The EKCO AD36 is a British valve radio introduced in 1935 by E.K. Cole Ltd. of Southend-on-Sea. It belongs to EKCO’s famous range of moulded Bakelite sets and is one of the distinctive circular “Round Ekco” designs associated with industrial designer Wells Coates.
An interesting point is that the AD36 is a TRF receiver rather than a superheterodyne. The incoming radio frequency is tuned and amplified directly, followed by detection and audio amplification. This makes its circuitry relatively straightforward compared with many later EKCO sets.
The circular cabinet is the feature for which it is best known. The approximately 14½-inch diameter Bakelite cabinet was designed specifically around the moulding possibilities of Bakelite, rather than attempting to imitate a traditional wooden radio cabinet.
SERVICE MANUAL PREVIEW
The Trader service sheet for the Ekco AD36 is available to members. Here's a taste of what's inside.
These pictures are faded on purpose, just for this preview. Members get the complete service sheet, unfaded, to view and download.
The service sheet includes:
- The full circuit diagram
- Capacitor and resistor values
- Valve analysis, with the voltages and currents
- How to dismantle the set
- Step by step circuit alignment, including the aerial balancing circuit
- A second article with ganging details, valve readings and notes on a faulty output stage
- Photos of the top and underneath of the chassis
