05-27-2018, 05:18 PM
Here's my collection of mostly unloved P-755A/P-80x radios. I didn't have a display so I repurposed this shelf wife tossed out in garage.
GE introduced revised models through at least J series(each more cheaply built)at approx nine month intervals. All have five transistors and use class A audio. Large 9v battery required as current draw is around 20 ma. GE did offer a rarely seen adapter to fit six AA in place of 9v.
Top row P-755A & P-805A
In sleuthing the net I'm yet to find a P-755A that wasn't built in 1958, this one is from 36th week or 1st week Sept '58. No doubt these were advertised as 1959 models. P-805A & P-806A were built in early & late versions, so were around for 1959 & 1960. Mine are late, built Nov & Dec '59 but have seen these built as early as March '59. Apparently replaced the P-755A.
EDIT-- After additional net exploring, I've now seen a P-806A built 51st week 1958 & a second March 1959 built P-805A. Still there's a huge gap(approx 6 months) between early and late versions. Guessing GE built up stock for most of year, then started production again for the '59 holiday season. No doubt these would have been plentiful early in '60.
Second row P-806A & P-807A
P-807A & P-808A(not pictured) replaced the 805 & 806, are no doubt 1960 models, ones I've seen were built from Dec '59 to May 1960. All A series use conventional dynamic speaker and are only versions to do so. B versions replaced these in middish 1960.
Third row P-808E & P-809C
The E-series are 1962 models with production beginning late 1961, while C-series is early/mid 1961. Both use reed type speakers & a imitation gold grille(incl B) that's prone to wear and/or turn green. The G & H versions used mini modules soldered to main board, while J returned to conventional chassis. PCB traces on J are so cheap they all but jump from board at sight of soldering iron.
GE introduced revised models through at least J series(each more cheaply built)at approx nine month intervals. All have five transistors and use class A audio. Large 9v battery required as current draw is around 20 ma. GE did offer a rarely seen adapter to fit six AA in place of 9v.
Top row P-755A & P-805A
In sleuthing the net I'm yet to find a P-755A that wasn't built in 1958, this one is from 36th week or 1st week Sept '58. No doubt these were advertised as 1959 models. P-805A & P-806A were built in early & late versions, so were around for 1959 & 1960. Mine are late, built Nov & Dec '59 but have seen these built as early as March '59. Apparently replaced the P-755A.
EDIT-- After additional net exploring, I've now seen a P-806A built 51st week 1958 & a second March 1959 built P-805A. Still there's a huge gap(approx 6 months) between early and late versions. Guessing GE built up stock for most of year, then started production again for the '59 holiday season. No doubt these would have been plentiful early in '60.
Second row P-806A & P-807A
P-807A & P-808A(not pictured) replaced the 805 & 806, are no doubt 1960 models, ones I've seen were built from Dec '59 to May 1960. All A series use conventional dynamic speaker and are only versions to do so. B versions replaced these in middish 1960.
Third row P-808E & P-809C
The E-series are 1962 models with production beginning late 1961, while C-series is early/mid 1961. Both use reed type speakers & a imitation gold grille(incl B) that's prone to wear and/or turn green. The G & H versions used mini modules soldered to main board, while J returned to conventional chassis. PCB traces on J are so cheap they all but jump from board at sight of soldering iron.
Tom
