DKE - Volksempfänger

[Kris]

Everything reinstalled and ready for testing !
And yes, it still work. Looks like i did a good job.
for myself

So that's it. Now i just need to clean up the bakelite case a bit.
I hope you enjoyed this and i hope it was not too technical.

If anyone likes more explanation or want some other pictures, just ask.

Thanks for looking

[Kris]

Heres how it looks now.
I had to find a new knob for the front, one of them had the wrong size and was probably from another Volksempf******228;nger model.

Some facts and figures:
Production period: 1938 to 1944
Price (then): RM 35
Number made: a lot !
See this website for some interesting info : http://www.oldradioworld.de/volks.htm#hints

[Erich B.]

Very good thread! Thanks for the step by step instructions. I have a KVE and also the VE 301 with the eagle's head on front, although the grille cloth is not original on that one. I never tried to restore them, as in southern CA, there's not anything very good to listen to on the radio, but have thought about connecting a small cd player or something to allow III. Reich broadcasts to play through the speaker.
By the way, if the bakelite case is deteriorating, you might try applying mayonaise to it. Sounds weird, but antique dealers use it to brighten up bakelite jewelry.
Erich

[Kris]

Hi Erich,

Thanks for the tips on the bakelite.
I cleaned the outside just with some water now.
I'm still thinking of a way to polish it at bit but not too much.
There are so many sites about bakelite on the internet and all have different tips & tricks.

You want to attach a cd player to a DKE or VE301 ?
I think that will be difficult. The DKE does not have any connections for an external source, for the VE301 i'm not sure. But even when they have like a pick-up in, that would not work with a cd player i think.
Or do you have something else in mind ?
Thanks for the nice comments

Greets,
Kris

[Kris]

Very good thread! Thanks for the step by step instructions. I have a KVE and also the VE 301 with the eagle's head on front, although the grille cloth is not original on that one. I never tried to restore them, as in southern CA, there's not anything very good to listen to on the radio, but have thought about connecting a small cd player or something to allow III. Reich broadcasts to play through the speaker.
By the way, if the bakelite case is deteriorating, you might try applying mayonaise to it. Sounds weird, but antique dealers use it to brighten up bakelite jewelry.
Erich

I understand now, you just want to use the speaker ?
Maybe that will work yes.

[Luc]

waauww.. very nice!!

[Erich B.]

Yes, using the speaker only. But, it would probably be better to find an empty or incomplete exampled with the case in good condition, and just add a new speaker for the player.
Erich

[junior]

Beautiful Kris!

Junior

[Kris]

Yes, using the speaker only. But, it would probably be better to find an empty or incomplete exampled with the case in good condition, and just add a new speaker for the player.
Erich

Hi Erich,

I agree, that would be the best solution.
An empty casing, with speaker and putting in a cd or mp3 player.
Instead of the phones you connect it to the speaker.
I think there will be an impedance problem but IMO that will not cause too many problems. I see empty casings and speakers on eBay sometimes.

Luc & Junior, tnx

Greets,
Kris

[Jan B]

Great Kris!

Your time and effort payed off indeed, you did a wonderfull job there!

Now, can you start fixing mine?

Cheers

Jan

[Kris]

Great Kris!

Your time and effort payed off indeed, you did a wonderfull job there!

Now, can you start fixing mine?

Cheers

Jan

Hi Jan,
No problem. Just bring it over and we'll fix it.
But first we have to find some spare parts for it

Greets,
Kris

[david stone]

Wow, nice job on the radio!! I don't have enough bits and pieces to make my DKE38 or VE301 operate....missing tubes, power supply is dead in my 301, but I do have them rigged up to play CDs at reenactments.
Look here for a possible Wehrmacht accessory for the DKE38.. http://www.radiomuseum.org/forum/tra...er_dke38b.html

[Kris]

Wow, nice job on the radio!! I don't have enough bits and pieces to make my DKE38 or VE301 operate....missing tubes, power supply is dead in my 301, but I do have them rigged up to play CDs at reenactments.
Look here for a possible Wehrmacht accessory for the DKE38.. http://www.radiomuseum.org/forum/tra...er_dke38b.html

Hi David,

Thanks for the link, that's just a great rig !
Maybe you can help Erich to connect his cd player
I noticed spare parts popping up on eBay, but original tubes are expensive and capacitors are repro, so that's why i did mine this way.
I was really lucky in the condition of the tubes though.

Greets,
Kris

[Yuri D.]

Kris,

Very nice restoration work and attention to detail. I love the DKE and you did a great job on it.

I've finished restoring the WR1-T radio, and will post images by tomorrow morning on

http://www.desyatnik.com

Please check it out.

Yuri

[Lassi]

Hi Kris thanks for starting this nice thread and thanks for showing your restoration step by step of this nice radio
Cheers
Lassi