**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss 
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Jul 16, 2007 10:43:32 GMT -5
Had a guy e-mail me the other week about a Gemtronics GTX-5000 he wanted to get rid of and I decided to buy it. Man this radio is like new. The face is perfect on it and the case is a strong 9+. Turned it on and the receive is great, audio and output was a little low. I cleaned the relay which was sticking a little, put some tubes in it and BAM this thing works like a charm. I got the bracket with it, hand mic that was never used, and the original box (a little rough)
I have another one of these in rough shape for parts if I ever need them. I bought one of these years ago new and sold it in 1991 (bad mistake) These are really nice radios, man I love these old tubers ;D
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Jul 16, 2007 19:04:13 GMT -5
Sounds like a great rig but I'm not to familiar with them, although I remember the name. Are they 40 or 23 channels, sideband? Don't they look similar to the Lafayettes, Robyns?
Tombstone
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Post by crazybob on Jul 16, 2007 19:09:57 GMT -5
The Gemtronics GTX 5000 is a great classic radio. I sold mine about 5-6 years ago on ebay, and regret that I did.
Any 40 channel tube set is highly desirable, and commands a premium.
On ebay, I see 50 yellow birds for every 1 Gtx 5000. Good luck with it.
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**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Jul 16, 2007 22:28:02 GMT -5
Sounds like a great rig but I'm not to familiar with them, although I remember the name. Are they 40 or 23 channels, sideband? Don't they look similar to the Lafayettes, Robyns? Tombstone  Yeah Bob you don't see as many of these as you do the Robyn T240D. I have owned or still own all of these radios and I will tell you that for some reason I like the Gemtronics the best. I got her singing pretty darn good right now, the locals tell me it sounds awesome ;D
I also own a Kris 23+ that I picked up a few years ago dirt cheap. That one is a talker as well! |
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Jul 17, 2007 4:55:54 GMT -5
Yep, just like a Teaberry only a different color, nice rig.
Tombstone
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250 
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Post by Sandbagger on Jul 17, 2007 6:28:07 GMT -5
Sounds like a great rig but I'm not to familiar with them, although I remember the name. Are they 40 or 23 channels, sideband? Don't they look similar to the Lafayettes, Robyns? Tombstone
I also own a Kris 23+ that I picked up a few years ago dirt cheap. That one is a talker as well!The Kris's, Robyn's, Teaberry's, Gemtronics, and Lafayette Comstat tube rigs are virtually identical electrically. They were made by the same factory in Japan, with only cosmetic and minor circuit differences. I have an original 1965 vintage Comstat 25 (With 25 channels) that I got originally 1974. I've had to do some restoration, and some of the crystals are drifting off, but it's still a good rig to listen to. |
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Post by LuckyStrike on Jul 17, 2007 7:45:13 GMT -5
hey sandbagger you hit them all but shakespear. they made a shakespear 740 that was like the yellow robyn. i had one for a few years wish i had it back. i ned to call the guy and do some trading.  Lucky Strike ot740 k0twp |
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Jul 17, 2007 9:42:43 GMT -5
hey sandbagger you hit them all but shakespear. they made a shakespear 740 that was like the yellow robyn. i had one for a few years wish i had it back. i ned to call the guy and do some trading. Lucky Strike ot740 k0twp Yea, I'm sure I missed a couple along the way. It was surprising just how similar alot of the late 60's - early 70's tube rigs really were. |
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**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Jul 17, 2007 9:54:00 GMT -5
It is a 40 channel AM only tube set, looks much like the Teaberry Model T which I also have. Here is a picture of one, I will take some of mine this week and post it!Yeah Bob you don't see as many of these as you do the Robyn T240D. I have owned or still own all of these radios and I will tell you that for some reason I like the Gemtronics the best. I got her singing pretty darn good right now, the locals tell me it sounds awesome ;D
I also own a Kris 23+ that I picked up a few years ago dirt cheap. That one is a talker as well! The Kris's, Robyn's, Teaberry's, Gemtronics, and Lafayette Comstat tube rigs are virtually identical electrically. They were made by the same factory in Japan, with only cosmetic and minor circuit differences. I have an original 1965 vintage Comstat 25 (With 25 channels) that I got originally 1974. I've had to do some restoration, and some of the crystals are drifting off, but it's still a good rig to listen to.  |
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Post by crazybob on Jul 17, 2007 14:15:08 GMT -5
I think tha t I read somewhere that it was Panosonic. The Courier tube sets look similar, but use 37 mhz crystals. The Lafayettes, robyns, gemtronics, etc. use 23 mhz.
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Jul 17, 2007 15:42:16 GMT -5
The Kris's, Robyn's, Teaberry's, Gemtronics, and Lafayette Comstat tube rigs are virtually identical electrically. They were made by the same factory in Japan, with only cosmetic and minor circuit differences. I have an original 1965 vintage Comstat 25 (With 25 channels) that I got originally 1974. I've had to do some restoration, and some of the crystals are drifting off, but it's still a good rig to listen to. I want to say Alps electronics, but I could be thinking of some Radio Shack radios....... |
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Post by crazybob on Jul 17, 2007 17:42:12 GMT -5
I once saw a Colt Midnight Special 40 ch. tube rig that was a dead ringer for the Shakespear.
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Jul 18, 2007 8:48:26 GMT -5
Some assembly line in Japan made them all, that's what I heard, it could well have been Panasonic but I've been known to be wrong before.
Tombstone
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Post by 2600 on Jul 21, 2007 0:25:28 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Does anyone know who the manufacture was of these radios?[/glow]
Panasonic.
73
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**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Jul 21, 2007 1:47:43 GMT -5
For those who answered Panasonic you are correct ;D
Bob you are right about the Colt, there were very few of those made. It will be the next one I like to find!
Terry... Just my luck I found a Shakespeare 740 just yesterday, as a matter fact I am getting it from Crazy Bob's brother-in-law
These radios are very simple, but are really good talkers and the receive is great.
Finding these radios in good shape is not an easy thing. Most of the ones you find have messed up face plates, the insides look like the were in the bottom of a swamp ect...
The Gemtronics that I received this week is in very good shape. The outside of the radio is a strong 9 out of 10, the inside I would give a 10. I can't wait to pick the Shakespeare up on Sunday.
I was done buying radios and sold off a lot of my collection this year. But I really like these radios so if I can find them in this type of shape I will buy as many as I can ;D
The Gemtronics GTX-5000 that I had when I was a kid worked like a charm for many years and I never did a thing to it from the time I bought it in 1979 until I sold it in 1991 (like a fool : . To me these are one of the strongest and reliable radios that I have ever owned. I have owned a lot of Browning and Tram radios over the years and still do, but they also cost me a lot of money to keep them running. I would recommend these Gemtronics, Teaberry, Robyn, Shakespeare type radios to anyone who wants a cheap but strong tube radio!
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Post by crazybob on Jul 21, 2007 10:46:36 GMT -5
All of the "Panasonic" rigs were built very rugged. They had to be because they were used in mobiles a lot.
My first mobile rig (1973) was a brand new Lafayette Comstat 25B. I mounted under the dash of my '65 Ford Econoline "hippie" van. I had a M-125 A/S antenna on top, and a D&A Scorpian tube linear behind the seat.
The Comstat had a 6BQ5 modulation tube in it. The same tube that you will find in a Browning Golden Eagle Mark III.
I love the "stand-by" function on the Comstat. I wish that Browning had put it on their tube rigs. The Browning receiver gets pretty hot. It already has a "mute" function. Why not put a "stand-by" switch on it? It shoud be easy to do?
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Post by 238 on Jul 26, 2007 21:18:25 GMT -5
here is my 740 p  |
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Jul 26, 2007 21:25:00 GMT -5
here is my 740 p Yep, the layout is similar to the other Panasonic made tube rigs. It's a pretty obvious giveaway...... |
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Post by crazybob on Jul 26, 2007 22:14:11 GMT -5
Here's a Colt Midnight Special from ebay.  |
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Post by glassmountain on May 28, 2009 15:57:18 GMT -5
Dose anyone have power plug wiring diagram for the Gemtronics GTX 5000? gemitt@gmail.com
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Post by dgtr43 on Jun 6, 2009 18:48:09 GMT -5
Does anyone have or can locate me an AC cord for a Teaberry Model T Tube Rig?
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**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Jun 6, 2009 21:16:44 GMT -5
I sent you a private message!
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Post by zman on Jun 10, 2012 10:59:02 GMT -5
Grumpy expect a PM for me as well...
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. To me these are one of the strongest and reliable radios that I have ever owned. I have owned a lot of Browning and Tram radios over the years and still do, but they also cost me a lot of money to keep them running. I would recommend these Gemtronics, Teaberry, Robyn, Shakespeare type radios to anyone who wants a cheap but strong tube radio!
