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1954 Zenith Transoceanic-Model L600
$139.95 "Black Stag" Version with the "New" Slide Rule Dial
This Transoceanic Radio was a gift from Mrs.Jean Breeden. It was given to her by her late husband in 1954. In 1996 It required only minor cleaning, adjustment and one tube to get working after sitting for many years in their Northern California basement. It is now visiting WB6FZH/KH6 in Hawaii.
The Model 600 was introduced in 1954 and was also availiable covered in "genuine cowhide" for an additional $20.00($159.95). This was the first year that the horizontal slide rule dial was introduced. There were 6 versions of this radio with only cosmetic and one minor power supply difference between them.
FEATURES
- Dial Light- A spring-loaded switch controlled a separate 1.5 volt battery
- Power Cord- Spring return take-up reel type
- Indicator Tag on Volume Control- ON/OFF was easier to determine
- Log Book- Reintroduced from the late 1940s for reference
- "Wavemagnet"-Now smaller, the ferrite bar antenna loop was removable
- Truly Portable- AC/DC or Battery operation
- Rugged Construction- Plywood cabinet and steel chassis
- "Last American Made" Tube Type Portable manufactured in USA
- This model was first-offered in May, 1954 and closed out in 1962.
- "Voltamatic" Regulator (AC Ballast Device)
- "Radiorgan"Tone Control for 16 different tonal combinations
- "Intenational" Tuning Dial with standard broadcast bands
- "Tropically" Treated against humidity
- Telescoping Antenna built-in
- 7 Bands-AM Broadcast Band, 4-9mc, 2-4mc, 16, 19, 25 and 31 meter bands
NOTE: The Hallicrafters Corporation introduced their TW-1000 radio that had the same tube compliment of earlier transoceanics, and a slide rule dial in 1953. Later, the same year, RCA introduced the "Stratosphere" another transoceanic look-alike. The Transoceanics were an out-growth of the Zenith "Clipper" that was coming off the assembly line about the time that the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, HI. It was reconfigured into a military portable and brought entertainment and information to all parts of the world.
Greg's Transoceanic Recollections
The Zenith Transoceanic was always a special radio to me. I had seen one in a relative's home and it seemed to be very complicated in appearance. I remember reading the names of distant places on the dial, and wondering if I would ever hear such places. It was demonstrated and I was amazed to hear voices from far away. Years later, when I was around 10 years old I built my first AM/Shortwave Radio Kit. Short-Wave Listening and later Ham Radio would fill my life with radio.
I encountered broken Transoceanics from time to time, but none complete enough to repair until the late 1960s when I purchased one used at a Marin Amateur Radio Club auction. It worked, and I remembered the complicated radio that seems very simple now. Eventually, that radio was traded away, and a transistor Shortwave Radio took it's place. It did not sound or work as well. Years passed, and in the 70s I found a post WW2 model of the Transoceanic. It was the first post-war production and used "Loctal" tubes rather than the 7 pin miniatures in the model 600s. I still works and with a few spare tubes is stored in N. CA, awaiting the next time I un-box it and listen to it more than 50 years after it was built. (Last listened to 1997)
Last Updated: 11/21/97
