Eumig 323U – The Small Viennese All-Current Superhet from 1949
The Eumig 323U is a compact Austrian tube radio from the post-war period. Built around 1949, this small all-current medium wave receiver shows Eumig as a manufacturer of simple, practical everyday radios.
The Eumig 323U is one of those radios that may look rather modest at first glance — and that is exactly what makes it interesting. It is not a large console radio, not a luxurious multi-band receiver, and it does not have a magic eye tuning indicator. Instead, it is a compact table radio built for everyday use in the early post-war years: small, simple, economical, and technically reduced to the essentials.
At that time, Eumig was already much more than just a manufacturer of film cameras. The company Elektrizitäts- und Metallwaren-Industrie-Gesellschaft m.b.H. was founded in Vienna in 1919. The name EUMIG was introduced in 1920 as an abbreviation of the original company name. As early as the 1920s, Eumig also became active in radio technology.
A Radio for the Post-War Years
The 323U dates from around 1949. The Eumig Museum lists the model for the period from 1949 to 1952 and mentions both wooden and Bakelite cabinet versions. For the Bakelite version, a production number of around 46,000 units is stated; the original price was 526 Austrian schillings.
Technically, the 323U is a small classic superheterodyne receiver for medium wave reception. It receives only the standard AM broadcast band of its time — no FM, no short wave, and no long wave. This makes it a fine example of a simple everyday post-war radio.
Compact, but Complete
Despite its small size, the 323U is not a simple tuned radio frequency receiver, but a proper superhet. The tube line-up consists of four valves:
| Function | Tube |
|---|---|
| Mixer / Oscillator | UCH21 |
| IF amplifier | UCH21 |
| Detector / AF output | UBL21 |
| Rectifier | UY1N |
The documented technical data lists 6 AM tuned circuits, a permanent-dynamic loudspeaker with a diameter of approximately 9.5 cm, and voltage settings for 110, 125, 150, and 220 V. As an all-current radio, the 323U can operate from either AC or DC mains.
Radiomuseum.org gives the dimensions as approximately 210 × 160 × 130 mm, with a weight of around 2.8 kg.
All-Current Design – Interesting, but Not Harmless
The “U” in the model name refers to the U-series tubes and the all-current circuit design. These radios usually do not have a mains transformer. This saved space, weight, and cost, but it also has an important consequence: parts of the circuit can be directly connected to the mains supply.
For collectors and restorers, this means that an Eumig 323U should never be opened or operated carelessly. When working on the chassis, an isolation transformer is strongly recommended. The circuit itself is relatively simple and easy to understand, but by modern standards it is not touch-safe.
Design: Small, Practical, Austrian
Visually, the 323U appears to be a radio designed very much with practicality in mind. The cabinet is compact, the controls are simple, and the dial is clear and uncluttered. Depending on the version, examples can be found with metal, wooden, or Bakelite cabinets.
This simplicity is part of its charm. The 323U was not a luxury receiver, but a piece of Austrian radio history from a time when broadcasting was once again becoming part of everyday life. It represents a transitional period: still based on pre-war radio principles, but already shaped by post-war production, smaller cabinet sizes, and a stronger focus on affordable series-built receivers.
Reception Today
In its original form, the Eumig 323U receives medium wave only. Since regular medium wave broadcasting has been discontinued in many countries, practical reception today is limited. However, with a small AM modulator or pantry transmitter, the radio can still be used in a very authentic way: an audio signal is transmitted locally on medium wave and received by the original tube radio.
This does not turn the 323U into a modern hi-fi device — and it was never meant to be one. Instead, it brings back exactly the character it was designed for: a small, warm-sounding, slightly nostalgic everyday receiver.
Conclusion
The Eumig 323U is not a spectacular high-end radio, but a charming and compact post-war receiver from Vienna. Four tubes, medium wave, all-current technology, and a very small cabinet — in the late 1940s, that was often all that was needed to bring news, music, and voices into the home.
Today, the 323U is especially interesting for collectors who appreciate Austrian radio history. It shows Eumig from a side that is often overshadowed by the company’s famous film cameras: as a manufacturer of simple, practical, and neatly engineered radio receivers.
References and Further Reading
- eumigMuseum: Radios, TV und T5 Kassettengeräte
- Radiomuseum.org: Eumig 323U
- Jogi’s Röhrenbude: Restoration of an Eumig Model 323
Pictures
Circuit Diagram
Restoration Note
The restoration of this Eumig 323U was carried out with the aim of preserving its original appearance and circuit design as much as possible.
Several of the original capacitors were carefully opened, fitted internally with modern replacement components, and then resealed. This way, the radio keeps the visual character of its original parts while gaining the electrical reliability needed for safe operation. The mains cable was also replaced, as the old cable was no longer suitable for regular use.
The set was cleaned thoroughly, both inside and outside. The cabinet, chassis, dial, knobs, and speaker area were treated carefully in order to preserve the aged but authentic appearance of the radio.
Since the Eumig 323U is a medium-wave-only receiver, it is now used together with a small AM transmitter. The transmitter is fed by a Bluetooth receiver, allowing modern audio sources such as Spotify to be played through the radio.
The result is a charming bridge between eras: the radio remains completely original in its circuit design, but it can still be enjoyed today — playing Spotify in authentic AM quality.