super-Regen Receiver. One valve provides excellent sensitivity and drives headphones to an uncomfortably loud level. Includes vibrator power supply for portable battery operation.

New 12AT7 FM Tuner.  An improvement on the Improved One Tube FM Tuner, this incorporates an RF stage.

One Valve FM Receiver with Loudspeaker.  Using a single 6DX8, this receiver provides loudspeaker reception of FM stations.

Maxitronix MX801F FM Radio Kit. Three transistor FM receiver needed modifications. Also relevant to the MX901AF and MX901F kits.

Science Fair 28-234 AM/FM Radio Kit.  The super regenerative FM receiver in this kit sold by Tandy/Radio Shack is of very poor design and needed modifications to work properly.

VHF receiver with 12V B+.   This valve VHF receiver uses 12V for high tension.

Fremodyne Receiver (Parts 1,2, &3). Introduction to the single valve FM receiver circuit developed by Hazeltine Laboratories in 1947.  It uses a single 12AT7 in a super-regenerative superhet circuit, and was used in several commercially made AM/FM receivers and FM converters.

Servicing the Fremodyne Receiver. How to get your Fremodyne working at optimum performance.

Meck FM Converter.  Fremodyne tuner made for use with the audio section of an existing AM receiver. The safety issues with this set were a bit of a surprise.

Four Valve FM Receiver. The "Simplified Fremodyne" from Radio News August 1951 is reconstructed.

Simplified Fremodyne.  How much further can the Hazeltine circuit be simplified? This receiver was the test.

Homemade Fremodyne. This is one of my attempts at building a Fremodyne receiver as an FM mantel radio.  Sound quality turned out to be quite good with this set.

Solid State Fremodyne.   Electronics Australia's design from May 1970, for a solid state version of the Fremodyne.

Howard 474 (No.1). This was the first commercially made example of a Fremodyne receiver to enter my collection.

Howard 474 (No.3).  My third example of a Howard 474 AM/FM mantel radio with Fremodyne FM receiver.

Gilfillan 68F.  Another commercially made mantel radio using the Fremodyne circuit for FM reception.

Sentinel 315W.  The third type of AM/FM mantel radio I've acquired with a Fremodyne circuit. This one had seen a rather careless attempt at restoration.

Heathkit FM Converter. The Heathkit FM1 was a kit version of the Fremodyne circuit.

Olympic 7-532W & 7-532V.  Another mantel radio with Fremodyne FM receiver.

Perco FM Tuner. Another kit version of the Fremodyne.

Pulse Counting Receiver.  Hi Fi quality, high sensitivity, and only one tuned circuit. Popular in the UK but virtually unknown elsewhere.

Solid State Pulse Counting Receiver.  Notes on building a transistor pulse counting receiver.

TDA7000 FM Receiver.  Philips IC makes a simple FM receiver with no ceramic filters or IF transformers. Detailed application notes give an interesting insight into this excellent IC, and its offspring, the TDA7010T, TDA7021T and TDA7088T. As well as my own construction attempts, I also take a look at a commercially made receiver.

Future Kit FM Receiver. This TDA7000 FM receiver kit was of extremely poor design.

Armstrong Micro FM pulse counting receiver.  Inspired by the Sinclair Micro FM, this is a modern pulse counting receiver kit.

Mains Operated TDA7000 FM Receiver.  Hybrid FM receiver uses the TDA7000 and valves.

Rogers FM Tuner.  English tuner from the 1950's.

Portable FET Regenerative Receiver.  Superhet sensitivity and selectivity from the ETI-062 AM tuner circuit.

The Future of AM Radio.  Learn about the closing down of AM stations in Australia.

Crystal Radios.  A look at radio's most basic receiver - the crystal set.

Breville 742 Mantel Radio.  Five valve mantel radio for 12V home lighting plants. Also available for 32V.

Emstonette Mantel Radio.  Learn about the previous 'restoration' work, and design faults of this English mantel radio.

1Q5 Regenerative Receiver. A look at the Hiker's One, and other low B+ single battery valve receivers.

Renown Special 3.  Three valve coffin set from a 1929 issue of Wireless Weekly.

Reflex One.  From Radio, Television & Hobbies, June 1963, this one transistor receiver needed modification. Two transistors were also added for speaker reception.

Grand Opera Mantel Radio. Unusual three valve regenerative set from 1934.

Future Kit AM Receiver.  Practical use of the MK484 AM radio IC and discovering problems with the TA7642.

Transistor Reflex Receivers.  Loudspeaker reception with no external aerial and only two transistors. Used in the "Boys Radio" circuit.

Tiny Tim II.  My construction of this regenerative receiver from Radio & Hobbies, April 1943. An excellent little three valve set that drives a loudspeaker.

1J6 Receiver. A battery operated one valve regenerative receiver using a 1J6 or 19 twin triode.

Thames and Kosmos "Radio Ace". This reproduction valve radio isn't exactly a kit despite being sold thus. Performance was substandard and required modifications.

Automatic Regeneration Control.  Make your regenerative receiver as easy to use a superhet! Ideal for non technical uses

Valve Receiver with Automatic Regeneration.  Based on the Radio & Hobbies "Three Band Two" this receiver has automatic regeneration control.

ZN414 AM Receiver IC.Notes on this well known TRF receiver IC, and its clones; MK484, YS414, TA7642, LMF501T. Ideal for construction of miniature radios requiring only 1.5V to operate.

Four Valve TRF Receiver. This MW receiver uses four modern TV valves and provides hi-fi sound with its infinite impedance detector. Updated with cascode RF amplifier.

12V Superhet Receiver.  This project was built to disprove the fact valves need high voltages. It uses ordinary mains type valves with 12V high tension. Performance is excellent.

Emerson CF255.  Two valve TRF receiver from 1939 was said to be the world's smallest practical radio.

Gakken Vacuum Tube Radio kits.  Modern valve radio kits from Japan using battery valves. One is a variometer tuned reflex receiver, the other is a 3 valve regenerative circuit.

Xmas Box Mantel.   Three valve regenerative TRF receiver described in Radio & Hobbies, December 1950.

Minivox Mantel Receiver.  From Radio & Hobbies, December 1947, was this three valve regenerative receiver project.

Detrola 6R Car Radio. Six valve 1935 model from the U.S.

5 Valve Car Radio.  Home made car radio started as a student project back in 1985.

Astor "Air Chief" ARM.  Restoration of an Astor ARM for a 1957 FE Holden. Notes also applicable to the 6 volt ARL. NEW for 2024

Astor "Air Chief" CS. Restoration of an Astor CS for a 1953 Vauxhall. Notes applicable also to the 6 volt CR.

Astor "Air Chief" RM. The RL (6V) and RM (12V) were made for many cars, but this RM was for a 1954-1957 Vauxhall.

Astor SS Car Radio.  This car radio has an unusual "Selectomatic" tuning unit. Notes also applicable to the 6 volt SR.

AWA 930-A .  Six valve single unit car radio made under the "Cruiser 6" name. Notes applicable to all the late 1950's-60's AWA car radios.

AWA 74 Power Supply.  Restoration of a power supply from a 1934 AWA 74 car radio. NEW for 2024

Detrola 297 Car Radio. Unusual U.S. made vibrator powered car radio from 1940. Very compact one unit construction.

Ferris M106.  Portable radio designed for in car use with optional inverter.

Ford "Auto Portable 8".  AWA 982-A portable car radio for early Australian Falcons.

Motorola 66MF.  Manufactured for 1956 Ford models in the U.S. Also known as FDR-18805-B1.

Tasma 1122 Car Radio.  From a 1946 Ford Mercury.

The Evolution of Car Radio.  A talk and slideshow I presented at the HRSA outlining development of car radio from the 1920's to the 1980's. NEW for 2024

Walbar 1255A. Two unit car radio with five valves.

XK Falcon Car Radio.  AWA 966-A hybrid car radio for the 1960 Ford Falcon.

XP Falcon Car Radios.  AWA radios fitted to Australian made XP Ford Falcons.

Paeansonic 210SP Kit Radio. Chinese AM-FM kit radio for under $10.

AM/FM Tuner/Amplifier. First use of my 6CM5 audio output stage design along with a superregenerative detector for VHF and regenerative detector for MW.

12V MW/VHF Receiver.  This vibrator powered receiver operates from 12V and has Automatic Regeneration Control.

Simple VHF Receiver.  Three transistor VHF regenerative receiver from the March 1979 issue of Electronics Australia.

Radio Television & Hobbies 5" TV Receiver.  From the September 1957 issue, this set uses a 5BP1 / 1802-P1 electrostatic picture tube.

30 Line Televisor.  Mechanical television for the 30 line Baird format.

Servicing the Baird Televisor.  Operating and servicing the 30 line Baird Televisor.

Television Detector Vans.  A relic from the 405 line days in the UK to detect unlicensed viewing.

Electrosound-SABA E544.  17" console using the German SABA T544 chassis, modified for Australian conditions and imported by Electrosound.

Philips T284.   17" hybrid portable released in 1968 was first of the Philips modular designs.

National TP-170R.  17" Portable. One of the first generation of sets to be assembled in Australia by National.

National TT-21RE/C2S.  9" Portable from  1964. NEW for 2024

B&K 1076 Television Analyst.  Flying spot scanner generates test pattern from this comprehensive TV test instrument.

General Electric T19P4.  19" Portable from GE is a U.S. design modified and sold in Australia. It uses Compactron valves.

Sharp TRP-803.  Japanese 8" transistor TV set from the early 1960's. Virtually identical to the TRP-804.

Sparton 4940TV.  Mirror-In-The-Lid set from 1949.

AWA 221-C.  One of the first Australian 110 degree sets from 1959.

Baird 812.    This ex Radio Rentals set uses the Thorn R2M chassis, based on the British Thorn 1500.

2" TV set.  This two inch set uses a 902-P1 cathode ray tube displaying pictures from a DVB-T receiver or other video source.

Ekco TCX-298.   21" 1957 model with doors.

Hiring out vintage TV sets.  Unfortunate experiences in hiring out vintage TV sets. The golden rule is don't!

VHF-UHF Fan Aerial. This 1950's design also known as a "Conical" provides excellent results in the 21st century.

Ekco TX-287.   17" model from 1957.

Vertical Blocking Oscillator Transformer Replacement. Are you sick of unreliable blocking oscillator transformers and can never get good locking and linearity? Eliminate the nasty transformer forever with these circuits.

Digital TV and your Vintage Television.  Do not worry about analog TV being turned off. You can still use your valve VHF black and white TV sets with the digital transmissions.

Philips PM5544 Test Pattern generator.  Are you missing the test pattern that TV stations  used to broadcast? Here's how I've regained it without paying $1000's. A digital box that plays .jpg files is the answer.

Airline 84GSE-3011A 7" TV set. A rebadged Sentinel 400-TV sold by Montgomery Ward under their in house brand. Read how I restored and converted this 1949 model electrostatic deflection American TV set for use in Australia.

Using foreign TV sets in Australia.  Brought an American , UK, or European TV set into Australia? Here's how to modify it for the local standards.

Background to TV in the U.S.   Brief description of the development of television in the U.S, with examples of first generation electronic TV sets.

History of Television in Australia.  A talk and slideshow I presented at the HRSA.

Circuit diagrams and parts for vintage TV sets.  I do not sell parts. Please go to High Country Service Data for diagrams and manuals.

The incandescent light bulb ban and how to defy it.  Do you feel you shouldn't be dictated to as to what kind of light bulbs you use?

The origins of the Australian plug and other electrical trivia.  Few would be aware the Australian plug is actually a U.S. design.

Browning Outdoorsman Porta-Lamp. 12V 15W fluorescent lamp uses vibrator inverter.

240V Mains Regulator.  Regulates mains voltage using transformers as saturable reactors.

Jaycar AA-0474 Valve Amplifier (1). It looked nice and the price was right, but this Chinese vacuum tube amplifier turned out to be a fake. Please read this if you have any intention of buying a new valve amplifier, especially one made in China.

Jaycar AA-0474 Valve Amplifier (2).  The Jaycar amplifier is rebuilt as a true valve amplifier.

Low Voltage B+ for Valve Amplifiers.  Some experiments using valve voltage amplifier stages with 12V B+ and transformer/choke coupling.

The 6CM5 valve for Audio use.  Australia's most popular TV line output pentode, also known as EL36, undergoes some experiments to test its viability for audio amplifiers, particularly in single ended class A.

6BM8 Amplifier.  A simple but good quality audio amplifier using the 6BM8/ECL82 valve. Capable of a couple of watts. Information on using 100V PA line transformers as valve output transformers.

6BL8 and 6U8 Audio Amplifiers.  How to use the common 6BL8/ECF80 and 6U8/ECF82 TV valves for low powered amplifiers.

Simple Valve Amplifier circuits.  A collection of economical low power amplifier designs using common low cost valves.

Valve Car Amplifier.  Vibrator powered stereo valve amplifier for in car use.

20W Transistor Inverter. Simple but practical, this self oscillating inverter provides 240V at 20W from 12V.

40W Inverter.  How to design a vibrator inverter for 12V to 240VAC  with 40W output.

54W Regulated Inverter.  12V to 240V inverter using SG3524 switchmode IC.

80W Regulated Inverter.  12V to 240V inverter adaptable for sine wave operation. NEW for 2024

Altronics 600W Inverter.  Designed by the Australian electronics parts supplier, Altronics, in 1996.

Battery Eliminator for Valve radios.  Vibrator power supply provides A+, B+ and C- for battery valve sets.

EA 300W Inverter .  Electronics Australia 12-240V 300W inverter described in the September 1985 issue.

Electronic Laboratories 605 Vibrator Power Supply.  Pre-built 6V vibrator power supply from Electronic Laboratories.

Heathkit GP-11 Vibrator Power Supply.  Last of the modular vibrator power supplies, this was available as a kit.

Heathkit GWA-12-1 Vibrator Power Supply.  For 6 or 12V operation of the GW-12A CB transceiver.

Mallory Elkon B Eliminator Type 6.  From 1932, the first commercially made vibrator power supply for car radio uses the Mallory Elkonode.

Mallory Elkon B Eliminator Type 11.  Produced in 1933-34, this was the first commercially made synchronous vibrator power supply.

Mallory 12V Vibrapack.  12 to 300V Vibrapack made for a specific manufacturer has no model number.

Mallory G368 Vibrapack.  An obscure 12 volt vibrator power supply from Mallory.

Mallory VP-401 Vibrapack.  6V to 250V pre-built power supply from Mallory.

Mallory VP-552 Vibrapack. Pre-built vibrator power supply made by Mallory.

Mallory VP-553 Vibrapack. New Old Stock vibrator power supply had never been opened and used.

Radiart 451 Vipower.  Pre-built vibrator power supply from Radiart

Rohde & Schwarz NBU Inverter.   German 12V to 220V 35W vibrator inverter.

Valradio 230/100/32A Inverter.  English made 32V to 230V 100W vibrator inverter.
 

Vibrator Power Supply Design & Repair.

Communications Vibrators.  A guide to the 7-pin dual-interrupter vibrators used in two way radio equipment. Used by Motorola and others.

Ferrocart Vibrators.  Some notes on the design of vibrator power supplies as used in car radios, inverters, etc. Includes Ferrocart type numbers. These were mostly used in Astor products.

Fundamentals of Vibrator Power Supply Design.  Just about everything you wanted to know about vibrator power supplies, from the good folk at Mallory. This is a 13.6Mb pdf download.

Heathkit VT-1 Vibrator Tester. Kit for testing vibrators made by Heathkit in the mid 1950's.

The Mallory Elkonode.  An introduction to how the vibrator power supply was developed, with details of the first widely used vibrator design.

Oak MSP Vibrator Notes. Information on the MSP/Oak/AWA vibrators used by AWA, Ferris and others.

Servicing Vibrator Power Supplies.  Articles from "Radio Electronics" and "Electronic Engineering".

Vibrators.  An article on vibrator power supply design from the May 1958 issue of "Radiotronics".

Vibrator Life Expectancy.  A guide to long-life vibrator operation, and what should be expected. A look at why vibrators have been unfairly maligned in the electronics world.

Vibrator Test Panel. Simplifies testing and repair of vibrators.
 

Vintage Inverters - U.S. manufactured.

All State Inverter.   Sears rebadge of a Terado 12V to 110V 40W vibrator inverter.

Cornell Dubilier "Powercon" Inverter.  This 115V vibrator inverter provides 39W.

DuMont 75W Inverter.  DuMont Vibrator Power Pack model 2625 provides 115V at 75W from 6 or 12V DC.

Terado Satellite 50-138-3 Inverter.  12V to 110V 75W vibrator inverter for portable TV use.

Terado Trav-electric SR Inverter.  6V to 110V 35W vibrator inverter.

Terado Super 50-127 Inverter.   12V to 110V 75W vibrator inverter.

Terado Electra 50-167 Inverter.  12V to 110V 42W vibrator inverter comes in a gift box.
 

Vintage Inverters - Australian manufactured.

AWA 1H60668. 12V to 240V 40W transistor inverter.

AWA VB-32QA.  32V to 240V transistor inverter for television sets. Notes also for model VC-32.

Bland Radio Shaver Inverter.  Another 12V DC to 240V AC 15W shaver inverter uses interesting split reed vibrator circuit.

Breville AT21A. 32V to 240V 18W vibrator inverter.

Ferris 106 Inverter.  12V to 240V 30W vibrator inverter from the mid 1950's, intended for the model 106 radio.

Glenradio 12100. 12V to 240V 100W vibrator inverter.

Glenradio "Champion" Shaver Inverter.  This vibrator inverter was completely rebuilt with a new transformer and converted to 12V.

Ironcore Shaver Converter.  This uses a synchronous vibrator to provide 240V DC at 15W from 12V DC and was intended for motor driven shavers.

Radar 12/100 and 12/300. 12V to 240V 100W and 300W solid state inverters from the early 1970's & 1980's.

Radar 12/40.  12V to 240V 40W solid state inverter.

Radar 12ST40.  12V to 240V 40W solid state inverter with variable frequency control.

Robinson Motor Car Power Point.   Simple 6V DC to 240V 10W vibrator inverter intended for shavers.

Smoothflo AB13/6.  6V to 240V 15W vibrator inverter. The design fault with this was astounding.

Smoothflo AC79/6.  6V to 240V 30W vibrator inverter.

Smoothflo AG88/12. 12V to 240V 175W vibrator inverter.

Van Ruyten 32140.  12V to 230V 40W vibrator inverter.

Van Ruyten 58FF.  12V to 230V 100W vibrator inverter.

Van Ruyten 58TV. 32V to 230V 200W vibrator inverter.

Low Power AM Transmitter. This "phono oscillator" design transmits over a suprising distance and uses only two valves.

Really Bad Design.  Examples of poorly designed circuits and similar. NEW for 2024

A Tribute to the 6BL8.  Learn about Australia's most popular TV valve.

Making PCB's.  Notes on how I design and etch printed circuit boards at home using Protel and a laser printer.

Line Cord Resistor replacements.  Relevant to equipment using series heater valves. Options for dropper replacements and how to calculate their value. Examines diode and capacitor dropper circuits. UPDATED for 2024

Reproduction Line Cord Resistor.  How to make a new line cord resistor for your American AC/DC radio that is completely authentic and requires no modifications.

Service Tips.  An ever increasing list of faults and their repairs for various electronic items.

Electronics as a Hobby in the 21st Century.  Reminiscing about the start of the hobby in Australia, and thoughts on where it is headed.

Dyson DC05 Motorhead.    Repairs to this Dyson vacuum cleaner were not helped with lack of spare parts.

Restoring a PMG Telephone Box. Restoration of a NSW Temperate phone box.

Vintage phones and the NBN.  How to use vintage phones with the NBN or other VOIP service.

Using a Telecom Gold Phone on the NBN.  How to interface a Gold Phone to a Dialgizmo and NBN modem. UPDATED for 2024

Electronic Transmitters for Telephones.  Replacing the carbon transmitter in a series 300 phone with a British 21A electronic type. Notes on the Australian 20E electronic type.

Ericofon installation notes.  Information about this trendy Ericsson telephone.

Two line central battery telephone exchange.  Allows two CB telephones to be used as an intercom.

Series 300 and 400 Magneto Phones. Last of the bakelite magneto telephones issued in Australia.

Series 800 Phone.  Using this ubiquitous Australian phone in the modern day.

Series 400 Phone.  Last of the bakelite phones issued in Australia, this was an improvement on the series 300.

Practical Wireless Home Telephone Exchange.  Simple automatic exchange accomodates nine telephones.

Solar/Wind installation.   Installation of a domestic 12V solar and wind powered lighting plant.

House Solar Supply Battery Regulator.  This circuit prevents excessive rise in house voltage when batteries are under charge in solar electrical systems.

Solar Panel Charge Regulator.   Provides cycle and float charging for 12V batteries.

Solar Water Heater.    Installation and connection of an Evacuated Tube collector panel to an existing electric water heater.

EJ Holden Wiper Motor.  Preslite two speed wiper motor/washer as fitted to the Premier model. NEW for 2024

HD Holden Fuel Gauge Resistor.  A common fault with HD and other model Holden fuel gauges is a burnt out resistor. Here's how to fix it.

RN85 Hilux Heater Fan Switch.  Here's how to fix the heater fan switch so it never overheats again.

Vane Electrical 453 Tester.   Automotive coil & condenser tester.

Fun with the Model T, August 2015.

The Story of my Model T Ford.  The acquisition of my Model T and some of the experiences I have had with it.

6V Turn Signal Flasher.   6 volt electronic flasher design with user adjustable flash rate, and low current wiring to the indicator switch. This design is not affected by supply voltage.

Brake Light Switch for the Model T Ford.  Installing a brake light switch in a right hand drive Model T.

Car Radio for the Model T Ford. Three valve vibrator powered car radio for the Model T. This design uses the 12AT7 super-regenerative circuit.

Increased power for the Model T Radio. Push-pull output stage for the car radio provides greater audio output.

Running coils without the magneto.  Improve ignition system performance in cars where the 6V battery is the only power source.

Fun Projects Voltage Regulator.  Ever wondered how this accessory voltage regulator works? Wonder no more as this article explains all.

Voltage Regulator for the Model T Ford.  Comparator voltage regulator using an LM393, for 3rd brush generators as used in the Model T.

Switchmode Voltage Regulator for the Model T Ford.  Alternative method of regulation uses a TL494 switchmode controller.

Know Your Coils. Rebuilding and adjusting Model T Ford ignition coils.

6 to 12V converter.  Powering 12V appliances in your 6V Model T.

6 or 12V?  Examines the often asked questions about using 12V in a Model T.

Electronic Coil Tester.  This allows Ford coils to be adjusted correctly without multiple sparking.

Model T Thermal Imaging.  See what's really happening with your Model T.

The Model T Ford Battery and Charging System.  Understanding the battery, generator, and cut out.

The ECCT.  A performance review of the Electronically Cranked Coil Tester.

The E-Timer.  Installation and testing of the electronic timer for the Model T. Also describes the new I-Timer.

Australian Model T Ford Parts List. Catalog of spare parts from Ford in Geelong 1927.

        Trek Y bikes    The Shrine of the Trek Y bike.

        Trek Y5  (1997). The first Y bike in my collection. Top of the range 1997 alloy model.

        Trek YSL200 (1999).  The Y Superlite was the top of the range OCLV model.

        Trek Y33 (1998). The fourth to be added to the collection.

        Trek Y33 (1996).    This is the bike featured in Popular Mechanics July 1996, and the fifth in my collection.

        Trek Y22 (1995).  This is probably the most common model, and also the earliest of the Y bikes.

        Trek 3900 (2006). My first hardtail was a bargain I couldn't say no to.

        Trek Y11 (1998).  Base model in the carbon fibre OCLV series.

        Trek Y3 (1999). The last Y bike for my collection.

       Giant Reign 1 (2007). Something different to the Trek Y bikes.

A Warning about eBay. Do Not Use Global Shipping!  If you purchase vintage electronics from the U.S. ebay, watch out!

Links.

Monitor Top Refrigerator Forum. All things to do with General Electric Monitor Top Refrigerators, including repair advice.

Model T Ford Club of America.  This site has everything you need to know, and an excellent discussion forum.

Nostalgia Air. Source of circuit diagrams for U.S. valve radios. PDF's of Riders manuals. Have found all known Fremodyne sets here.

Classic Radio Gallery.  A good collection of U.S valve radios for sale. This is where my first Meck FM converter came from.

Phil's Valve Radio Site. Some interesting homemade receivers and amplifiers. For those wanting a solid state version of the Pulse Counting FM Receiver, this is worth a look.

Sams Photofacts. Known to most U.S technicians/restorers, this company is the place to go for circuits and service manuals for audio/radio/TV gear sold in the U.S. Expensive, but this is where you'll get them and they deal with vintage stuff.

Die Basteleke. This German site authored by Mr. B. Kainka is full of interesting projects, including those with valves operating at low voltage. Its author has written some excellent books, and has designed some of the Kosmos electronic kits (such as the Kosmos Radiomann / Radio Ace).

Children's science radio. For those who like building transistor radios, this Japanese site is full of interesting designs. Many are based around the popular 1960's reflex circuit. Good site if you're into germanium transistors.

Japanese links. A few days worth of browsing here. More Japanese designs using valves and solid state. Eventually, you'll stumble upon the guy who not only likes making pocket radios with valves, but modifies transistor radios to use valves instead of transistors.

American Radio History. If you like reading old electronics magazines, most issues of the well known U.S. and U.K. magazines have been scanned here. Also numerous other old electronics publications.