RCA Radiola V table crystal detector receiver and amplifier
Date: 1922-1923
Inventory Number: RS0038
Classification: Radio Receiver
Dimensions:25.9 x 61 x 19.7 cm (10 3/16 x 24 x 7 3/4 in.)
DescriptionAn early radio receiver called the RCA Radiola V. It consists of two adjacent rectangular metal boxes that are painted to look like wood, mounted together on a long rectangular wooden base. On the left side is the crystal detector receiver, with 2 large dials and the crystal detector. On the right side is the "detector-amplifier" with 3 large dials. It was battery operated. It was a two-step audio system.
The detector's Wavelength and Sensitivity knobs have a scale from 0 to 200. The amplifier's knobs (Detector, Stage 1 and Stage 2) all have scales from 0 to 100.
The backs of the boxes are removable, to expose the components.
Technical details:
Amplitude Modulation, Crystal Detector,Radio Receiver Model AR 1300 Comprises: Variable capacitor, variable mutual inductor, crystal detector, output jack. Detector Amplifier Model AA 1400 Comprises: 3 transformer coupled (Model UV712) untuned vacuum tube stages - tubes and grid leak resistors missing and unspecified. Tube bases are loosely mounted on 6 layers of felt for vibration isolation Front panel controls: 3 rheostats each in series with a tube filament - OFF, 1 -> 100 labelled DETECTOR, STAGE 1, STAGE 2 Input Voltages: +40V, +18V +6V.
Signedstamped on plate on front, bottom: Radiola V. / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / MODEL AR885 / (RCA logo) / Radio Corporation / of America / LICENSED ONLY FOR AMATEUR / EXPERIMENTAL AND ENTERTAINMENT USE / AND ONLY TO THE EXTENT INDICATED / IN ATTACHED NOTICE
Inscribedinside right rear of the front panel: RADIO RECEIVER / MODEL AR 1300 / GIVE MODEL WHEN ORDERING PARTS / RANGE 175 - 50 0METERS / PAT'D JUNE 15,'09 SEP 7,'09 JULY 5,'10 SEP 8,'14 JULY 5,'15 JAN 23.'17 / LICENSED FOR AMATEUR AND / EXPERIMENTAL USE ONLY / MANUFACTURED BY / GENERAL ELECTRIC CO., USA / FOR / RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA / N.P.25008
inside the left rear of the front panel: DETECTOR AMPLIFIER / VACUUM TUBE / MODEL AA-1400 / GIVE MODEL WHEN ORDERING PARTS / PAT'D NOV 7,'05 FEB 18,'08 APR 12,'10 OCT 6,'14 OCT 22,'18 / DEC 23,'19 MAY 10,'21 / LICENSED FOR AMATEUR AND / EXPERIMENTAL USE ONLY / MANUFACTURED BY/ GENERAL ELECTRIC CO., USA / FOR / RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA / N.P. 25006
inside on the right rear of the front panel of each side: Notice! / THIS DEVICE IS NOT LICENSED EXCEPT / FOR AMATEUR, EXPERIMENTAL AND ENTER- / TAINMENT RADIO USE AS SET FORTH AND TO THE / EXTENET INDICATED IN THE SURRENT ISSUE OF THE / CATALOGUE OF RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA. / NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED LICENSE IS GRANTED UNDER / ANY PATENT OWNED BY THE RADIO CORPORATION OF / AMERICA, OR UNDER WHICH IT IS LICENSED TO USE / OR SELL THE DEVICES AS AN ELEMENT OR PART OF / ANY COMBINATION OR ORGANIZATION / EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN / SAID CATALOGUE. / N.P. 25063
FunctionIn 1922 and 1923, in order to meet a rapidly growing demand for radio receivers for RCA, General Electric fitted a receiver originally intended for shipboard use, the AR1300/AA1400, for household consumers. To give it a more domestic appearance, the boxes were painted to resemble wood and assembled together with a wooden base and top. (This one has the top missing). See this website for details.
The Radiola V was for use with an outside antenna, whereas the Radiola VI was designed for detection with a loop antenna that could fit indoors.
An advertisement for this product is available via Google Books here.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland.
Related WorksMorgan E. McMahon, Vintage Radio, 1887-1929, 3rd ed. (Rolling Hills Estates, CA: Vintage Radio, 1981), 104 [photo of RCA factory making these radios], 110.
Douglas, 3:20-25.