Variations On A Theme

  • 1. Introduction

    Like many others before me, I found myself immediately drawn to the stylish appearance of these Bush portables that have become so evocative of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Whether you share my enthusiasm for these sets or not, you will have not failed to notice just how popular they have become among vintage radio enthusiasts and the.....

  • 2. The MB60

    Released in 1957 the MB60 is a two band portable designed for AC mains or battery operation, hence the model being designated "MB" for Mains/Battery. The set is switched over from one power source to the other by the mains lead operating a simple switch arrangement when the plug is inserted or withdrawn from its socket. The set uses five.....

  • 3. The TR82

    Following on the success of the initial design Bush released in 1959 the TR82, a transistorised version of the MB60. The initial models released were the TR82B and the TR82C, the difference only being in the colour scheme offered. The TR82B model has a dark cream case with a brown rexine band around the middle and as with the MB60 the metal.....

  • 4. The VTR103

    A further development of the MB60 theme came in 1961 with the release of a new set that had VHF coverage from 88 to 100 MHz in addition to the existing long and medium wave ranges of the earlier models. Given the model designation of VTR103, it had a chassis design that made use of the recently available Mullard AF11x series of alloy-diffusion.....

  • 5. The TR82 modified

    At around the same time of the VTR103 release, Bush modified the existing chassis used in the TR82 to include a headphone socket. Apparently only the TR82C model received this modification, examples of which all seem to have high serial numbers beginning 15xxxx. This same modified chassis was also used for the release of a TR82.....

  • 6. The TR82 Mk.II

    In 1963 Bush released Mk.II versions of the TR82C and TR82D with a new chassis which also made use of the improved Mullard AF11x series transistors, the existing colour schemes of both models being retained. Presumably the earlier headphone modification for the TR82C and TR82D was either a way of using up existing stocks of the earlier.....

  • 7. The VTR103C

    Almost as an after thought, in 1964 the VTR103 design was released in the alternate colour scheme of pale blue/green case, blue rexine and chrome trim as per the existing TR82C model and bearing the model designation VTR103C.

  • 8. The TR82L

    Released in 1964, the "L" suffix denotes that the set had the addition of a preset "208" tuning button for Radio Luxembourg. As with the standard TR82 models the colour schemes offered were the same. So you could have the TR82CL with a pale blue/green case and blue rexine or the TR82DL with a light cream case and tan rexine, both.....

  • 9. The EBM60

    The EBM60 was the first export set and as its model number suggests is the export version of the MB60, both models being released at around the same time in 1957. The EBM60 shares the same colour scheme as the MB60 too, that is light grey case, red rexine band and brass trim but the dial is clearly different having short-wave scales and legends.....

  • 10. The ETR82

    Now for the most unusual and possibly also the rarest set of the series. Released in 1959 the ETR82 was the second of the export sets and is unique for a couple of reasons. First, it is a hybrid (i.e. valve and transistor) and second, I believe it is the only hybrid set that Bush ever made. The circuitry is basically the front end of the EBM60 cut and spliced to.....

  • 11. The ETR92

    In 1960 Bush released a further export set, the ETR92. In the relatively short time since the release of the ETR82 the previous year, the high frequency limitation of available transistors had improved to the point of allowing an all transistorised set to be produced. The model used the new Mullard OC17x range of transistors in place of the.....

  • 12. The Irish ETR92T

    The type/serial number plate on this model states "Bush (Ireland)", the model being made at Bush's Irish factory based in Dublin's northern suburb of Whitehall. The model uses the same pale blue/green coloured plastic case with the chrome "B U S H" lettering/trim found on the familiar TR82C, combined with a middle section having the red rexine.....

  • 13. The Indian ETR92

    I recently came across this model and initially thought it to be a standard ETR92, however upon closer scrutiny it became clear it had a number of subtle yet significant differences. This ETR92 bears a type/serial plate underneath stating that it was manufactured in India. Its type number being 551 and chassis number A401, both indicating it.....

  • 14. Type and chassis tables

    Fortunately Bush was very helpful in providing a type and serial number plate on the models it produced. With this series of portables the plate is mounted underneath on the middle section of the case. The chassis number is given on a small plastic disk screwed to the chassis itself. Using this information I have created the following tables listing the.....

  • 15. Miscellaneous information

    Faulty transistors
    Models using the later Mullard alloy diffusion transistors of the AF11x series, the Mk.II sets and the VTR103 etc, have a common fault of developing internal short-circuits, often between the emitter and shield connections but not exclusively so - it is sometimes possible to cut the shield.....