Author Topic: Becker Europa Monaural SOLD  (Read 6119 times)

Aaron h

  • Guest
Becker Europa Monaural SOLD
« on: February 22, 2020, 09:24:15 »
Hey all.  I've a Europa I'd like to pass on to the community.  I imagine This Europa is about as close as one can get to new, but without the box.  I'll explain.  Several years ago a fella I used to work with gave this radio to me.  He worked at our local Mercedes dealership from 1968 until 2006.  Like me he saved everything.  This particular radio was one that was removed from a customers new 280SL in 1970 because the customer wanted a Grundig.  Basically, the car was delivered new, and the radio exchange was made before the new owner picked the car up.  The owner had no interest in keeping the Becker, so my friend kept it for himself.  Like many things he never used it, so it sat in safe, dry storage until about 5 years ago, which is when he gave it to me. 

The dial scale and knobs had become discolored/sticky with age, so I installed a new dial scale and new knobs.  However, if the buyer wants the original dial scale and knobs to put on a really original car, then that can be arranged.  The original pieces are very presentable. 

Given the age, it worked, but not well.  So I went through the radio myself having renewed all electrolytic capacitors, one drifted resistor, new dial light bulb, tested for leakage on the Germanium AD161 and AD162 PNP/NPN output transistors (no leakage), and afterward I checked the alignment of the radio with the aid of a Hewlett Packard signal generator (recently calibrated), a Tektronix 466 oscilloscope, and a DuMont Laboratories vacuum tube volt meter.  Only the RF alignment was a little off, so that was adjusted.  And don't worry.  On the side I restore/collect pre 1955 televisions and house radios. A car radio is a rather simple undertaking to me, and I love doing it.  In the pictures below I show the electrolytic capacitors that were replaced, and the pictures of the inside of the radio show the new ones in place.  The pictures of the front of the radio I couldn't get the lines out of....not sure why.  The frontal pictures do not do it justice.  In person it really shines. 

After spending a few hours on the aforementioned repairs the set was put on the test bench. It came alive with loud, clear, and surprisingly good sound.  Both AM and FM bands work great, and reception is exceptional.  I also performed a little modification to the dial light bulb.  For some reason the Europa mono models are really dim at night, so I changed an 82 ohm resistor out for a 27 ohm resistor.  The dial scale lights up much better now, but isn't distracting in any way for night driving.  (How many of you thought I was going to put an LED bulb in it?!)   ;)

So, here are the rules for buying the radio. 
1) The price is $350, less core charge and shipping.  I'll happily ship world wide!
2) You must send in a core.  If you don't, or if you don't have a core to send in the cost goes up to $450.  ($100 core)  This means you have to pay $450 initially, and you'll get $100 back after the core is in my hands.  The core must be complete and repairable. (knobs, dial scale, chrome bezel, no cut wires, dents).  Repairing radios isn't my day to day business or livelihood, but I have to be able to have other radios to repair if/when I sell one so I can continue to offer these radios to people like you!  :)     
3)You must keep and reuse you're mounting brackets that hold the radio in the dash, as well as any speaker cables.  I do not provide those. 
4)You get a 6 month guarantee against defects.
5) If you want add on's such as and auxiliary cable or a wireless bluetooth adapter you must ask beforehand, and this will cost extra.

Moderators: I can see how this listing may come off as being a commercial/vendor type ad.  That's not my intent.  This is a hobby, and isn't my day to day work.  I'm merely trying to offer a good part to others.  However, should it be deemed necessary to move the listing or delete it then feel free to do what is necessary. 

Two more posts will include the rest of the pictures, as only 4 attachments are allowed per post.  If additional pictures are desired, or even a video of the radio working, then please reach out to me and ask.  I'll happily provide both!
« Last Edit: April 05, 2020, 20:28:00 by Aaron h »

Aaron h

  • Guest
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2020, 09:25:33 »
more pictures

Aaron h

  • Guest
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2020, 09:26:08 »
more pictures

Iconic

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, IL, Highland Park
  • Posts: 1198
  • ex-Membership Administrator
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2020, 15:31:28 »
That's a good price Aaron ($350 with core).
This should sell quickly.
Good luck.
Mark
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

Aaron h

  • Guest
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2020, 09:46:25 »
Thanks, Mark.  I know it's much less than what I usually see rebuilt/repaired ones go for, but I also realize it may still be a hefty price to pay when the seller (me) doesn't do this for a living.  It often scares people off.  It's a chance that has to be taken.  All I can do is offer the radio at a relatively fair price with a good warranty and hope for the best.  Worse case scenario it won't sell, and I'll just stick it on the shelf again with the others that I'll likely never do anything with.

enoz05

  • Associate Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • Belgium, Flanders, BOOISCHOT
  • Posts: 124
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2020, 19:00:24 »
Prefix"F", correct for 1969

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2353
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2020, 15:40:47 »
Prefix"F", correct for 1969
Interesting regarding the "F".  Do you know where that is documented?  I would love to know the year(s) for some of my radios...
thanks
Scott
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

mrfatboy

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Rancho Santa Fe
  • Posts: 1339
    • Mrfatboy
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2020, 16:16:27 »
Here is a reference that I was given. 
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

neelyrc

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, AL, Birmingham
  • Posts: 1205
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2020, 05:29:13 »
Excuse my ignorance on this subject. Can I assume that the letter/year codes refer to the prefix for the Becker Radio Serial Nr. and the year it was manufactured? 
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
Italy
2004 Toyota HiLux D4D Pickup
2008 BMW 330xd Futura Coupe' (E92)

mrfatboy

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Rancho Santa Fe
  • Posts: 1339
    • Mrfatboy
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2020, 10:05:56 »
Correct.
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

SEB

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Germany, Berlin, Berlin
  • Posts: 260
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2020, 10:05:48 »
Hey All,
few weeks ago I found in the Technical manual in the place radios a guide with a nice description of all Becker Radios. Now it disappeared. Does anybody know where I can find it?
Many thanks
Sebastian
Sebastian
1967 250 SL, 4 Speed, Euro spec, Tunis beige (462H),

mrfatboy

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Rancho Santa Fe
  • Posts: 1339
    • Mrfatboy
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2020, 10:09:57 »
Is this what you are looking for?

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Radio

1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

SEB

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Germany, Berlin, Berlin
  • Posts: 260
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #12 on: March 27, 2020, 14:36:16 »
Few days ago in this link, there were nice information about all Becker radios- now when I open it - it is empty. I tried from many devices- in all cases it is empty?  Also now. So I do not know what is the reason?
Sebastian
1967 250 SL, 4 Speed, Euro spec, Tunis beige (462H),

enoz05

  • Associate Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • Belgium, Flanders, BOOISCHOT
  • Posts: 124
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #13 on: March 27, 2020, 16:41:34 »
Here is a reference that I was given.
Q='79, R='80, S='81, EP='82, FR='83, HS='84

Pawel66

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Poland, Mazowieckie, Konstancin-Jeziorna
  • Posts: 5154
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #14 on: March 27, 2020, 16:50:08 »
Few days ago in this link, there were nice information about all Becker radios- now when I open it - it is empty. I tried from many devices- in all cases it is empty?  Also now. So I do not know what is the reason?
Some firewall you have?
Paste it to a different browser maybe.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

SEB

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Germany, Berlin, Berlin
  • Posts: 260
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #15 on: March 27, 2020, 18:12:09 »
Hi Pawel! No firewall, at least I do not know about it, but may be I have ask the NSA?  But I do not have the current number to them? In Poland in such cases, as far I know you can dial easy the ZERO? It it still work the 0? :)
Best wishes from Berlin  Sebastian
« Last Edit: March 27, 2020, 18:21:42 by SEB »
Sebastian
1967 250 SL, 4 Speed, Euro spec, Tunis beige (462H),

Pawel66

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Poland, Mazowieckie, Konstancin-Jeziorna
  • Posts: 5154
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #16 on: March 27, 2020, 18:30:48 »
Yes, hi from Warsaw! :)
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

Aaron h

  • Guest
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #17 on: April 04, 2020, 23:13:26 »
Are the any remotely interested parties for this radio? Am I charging too much?   ???

kampala

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Hermosa Beach
  • Posts: 1205
Re: Becker Europa Monaural
« Reply #18 on: April 05, 2020, 15:14:53 »
Aaron

I really figured that by now this was sold. 

As you had advised that the Mexico TR was too early for my 280, but since I really liked the unit, I wanted to get it fixed even if not correct for the 280. 

However the Mexico TR would be correct for the 250, as you had mentioned so I think I would like to buy this Europa.  Hope it’s available. 

I would install the Mexico in the 250 and this Europa in the 280. 

Not sure if you want my working core as it’s a blaupunkt, if not we will do it without the core and I will see if I can sell the working blaupunkt. 

Hope it’s still available   

Best
250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD

Aslam

Aaron h

  • Guest
Re: Becker Europa Monaural SOLD
« Reply #19 on: April 05, 2020, 20:30:59 »
Oz is now the proud new owner of this like new Europa he's going to put in his 280.  He said that The Mexico will go in his 250 since it's the Mexico is a period correct radio for the 250.  You have one assignment, Oz.  You have to make sure your knobs on the Mexico match the ones on the dash of the 250.  If your 250 is a late one you're good to go.  If it's an early one we have to put the smaller style knobs on it to match the others on the dash.  :) 

mbzse

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Sweden, Stockholm, Stockholm
  • Posts: 1748
Re: Becker Europa Monaural SOLD
« Reply #20 on: April 05, 2020, 21:22:12 »
Quote from: Aaron h
.../...The pictures of the front of the radio I couldn't get the lines out of....not sure why.../...
It is an intriguing interference phenomena called moiré patterns  :D
see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moir%C3%A9_pattern
/Hans S

kampala

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Hermosa Beach
  • Posts: 1205
Re: Becker Europa Monaural SOLD
« Reply #21 on: April 05, 2020, 22:31:48 »
It’s a later 250 so it should fit and knobs match. 

Thanks.
250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD

Aslam

Aaron h

  • Guest
Re: Becker Europa Monaural SOLD
« Reply #22 on: April 05, 2020, 22:35:46 »
It is an intriguing interference phenomena called moiré patterns  :D
see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moir%C3%A9_pattern

Then shouldn't modern cameras have anti-Moire` capabilities?  haha  Thank you for the link.  Interesting reading!  :)