The 2009 AWA Conference
Theme: Kit Radios
by Geoffrey Bourne and Chris Bacon
Contest Coordinators
The theme of this year's conference and contest is Kit Radios.
Through the years there have been many makers of kits for the hobbyist and the experimenter.
•THEME DISPLAY CATEGORIES•
1. THE 1920S
Many companies made their radios in kit form for assembly by the purchasers. Companies like Leutz, Fried Eisemann, Pacific Radio and many others. So bring in a nice example.
2. THE 1930S AND 1940S
Companies like RCA, NRI, Capital Radio, Deforest Institutes, and Allied Radio made kits for learning and enjoyment. Enter them here.
3. THE 1950S AND 1960S
Gray Mark, Allied, Lafeyette, Eico, Radio Shack and many others. Bring in a nice example.
4. HEATHKIT--ALL YEARS
A. Test Equipment
B. Amateur Equipment
C. High Fidelity Equuipment
D. All Other Products
• THE STANDARD RECEIVER CATEGORIES •
5. PASSIVE RECEIVERS
Any detecting device, not including vacuum tubes or solid state amplifying devices whose purpose is to convert radio energy into intelligible signals.
6. 1920s SUPERHET RECEIVERS
Any 1920s receiver that employs the superheterodyne circuit can be entered here.
7. 1920s TUNED RF RECEIVERS
During the 1920s the TRF was one of the most widely produced sets on the market. It was available in kit form, factory assembled or to be built from scratch from plans in a magazine. This is where you would enter a Freshman Masterpiece, an AK 20 and so on.
8. 1920s REGENERATIVE AND REFLEXED RECEIVERS
Manufacturers employed different circuits to improve the receiving capabilities of their radios. The regen and reflex are among the many that were used. Bring in a fine example of this type of radio.
9. 1930s AND 1940s CATHEDRALS, TOMBSTONES AND CONSOLES
These are probably the most recognized types of antique radios around. Just about everyone remembers someone in their family having one of them. So bring in that Philco 90 or any other cathedral, tombstone or console. We will split the category if enough entries show up.
10. RADIOS IN DISGUISE
Entries here can range from an end table radio to a lamp radio.
There are many different styles and variations. Some fine examples would be a Porto Bar Radio, Melody Cruiser ship radio, or any radio made to look like something else.
11. PORTABLE RADIOS
Any battery-operated portable radio may be entered in this category. We may split the category into decades so a transistor set does not compete with a 1920s tube set. So bring in anything from an early portable radio from the twenties to a Zenith Transoceanic from the fifties or sixties.
12. SPEAKERS
A. HORN Any sound reproduction device can be entered here as long as it employs a horn or bell for sound amplification.
B. CONE When radio sets obtained greater power output levels the magnetic speaker unit was designed with large surface areas for better sound reproduction. There are many fine examples of this type of speaker, i.e. Tower Adventurer, Western Electric, or . . .
13. TEST EQUIPMENT
There were many makers of test gear. A short list would include Supreme, Superior, Hickok, Weston, Read-Rite, General Radio, Simpson, Rider, RCA, and too many others to list. So surprise us, bring in the unusual or the common..
14. TUBES
In this category you can display a single tube or a collection. There should be a common theme for your display, such as historical significance, technological breakthrough, etc. The display should tell a story.
15. TELEVISION
A. MECHANICAL Bring in a scanning disk or a mirror screw set. It can be original or a modern replica.
B. ELECTRONIC Enter any television set. Can be black and white or color. Kit or factory.
• THE AMATEUR RADIO CATEGORIES •
16. SPARK TRANSMITTERS AND ARTIFACTS
Do not hesitate to enter a major piece of spark equipment if you think it is rare or historically significant.
17. VACUUM TUBE TRANSMITTERS AND RECEIVERS
A. HOMEBREW
B. COMMERCIAL
Some of the sets for this class are old, some not so old, most home-built. While the predominant entries have been amateur-constructed, commercial equipment is welcome. This year we are going to split the category in two.
• THE CRAFTSMAN CATEGORIES •
18. RESTORATION OF APPEARANCE
The purpose of this category is to display examples of rebuilding and refinishing the cabinets and containers that were used to house radio receivers. There is no requirement for a particular kind or size of set to be entered. A description of the work done will be considered an important part of the entry. The critical element is the appearance of the radio, including woodwork, escutcheons, dials, knobs and other visual details.
19. RESTORATION OF OPERATION
This is the category for those craftsmen who artfully substitute modern components for old failures. The new electrolytic in the old can is an excellent example. Another is the transistorized tube. Perhaps the replacement of pot-metal parts by silver-gray-colored epoxy castings has been accomplished by one of us. If so, please bring in the set that incorporates that restoration. An entry should be accompanied by documentation showing the basis of the update that preserves the quality of the original.
20. NEW OR REBUILT
We encourage entries that show the conference attendees how substitutions and reconstructions would provide vital parts or pieces. We also encourage craftsmen who had made an old function come alive again to bring their work for review. Do you remember the reconstructed Federal receiver that was entered several years ago and the operating Marconi coherer detector from the year before last? We want to continue that tradition so bring in your retrospective designs and reconstructions. There is no requirement for particular devices or circuits.
21. OPEN CATEGORY
Every year someone shows up with an entry that does not fit on of the categories. This is the place to enter your item.
• THE CONTEST AWARDS •
In addition to the prizes ranking winners in each contest category, there are five special prizes to be awarded to outstanding entries as follows:
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