RETRO RECEIVER #3 - SCHAUB LORENZ ITT TOURING T104A

RETRO RECEIVER REVIEW # 3

(Click on each photo for a closer view)

SCHAUB LORENZ ITT TOURING T104A

by Craig Seager VK2HBT

The overtly Teutonic sounding brand name of Schaub-Lorenz can trace its heritage back to the 19th century when C. Lorenz AG became engaged with the manufacture of rudimentary electrical devices in Berlin, including lighting and telegraph equipment.

 Military communications applications followed during the First World War, and again in the 1940s, the German military was to anoint the company as a key supplier,  it by then having absorbed the manufacturer G.Schaub Apparatebau-Gesellschaft.

 Until the merger, both the Lorenz and Schaub companies independently had been involved with manufacturer of radio receivers since the technology’s infancy in the 1920s. Around 1930, the German holding company of America’s International Telephone and Telegraph (IT&T) acquired stock; the conglomerate having itself having grown its European divisions considerably, including the purchase of Standard Telephones and Cables and the International Western Electric Corp.

It is pretty clear that ITT’s German holding company (Standard Elektrizitats Gesellschaft) had links with the Nazi Party, and according to an article published by the Telecommunications History Group, IT&T managers also ran a German spy network in South America (http://www.telcomhistory.org/vm/historiesITT.shtml).

 All very interesting, but let's fast forward to the 1950s, when consumer level electronics under the Schaub-Lorenz brand name became a focus, including tape recorders, televisions, and radios. From 1958, equipment was marketed under “ITT Schaub Lorenz”, and it is from the period that followed whence came the main subject of our interest this time: the Touring T104A.  Actually, The Touring T104 wasn’t the first radio of its kind. The T103 from 1972-3 being equally well known – and indeed was preceded by other Touring “T” series models going back over many years.

 The T104A is a portable format, dominated visually by a faux timber speaker grill and wrap-around Perspex analogue dial that displays not only frequencies and metre bands, but also some of the key European cities that corresponded with the various mediumwave calibrations.  Of course, this is becoming more academic as the years progress, as Europe progressively abandons long held mediumwave occupancies in favour of FM – or increasingly, DAB broadcasting.

 There are stiff pushbutton switches on top for the various bands, as well as the off/on switch, AFC (Automatic Frequency Control for FM mode), light and presets. Thumbwheels move the finer tuning (one each for FM and MW/SW).

 The frequency ranges covered by the push buttons are:  (see photo below of the top of the receiver)






On the rear are connectors for AC (220/125V), an external speaker, 12V DC input, and a combined DIN socket for tape out or auxiliary input.  Under a sliding cover are three mysterious small dials, which turn out to be setting parameters for the presets, along with external antenna and earth connections.

There is a single telescopic whip for FM and shortwave, and if your battery budget is large enough, provision for eight “D” cells!

 A look at the circuitry reveals 15 transistors and 6 diodes, with an AM I.F of 460 kHz, and FM at the standard 10.7 MHz.  Two generous speakers facilitate excellent audio, typical of German receivers of the period, with output of 4 Watts.

 Serviceability looks OK, but beware of the complex dial stringing arrangements (x 2!), which you do need to mess with in order to remove PC boards – and vice-versa. A bilingual service manual that shows the basics is readily downloadable from the Interweb, and includes a parts list and layout/schematic diagrams.

 The T104A performs well and is reasonably selective; though the limitations of the frequency display will frustrate folk used to digital readout. There are not too many of these receivers around outside of Europe, so consequently they attract premium prices.  German engineering and superb audio are the primary drawcards.  Hailing from the 1973/74 period, these sets are very much “of the time”, and are similarly styled to other European contemporaries, such as the Telefunken Bajazzo series.   Highly recommended for collectors of premium portables.

(This article first appeared in the August 2015 issue of the Australian DX News)

Thanks to Craig for making our acquaintance with another rare radio!
Missed the other Retro Reviews? Check them all out by clicking below:

Retro Receiver Review # 1 - The DANSK RX4000

 Retro Receiver Review # 2 - The HITACHI KH-3800W
  
Retro Receiver Review # 3 - The SCHAUB LORENZ ITT TOURING T104A RECEIVER

Retro Receiver Review # 4 - The RACAL RA6790/GM

Retro Receiver Review # 5 - The REALISTIC (RADIO SHACK) DX160

Retro Receiver Review # 6 - The KENWOOD QR 666

 Retro Receiver Review # 7 - The RODHE & SCHWARZ EK890

 Retro Receiver Review # 8 - The YAESU FR101S

 Retro Receiver Review # 9 - The SELENA VEGA B206

Retro Receiver Review # 10 - The DRAKE SPR-4

 Retro Receiver Review # 11 - The NATIONAL RF-5000

Retro Receiver Review # 12 - The YAESU FRG-100

Retro Receiver Review # 13 - The MARC NR-82 F1

Retro Receiver Review # 14 - The MURPHY B40

Retro Receiver Review # 15 - The STROMBERG CARLSON AWP-8










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© Rob Wagner, Mount Evelyn DX Report, and contributors 2012-2023

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