hismasters: HMV (Australia) 66-55, siblings, cousins and others

This model marks a transition point for HMV Australia. There are a series of radios which share the same case with different fascias and in one instance, a different case.

The series appears to start with the 66-55 Little Nipper and then there is the HMV (NZ) Sprite which uses the same circuit and fascia as the 66-55 but with a timber (veneered particleboard) case. These use silicon transistors in the RF and IF stages but germanium in the AF stages. The transistor count is 7 with three diodes. Next appears to be the 67-55 which is a clock radio but without the Little Nipper designation, a different fascia but still uses germanium transistors in the AF stages. Next, at least numerically, is the 68-55 which uses the same case, fascia and AF stages but without the clock. Interestingly, the internal chassis behind the fascia has the cutout for the clock and  some of the cases I have owned do have the hole in the back for the time and alarm adjusting shaft to protrude. Next is the all silicon transistor 68/2-55. The transistor count climbs to 8 and the 3 diodes remain.

Transistor useage seems to vary with availability. Those which I have seen are listed as "equivalent" in many reference books. The output pair can be mounted on different heatsinks, some large and some small. The 68/2-55 with a silicon output transistor pair uses no heatsinking.

The Sprite uses different transistors to the Australian 66-55 but the passive components do not vary. The circuit board is different in detail only, not in function.The Sprite uses a 200 mm long ferrite rod antenna whereas the Australian radios use one only 140 mm long.

Interestingly, these radios also have the Mains (240 volt) supply switched so that the transformer is not "live" at all times as was common in earlier transistor mantel radios from many manufacturers. These radios can pass modern Test & Tag standards.

With the New Zealand Sprite can be clearly seen the 3 core flat power cable that would make me uneasy for safety certification; it is not double insulated.

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