08-16-2022, 10:19 PM
Hi Beerose and welcome to the Phorum! I don't know how "into" electronics, old radios and history that you are. I don't think that the radio is worth a lot of money but it is interesting for several reasons.
First off, this radio chassis is an early "Post-WW2" "entry level" Radio - Phonograph Console, likely one their least expensive console radio phono models. One unique aspect is that most consoles employ a chassis that uses a power transformer. However, Philco had a line of several transformerless radio - phono units into the early 1950s including a drop leaf side table model employing a somewhat similar transformerless "voltage doubler" chassis. This transformerless (no power transformer) was much cheaper to manufacture, and it is likely that raw materials such as copper may have been in short supply as the economy and industries transferred from wartime to peacetime, the building of housing developments and the demand for consumer goods to replace those pre-war goods held together with spit, bailing wire and prayers.
Second, this chassis employs a "voltage doubler" rectifier circuit. The audio output tube, a 35L6 or its close relative 50L6 was a common audio output tube in table radios, usually having an output of only 1 watt when the radio was an AC-DC "All American 5" design, a very common circuit for table radios from almost any manufacturer from the late 1930s till tubes disappeared from radios in the late 1960s. However, the higher voltage from the voltage doubler rectifier allowed the 35L6 to push about 2.5 watts, giving the radio the performance level expected of a radio - phono console. Even though there is no power transformer, the voltage doubler required AC to operate, but what the heck, so did the phono motor.
Third, the 2 stage IF Amplifier is not common. Most 6 tube chassis added an RF stage before the "1st detector" to provide a little better rejection of adjacent stations. This was very common in "broadcast band only" radios meant for rural environments. However, some engineers thought it better to "spend the gain money" on the IF Stage because lower RF frequencies (found in an IF stage) are easier to amplifier than higher RF frequencies.
Finally, the 2 Triode Oscillator / Mixer first detector is not as common as the "Pentagrid Convertor" in AM Broadcast band radios.
A BIG word or warning- This is a "Hot Chassis" Set. While a capacitor and resistor limit the current somewhat, you will get a shock touching while powered up or even just plugged in. If you want to restore the chassis, build a cabinet for it. Replace all capacitors, especially the "electrolytics" before operating.
In a lot of suburban homes in the 1960s, an intercom system was a handy accessory. My mother in law had one in her ca 1956 suburban Long Island, NY house. The radio could be played in al rooms that had an intercom speaker installed. the central station / radio was usually installed in a "hub" location of the house, usually the kitchen. The user could switch a switch and call a person in a bedroom. The user then switched to listen mode for that person's response. Of course, the user (usually Mom or Dad) could eavesdrop on the child's conversations or other goings on in the bedroom! This concept may have inspired the person who "built in" this radio into the wall to do so.
Best Regards,
John, MrFixr55
First off, this radio chassis is an early "Post-WW2" "entry level" Radio - Phonograph Console, likely one their least expensive console radio phono models. One unique aspect is that most consoles employ a chassis that uses a power transformer. However, Philco had a line of several transformerless radio - phono units into the early 1950s including a drop leaf side table model employing a somewhat similar transformerless "voltage doubler" chassis. This transformerless (no power transformer) was much cheaper to manufacture, and it is likely that raw materials such as copper may have been in short supply as the economy and industries transferred from wartime to peacetime, the building of housing developments and the demand for consumer goods to replace those pre-war goods held together with spit, bailing wire and prayers.
Second, this chassis employs a "voltage doubler" rectifier circuit. The audio output tube, a 35L6 or its close relative 50L6 was a common audio output tube in table radios, usually having an output of only 1 watt when the radio was an AC-DC "All American 5" design, a very common circuit for table radios from almost any manufacturer from the late 1930s till tubes disappeared from radios in the late 1960s. However, the higher voltage from the voltage doubler rectifier allowed the 35L6 to push about 2.5 watts, giving the radio the performance level expected of a radio - phono console. Even though there is no power transformer, the voltage doubler required AC to operate, but what the heck, so did the phono motor.
Third, the 2 stage IF Amplifier is not common. Most 6 tube chassis added an RF stage before the "1st detector" to provide a little better rejection of adjacent stations. This was very common in "broadcast band only" radios meant for rural environments. However, some engineers thought it better to "spend the gain money" on the IF Stage because lower RF frequencies (found in an IF stage) are easier to amplifier than higher RF frequencies.
Finally, the 2 Triode Oscillator / Mixer first detector is not as common as the "Pentagrid Convertor" in AM Broadcast band radios.
A BIG word or warning- This is a "Hot Chassis" Set. While a capacitor and resistor limit the current somewhat, you will get a shock touching while powered up or even just plugged in. If you want to restore the chassis, build a cabinet for it. Replace all capacitors, especially the "electrolytics" before operating.
In a lot of suburban homes in the 1960s, an intercom system was a handy accessory. My mother in law had one in her ca 1956 suburban Long Island, NY house. The radio could be played in al rooms that had an intercom speaker installed. the central station / radio was usually installed in a "hub" location of the house, usually the kitchen. The user could switch a switch and call a person in a bedroom. The user then switched to listen mode for that person's response. Of course, the user (usually Mom or Dad) could eavesdrop on the child's conversations or other goings on in the bedroom! This concept may have inspired the person who "built in" this radio into the wall to do so.
Best Regards,
John, MrFixr55
"Do Justly, love Mercy and walk humbly with your God"- Micah 6:8
Best Regards,
MrFixr55
