R-100/URR 1944 MORALE RADIO

The finished radio. Made by Espey in 1944

A Challenging WWII Radio Restoration

This WWII radio, acquired and restored in March 2018, proved to be a difficult task. Extensive modifications had been made, rendering the schematics practically useless. To bring it back to life, a complete recap of the radio’s capacitors was necessary, along with deciphering the previous tinkering. The successful restoration meant this piece of history could function once more.

Designed for Troop Morale

This radio set played a vital role in WWII, serving to entertain and boost the morale of soldiers. It offered them a connection to the outside world, allowing them to tune in to news and music broadcasts. The radio’s versatility extended to its power source – it could run on either batteries or standard AC power. Nicknamed “Morale radios,” they were used in hospitals, rear areas, and barracks.

Technical Specifications

The radio received voice-modulated signals across the broadcast band (AM radio) ranging from 0.54 to 1.5 MHz. Additionally, it featured two shortwave bands for enhanced reception: 3.6-8.5 MHz and 8.5-19 MHz.

Under the chassis is the printed circuit and WWII parts list
As Found
Case stripped to bare metal, looks like in the past something leaked on it and rusted it a bit.
Ready for etching primer and coat of wrinkle finish.
Coat of wrinkle finish applied. In the top right corner you can see the paint is still smooth, application of heat and time will cause the wrinkles to completely cover it.
The finished radio. Made by Espey in 1944