RCA Radiola 18 table radio receiver

Date1927

Inventory NumberRS0042

ClassificationRadio Broadcast Receiver

Subject

Maker Radio Corporation of America 1919-present

Maker Jamestown Mantel Company 1890 - 1935

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Dimensions22 x 69 x 20 cm (8 11/16 x 27 3/16 x 7 7/8 in.)

Material

DescriptionRadio receiver consisting of a rectangular wooden case with hinged lid and 4 feet. Decorative plates around station selector, on/off switch and dial. Inside 7 tubes and 2 transformers.

This instrument is an amplitude modulation (AM), tuned radio frequency (trf), frequency range: 550 - 1400 kilocycles. The AC power cord has a light socket adaptor attached. There are three controls on the front panel, none marked with a function. The left one would be for volume, the center one for tuning and the right one the power switch. The electronics is stored inside a long rectangular box, made by another company. The rear section of top is hinged at the rear; the rear panel is hinged at the top.

The tube compliment, from right to left from front, reads thus: RCA Radiotron UX280; line rectifier RCA Radiotron UX226; tuned rf stage RCA Radiotron UX226; tuned rf stage RCA Radiotron UX226; tuned rf stage RCA Radiotron UY227; (detector?) RCA Radiotron UX226; (af amplifier?) RCA Radiotron UX171A; af amplifier (labelled "FOR USE IN LAST AUDIO STAGE ONLY".

There are two blue wires to chassis near UX 171A (loudspeaker connection?) LH bottom rear: two screw connectors (antenna connections?) The label on chassis near the first RF stage reads: "716357 BI”. The label on the power supply chassis reads: "120V switch 110V CYCLES 60 INPUT VOLTS 105/125 UX2801 MAX. PRI. INPUT 50 WATTS".

In Collection(s)

radio

Signedon bezel supporting tuning knob: RCA - Radiola 18 / REG. U.S. Pat. OFF. / SEE LICENSE NOTICE ON BOTTOM on inside right hand end of cabinet: Jamestown Mantel Co. Jamestown, N.Y.

Inscribedlabel: RCA-Radiola / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / MODEL 4R-936 RANGE 550-1400 KILO (missing) / (right column) CAUTION! / BEFORE INSTALLING / OR OPERATING / READ INSTRUCTIONS / (center) (RCA logo) / (left column) / PATENTS / 1014002 1195632 1313094 / 1113149 1231764 1329283 (missing) / 1129942 1251377 1349252 / 1158123 1273627 1375447 (missing) / 1173079 1277384 1377405 (missing) / 1183875 1282439 13986(missing) / NOTICE / IN CONNECTION WITH DEVICES IT SELLS RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA / HAS RIGHTS UNDER PATENTS HAVING CLAIMS (A) ON THE DEVICES THEM- / SELVES AND (B) ON COMBINATIONS OF THE DEVICES WITH OTHER DEVICES / OR ELEMENTS - AS FOR EXAMPLE IN VARIOUS CIRCUITS AND HOOK-UPS / THE SALE OF THIS DEVICE CARRIES A LICESNSE UNDER THE PATENT CLAIMS / OF (A) BUT ONLY FOR (1) TALKING MACHINE USES (2) RADIO AMATUER / USES (3) RADIO EXPERIMENTAL USES AND (4) RADIO BROADCAST RECEP- / TION. AND ONLY WHERE NO BUSINESS FEATURES ARE INVOLVED. / THE SALE DOES NOT CARRY A LICENSE UNDER PATENT CLAIMS OF B EX- / CEPT ONLY (1) FOR LEGITAMATE RENEWALS AND REPAIRS IN APPARATUS / AND SYSTEMS ALREADY LICENSED FOR USE UNDER SUCH PATENT CLAIMS / OR COMBINATIONS. (2) FOR ASSEMBLING BY AMATUERS AND EXPERIMENT- / ERS AND NOT BY OTHERS WITH OTHER LICENSED PARTS OR DEVICES OR / WITH PARTS OR DEVICES MADE BY THEMSELVES BUT ONLY FOR THEIR / OWN AMATEUR AND EXPERIMENTAL RADIO USES WHERE NO BUSINESS / FEATURES ARE INVOLVED AND NOT FOR SALE TO OR FOR USE BY OTHERS / AND (3) FOR USE WITH LICENSED TALKING MACHINES AND LICENSED / RADIO BROADCAST RECEIVING DEVICES AND ONLY WHERE NO BUSINESS FEATURES ARE INVOLVED. / Radio Corporation / of America / N.P. 3769#[3 or 8?]

FunctionA good restored example, together with original advertisements from 1928, is available on this website.

A video recording of this radio is available here.

ProvenanceDavid Wheatland.