TransOcean

Zenith Trans-Oceanic
Virtual Museum

(Click HERE for Trans-Oceanic Radios available for sale)

If you are in need of Trans-Oceanic schematics, copies of original instruction or manuals, or copies of instruction/log books,
see the link below for what we have . . . .

Click to view the following areas of the museum . . . .

Zenith Trans-Oceanic Museum - the radios and pictures and more
Schematics, Log Books, Manuals, CD's, click here . . .
Original Zenith Trans-Oceanic Parts for sale - we have parted out some early Trans-Oceanic radios and other T/O sets- may be your only chance to find what you need . . . .
Historical - Review of the models, how many were produced and what years they were made . . . .
Similar & Look-Alike radios - various similar, look-alike and companion models to Zenith's famous Trans-Oceanic radios . . .
Radios For Sale - Zenith T/O and look-alike from our museum
Trans-Oceanic Rating System - click here

Problems determining whether you are about the buy a good condition or bad condition trans-oceanic? A common problem for both buyers and sellers can be helped by using our new "condition rating system". Feel free to use it in describing a unit you want to sell and request a seller to use it in rating a unit you are trying to buy!

About Zenith Radio

Much has been written about the history of Zenith Radio and its flamboyant founder, Commander McDonald and there are great books on the subject. One of the most complete and best references is the book, "The Zenith Trans-Oceanic - The Royalty of Radios" by John Bryant and Harold Cones. You can purchase this book at NEW BOOKS. This is the most informative and complete work about Zenith Trans-Oceanic radios. Throughout the museum, you may find some notations about conflicts in data or information on specific items or radios that were not published in the Bryant and Cones book. To make it perfectly clear, these references about items like this are purely informative, not derogatory to the really excellent work that they have provided the world of Zenith radio lovers. It is very difficult to write such a book because much of the information through the years was destroyed, thrown away or simply forgotten. So one must take such books as a reference, not the last word on the matter. We constantly find errors or omissions in radio historical books. Anyway, their book is "THE" Trans-Oceanic reference and they are to be commended for their excellent work. Since this excellent resource is available, we will try not to duplicate this information at this site. We will try to keep it brief but will provide a pictorial review of each radio in our collection of these fabulous Trans-Oceanic radios.

The Museum

Radio Era Archives has amassed an entire collection of Zenith Trans-Oceanic short-wave portable radios. This collection includes a representative example of every model manufactured by Zenith, both during World War II and its post-war production. It also includes Zenith production models that were similar in design manufactured as AM portable radios after WWII. These portable complimentary consumer models were usually called "long distance" radios. We also have other manufacturers "clone" models made by Hallicrafters, RCA, Heath, Philips, Silvertone, Stromberg Carlson and other notable radio makers. All of the Zenith radios are in excellent to mint physical condition. We know of no other collection that is in such a mint condition and that covers all the Trans-Oceanic models made by Zenith. If there is one, let us know so we can give its owner proper recognition. We are very proud to share this collection with Zenith Trans-Oceanic lovers world-wide. Some of the radios in this collection have their original boxes intact, dust covers, warranty papers, operating instruction and service information. There is also a leather carrying case for one of the transistor models that has never appeared as having been made in the books written about these remarkable radios. There are some models and associated equipment that do not appear in the Bryant and Cones Trans-Oceanic book. The last model made, the R-7000-2 is absolutely brand new and was apparently never used. We actually unpacked it from its original carton and tried it out and it worked perfectly. This model was the culmination of over 30 years of perfecting the Trans-Oceanic so we feel very fortunate to have acquired a new (but old) mint condition unit. We hope you will enjoy our virtual museum. We will be adding more models as time permits, so drop in for a look from time to time to see all of the models that will be made a part of this museum. We will be offering some of these radios from time to time and especially where we have extra models in excess of our needs. We will post them on the web as we find them. We hope you enjoy our Museum. Please feel free to make comments and/or to sign our guest book at the bottom of this page.

REA Replica Manuals & Charts

We also have schematics, owners manuals and instruction/log books for the various models of Trans-Oceanic radios. Click HERE to see what we have!

Oh, before we forget it, please feel free to make comments about our Trans-Oceanic Museum, we would appreciate them. Drop your comments in the feedback section of the web. Also indicate if you want us to add you to our mailing list for periodic specials. Thanks for dropping in!

The Trans-Oceanic Museum has been visited times since 3/30/99