Compass LW/MW/MB/FM/VHF Multiband Radio AA8
Academy; where?
- Country
- Hong Kong
- Manufacturer / Brand
- Academy; where?
- Year
- 1978 ??
- Category
- Broadcast Receiver - or past WW2 Tuner
- Radiomuseum.org ID
- 214493
As received. Fabric coming loose.
"compass rose" is a time zone "calculator".
Uses 4 x "D" cells. Holder on a PP3 clip.
- Number of Transistors
- 18
- Semiconductors
- Main principle
- Superheterodyne (common); ZF/IF 455/? kHz
- Wave bands
- Broadcast, Long Wave, Short Wave plus FM or UHF.
- Power type and voltage
- Line / Batteries (any type) / 240 / 4 x 1.5 Volt
- Loudspeaker
- Permanent Magnet Dynamic (PDyn) Loudspeaker (moving coil) / Ø 10 cm = 3.9 inch
- Material
- Various materials
- from Radiomuseum.org
- Model: Compass LW/MW/MB/FM/VHF Multiband Radio AA8 - Academy; where?
- Dimensions (WHD)
- 330 x 255 x 115 mm / 13 x 10 x 4.5 inch
- Notes
- Case is a mix of plastic, aluminium trim on plastic and "leatherette" over hardboard.
Five Wavebands shown as nine scales plus a log scale on the dial
LW: 150 ... 300 KHz
MW: 540 ... 1600 KHz
MB: 1.6 ... 4.4 MHz (Marine/Trawler/Ham)
FM: 88 ... 108 MHz
VHF: 108 ... 175 MHz (Air, Ham, Marine)
4 x D cells in holder via PP3 style clip. Captive Mains lead supposed to fit inside compartment (possible on US version or European plug) but UK/Ireland plug too large. Likely 110V version has different mains transformer as internal rear cover has a red 220V 50Hz sticker. Outer rear cover states 240V 50Hz. Internal fuses on primary and secondary.
Two telescopic whips (VHF and MB are separate).
Two Ferrite Rods (one triple coil, and shorter rod with single coil). Also two separate sets of polycon tuning units on PCB, yet single dial!
Squelch control
World Time Zone map with time calculator disc disguised as a compass rose.
A 3.5mm earphone jack socket, no aerial or power sockets
All silicon transistors, no ICs, transformer phase splitter and transformer audio push pull output. Made in Hong-Kong.
- Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg)
- 2.5 kg / 5 lb 8.1 oz (5.507 lb)
- Author
- Model page created by Michael Watterson. See "Data change" for further contributors.
- Other Models
-
Here you find 17 models, 17 with images and 0 with schematics for wireless sets etc. In French: TSF for Télégraphie sans fil.
All listed radios etc. from Academy; where?
Collections
The model Compass LW/MW/MB/FM/VHF Multiband Radio is part of the collections of the following members.
Forum contributions about this model: Academy; where?: Compass LW/MW/MB/FM/VHF Multiband Radio AA8
Threads: 1 | Posts: 2
Hong Kong & Asian sets generally are often sold by many companies. "Badge Engineering". In 2012 many well known brands of UK set-box for TV are actually made by Turkish Vestel. Many brands of TV in UK and Ireland were actually Turkish Beko.
Here a Binatone that is obiviously the same chassis as the Academy Compass
Binatone Worldstar MW/MB/LW/FM/VHF
Similar Models were sold as Oscar and "Silver Space".
There is of course a "styling" nod at the last expensive Zenith World Radio, the uncompetitve 7000 series. (Sony & Grundig had Digital displays and other features).
These are not of course great performance radio sets, but slightly better than the MW only Hong Kong transistor set and benefiting from the larger cabinet, ferrite rod and loudspeaker.
An Ebay seller claims the Binatone Worldstar is 1975. It has the exact same bands and controls.
A feature not mentioned in the "notes" is that the Tuning cursor has an LED with brightness controlled by signal level as tuning indicator.
Michael Watterson, 25.Mar.12