Webster PA amps with Dynamotor

[bmccowan]

In my endless search for strange obsolete equipment I saw these: https://hibid.com/lot/109475321/vintage-webster-electric-tube-amplifiers-lot-of-4/?q=&ref=lot-list Tube amps to run off 6V with dynamotors to produce 330V B+. They have 16 of these in the auction. I assume these are military with the power source being automotive type 6V batteries. I know that somebody like PRR will jump in and tell us exactly the history. A bit off topic, but I thought some of you would be interested.

[sluckey]

That would be fun to play with!

[PRR]

I would assume they go in sound-trucks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_truck

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/vintage-color-photograph-of-a-green-station-wagon-with-a-pa-news-photo/583866228

https://showmensmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Bisbees-Comedians-sound-truck-1949.jpg
https://showmensmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Plunketts-sound-truck-and-pop-corn-trailer.-1940s.jpg
https://showmensmuseum.org/featured-photos/sound-truck-announces-the-carnival/

https://vintageportland.wordpress.com/2017/01/12/hollywood-sound-co-radio-car-1939/

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sh-ORjw4bzE/UDj3wAbwaFI/AAAAAAAAApI/ubTwxMhKr4Y/s1600/Blues+Mobile+at+Universal+Studios.jpg

https://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/2016-45/wendax-2033/

Apparently off-grid PA is common in war.
http://www.psywarrior.com/PSYOPLoudspeakers.html
http://www.psywarrior.com/APTLoudspeakerTruck.jpg

[uki]

Nice finding! Old stuff is always interesting !
@bmccowan Did you acquire one of those ?

This is an interesting picture PRR posted, it is from the movie The Blues Brothers, if you haven't seen it do so, very fun !

[shooter]

 
we got the internet now, best echo chamber, amplifier and loud speaker ever invented, soo far 

[bmccowan]

OMG - great collection of photos PRR. I forgot about the loudspeaker car that travelled the neighborhoods of Rangeley Maine when I was growing up. In the 1960s the owner driver was in his 80s and travelled about with loudspeakers on his roof announcing what was playing at the Lakeside Theater and the band playing at the Rangeley Inn for the Saturday night dance. The Lakeside was especially interesting as the theater had lots of Bats and they'd fly across in front of the screen, and the roof was sheet metal with no insulation. If it rained you could not hear the movie.

Uki, the auction is upcoming. They have 16 of them and are selling them in lots of 4. I need to stay away from alcohol the night the auction closes. I'd love to have one to play around with, as Sluckey says, but 4? Of course I did have the idea of using ice cream trucks for Covid vaccinations, driving through neighborhoods like the Good Humor truck.

[PRR]

From 1933:

[shooter]

off-grid before it was cool!
nice find, the last sentence is telling
......follow the money 

[PRR]

Webster PA amps in 1933: