Vintage Shortwave: Nordmende Globetraveler II

[@jonizornes5286]

Can you imagine being in West Germany in the 60's and 70's? They were smack dab in the middle of the shortwave broadcast universe, in those days! I was in West Virginia at that time and shortwave was absolutely fascinating, listening to the outside world.

[@larrythompson4263]

I had one of these during college and grad school; 1966-1974. I got it for something more portable, as my main radio was the National NC-183. I was lusting after the Braun T1000CD, but it was almost $1000 in 1964. The Nordemende was a quality alternative. I teamed it up with a reporters Uher portable tape recorder. I took it to a year of school abroad in France then on to 4 years of teaching in the DRC Congo. I was always impressed by the sound and the fidelity of the radio, as the good bookshelf looks with the teak outer case It also was extremely sensitive on all bands. I got some incredible DX with this radio while living in the Congo, including WQRC am from NYC. I gave the radio as a gift to my school principal in the Congo and it is still going strong! He would never have been able to obtain such a radio there in Africa.

[@Luciano1951]

Also note: When the handle is locked in place it still turns freely and doubles as a handle and a stand to raise the front of the radio when it is laid down horizontally.

[@Luciano1951]

IMPORTANT NOTE To the gentleman in this video. "THE HANDLE" is designed to lock in place at the metal posts when you firmly pull handle away from post at each end. Then, when you want to unlock the handle, you just give it a firm tap on each end, in the opposite direction. I had a new one in the 60s.

[@powertopeople1]

i have the globetrotter , the one pictured in the magazine. I always found when connect to externerl power there was a bit of a hum.Thought i d pull it out and give it a test but the batteries not working ,maybe coresion ,but not visual, may find some to do a repair get it back working ,love to use it as a speaking with the din

[@Luciano1951]

Hi Sir. I picked up another Globetraveler that's in really good physical condition. I cleaned the heck out of all the contacts with Deoxit. Everything works except the short wave spread bands. It's silent with not even contact crackling. Have any ideas?

[@radiotopics1874]

I remember absolutely giving the bandspread switch a bath in deoxit ( not literally but you know what I mean) to get it to even function, similar to what you're experiencing. Keep at it...it's difficult to get at all contacts. Be careful not to damage any of the hair thin wires like I did. I believe the local oscillator transistor is mounted on the bandspread assembly. Check that it's alive by checking voltages on it. This radio was built for manufacturing, not service...particularly on the bandspread assembly. Best of luck getting it going!

[@r0naldzuccala198]

Sorry shortwave did not go on the internet. Yes your point is well taken and your assessment is correct. They always talk about the quality of the old radios. But I find they can't hold a candle to the newer China built receivers. People love to hate the Chinese radios to be very good. Thank you for a good review.

[@joedidit3233]

Chinese radios built by reputable companies can be very good. Especially if they are designed by Non-Chinese companies and built to their specifications. But they are the exception. The junk coming out of China far exceeds the good quality radios. Too many of us have found out the hard way.

[@handsomeclem208]

No BFO for CW & SSB reception?

[@radiotopics1874]

Sadly, not in this radio.

[@videosuperhighway7655]

Found a bunch of new old stock from an old radio shack store warehouse. In sealed boxes what are these things worth? Or just scrap since is shortwave still in use? Typical German over engineered.

[@Luciano1951]

Do you still have any of those?

[@Luciano1951]

I find this very hard to believe.