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BELMONT 746

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Front View [31K] Tuning Waveband Switch On/Off and Volume
  • Circa 1936
  • LW, MW and SW wavebands
  • 7 Valves (6Q7G, 6F6G, 6K7G, 6L7G, 6C5G, 5Y3G
    rectifier plus 6G5 tuning indicator)
  • A.C. Mains
  • Original cost unknown
NOTES

A distinctive looking set which is quite attractive.

This is an American set, having been built in Chicago but was clearly destined for Europe as the mains transformer does not appear to have a setting for 120V.

There are a number of small details that imply this is a well thought out set such as the individual valve holdes being carved with the appropriate valve number. Even the speaker connections connect to the chassis via a connector, making chassis removal a doddle.

Close-up of tuning scale [21K]Magic Eye Indicator [11K]

The slow moving tuning indicator is supplemented by a faster moving little wheel. Tuning is further aided by a magic eye indicator that really does look like an eye (which has the uncanny habit of seeming to follow you).

What is baffling, however, is the usage to which the 6L7 heptode has been put. Wheras I'd have expected it to be a self oscillating mixer, in fact a seperate triode (6C5) acts as oscillator.
SERVICE DATA The service data for both models 700 and 800 were on CD#3. The 746 seems to have the same chassis as the 700 but the cabinet of the 800 ; the 800 has a push-pull output stage, but the 700 has the tuning indicator sat above the tuning dial.
CURRENT STATE Very tatty cabinet which is delaminating, but fixable. Whilst the cabinet suggests the set was stored in damp conditions, the chassis is in very good condition, with the underneath of the chassis being particularly clean.. The chassis layout diagram pasted to the inside of the cabinet does however match the chassis.

Some of the valves are incorrect, the worst being the Mullard CCH35 that has been substituted for the 6L7 ? Dunno if this is just a valve fitted to the radio just to visually fill a hole, or whether it really is a substitute, but whichever way you look at it the red metalisation around the CCH35 stands out like a sore thumb ! The 6Q7 has also been replaced by a DH63 and the 6C5 by an L63.

The 6K7G is replaced by its smaller 6K7GT version ... this really needs to be replaced by the larger 'G' version, it won't affect the performance but this chassis deserves a full compliment of original large 'G' valves.

The three remaining control knobs, which are wooden, look like they've been chewed and spat out by a bulldog in a particularly bad mood, but there simple design should enable some new replacements to be turned.
WHERE FOUND For £10 of mate Richard who was having a bit of a turf-out.

Upper Chassis View [33K]
Under chassis view [38K]

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THE 1930 RADIO GALLERY		 Last updated
6th May 2002