For the 1937 season, RCA issued 54 table model and console radios, along with six radio-phonographs. The potential customer could choose from radios with as few as four tubes, or as many as 15.

The RCA model 10T was the largest tombstone (table model) radio the company offered for the 1937 season. (RCA also built a John Vassos-designed, Art Moderne version of the same radio, model 10T11, which featured a black and white lacquered cabinet with chrome trim.)

The RCA model 10T radio.

RCA’s 10T has five bands, covering 150-410 kc; 530-1800 kc; 1.8-6.4 mc; 6.4-23 mc; and 23 to 60 mc. Most of these models will not receive much beyond 23-24 mc unless a particularly sensitive 6K7 RF amplifier tube is used. Often, a modification which changes the 6K7 RF amplifier tube to a 6SG7 is required to make the receiver pick up the ultra-high frequencies up to 60 mc. The modification is generally moot as there isn’t much to hear in those upper shortwave frequencies today. The 10T includes two stages of IF amplification as well as a fidelity-selectivity switch integrated into the tone control, which permits it to pass a wide audio bandwidth when switched into the “Fidelity” position. It uses a single ended 6L6 output tube to feed an eight inch speaker.

The 10T is one of only a few RCA table models which included an RF amplifier in its circuitry during that model year. (The others were model 8T2, 8T11, and 9T.) The radio is a giant set for a table model, and used ten tubes including a 6E5 “Magic Eye” tube. It also utilized a removable “Magic Brain” subchassis which included the set’s entire front end. I believe it was the removable “Magic Brain” which Philco tried to copy in their “Unit Construction” sets of 1937-38. Only, the RF unit in the Philco sets, especially those with high tube counts, could be – and are – a nightmare to remove and reinstall. The RCA unit only requires proper disconnection of the band switch mechanism, removal of an octal plug, and removal of four thumbwheel nuts to pull it from the main chassis.

Another view of the 10T.

Since I became interested in RCA radios a few years ago, I have been wanting a 10T for my collection. However, 10Ts are usually very hard to find, and expensive when available. A few years back I settled for a model 9T which is just as large and almost as good as a 10T. The 9T only has one stage of IF amplification and does not have the Fidelity-Selectivity control. The 9T, arguably, may have a better-looking, more stylish cabinet but the 10T is the superior radio overall.

I learned that a friend was going to have a 10T for sale at Kutztown that was going to need a lot of work. I made a deal for it and asked another good friend if he would not mind picking it up for me.

Back view of the 10T

Well, he did not pick up the 10T I expected – he found a 10T in much better condition for me. I was nearly speechless when I found out what I would be getting. Wow! No wonder this guy is one of my closest friends! I cannot adequately express my appreciation to him and to another fellow, who I also consider a good friend in the hobby, as well as the seller who “cut a deal” to make all of this happen. (You guys know who you are, and thank you.)

Another thing which makes this radio special to me – it had belonged to a fellow radio collector who had unexpectedly passed away two years ago. He was well known as a collector of Pilot radios, but also enjoyed Philco radios which were either made for export or manufactured in other parts of the world such as Great Britain. I did not know him really well; I used to run into him at swap meets several years ago. He had purchased a couple of my Philco export radios in the past. So, I am happy to now be the caretaker of one of his radios.

A photo of a 9T (left) and a 10T (right).

As you can see from the photos, the 10T is in good shape and should be an interesting restore. I have some experience with one of these, having restored a similar 10K console chassis in the past. The replacement of rubber-covered wires will not be easy, but the final result of an outstanding performer will be well worth the effort.