02-03-2012, 08:10 PM
(This post was last modified: 27-12-2012, 08:15 PM by Robert Darwent.)
Introduction
This is a project I have been undertaking, on and off, for the past several months. As is often the case, I let other projects and restorations get in the way from time-to-time, which has served to delay its overall progress. However, recently I have been giving it my undivided attention once more. So if I may, I would like to share some of the work already achieved.
I first became aware of the existence of the rare Ekco A22T whilst carrying out research into the different types of A22 dial a couple of years ago. More recently, I fortuitously acquired a semi-complete A22 chassis and my thoughts again returned to the export model with the idea of making a replica version.
In common with all export sets, when compared to their domestic equivalent, the model dispenses with the long wave band in favour of additional short wave ranges. Specifically, the wavebands offered on the A22T are; MW (550-1500 kHz) and 2 x SW bands (3.0-8.5 MHz and 8.5-23.0 MHz).
Consequently, not only would I have to reproduce the correct dial used by the A22T but calculate and wind the appropriate short wave aerial/oscillator coils required, then carry out a complete rebuild of the coil-pack/band-switching section in order to offer the correct wavebands.
Other than those two major differences, the A22T is virtually identical to the standard A22 model. The only further minor difference, is the additional voltage tap selections found on the mains transformer.
After extensive searches of the internet, I eventually found several images of the A22T suitable to work from. The following complete image of an original A22T and the others accompanying it, showing closer segments of the dial, proved most useful;
I was able to combine the dial segments into a collage, of almost the complete dial face, good enough to obtain the detail I required to begin attempting a reproduction artwork.
I also came across the following website;
http://www.radioantigo.com.br/ekco.html
which has a series of images of this rare model, unfortunately too small in size and resolution to be really helpful with anything except overall appearance.
Creating the dial
The dials are such a prominent and attractive feature of the A22 models that without being able to produce a satisfactory reproduction, proceeding with the rest of the project was somewhat pointless. So with reference to my 'Reproduction Ekco Dials' article (BVWS Bulletin, Vol.36 No.4, Winter 2011 issue), I set about producing a reproduction A22T dial using exactly the same techniques and methods outlined there. However, I will be expanding on that information, showing the various steps involved in greater detail that are required to create such a dial from just a series of images rather than from a scan of an original.
Despite only having a limited number of A22T dial images to work with I could still place the dial legends and details fairly accurately. This was achieved by loading the dial face collage into my graphics software and noting the X,Y co-ordinates of all the major detail; frequency markers, station name positions, and so on. From this co-ordinate information, and by already knowing the co-ordinates of the exact centre of the dial, I could calculate using trigonometry the angular position of all the dial details to transfer to my reproduction.
At this point I assign an arbitrary colour to each waveband legend, in this case black for MW, red for S2 and green for S1. The exact shades are not important at this stage as when the artwork is complete the legend colours and the background shade can be varied independently of each other to achieve an acceptable visual colour match that approximates the colours of the original dial.
The following set of images show in steps how the dial artwork is created, with each image building on the last.
I begin with a base image and just the three semi-circular waveband legends;
Then I modify the black MW legend to include the required station and frequency markers;
And to complete the MW legend I add the station names and frequency points;
Next the red S2 legend frequency markers and bands;
And the addition of the S2 legend's station names and frequency points;
Now the addition of the green S1 legend's frequency markers and bands;
And the S1 legend's station names and frquency points are added;
Finally the legends around the band switching, volume and tuning controls plus the Ekco logo;
Each of these main steps are broken down further into several sub-steps but essentially adding layers of detail in this way, a little at a time, is how the dial artwork is eventually produced.
This is a project I have been undertaking, on and off, for the past several months. As is often the case, I let other projects and restorations get in the way from time-to-time, which has served to delay its overall progress. However, recently I have been giving it my undivided attention once more. So if I may, I would like to share some of the work already achieved.
I first became aware of the existence of the rare Ekco A22T whilst carrying out research into the different types of A22 dial a couple of years ago. More recently, I fortuitously acquired a semi-complete A22 chassis and my thoughts again returned to the export model with the idea of making a replica version.
In common with all export sets, when compared to their domestic equivalent, the model dispenses with the long wave band in favour of additional short wave ranges. Specifically, the wavebands offered on the A22T are; MW (550-1500 kHz) and 2 x SW bands (3.0-8.5 MHz and 8.5-23.0 MHz).
Consequently, not only would I have to reproduce the correct dial used by the A22T but calculate and wind the appropriate short wave aerial/oscillator coils required, then carry out a complete rebuild of the coil-pack/band-switching section in order to offer the correct wavebands.
Other than those two major differences, the A22T is virtually identical to the standard A22 model. The only further minor difference, is the additional voltage tap selections found on the mains transformer.
After extensive searches of the internet, I eventually found several images of the A22T suitable to work from. The following complete image of an original A22T and the others accompanying it, showing closer segments of the dial, proved most useful;
I was able to combine the dial segments into a collage, of almost the complete dial face, good enough to obtain the detail I required to begin attempting a reproduction artwork.
I also came across the following website;
http://www.radioantigo.com.br/ekco.html
which has a series of images of this rare model, unfortunately too small in size and resolution to be really helpful with anything except overall appearance.
Creating the dial
The dials are such a prominent and attractive feature of the A22 models that without being able to produce a satisfactory reproduction, proceeding with the rest of the project was somewhat pointless. So with reference to my 'Reproduction Ekco Dials' article (BVWS Bulletin, Vol.36 No.4, Winter 2011 issue), I set about producing a reproduction A22T dial using exactly the same techniques and methods outlined there. However, I will be expanding on that information, showing the various steps involved in greater detail that are required to create such a dial from just a series of images rather than from a scan of an original.
Despite only having a limited number of A22T dial images to work with I could still place the dial legends and details fairly accurately. This was achieved by loading the dial face collage into my graphics software and noting the X,Y co-ordinates of all the major detail; frequency markers, station name positions, and so on. From this co-ordinate information, and by already knowing the co-ordinates of the exact centre of the dial, I could calculate using trigonometry the angular position of all the dial details to transfer to my reproduction.
At this point I assign an arbitrary colour to each waveband legend, in this case black for MW, red for S2 and green for S1. The exact shades are not important at this stage as when the artwork is complete the legend colours and the background shade can be varied independently of each other to achieve an acceptable visual colour match that approximates the colours of the original dial.
The following set of images show in steps how the dial artwork is created, with each image building on the last.
I begin with a base image and just the three semi-circular waveband legends;
Then I modify the black MW legend to include the required station and frequency markers;
And to complete the MW legend I add the station names and frequency points;
Next the red S2 legend frequency markers and bands;
And the addition of the S2 legend's station names and frequency points;
Now the addition of the green S1 legend's frequency markers and bands;
And the S1 legend's station names and frquency points are added;
Finally the legends around the band switching, volume and tuning controls plus the Ekco logo;
Each of these main steps are broken down further into several sub-steps but essentially adding layers of detail in this way, a little at a time, is how the dial artwork is eventually produced.
