Note
QST, Sep 1940, p. 65.
Radio News, Oct 1945, p. 9. (EC-1A)
Radio News, Nov 1945, p. 67. (EC-1A with specs)
QST, Nov 1945, p. 125. (EC-1A)
During WWII, when advertising and sales of communication receivers and transmitters for civilian used virtually disappeared, the EC-1 was advertised almost every month in magazines like Radio Craft and Radio News. The ads did not include ordering information or a price, so they may have been “institutional” in nature. Still, virtually all other manufacturers were absent during the war years.
The Hallicrafters EC-1, an often-overlooked but significant radio, was part of a line of receivers produced under the Echophone brand, a subsidiary of Hallicrafters. It's a prime example of a consumer-level shortwave receiver designed to be more accessible and affordable than Hallicrafters' professional-grade "boat anchors."
Introduced in the 1940, the EC-1 was built to offer shortwave listening to a broader audience. While it shared a family resemblance and some design principles with its more expensive Hallicrafters cousins, it was a more modest and compact set. It featured a straightforward superheterodyne circuit, with 6 tubes, and covered multiple frequency bands for standard AM broadcast and shortwave reception.
The EC-1 was known for its no-frills, utilitarian design. The front panel was simple, with a main tuning knob, bandspread control, and a few switches for functions like power, volume, and band selection. It was often housed in a compact wooden or metal cabinet, a stark contrast to the larger, heavier, and more complex receivers like the SX-25.
he Hallicrafters EC-1, and its later variants like the EC-1A and EC-1B, were designed as a simple and cost-effective alternative to Hallicrafters' larger communications receivers. While it was not a professional-grade receiver, it still incorporated a number of key technical features that made it a functional and popular radio for its time.
A primary technical detail of the EC-1 is its circuit design. It's a six-tube superheterodyne receiver, which was a standard and reliable design for radios of that era. The EC-1 used a 455 kHz IF, another common standard.
The EC-1 was an AC/DC set, meaning it could operate on either alternating or direct current. This was achieved by wiring the tube filaments in series and using the rectifier to supply the necessary plate voltage. This design, while making the radio versatile, also meant that the chassis was "hot," or connected directly to one side of the AC power line. For this reason, an isolation transformer is highly recommended for safe operation.
The EC-1A, released late in 1945, incorporated a few minor circuit tweaks.
The EC-1B, released in 1946, uses an inductor link to the oscillator coil for the bandspread with a cheaper broadcast-type variable capacitor. Note that the EC-1B is mechanically and electrically identical to the Hallicrafters S-41.
The EC-1(A) represented a balance of simplicity, affordability, and performance, making it a popular choice for beginners and a significant product in Hallicrafters' history.
Despite its simplicity, the EC-1(A) was a capable receiver for its price point. It provided decent sensitivity and selectivity, allowing casual listeners to tune into international broadcasters and other shortwave signals. It was an entry point for many into the hobby of shortwave listening and, for some, a stepping stone to amateur radio. The EC-1's legacy is that it democratized shortwave listening, making the world of international radio accessible to a wider population. While it may not have the legendary status of the SX-25 or the SX-28, the EC-1 played a vital role in introducing a generation to the thrill of tuning in to far-off signals on the shortwave bands. It stands as a testament to Hallicrafters' commitment to producing a diverse range of radios for various markets, from the dedicated amateur to the casual listener.
Interestingly, advertising for the EC-1A disappeared after January 1946. Advertising the EC-1B has not been found as of this writing. The existence of the EC-1B is known from examples that have been found. See included photo.
The Hogarth Campaign
The Echophone EC-1 "Hogarth" advertising campaign during WWII is a classic example of wartime marketing designed to appeal to both servicemen and their families back home.
Here's a breakdown of that campaign:
The Character: Private (later Corporal) Hogarth
A "Relatable Nerd": Hogarth was depicted as a somewhat nerdy, bespectacled serviceman, often with an awkward demeanor. He wasn't the stereotypical brawny hero, making him more relatable to the average GI.
The core of the campaign was that Hogarth, no matter where he was stationed in the Pacific (or other remote locations), always had his Echophone EC-1 radio with him.
A key theme was how the EC-1, despite Hogarth's sometimes uncharming personality, made him popular, especially with attractive young women. The radio became the catalyst for social interaction, allowing him (and his fellow soldiers) to listen to music, news, and entertainment from home. This subtly highlighted the radio's ability to combat loneliness and boost morale.
The ads featured a light, cartoonish style with humorous situations, contrasting with the grim realities of war.
While the focus was on Hogarth's social life, the ads also subtly showcased the EC-1's practical benefits: its compact size (for a shortwave receiver of its day), ruggedness, and ability to pull in distant signals (shortwave coverage from 550 kc to 30 Mc).
Purpose of the Campaign:
The primary goal was to present the Echophone EC-1 as an essential tool for soldier morale. During WWII, the U.S. government allowed some commercial radio production specifically for this purpose, and the EC-1 was one of the most prominent "morale radios."
These ads were frequently found in popular magazines of the era, particularly those read by a broad audience or those with a focus on radio, electronics, or general interest.
The "Hogarth" campaign was quite effective because it humanized the product and tapped into a universal wartime need: connection, entertainment, and a bit of relief from the daily stresses of military life. It's a great example of how advertising can create a relatable narrative to sell a product, even in extraordinary circumstances.
Coverage: 540 kHz to 30 MHz
IF: 455 kHz
Modes: AM, CW
Built-in speaker
BFO
ANL
Uncalibrated Bandspread
Power: 120 volts AC-DC
Tubes:
EC-1: 12SA7, 12SQ7, 12J5, 35L6, 35Z5
EC-1A/B: 12SA7, 12SK7, (2) 12SQ7, 35L6, 35Z5
References
Brief description. Radio News, Feb 1941, p. 23.
