The Trans-Oceanic (abbreviated T/O ) was a brand of portable radios produced from 1941 to 1981 by Zenith Radio . They were characterized by heavy-duty, high-quality construction and their performance as shortwave receivers .
93-427: Zenith's founder, Lieutenant Commander Eugene F. McDonald , was a great admirer of advancing technology and believed that his company should include the latest, most practical advances in a sturdy product that would enhance the company's reputation. Of the many products of Zenith Radio, the 'Trans-Oceanic' series of portable radios were among the most famous. McDonald was a keen yachtsman and outdoorsman and wished for
186-522: A selenium rectifier on later versions of the T/O, replacing rectifier tubes used on the earlier models. Inserting the power plug into a socket on the chassis or the side of the radio (depending on model) switched the T/O to battery operation. The first post-war T/O was the 8G005Y, designed by Robert Davol Budlong , an industrial design consultant responsible for many of the Zenith radio products. Priced at $ 125, it
279-518: A bomber vaguely resembling a Boeing B-17 bomber. The T/O was a dual-powered radio receiver; it could operate from electrical service AC or DC and via a pair of "A" and "B" dry cell batteries for portability. The batteries are obsolete but the early T/O models live on either due to the ability to use AC line or a battery made of modern cells (6 Ds for the "A" power and 10 9 volt transistor batteries for "B") or an inverter. The 7G605 used seven tubes: 117ZG6, 3Q5, 1LE3, 1LN5, 1LA6, 1LN5, and 1LD5. Zenith used
372-635: A brothel through the Mercedes-Benz agency. Returning to the U.S., he informed the Cuban Americans with whom he was liaising that they would have to move their base of operations from Florida to Mexico City , because the State Department refused to permit the training of a militia on U.S. soil. Although unhappy with the news, they conceded to the order. On 17 March 1960, the CIA put forward their plan for
465-452: A good preliminary course of action given that Castro's government was heavily dependent on the sugar industry. If they could sabotage it, that would hurt Castro financially and politically. Unfortunately, President Eisenhower was less than thrilled to attack Cuba's economy and sent Dulles back to the drawing board to devise plans involving covert action. If one was made, then it could be sent to special groups for approval and then discussion with
558-682: A hard-driving and demanding CEO, was also a yachtsman. His yacht the Mizpah (AKA USS Mizpah (PY-29) ) was one of the largest in the Great Lakes region. Toward the end of 1939 the interest in the war in Europe increased. McDonald had poor reception of any regional broadcast aboard the Mizpah and suggested that a portable radio be produced that could receive not only standard broadcast (AM radio) but higher-frequency shortwave broadcast to receive international broadcasts that use radio frequencies that could bounce off
651-509: A lieutenant commander. His commission came about as he understood the operation a device used in the Navy for recording radio and telephone conversations – the "telegraphone" – and the manufacturer was no longer in business. He remained in the service until 1919 but continued service in the Naval Reserve until 1939. He kept the title of lieutenant commander for the rest of his life, having retired at
744-461: A manner to avoid any appearance of U.S. intervention." Four major forms of action were to be taken to aid anti-communist opposition in Cuba at the time. These included providing a powerful propaganda offensive against the regime, perfecting a covert intelligence network within Cuba, developing paramilitary forces outside of Cuba, and acquiring the necessary logistical support for covert military operations on
837-627: A mass audience of 17,000 at the Sports Palace stadium . When a group of 19 pilots accused of bombing a village was found not guilty, Castro ordered a retrial, in which they were found guilty and each sentenced to 30 years in prison. In early January 1959, Fidel Castro appointed various economists such as Felipe Pazos , Rufo López-Fresquet , Ernesto Bentacourt, Faustino Pérez, and Manuel Ray Rivero . By June 1959, these appointed economists would begin to express disillusionment with Castro's proposed economic policies. On 16 February 1959, Castro took on
930-408: A minimum wage, health insurance, workers compensation, vacation time, the women's right to vote, and the right to free expression. In 1940, the politician Fulgencio Batista was elected under the provisions of the new constitution. After his term ended in 1944, he was not legally allowed to run for a consecutive term, so he stepped down and moved to Florida. Batista returned to Cuba in 1948 to run for
1023-650: A new breed of incisive, fault-free supermen. However costly, it may have been a necessary lesson." It also pushed Cuba closer to the Soviet Union, setting the stage for the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Since 1492, Cuba had been part of the Spanish Empire . In the late 19th century, Cuban nationalist revolutionaries rebelled against Spanish rule, resulting in three liberation wars: the Ten Years' War (1868–1878),
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#17328441012141116-495: A new independent government proclaimed the foundation of the Republic of Cuba , with U.S. Military Governor Leonard Wood handing over control to President Tomás Estrada Palma , a Cuban-born U.S. citizen. Subsequently, large numbers of U.S. settlers and businessmen arrived in Cuba, and by 1905, 60% of rural properties were owned by non-Cuban-born North American citizens. Between 1906 and 1909, 5,000 U.S. Marines were stationed across
1209-504: A photographer present and a policeman there to arrest him. He paid the policeman $ 10 for the arrest. In 1904, he began working for the company in Syracuse. He quickly rose in the sales and promotion areas and made a name for himself. In 1910, he moved back to Chicago to join a speculative business of a friend of his who wished to manufacture an automobile self-starter. The business did not succeed and McDonald lost his investment. In 1911, he
1302-415: A portable radio that would provide entertainment broadcasts as well as being able to tune into weather, marine and international shortwave stations. He asked his company's engineers to develop prototypes to meet his criteria and by 1940 they had concept sets that were ready for production. The Trans-Oceanic remains popular among collectors and non-collectors alike. A cult-like following has developed around
1395-740: A presidential term starting in 1952. The CIA was founded in 1947 by the National Security Act . The agency was "a product of the Cold War ", having been designed to counter the espionage activities of the Soviet Union's own national security agency, the KGB . As the perceived threat of international communism grew larger, the CIA expanded its activities to undertake covert economic, political, and military activities that would advance causes favorable to U.S. interests, often resulting in brutal dictatorships that favored U.S. interests. CIA Director Allen Dulles
1488-511: A remote control called the "Lazy Bones" which was connected with wires to the TV set. The next development was the "Flashmatic" (1955), designed by Eugene Polley , a wireless remote control that used a light beam to signal the TV (with a photosensitive pickup device) to change stations. One problem was that during the daytime the sensitivity degraded. In 1956 Zenith began producing a remote control named after McDonald's nickname "The Commander" and calling it
1581-665: A schoolboy by reading electric meters. School did not appeal to McDonald, and at the end of his sophomore year in high school he left school to take a factory job with the Franklin Automobile Company. Moving to Chicago in 1904, he became an automobile salesman with the Franklin Auto Company and, as a publicity stunt, once drove a car up the steps of the General John Logan Memorial in Grant Park —with
1674-445: A second time, there was a very small production run in 1956-57, of 2,973 "militarized" 600's, designated R-520A/URR, ordered by the U.S. government. Some of these were reportedly air dropped in small numbers during the Bay of Pigs invasion . Zenith was contracted to build 250 containers for this purpose. It is rumored that Fidel Castro made one his personal radio for years afterwards. During
1767-468: A superior product—meant the end of a famous product line. Eugene F. McDonald Eugene F. McDonald (1886–1958) founded Zenith Radio in 1921, a major American radio and electronics manufacturer for most of the twentieth century. Eugene F. McDonald Jr. was born March 11, 1886, in Syracuse, New York , the son of Frazier McDonald and Betty May Thompson McDonald. He earned his first money while
1860-688: A year later fled to Miami. While in Miami, Cardona frequently wrote how the Cuban Revolution was a necessary progressive step politically and economically, but that Castro was betraying the democratic goals of the revolution. Cardona later became heavily involved with the Revolutionary Council that coordinated the Bay of Pigs invasion. Castro's government engaged in various crackdowns on internal opposition, arresting hundreds of dissidents. Though it rejected
1953-416: Is noted for its occurrence alongside a greater trend of removals of Castro's former collaborators in the revolution. It marked a turning point where Castro was beginning to exert more personal control over the new government in Cuba. Matos' arresting officer and former collaborator of Castro, Camilo Cienfuegos, would soon die in a mysterious plane crash shortly after the incident. Shortly after Matos' arrest,
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#17328441012142046-557: The 1954 Guatemalan coup six years before; these included David Philips , Gerry Droller and E. Howard Hunt . Bissell placed Droller in charge of liaising with anti-Castro segments of the Cuban American community living in the United States, and asked Hunt to fashion a government in exile , which the CIA would effectively control. Hunt proceeded to travel to Havana, where he spoke with Cubans from various backgrounds and discovered
2139-741: The Little War (1879–1880) and the Cuban War of Independence (1895–1898). In 1898, the United States government proclaimed war on the Spanish Empire, resulting in the Spanish–American War . The U.S. subsequently invaded the island and forced the Spanish Army out. A special operations attempt to land a group of at least 375 Cuban soldiers on the island succeeded in the Battle of Tayacoba . On 20 May 1902,
2232-570: The Playa Girón ) was a failed military landing operation on the southwestern coast of Cuba in 1961 by the United States of America and the Cuban Democratic Revolutionary Front (DRF), consisting of Cuban exiles who opposed Fidel Castro 's Cuban Revolution , clandestinely financed and directed by the U.S. government . The operation took place at the height of the Cold War , and its failure influenced relations between Cuba,
2325-787: The Wayback Machine . Another article written a year later (February 13, 1966) from the Reading Eagle newspaper with photos of Eugene McDonald III and his mother Inez Riddle McDonald Neale can be seen at this link The Boy Who Had Everything . Popular Mechanics “Proposed Phone-Television System”. October 1947. Bay of Pigs invasion Cuban victory [REDACTED] CIA [REDACTED] U.S. Air Force Brigade 2506 : United States : Cuban Armed Forces: The Bay of Pigs Invasion ( Spanish : Invasión de Bahía de Cochinos , sometimes called Invasión de Playa Girón or Batalla de Playa Girón after
2418-403: The tube or valve T/O model run, this receiver did not include an 88-108 MHz FM radio band. Eugene McDonald died in 1958, but he was personally involved in the design changes to 'his' radio to the very end. In November 1957, Zenith introduced the all-new, nine transistor solid state Trans-Oceanic. The older tube -based Trans-Oceanic was continued in production until 1962. In November 1957
2511-402: The "Space Command". This new technology worked by sending an ultrasonic tone to the TV set, where it was picked up with a miniature microphone sensitive to only that tone. At the cost of $ 259.95, it was truly a luxury item. McDonald married the former Inez Riddle but they divorced in 1947. In 1962, four years after the commander's death, his former wife Inez Riddle McDonald Neale sought to have
2604-462: The 'above average' income group. However, many also found their way into various theatres of war and in to the hands of appreciative servicemen —demand for a resumption of production at war's end was kept high. The first run of approximately 10,000 units had a sailboat-embroidered speaker grille, but after the Pearl Harbor attack, the patriotic Commander ordered the grille cloth changed to depict
2697-425: The 1000/1000D, but required a bulging back cover to accommodate the additional parts used for FM. Early 1000s and 1000Ds were battery-only with no provision for external power. This was considered acceptable because the battery life was much better than the tube-type models. 8 ordinary D cells would operate the radio for >500 hours, as opposed to ~150 hours for the tube models and their massive A/B battery. The 3000
2790-529: The CIA. Artime became the future leader of Brigade 2506 in the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He gained this position from the notoriety he gained after defecting and engaging in a tour of Latin America denouncing the new government in Cuba. This notoriety as a Cuban dissident gave him credit to be picked as the leader for the invasion when it was first conceived by the CIA. Recognizing that Castro and his government were becoming increasingly hostile and openly opposed to
2883-500: The Castro regime was a Communist regime. Despite the optimistic and seemingly friendly view that Castro revealed, American officials were not convinced. They perceived Castro to be a serious threat, one that needed to be addressed. On 20 October 1959, Cuban army commander and veteran of the Cuban Revolution , Huber Matos , resigned and accused Castro of "burying the revolution". Fifteen of Matos' officers resigned with him. Immediately after
Trans-Oceanic - Misplaced Pages Continue
2976-494: The Earth's ionosphere (upper atmosphere) and travel great distances. One of the big obstacles to such a radio was that vacuum tubes in the 1930s and 1940s had trouble operating at higher frequencies using battery power supplies which were lower voltage than AC-operated designs. In late 1941 after many rejects by McDonald (who personally did the testing on his yacht). Zenith Radio engineers Gustaffson, Passow, Striker and Emde came up with
3069-531: The G500 was 90,000. The H500 'Super Trans-Oceanic' was introduced in May 1951 at an initial price of $ 99.95. It had a redesigned front face and incorporated many frequency coverage and electronic changes ordered by McDonald. There were 245,000 H-500s sold. The 500 series models used five tubes: a 3V4, 1U5, (2) 1U4, and 1L6. There also was a production run in 1953-54, of 27,218 "militarized" H-500's, designated R-520/URR, ordered by
3162-649: The Royal 7000 is estimated at 130,000. The last model Trans-Oceanic was the R7000 series introduced in 1979. This model now had complete coverage from 150 kHz through 30 MHz. Gone was the electrical band spread for improved tuning. The R7000 sported a new electrical design using modular circuit boards instead of the point to point hard wired chassis of all previous models. There were many other new features also such as dual tuning meters, squelch and several more bands such as Air, VHF 144 MHz through 175 MHz. The R7000
3255-883: The Soviet Union, after which the US severed diplomatic relations . Cuban exiles who had moved to the U.S. following Castro's takeover had formed the counter-revolutionary military unit Brigade 2506 , which was the armed wing of the DRF. The CIA funded the brigade, which also included approximately 60 members of the Alabama Air National Guard , and trained the unit in Guatemala . Over 1,400 paramilitaries, divided into five infantry battalions and one paratrooper battalion, assembled and launched from Guatemala and Nicaragua by boat on 17 April 1961. Two days earlier, eight CIA-supplied B-26 bombers had attacked Cuban airfields and then returned to
3348-401: The Soviet Union, but under pressure from the U.S. government, these companies refused. Castro responded by expropriating the refineries and nationalizing them under state control. In retaliation, the U.S. canceled its import of Cuban sugar, provoking Castro to nationalize most U.S.-owned assets, including banks and sugar mills. Relations between Cuba and the U.S. were further strained following
3441-614: The U.S. On the night of 17 April, the main invasion force landed on the beach at Playa Girón in the Bay of Pigs , where it overwhelmed a local revolutionary militia. Initially, José Ramón Fernández led the Cuban Revolutionary Army counter-offensive; later, Castro took personal control. As the invasion force lost the strategic initiative, the international community found out about the invasion, and U.S. President John F. Kennedy decided to withhold further air support. The plan, devised during Eisenhower's presidency, had required
3534-519: The U.S. government for the Korean conflict . This set added a sixth tube, the 50A1, to eliminate power fluctuations. After 1953, there was competition to the Trans-Oceanic from both Hallicrafters , with their 'Trans-World' series sets, and RCA , with their 'Strato-World' models. In the spring of 1954, the 600 series was introduced with its ' slide-rule ' type dial and a mains supply cord which coils inside
3627-442: The U.S. press, argued that many of these did not meet the standards of a fair trial , and condemned Cuba's new government as being more interested in vengeance than justice. Castro retaliated strongly against such accusations, proclaiming that "revolutionary justice is not based on legal precepts, but on moral conviction." In a show of support for this "revolutionary justice," he organized the first Havana trial to take place before
3720-526: The US Senate In March 1952, a Cuban general and politician, Fulgencio Batista, seized power on the island, proclaimed himself president, and deposed the discredited president Carlos Prío Socarrás of the Partido Auténtico . Batista canceled the planned presidential elections and described his new system as "disciplined democracy." Although Batista gained some popular support, many Cubans saw it as
3813-521: The US become increasingly futile. According to the written document detailing the conflict, the Official History of the Bay of Pigs , written by the CIA, America was apprehensive. The CIA was aware that Castro would not plan on appealing to Heads of State, but instead, the masses, as he addressed the workers and farmers of America. The CIA was not impressed with Castro and believed that his officials and people among his ranks were Communists, and therefore
Trans-Oceanic - Misplaced Pages Continue
3906-438: The US entry into World War II put a production halt to the "Clipper". Although no new consumer Trans-Oceanics were made, Zenith provided them for the war effort and continued to advertise and promote the Trans-Oceanic during World War II. Very few were produced (35,000), and not very many are in service presently, which makes this a very rare item. In December 1957, Eugene McDonald and Zenith engineers put Zenith Radio back into
3999-593: The US on a Honduran freighter ship. He became closely involved with Gerry Droller (alias Frank Bender , alias "Mr. B") of the CIA in recruiting and organizing Cuban exiles in Miami for future actions against the Cuban government. Artime's organization MRR thus grew to become the principal counter-revolutionary movement inside Cuba, with supporting members in Miami, Mexico, Venezuela etc. Involved were Tony Varona , José Miró Cardona , Rafael Quintero , and Aureliano Arango . Infiltration into Cuba, arms drops, etc. were arranged by
4092-409: The United States, Eisenhower directed the CIA to begin preparations for invading Cuba and overthrowing the Castro regime. An early plan to thwart Castro was devised on 11 February 1960 by Tracy Barnes, Jake Esterline, Al Cox, Dave Phillips, and Jim Flannery to sabotage both Cuban and American Sugar mills. They, along with Allen Dulles, director of the CIA at that point in time, decided that that would be
4185-830: The United States, and the Soviet Union . In 1952, the American-allied dictator General Fulgencio Batista led a coup against President Carlos Prío and forced Prío into exile in Miami, Florida . Prío's exile inspired Castro's 26th of July Movement against Batista. The movement succeeded in overthrowing Batista during the Cuban Revolution in January 1959. Castro nationalized American businesses, including banks, oil refineries, and sugar and coffee plantations. By early 1960, President Eisenhower had begun contemplating ways to remove Castro, in
4278-620: The Zenith products and sent sales to new records. He formed and was the first president of the National Association of Broadcasters and pioneered the development of the short-wave radio . When Donald B. MacMillan made his Arctic trip he was equipped with transmitters and receivers supplied by the Zenith Corporation. "He expanded the radio medium into international communications, ship-to-shore, radar, and VHF and UHF television." The company slogan was: "The quality goes in before
4371-399: The background between the United States and Cuba, beginning with Castro's regime. This study was top secret and around 400 pages in length. At the very beginning of Castro, the CIA needed to decipher the alleged pro-communist beliefs. They had inside men working to make a clear decision on the belief of the new Cuban official. According to Volume III of the Official History of the Bay of Pigs ,
4464-524: The demands of their order book. McDonald was appointed general manager and the partnership was formally incorporated in 1923 as the Zenith Radio Corporation . By 1927, the company was large enough to secure its own RCA manufacturing license. McDonald was well known for his charismatic leadership style, and his unexpected death in 1958 reportedly "left a void of talent at the top" of the company. Brief summary Eugene McDonald, besides being
4557-495: The divorce set aside. There was a long and ugly trial played out in the local newspapers. The children sided with the mother but she was finally denied her request. The McDonald estate was estimated to be worth $ 30 million, but there were also lower estimates. Details of the decision were (McDonald v Neale) filed in 1962. It was ruled against claims his former wife petitioned for. The Illinois court ruling can be seen at this link McDonald Jr vs Neale . There were two children born to
4650-607: The establishment of a one-man dictatorship. Many opponents of the Batista regime took to armed rebellion in an attempt to oust the government, sparking the Cuban Revolution. One of these groups was the National Revolutionary Movement ( Movimiento Nacional Revolucionario ), a militant organization containing largely middle-class members that had been founded by the Professor of Philosophy Rafael García Bárcena . Another
4743-574: The explosion and sinking of a French vessel, the La Coubre , in Havana Harbor in March 1960. The cause of the explosion was never determined, but Castro publicly mentioned that the U.S. government was guilty of sabotage. In the immediate aftermath of the Cuban Revolution , the rebels appointed José Miró Cardona as prime minister of Cuba. After two months in office, Cardona resigned as Prime Minister, and
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#17328441012144836-445: The first AM/FM portable model. In 1963, it introduced the Royal 3000, a Trans-Oceanic with an added FM band. In 1968 the Royal 7000 series Trans-Oceanic was introduced. The new model sported a completely new look and many improvements over the weaknesses of the earlier 1000/3000 series models. Besides a new look, a BFO was added for SSB/CW reception. Also a wide/narrow filter switch was added for increased selectivity. The 13-meter band
4929-504: The first of several transistorized Trans-Oceanics was introduced, the Royal 1000. As had always been the case, Commander E. McDonald helped in the design of the 1000. This was his last endeavor in the Trans-Oceanic radio before he died soon after its introduction. The Royal 1000 had the same frequency coverage as the A/B 600 series tube Trans-Oceanics with the addition of the 13/meter band. The new Royal 1000 also had an all-metal cabinet design with
5022-446: The front cover opening to the down position. The log chart was located inside the flip-down door. Very early Royal 1000s sported a genuine leather covering marked as such. Another first for portable radios was the unique dial scale used in the 1000 and later series of Trans-Oceanics. The 1000 was designed with a cylinder dial scale that would rotate with the band switch allowing only that particular band scale to show. Soon after
5115-564: The government. Artime then entered an underground organization run by Jesuits in Cuba to hide fugitives; it is unclear what exactly made Artime immediately turn to hiding and later defect. While in a Havana safehouse Artime formed the Movement for Revolutionary Recovery with other dissidents. Artime then contacted the American embassy in Havana, and on 14 December 1959, the CIA arranged for him to travel to
5208-419: The hopes that he might be replaced by a Cuban government-in-exile, though none existed at the time. In accordance with this goal, Eisenhower eventually approved Richard Bissell's plan which included training the paramilitary force that would later be used in the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Alongside covert operations, the U.S. also began its embargo of the island . This led Castro to reach out to its Cold War rival,
5301-494: The introduction of the 1000 model, a second model, the Royal 1000D, added the LW band covering 150 kHz through 405 kHz just below the AM broadcast band. There were also slight cosmetic differences to distinguish the two models. Production totals for the Royal 1000 are estimated at 170,000. Anthony J. Cascarano was the primary designer of the Royal 1000/1000D cabinets. In 1962 the Royal 3000
5394-552: The involvement of U.S. air and naval forces. Without further air support, the invasion was being conducted with fewer forces than the CIA had deemed necessary. The invading force was defeated within three days by the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (Spanish: Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias – FAR) and surrendered on 20 April. Most of the surrendered counter-revolutionary troops were publicly interrogated and put into Cuban prisons with further prosecution. The invasion
5487-496: The island, and returned in 1912, 1917 and 1921 to intervene in internal affairs, sometimes at the behest of the Cuban government. In 1940, Cuba adopted a new constitution which drew on many of the ideas of the Cuban Revolution of 1933 . The Encyclopedia of U.S.-Latina American Relations purports that the 1940 constitution was one of the most progressive constitutions in Latin America, because it legally mandated social security,
5580-485: The island. At this stage, however, it was still not clear that an invasion would take place. Documents obtained from the Eisenhower Library revealed that Eisenhower had not ordered or approved plans for an amphibious assault on Cuba. In 1960, Castro's Cuban government ordered the country's oil refineries – then controlled by U.S. corporations Esso , Standard Oil , and Shell – to process crude oil purchased from
5673-519: The marriage: daughter Jean Marianne and son Eugene McDonald III. The son was known as "Stormy" died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on February 6, 1965. His body was brought back to Chicago from Arizona , where a funeral service was conducted. Prior to his death he was briefly married to Virginia Baker. For details transcribed from the Arizona Daily Star newspaper go to the link The Stormy McDonald Mystery Archived December 6, 2013, at
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#17328441012145766-427: The model 7G605 "Clipper", that was met with approval by McDonald after stringent testing. Zenith advertised this new product extensively, including loaning or giving one to a celebrity or well-known individual to try and evaluate. Zenith made electronics and radio history by producing the first totally portable multiband radio designed for standard and shortwave broadcast listening. Zenith went into production in 1942, but
5859-471: The name goes on." The Zenith Corporation was a great company and a good example to others. During the Great Depression, Zenith employees took less pay and worked longer hours to keep the company alive. As the economy improved, Comdr. McDonald rewarded them with additional shares in the company and a larger portion of its profits. He became interested in the radio business in 1920 upon learning that there
5952-468: The news with the world's first portable transistorized multiband radio, the Royal 1000 Trans-Oceanic . McDonald was personally involved with its conception and manufacture, as he was in the development of the 7G605 "Clipper" The Royal 1000 like the "Clipper" was designed for standard and shortwave broadcast reception. The quality construction and engineering design efforts, a Zenith trademark were mechanically and electronically demonstrated in this model. This
6045-404: The overthrow of Castro's administration to the U.S. National Security Council , where Eisenhower lent his support, approving a CIA budget of $ 13,000,000 to explore options to remove Castro from power. The first stated objective of the plan was to "bring about the replacement of the Castro regime with one more devoted to the true interests of the Cuban people and more acceptable to the U.S. in such
6138-433: The physical torture Batista's regime had used, Castro's government sanctioned psychological torture, subjecting some prisoners to solitary confinement, rough treatment, hunger, and threatening behavior. After conservative editors and journalists began expressing hostility towards the government following its leftward turn, the pro-Castro printers' trade union began to harass and disrupt editorial staff actions. In January 1960,
6231-432: The president again to carry on. Two men, however, decided to run full speed ahead with the sugar sabotage and cut back oil supply to Cuba while raising money for their sugar mission as well whilst the group in the office began to devise other plans to take down Castro. Richard M. Bissell Jr. was charged with overseeing plans for the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He assembled agents to aid him in the plot, many of whom had worked on
6324-415: The presidential palace demanding Urrutia's resignation, which was duly received. On July 23, Castro resumed his position as premier and appointed loyalist Osvaldo Dorticós as the new president. The U.S. initially recognized Castro's government after the Cuban Revolution ousted Batista, but the relationship quickly soured as Castro repeatedly condemned the U.S. in his speeches for its misdeeds in Cuba over
6417-460: The previous 60 years. Many U.S. officials began to view Castro as a threat to national security as he legalized the Communist Party , nationalized property owned by U.S. citizens totaling $ 1.5 billion, and strengthened ties with the Soviet Union. In recently declassified documents, the feelings of the CIA toward Fidel Castro have become more clear. The CIA had written a comprehensive study of
6510-468: The prime minister and Che Guevara made a speech to members of the INRA that Cuba would continue to turn in a socialist direction. Manuel Artime viewed the arrest of Matos and affirmation of socialism in Cuba as precedent for him to resign. On 7 November 1959 his resignation letter from INRA and the revolutionary army was published on the front page of Avance newspaper, one of the last newspapers not controlled by
6603-549: The rank from the USNR. He joined with Ralph Matthews and Karl Hassel, the three of them incorporating the Zenith Corporation (formerly Chicago Radio Labs) in 1923. From the call letters of their amateur station, 9ZN, they developed the trade name of ZN-th. The company survived the Great Depression and was soon the leader of radio manufacturers. At the same time McDonald launched a career as an explorer and adventurer that publicized
6696-680: The receivers, with earlier tube or valve versions prized by radio collectors, resulting in the availability of many working models and replacement parts. The Zenith 'T/O' began life in October 1941 with the production of the Model 7G605 'Trans-ocean Clipper'. Priced at $ 75, it was introduced in January 1942 but ceased production in April 1942 as Zenith shifted their production to war-related equipment. During this short production run, some 35,000 units were produced and sales data showed that many were sold to customers in
6789-560: The resignation, Castro accused Matos of disloyalty and sent Camilo Cienfuegos to arrest Matos and his accompanying officers. Matos and the officers were taken to Havana and imprisoned in La Cabaña . Cuban communists later claimed Matos was helping plan a counter-revolution organized by the American Central Intelligence Agency and other Castro opponents, an operation that became the Bay of Pigs Invasion. The scandal
6882-469: The role of Prime Minister . The presidency fell to Castro's chosen candidate, the lawyer Manuel Urrutia Lleó , while members of the MR-26-7 took control of most positions in the cabinet. In early 1959, the Cuban government began agrarian reforms which redistributed the ownership of Cuba's land. Expropriated lands would be put into state ownership, and the newly formed Instituto de la Reforma Agraria (INRA)
6975-407: The set on a spring-loaded reel. This model stayed in production, with minor changes, until the end of the T/O tube era in 1962. This "600" series used several letters to denote minor changes: L600 in 1954, R600 in 1955, T600 for 1955-56, Y600 for 1956-57, A600 for 1958, and B600 for 1959-62. Production for the 600 series was 270,000. The 600 series used six tubes: (2) 1U4, 1L6, 1L5, 3V4, and 50A1. For
7068-470: The success of the revolution a popular uproar across Cuba demanded that those figures who had been complicit in the widespread torture and killing of civilians be brought to justice. Although he remained a moderating force and tried to prevent the mass reprisal killings of Batistanos advocated by many Cubans, Castro helped to set up trials of many figures involved in the old regime across the country, resulting in hundreds of executions. Critics, in particular from
7161-430: The sugar workers' leader, demanded Cuban President Urrutia's resignation. Castro himself resigned as Prime Minister of Cuba in protest, but later that day appeared on television to deliver a lengthy denouncement of Urrutia, claiming that Urrutia had "complicated" the government, and that his "fevered anti-communism" was having a detrimental effect. Castro's sentiments received widespread support as organized crowds surrounded
7254-532: The top-secret CIA document, two agents were placed in the ranks of the communist party of Cuba ( Partido Socialista Popular ). In 1958, both agents were either captured or snuck their way into the ranks of Fidel Castro's forces. They explained the so-called 'anti-American' sentiment of the regime. In 1959, Fidel Castro planned on visiting America. The invitation was extended by the American Society of Newspaper Editors. The already tense relations between Cuba and
7347-507: The whereabouts or activities of the other cells. Between December 1956 and 1959, Castro led a guerrilla army against the forces of Batista from his base camp in the Sierra Maestra mountains. Batista's repression of revolutionaries had earned him widespread unpopularity, and by 1958 his armies were in retreat. On 31 December 1958, Batista resigned and fled into exile, taking with him an amassed fortune of more than $ 300 million. After
7440-506: Was McDonald's last major involvement with Zenith as he died the following year. The Trans-Oceanic is considered by many the best-designed mass-produced portable radio made. Zenith for the most part, until the end of the model line, used the latest cost-effective technology advances and materials in Trans-Oceanics. The Trans-Oceanic model line ran from 1942 to 1982. For years it was the top selling "high-end" portable multiband radio until it
7533-412: Was a U.S. foreign policy failure. The Cuban government's victory solidified Castro's role as a national hero and widened the political division between the two formerly allied countries, as well as emboldened other Latin American groups to undermine U.S. influence in the region. As stated in a memoir from Chester Bowles : "The humiliating failure of the invasion shattered the myth of a New Frontier run by
7626-465: Was added and the 1000D eliminated while the 1000 remained in production through the 1968 model year. The 3000 added the FM broadcast band and eliminated the 13-meter band. Along with a few cosmetic differences, there wasn't much difference electrically between the new model and earlier 1000 series models aside from the addition of the FM subchassis and IF transformers. The 3000 used many of the same cabinet parts as
7719-429: Was also introduced as battery-only. Later the 1000-1 and 3000-1 models were introduced with provision for an external power using what was one of the first "wall wart" type power supplies - a transformer, rectifier, and filter capacitor in a box with AC line connector that plugged into and hung from the wall socket. Estimated production for the Royal 3000 is 150,000. Zenith introduced the Royal 2000 Trans-Symphony in 1960,
7812-568: Was built in Chicago for the first year but production was moved to Taiwan for the final two years, while all prior models had been made in the USA. The new Royal line sold well, around 10,000 per year for the 3 year run but Zenith's lead was steadily eroded. By the time of the release of the 'R7000' in 1979, fierce competition from Sony in Japan —who, with their digital readout tuning dial had, in many ways,
7905-433: Was finally eclipsed by Sony with their digital tuning ICF-2001 and ICF2010 in the 1980s, which put the Trans-Oceanic out of business. RCA 's promoting radio manufacturers to build televisions with its no royalty policy got Zenith Radio into the TV business during the end of the 1940s. McDonald, whose aversion to commercials was well-known, wanted Zenith to produce and sell a remote control . In 1950 Zenith came up with
7998-527: Was in partnership in Detroit selling used cars, and by the end of 1912 had begun a credit finance company for the purchase of new and used cars, a commodity that had previously not been available on credit. He was the first to offer working people a payment plan for the purchase of an automobile. When the United States entered World War I in 1917, he enlisted in the Naval intelligence service and eventually became
8091-520: Was in production from 1946 to 1949 in several variants. Total produced, 110,000. The 8G005Y used eight tubes, (2) 1LN5, 1LA6, 1LD5, 1LE3, (2) 1LB4, and 117Z6. The 8G005Y was replaced in December 1949 by the G500—;a 'changeover' model that had updated electronics using miniature tubes but the same appearance. The G500 held its price at less than $ 100 until it was withdrawn in mid-1951. Total production for
8184-531: Was money to be made in it. However, it was necessary to hold a manufacturing license from Edwin Armstrong - and issuance of these had been suspended indefinitely. However, in 1921 he entered into a partnership with the founders of the Chicago Radio Laboratory, Karl Hassel, and Ralph Matthews. Under the tradename "Z-nith", this company held a valuable Armstrong license but lacked funds for expansion to meet
8277-523: Was re-introduced along with extended coverage from 1620 kHz through 2000 kHz and the VHF weather band. The electrical design was an improvement in both selectivity and sensitivity, and used modern silicon NPN transistors rather than the previous germanium types. Sound quality was much improved. The internal mechanical design was quite similar to the earlier models, and still used a steel chassis and point-to-point wiring, rather than PC boards. Production of
8370-499: Was responsible for overseeing covert operations across the world, and although widely considered an ineffectual administrator, he was popular among his employees, whom he had protected from the accusations of McCarthyism . Until Castro, the US was so overwhelmingly influential in Cuba that the American ambassador was the second most important man, sometimes even more important than the Cuban president. — Earl E. T. Smith , former American Ambassador to Cuba, during 1960 testimony to
8463-558: Was the Directorio Revolucionario Estudantil , which had been founded by the Federation of University Students President José Antonio Echevarría . However, the best known of these anti-Batista groups was the "26th of July Movement" (MR-26-7), founded by Fidel Castro. With Castro as the MR-26-7's head, the organization was based upon a clandestine cell system , with each cell containing ten members, none of whom knew
8556-413: Was to oversee the expropriations and be headed by Fidel Castro. In Camagüey Province there was growing opposition to the Cuban government due to the resistance of conservative farmers to the agrarian reforms and distaste for Raúl Castro and Che Guevara 's promotion of communist ideals in the local government and military. The anti-communist opposition within the Cuban government assumed that Fidel Castro
8649-474: Was unaware of growing communist influence because of Fidel Castro's frequent public disavowals of communism. In April of 1959, Fidel Castro announced that elections were to be postponed in order to allow for the provisional government to focus on domestic reforms. Castro announced this electoral delay with the slogan: "revolution first, elections later". These postponed elections would later be outright canceled in May of 1960. On 17 July 1959, Conrado Bécquer,
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