Philco 48-602 Question - Printable Version

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Philco 48-602 Question - Joe Rossi - 03-19-2026

I just purchased a Philco 48-602 on e-bay. The 48-602 shows in the Philco Gallery, but the schematic doesn't exist.  However...the 49-602 is the exact radio.  Anyone know why Philco had two model numbers for the same radio?  Just curious.  Thanx,  Joe

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RE: Philco 48-602 Question - morzh - 03-19-2026

Perhaps because they simply kept the radio from the year 1948 to 1949, and the naming system had to have the year in it, so they renamed in in the year 1949 without changing it much other than adding ivory to the color.

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RE: Philco 48-602 Question - RodB - 03-19-2026

Anyone know why Philco had two radios with the same model number?

Because someone knew, in the future, we'd be confused.

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RE: Philco 48-602 Question - morzh - 03-19-2026

Rod

Are you referring to this situation or a different one?
In this case it is one radio with two model numbers.

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RE: Philco 48-602 Question - RodB - 03-19-2026

One's I've worked on. How about one with one 47, two 47s or maybe a 41 for audio output. Not only that, but the circuitry is different for each. Go figure. That's always disappointing, if you're going to change it that much why call it something it's not. Maybe it's the "look" for the model number and slap in just any chassis that fits. Better not get on the soap box.

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RE: Philco 48-602 Question - morzh - 03-19-2026

I actually never asked that question: when the Philco 90 was being sold, and there are several mods, (I know at least major 4 (two push-pulls with 45 and 47 tube outputs) and two 47 Class A outputs, one with det-rect and one with the plate detector) - were they sold without disclosing the details? Like, OK, this is a Philco 90. Buy it. Looks the same.
Or, we have a few different versions, these are plusses and minuses of each?

But, at any rate, they were called the same radio model 90,and the customers were not literate enough to understand the differences, which would be quite enough to warrant changing the model number.

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RE: Philco 48-602 Question - Arran - 03-19-2026

Mike;
The second version, the ones with the single ended #47 power outputs, had AVC/AGC, whereas the one with the P+P #45s did not and required the local distance switch on the rear apron. Why they could not have added a local distance switch in conjunction with the
power switch may be lost to history.
On the other hand Philco would frequently carry over models from year to year with no changes other then the date code, but with others there would be no less then six different circuits used for the same set, the worst examples being some of the post war models, like the 46-1201 Bing Crosby. I have a Canadian "Hippo" model that has a TRF amplifier stage, but two others use the extra IF amp and that used the XXD/14AF7, I will have to see which version is the better performer. I think Philco designed sets around whatever tubes, or speakers, they either could buy in volume, cheap, or what was immediately available.
Regards
Arran

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RE: Philco 48-602 Question - Joe Rossi - 03-24-2026

Well, golly, Thanks for the answer!  I think...

Joe

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