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Post by Marc on Mar 4, 2010 15:47:59 GMT -5
Hi all.
The past few days I have been looking at our favorite radios of all time.
The Browning and Tram base radios, and wondered what if they had survived
and were still making radios.
What would they be like, still using some tubes, all transistor?
What features, innovations. Would Browning still have a separate transmitter and receiver? Would Tram still have fixed and manual tuning? Freq displays.
I was just wondering.
Your thoughts!!
Marc
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Post by Sniper..Unit 305 on Mar 5, 2010 0:35:06 GMT -5
Tram definitely stayed in there long enough to create an all transistor radio, the D300. I bought mine new without waiting to see what others thought about them. I just had to have the newest Tram out there as soon as it became available, just to go with my other Trams! Needless to say that I am not impressed with the D300, it's no D201 or D201A. I will keep my old tube Trams any day. The D300 sits on my desk, but the D201A gets most of the use out of the Trams with the D201 getting used at least once a month just to make sure all is well with it. Keep those old tubes glowing !!! Sniper
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Post by Marc on Mar 5, 2010 10:45:33 GMT -5
Sniper you are right about the D300 not being up there with the 201 radios. But I think that radio was a last ditch effort to stay alive. I think if they had not been in big troubles the D300 would have been a whole different radio. possibly a hy-bird similar to the MK4A. Grasping at straws to stay afloat.
By the way what did the D300 sell for new??
Marc
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss 
Posts: 6,250 
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Post by Sandbagger on Mar 5, 2010 11:39:51 GMT -5
Hi all. The past few days I have been looking at our favorite radios of all time. The Browning and Tram base radios, and wondered what if they had survived and were still making radios. What would they be like, still using some tubes, all transistor? What features, innovations. Would Browning still have a separate transmitter and receiver? Would Tram still have fixed and manual tuning? Freq displays. I was just wondering. Your thoughts!! Marc Well, the first rule of any business is to make money. In today's market environment, that would mean that they would have to radically alter their old manufacturing processes and designs. Since tubes are no longer made in the US, they have become prohibitively expensive, so any new designs that Browning or Tram would be producing, would no doubt be solid state. Also point to point wiring is labor intensive and also expensive, so they would adopt PC boards with minimal wiring. Lastly, they would most likely to succumb to competitive pressure and would be outsourcing manufacturing to 3rd world countries, like most other brands. The result? Radios which are probably no better than the current crop. If you doubt this look at Tram's last hurrah, the D-300. It's basically a Cobra 142 in a different case. On the other hand, if these companies sensed a market among "premium vintage radio" users, they might make a "retro" radio built using the old designs, updated for 40 channels and FCC requirements. But if so, be prepared for a huge hit in the wallet. You simply can't make a hand wired tube radio in the U.S. and expect it to be price competitive. It is nice to dream though........ |
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Post by Marc on Mar 5, 2010 12:05:15 GMT -5
I think you are right Sandbager. Prob along the lines of the 2980wx but in a FCC legal form with a Retro modern case.
Maybe with some nice wood and a small LCD function screen.
Marc
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Post by Sniper..Unit 305 on Mar 6, 2010 0:02:03 GMT -5
Sniper you are right about the D300 not being up there with the 201 radios. But I think that radio was a last ditch effort to stay alive. I think if they had not been in big troubles the D300 would have been a whole different radio. possibly a hy-bird similar to the MK4A. Grasping at straws to stay afloat. By the way what did the D300 sell for new?? Marc Marc I believe I paid close to $450.00 for the radio and also got another D104 (amplified base) to go along with it. I bought all my Trams from the same dealer so this was my third Tram. The dealer was NOT keen on the D300 but NOOOOO...I HAD to have it. It has been one of the least used radios that I own. Sniper |
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Apr 5, 2010 21:45:17 GMT -5
Nice job on the Tram. And that's a nice Browning as well.
Love to see those old classics being given the attention they deserve......
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Post by cbrown on Apr 6, 2010 8:23:02 GMT -5
I love working with black walnut, I've been making some nice tabletops out of that wood. Good job on the panels.  |
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