Name: | Ultimate (Brand), Radio Ltd. & Radio (1936) Ltd.; Auckland (NZ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Abbreviation: | ultimate-r | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Products: | Model types Others | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary: |
Radio Ltd. Radio (1936) Ltd.
Radio Ltd. and later Radio (1936) Ltd. were New Zealand's largest radio manufacturers. Ultimate was their main brand which was also exported to Australia. |
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Founded: | 1922 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Closed: | 1955 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Production: | 1955 - 1955 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
History: |
* From newspaper adverts. Their first radio was an Everyman crystal set imported from the Canadian Independent Telephone Company (CITCO) in Toronto. The crystal set was actually a re-badged DeForest Everyman Crystal set under the CITCO name. 300 were ordered, however shortly after the order was placed, they realised that there was no radio station in Auckland to listen to. There were stations elsewhere, but the crystal set had insufficient sensitivity to receive them. So, an urgent cable was sent to order a suitable transmitter. Pending its arrival a 15 watt, DeForest Radiophone was placed into service. This meant that not only was Radio Ltd one of the first companies in the radio industry in NZ, but it was also the first transmitting station 1YA in Auckland. [1] The “Ultimate” brand was introduced in 1923 when the company decided to manufacture its own receivers. Their first model was Gilfillan 2-valve kitset, RA-1. They followed with 4 to 5-valve sets with the first all-wave model in 1927.[1] Between 1938 and 1941 Ultimate radios were exported to Australia (George Brown & Co.) and India. Sadly, the commencement of WW2 but an end to this export venture. They were heavily involved in the production of military radio equipment during the war and at the end of the war, they held the position of New Zealand’s leading manufacturer. With the advent of television, they required technical input and TV manufacturing assistance, they formed an association with British company E. K. Cole Ltd. In 1955 the company was reorganised as Ultimate-Ecko (NZ) Co. Ltd. [1] The Golden Age of Radio in the Home, Page 68. |
This manufacturer was suggested by Stuart Irwin.
Country | Year | Name | 1st Tube | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
NZ | 33 | Ultimate 514 Ch= JCL | 2A7 | |
NZ | 35 | Ultimate F | 58 | |
NZ | 35 | Ultimate D | 34 | This radio required a second 3 volt grid bias battery that floats on the AGC line. The fi... |
NZ | 37 | Ultimate 5B | 1A4 | |
NZ | 39 | Ultimate De Luxe AW14 [1939 version.] | 6K7 | This set has a volume expansion control. It uses a Rola G12 speaker. |
NZ | 38 | Ultimate DW5 | 6A8G | |
NZ | 44 | Z.C. 1 Mk II (Mk2) | New Zealand Wireless Set Z.C.1 Mk II: Military transceiver covering 2 - 8 MHz in twoi band... | |
NZ | 38 | Ultimate DW6 | 6K7G | |
NZ | 39 | Ultimate DW6 [1939 version.] | 6K7G | |
NZ | 40 | Ultimate 7 Valve Dual Wave Vibrator | 6S7G | This model used a synchronous vibrator power unit. There is no model number given for thi... |
NZ | 40 | Ultimate ED [Console] | 6K7 | Table cabinet also. Distributed in Australia by George Brown & Co. Pty Ltd, 2... |
NZ | 40 | Ultimate EA | 6K7 | 6-Valve superhet with RF stage dual wave table chest model receiver with Light-ray (Telefl... |
Further details for this manufacturer by the members (rmfiorg):
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