The Zenith H500 Super Trans-Oceanic Portable Radio

[@marketingmixture]

This is one of the best videos made on KZbin - well done

[@turkey0165]

Very informative and excellent video on the Zenith 500 radio! I am very glad that there are people with your knowledge and your skill and your desire to restore maintain classic antique radios like this! Thank you!

[@agustinsilva9206]

I am Agustin, 73 years, from México. Jeff, I was delighted to see this video. Congratulations on your care to restore this beauty. I'm green with envy when I see your workshop. Gracias y saludos

[@aperraokoala]

Good evening. Thanks for the very informative video. It helped me to make the decision to buy this exact radio from a lady not far from my home. After watched the video I went for a technical test and I realize the radio is in brand new condition and it had only one single owner, grandfather of this lady. I arrived home with the radio just one hr ago and so exited to place it in my family room. It will be, for sure, a great fun at night hrs trying to catch radio stations from far away. Again, thanks for the great video! Ivan from Canada.

[@Zapheteroped]

I've had one of these for almost 20 years. I took a stab at getting it restored but couldn't find anyone local that could restore it. I put it on the closet shelf and almost forgot about it 17 years ago. I hoped for good repair videos and this video and RW's restoration video series now enlighten us. Time to get on it. Thank you for this video!

[@Rottingboards]

Did you get it up and running?

[@Zapheteroped]

@@Rottingboards Not yet - had a small case of cancer interrupt my best laid plans. Still recovering from chemo and radio and surgery. But, I saw a newer model for sale locally and so cheap too...less than the cost of parts to repair my old one. Kimda torn between the two but the old one IS way cooler.

[@Rottingboards]

@@Zapheteroped Good luck with your recovery. And good luck with your choice. :-)

[@SUGA_-my7pi]

1972년...

[@stephenhall6595]

I am from the UK but love seeing these sets on You Tube. They look so Well Built.

[@kennyhowell1537]

Hello, I see it's been a couple of years since the last comment, so I hope you are still checking. I want to say this was one of the most informative videos I've seen on KZbin very professional. Thanks for making and sharing! I have just recently become aware of the "Trans-Oceanic and I'm now looking to get one. I think I would like the L600 model because I'm also a L600 1954 model and I think it would be cool to have one that came out about the same time I came out. I'm also a not so active HAM. CHEERS, Kenny

[@jeffreyzakai6164]

sorry to be so offtopic but does someone know of a method to get back into an instagram account?? I stupidly lost my password. I love any tricks you can offer me

[@jesusluca6831]

@Jeffrey Zakai Instablaster ;)

[@jeffreyzakai6164]

@Jesus Luca thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and I'm in the hacking process atm. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@jeffreyzakai6164]

@Jesus Luca It did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much, you really help me out !

[@jesusluca6831]

@Jeffrey Zakai Glad I could help :D

[@michaeldavidheit]

I have a Transoceanic I bought off of Ebay several years ago. After some minor re-capping and replacement of all the tubes I now have it working. My next effort will be in obtaining a after market battery box and use rechargeable batteries in it to complete the rebuild. I have the original factory users manual that was in the radio when I bought it and a reproduction schematic. I have all the original tubes and plan to have them modified into solid state tubes so I can have an extra set. This is a great video sir, well done and informative. Thank you very much for posting it.

[@joerotman5214]

Jeff, this is a very well done synopsis of the Zenith TO series and the H500 in particular. Thank you for creating it!

[@shubhankarnath9364]

Yes, Jeff ! thanks for the video! nice one

[@robbob6629]

just had one gifted to me from my best friend! cant wait to spend some time with her... i de-oxited all the switches and dials... im going to love this..

[@Jefflantern483]

I remember my parents had this exact radio when I was a young kid in the very late 60’s & very early 1970’s! As my dad got the exact radio second hand & got it working & we listened to lots of good tunes through the radio! Man great memories!!🙂🙂

[@earlevans3851]

Awesome video - very informative. This radio was my main shortwave SWL rig for a long time. Nice to see one in action again. Thanks!

[@Alkahlout]

I love how thorough you are with this. I had 0 knowledge about this radio or any radio tbh. I found this radio in excellent working condition at a garage sale and bought it for $20. I wasnt sure how to use it, but now I am fully informed

[@NisarAhmad-jr6ol]

Jeff....excellent video about H-500. I own 5 of them. Two working and 3 needs repairs but seem to be complete.

[@BJun-iq4xx]

나....나레이션 양반?!

[@michaelreece458]

Beautiful radio and presentation.

[@marketingmixture]

A very well produced video - thanks

[@lawrencelederer5060]

Just received two of these for repair from a fellow HAM. One was the older version 8G005YT and the other looks like your H500. Glad to get some good insight to these radio's as they have many features not seen in the typical All-American 5's from that era. I have worked on a Philco 41-90 "farm radio" so I am familiar with radios that require 90V and 1-1/2V batteries. I think you have a great channel and really have enjoyed your videos on Heathkit items as I have restored a few.

[@dannyshortwave]

I just purchased this radio and I really enjoyed your video and presentation. Thank you.

[@garymckee8857]

I have always wanted one of those. Zenith manufactured a quality product.

[@THOMMGB]

Thanks so much for all the information in this video. I just bought an H500 today for a great price at my radio club swap meet. It was stored in a garage for many years and was really dirty. It was all there except for missing the knobs. Sigh...

[@kevingourley4210]

Thank you for this well produced video.I have an H500 and it is one of my favorite old radios.

[@DennisMurphey]

i just found my 1st SW Radio the H 500 similar to this one what a great introduction to the radio wonderful reading thank you.

[@marknorenberg990]

JUST GREAT | Thanks For Posting

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

several years ago I saw what looked like a little old black suitcase in a trash pile at the dump! it is not permitted to dig thru and take away things at the dump in my city but i couldnt help myself and quickly just swept it up and tossed it into my truck before I left. I opened it when I got home to find that it was an old radio and in very nice condition cosmetically, It didn't work but I cleaned it up and have had it on display ever since because it is such a good looking thing. I have a 1953 version of this model ,it has all the vacuum tubes and everything is in extremely good condition,does not look like it was really ever used, no cosmetic restoration is necessary on this one in my opinion. I would love to hear it working one day though, when I plug it in simply nothing happens at all, I notice it gets a little warm right there the power cable goes in to the chaises but nothing happens.I dont want to ruin it by trying to take it a part when I do not have adequate knowledge to really be doing that, if anyone knows of a radio repair place for old radios like this that I could ship it out to to have it repaired I would be very happy for that information!!! and happy to pay to have it sorted out.its just such a good looking thing, id love to be able to have it functional.

[@carfonju1018]

wonderful, when i was a boy (in the 60's) my dream is buy one of these

[@roughchippy]

This is an absolutely brilliant video, very informative, on a truly great radio......I got one today !! and so it was very interesting watching your video, thank you, I might get round to restoring mine, as it would seem worth it, best regards from the UK.

[@nortization]

I have one of these It still works after all these years. It still has the spare tubes, but i am missing the wave magnet lead

[@7c3c72602f7054696b]

Very cool...I have a bid on one and can't wait to get it!

[@coctailer]

Excellent video!! I just bought a 1952 model. Just starting my research on restoring it. :-)

[@톰캣-f6n]

1972년 11월 21일...... 김두한은 쓰러졌다. BEUNG☆SHIN☆SE☆KI

[@murrij]

Great video. I'm envious at the condition of this restored radio. I have two just like this one (hopefully both will be restored, if not one will be for parts) and the first Transoceanic model ever produced which is for sure a parts radio.

[@enserfud]

Awesome video and history :) I have two of these that used to work power supply popped around 10 years ago and my longest procrastinating project. They both need restoration all original components still. I just need to get started. I like how nice and neat yours looks. I need to get a photo facts book as my guide and replacement parts. Also like the info in the 1L6 as I only have one I had to share between the two radios when I listened to them Going to check out that solid state one you mentioned.

[@jimlanigan7298]

Great video. Thanks for posting

[@barberjeff67]

My grandfather gave my an identical radio years ago. I was told that the original caps could catch fire and I sold it. I ended up finding a R7000Y in mint condition.

[@1L6E6VHF]

Another battery option, that I use: Six size D and sixty size AA. The D (filament) batteries need to be replaced more frequently than the AA. I find that I'm usually running mine on batteries. Where one would find an AC outlet, one will find 21st century RF noise 😟

[@richardweinberger2756]

Great video. Very helpful.

[@scharkalvin]

Note in the video that the 1L6 socket is mounted in a larger hole than the other tubes. That socket hole was actually punched to fit an 8 pin Locktal socket for the type 1LA6 which is electrically identical to the 1L6. When this radio was under development the 1L6 was not yet available, and the first prototypes were built using the 1LA6. When the 1L6 became available, they still had a large number of chassis that had been punched for the larger tube, so they used them with a custom 7 pin socket that had a larger phenolic wafer. It is possible to remove the 7 pin socket and replace it with a Locktal socket and then rewire the radio to use the readily available 1LA6 tube. The 1LA6 will perform exactly like the 1L6, however a slight realignment of the radio might be required. The 1LA6 is a better sub than the 1R5. There are a few other tube types that can replace the 1L6 that will just plug in, these are lower current versions of the 1L6, and will require the addition of a resistor across the filament pins. These subs are not much less rare than the 1L6 however. The spare tube clips are probably intended for military versions of the set.

[@KennethScharf]

Note that the hole for the 1L6 socket is larger than the tube. This model was the first TO using miniature tubes and when it was first being designed the 1L6 did not yet exist, so the chassis was punched to accept a 1LA6 tube. Until the first batch of punched chassis were used up they simply used a 7 pin socket with a larger wafer at that position. This means that it is possible to replace the socket with a Loktal one to rewire the radio for the 1LA6 if the 1L6 cannot be found. This will require realigning the radio.

[@micjam1986]

I have to tell you.. one of the best informative videos ever made. My dad had one in our basement .. as a kid id always wonder what it was. Thanks so much for posting this video. 👍 Can you say which version was the best model?

[@dalegoodman9779]

Awesome video. I just bought a black 600 and a leather 600L. Both in mint working condition. No battery packs though. I am wondering if you could flip me a link to where you purchased your battery pack on Ebay. I am a fellow Canadian. Cheers!

[@jefftranter]

Unfortunately it was from a seller on eBay that is no longer producing them and I have not been able to find any other sources for a similar battery pack.

[@dalegoodman9779]

@@jefftranter too bad! Thanks for replying!

[@andyfritchen6409]

Nicely done. Thank you.

[@astrorad2000]

Excellent...Thanx for posting

[@ne2i]

Have a few of these Just missing the clipper and Id have a complete set.

[@animalcorvair]

i have the bomber one

[@dreamfail5299]

1972년 11월 21일 46주년

[@raimundomoura3384]

Excelente!

[@sergiomanon468]

Hello!! Can you tell me how adjust each band? I mean, with secrew driver on back side of the black buttons. I hope you can help me. Thank you!!

[@brianbloom1799]

Hi Jeff I want To thank you So Much for Getting Back to me, It worked Great, But I cant seem to Find the 2 wire wound filament 950 ohm Resisters, Do they have to be wire wound, And Sams does not say the watts only for 130 ohm resister, Can I just use regular resister at 950 ohms, Thank you For all your Help You have been the Nicest you tuber that's helped me Brian

[@jefftranter]

The replacement 950 Ohm resistor does not need to be wire wound but it needs to be rated at least 5 Watts or higher. You could use a 1000 ohm resistor. The 130 ohm resistor should also be one rated at 5 Watts or more.

[@brianbloom1799]

@@jefftranter Thank you Merry Christmas

[@1mchartmann]

I have this same radio. My radio has what I believe is a resistor that is blown. On your radio it is the same as mine and is red and sand like in texture on yours it is marked 63-2018. Would you happen to know its value to replace with a new one? Thank you

[@jefftranter]

I believe it is 230 ohms, but it is recommended you replace a number of components in the power supply circuit including the selenium rectifier and new resistors with different values. Look for one of the repair guides on the Internet such as www.renovatedradios.com/articlePages/H500%20Restoration%20Guide.pdf

[@gabyhernandez6981]

Exellent working .

[@brianbloom1799]

Hi Jeff, I'm just starting to fix these old radio's at a old age, I,m working on this same radio, It has the Selenium rectifier, What can I replace with, and some one said a resistor has to also be used, Can you help me with this, Thanks

[@jefftranter]

There are some good resources on the internet. Here are some links: elmphotography.com/radios/ReplaceSR.pdf renovatedradios.com/articlePages/H500RestorationGuide.pdf www.radiomanual.info/schemi/Surplus_Radioamateur/Zenith_Trans-oceanic_500_600_Ideas_and_tips_on%20refurbishing_receivers_2011.pdf

[@brianbloom1799]

@@jefftranter Thank you God Bless

[@danielthomas791]

...excellent video...one of the better looking t-o models....

[@Richard_K1630]

Neato!

[@DE-iv8if]

Maybe I am simply a bit too Young, but "Portable" for a Radio that big, sounds somewhat funny to me... :D

[@nunyabizness199]

DE2017, Older people were much stronger than kids are today...

[@nunyabizness199]

@Piper Mccoy Especially with that giant battery in it 😁

[@javierbiaggi3072]

Can you imagine the un-portables?! Masive works of art.

[@dondesnoo1771]

Thought I'd mention 1r5 will work for 1l6 but ng on some bands I saved my 1l6 as we only use am .I have a good j. Rice brner for sw. Have 3 trans oceani radios. One is xistor. 1r5 a2$ rube.other more than the radio.

[@mbrant4973]

I have one of these that I purchased at an antique store many years ago. It has a set of headphones. Was this a standard option?

[@jefftranter]

A headphone jack is standard but as far as I know Zenith never offered headphones with the radio. A radio store at the time might have done so.

[@maxandmaggie2010]

Thank you

[@XxwhosrightxX]

I just bought one of these restored on ebay and it works great but the telescoping antenna sticks and doesn't extend or retract the entire way. Any ideas? Would some WD40 hurt anything?

[@jefftranter]

WD-40 should be okay to try unfreezing a stuck antenna. Just don't use it to clean any of the electrical controls or switches.

[@XxwhosrightxX]

+Jeff Tranter Ok, thanks! By the way, the knobs are starting to strip inside so do you have any suggestions such as after market ones or even good originals?

[@jefftranter]

You can find original knobs from time to time on eBay. I also found this source but have not seen them: www.alanjesperson.com/shop/reproduction-parts/

[@XxwhosrightxX]

+Jeff Tranter Thanks!

[@freddarling2465]

XxwhosrightxX

[@nor4277]

Well done

[@kahledavis3288]

My girlfriend just gave me one of these as a gift. It's the same model as shown in the video. I am a sound engineer by trade, but I don't know much about tube radios. Mine only has four of the five tubes. It is currently getting no power. No sound is made when you turn on the switch, and none of the four present tubes glow. Is it reasonable for me to think that perhaps getting a new tube will make it work? Or does it sound like more the problem that yours had they kept it from working initially?

[@jefftranter]

The tube heaters are in series so it will definitely need all tubes present to work. It may have other problems as well, such as the selenium rectifier. There are some good articles on restoring the H500 on the internet.

[@mi_youtube_novela7986]

I have 2 of these radios. I inherited from my Dad. If anyone is interested in purchasing let me know..

[@365amores9]

Price please

[@jayamneel3403]

Price please.

[@Aru_Kim1972]

나레이션이당

[@unicity564]

나레이션 : 야 김애니

[@Rev22-21]

Jeff: I have one of these radios minus the battery and even has the original tubes. Everything LOOKS BRAND NEW, but the insulation on the wires are crumbling. Any idea of where a schematic can be found, would a slow start up be recommended and are recap & resistor usual for these sets? I don't want to harm this set ****its spent the last 40 years in a closet ****and like i said ***********LOOKS BRAND NEW.

[@jefftranter]

Recapping the electrolytic and paper caps is recommended as well as replacing any out of spec resistors, if you are up to it. For schematics, try bama.edebris.com/manuals/zenith/h500 and www.rsp-italy.it/Electronics/Radio%20Schematics/Zenith/_contents/Zenith%20H500.pdf

[@marianotrujillo8988]

Belleza de radio donde esta 😮

[@marianotrujillo8988]

M3 encanta esa radio

[@GoneAt88]

Great video. Do you know the model year of the radio? Thx

[@jefftranter]

I don't know the exact year. It could be any time from 1951 through 1953, the period over which this model was made.

[@jayocular]

Is there a light for the dials or face?

[@jefftranter]

No. Some later Trans-Oceanic models did.

[@танк-и-ста]

1972Y 11M 21D

[@진짬뽕]

📻

[@luisantoniomarrega1120]

Muito bom este receptor! Rio de Janeiro RJ Brasil

[@marceloovg1873]

Sir: Thanks for your great video. My dad inherited one of these old radios from my grandpa and it was in pretty bad unusable condition, I had it electronically and cosmetically restored to mint condition by an expert, Tom Johnson from Mckinney TX. I would like to know if you have tested aftermarket or home made SW antennas to better the capacity and quality of the stock telescoping rod antenna. Best regards

[@jefftranter]

+Dr. Marcelo Oswaldo Vaquera I have used an external long wire antenna and that will certainly improve performance in most cases.

[@JOHNNYWADTON]

+Jeff Tranter would You please recommend one for me? Thank you !

[@jefftranter]

+JOHNNYWADTON The simplest would be a long wire antenna - simply a length of wire, the longer the better, connected to the antenna screw terminal on the radio. Ideally you want it to be outside, but even indoors will work. Make sure it is insulated and doesn't short to anything that is grounded or go near a power line.

[@marceloovg1873]

thank you sir. I actually ended up buying a "magic wand" external SW antenna on ebay.

[@eliasleyva547]

Nice!

[@donalddesnoo5303]

Can sub 1r5 for 1l6 cheaper weak pn hf.

[@Wyowanderer]

IO have a full size copy of the schematic for this radio if you'd like one.

[@JuneKim-l2v]

1972?

[@giovannicultrera]

Actualmemnte, ¿tiene alguna radio H500 ó Y600- o similar EN VENTA ? RESTAURADA A SU ESTILO?? saludos giovanni cultrera

[@jefftranter]

+Giovanni Cultrera No, I don't currently have any for sale. No, no tiene actualmente ninguna de vender.

[@giovannicultrera]

+Jeff Tranter habrá, ahora, posibilidad de una transoceanic en venta... Saludos, giovanni

[@kristalgamez6013]

Yo tengo uno :)

[@Goodmantro]

시체로 결★정

[@leannmeixner8073]

Jeff the H500 was not "the most popular model in the series" . That one was an temporary model for only two years (1951-53) as they prepared for the slide rule models of the 600 series that was introduced with the L600 in 1954 (brought out in later 1953). The 600 series was updated several times , there was a T600, R600, A600 and B600. In total these way outsold the H500. If you are going by collector desirability, then the first one (7G605 in 1942) or the Military versions would top the H500 easily. Nice video, otherwise.. do more ! Mark Oppat

[@unicity564]

SBS Yainsidae nareition radio

[@진짬뽕]

1972..

[@mariovillalon1088]

Nice radio no??? Have one for sale.... Like it??? Just write me.... Hugs....

[@bongsim39]

이보시오 이보시오 나레이션 양반!! 왜 거기있는거요?

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

Hi Jeff I have a question for you.. Can I ?

[@jefftranter]

Feel free to ask.

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

@@jefftranter thanks Jeff, I have a technical question.. Is it possible to get rid or eliminate - totally - the interferences and obstructions from the vintage antique radios broadcasting because most of the highly repaired and restored vintage antique radios I did see on KZbin videos , the boaring interferences are heard during the broadcasting process , which is very uncomfortable and noisy zzz zzz , so how to eliminate these interferences from the broadcast signals !

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

@@jefftranter so, is it possible or difficult to . . ?

[@jefftranter]

@@makyhsmakyhs6766 Using an external antenna will produce much better results than a built-in antenna or a short wire inside a house. That being said, the shortwave bands tend to have natural and man-made noise and this has gotten worse in recent times due to the presence of all the electronics in most homes today.

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

@@jefftranter thanks Jeff for the valuable information !

[@sikderoldradioandelcteonics]

👍

[@marianotrujillo8988]

Soy un apasionado por estas radios. Comuniquese conmigo y tratamos precios

[@Enfermito]

그랬다.

[@johnfalstaff2270]

Isn't it sad that everything now is made in China and Korea?

[@Kennynva]

Why was, or is the 1L6 tube so much money???

[@jefftranter]

Few of them were made, so they are quite rare. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1L6

[@kevingourley4210]

It is a very fickle tube.Radio shack used to sell improved versions of the 1L6, but alas there is no more Radio Shack.One good option is to buy the solid state version which has the necessary components stuffed into a glass tube.I bought one, and the results are terrific.

[@nunyabizness199]

Kevin Gourley Where did you find that ??

[@oregonwinger64]

@@nunyabizness199 www.ebay.com/itm/1L6-Solid-State-Replacement-Tube-in-Glass-Trans-Oceanic/123734389872?hash=item1ccf24f470:g:X3oAAOSwLg5bbNbc

[@oregonwinger64]

I can attest to how well this "tube" works. A marvel !

[@ThisChannelisClosed469]

this radio is one of korean popular meme

[@evelk5233]

The Commander

[@munibshah1548]

No radio transistor is better than zenith.

[@carbohydra]

빰 빠바밤 빰빰빰 1972년 11월 21일...

[@unicity564]

김두한은 오랜 고혈압으로 쓰러졌다

[@torugonza]

HELLO ! TURN ON THE RADIO AND AUDIO OUT OF IMMEDIATE. A TRANSISTOR RECEIVER SEEMS. ALSO I THINK IT'S ERATHER INSENSIBLE......

[@garuruwolf6612]

이보슈! 이보슈! 나레이션 양반!!!

[@Dhjlkdhn1123]

NARRATION MAN - Rustic Period

[@진짬뽕]

1972/11/21

[@haydenahn8776]

1972년 11월 21일.....

[@라디오양반]

Narration Yang-Ban

[@kgu15819]

나레이션양반!

[@josephstalin4406]

_나레이션 양반!_

[@rogervalverde9933]

Amigo esta radio posse FM

[@jefftranter]

Não tem FM.