16B 16/16A-121 Version 2

Philco, Philadelphia Stg. Batt. Co.; USA

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  • Year
  • 1934
  • Category
  • Broadcast Receiver - or past WW2 Tuner
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 118867

Click on the schematic thumbnail to request the schematic as a free document.

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Tubes
  • 11
  • Main principle
  • Superheterodyne (common); ZF/IF 460 kHz
  • Wave bands
  • Broadcast plus more than 2 Short Wave bands.
  • Power type and voltage
  • Alternating Current supply (AC) / 115 Volt
  • Loudspeaker
  • Electro Magnetic Dynamic LS (moving-coil with field excitation coil) / Ø 10 inch = 25.4 cm
  • Power out
  • 10 W (unknown quality)
  • Material
  • Wooden case
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: 16B 16/16A-121 [Version 2] - Philco, Philadelphia Stg. Batt
  • Shape
  • Tablemodel, Tombstone = decorative upright, not cathedral but can have rounded edges.
  • Dimensions (WHD)
  • 16.5 x 21 x 11 inch / 419 x 533 x 279 mm
  • Notes

  • The 2nd version of the Philco 16B was introduced in June, 1934.  The cabinet has a shallow peaked top with 3 narrow bars running from the front of the cabinet to the back along the peak.  It uses the code 121 early chassis.

     

     

    The model 16 series were high-end multi-band 11-tube radios sold by Philco for about 2 years spanning the 1933, 1934, and 1935 model years.  There were two basic versions of the chassis referred to as 'early' and 'late'. Both the early and late chassis used a type 80 rectifier tube for the 16B table models, and a 5Z3 rectifier for the console models. Both chassis included dual IF-amp stages and a shadow meter (tuning aid). Both chassis were available in a version for 25-40 Hz power, and these chassis are marked as "16A" (where the -A suffix is a chassis suffix, not to be confused with the cabinet suffix on the main model number).

     

    The early chassis used in 1933-34 included a QAVC ("quiet automatic volume control") squelch circuit to silence noise between stations.  Squelch was implemented with a dedicated type 78 tube, and controlled with an on/off switch on the side and a potentiometer on the back to adjust the squelch level.  The early chassis received five bands:  520-1500 kHz, 1.5-4.0 MHz, 3.2-6.0 MHz, 5.8-12.0 MHz and 11.0-23.0 MHz.

     

    The late chassis (1934-35) eliminated the QAVC feature and repurposed its 78 tube to be an RF amplifier stage in the front end, thus maintaining the 11-tube count. The switch on the side of the cabinet was used as a bass-boost control called "Loudness". The late chassis covered a similar tuning range, but with only four bands: 550-1500 KHz, 1.5-4.1 MHz, 4.1-10.0 MHz, and 10.0-22.5 MHz.

     

    The chassis codes are as follows:

     

    Code 121: early chassis with 80

    Code 122: early chassis with 5Z3

    Code 123: unknown

    Code 125: late chassis with 80

    Code 126: late chassis with 5Z3

    Code 127: unknown

     

    There were fifteen versions of model 16 in different cabinet styles over the three-model-year span:

    Four versions of the 16B cathedral/tombstone,

    Three versions of the 16L lowboy console,

    Four versions of the 16X floor-type console,

    Three versions of the 16RX chairside,

    A special 16CPX chairside.

  • Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg)
  • 19 kg / 41 lb 13.6 oz (41.85 lb)
  • Price in first year of sale
  • 90.00 $
  • Circuit diagram reference
  • Rider's Perpetual, Volume 4 = ca. 1934 and before
  • Literature/Schematics (1)
  • Machine Age to Jet Age II (Philco 1928-36 Wiring Diagrams, Parts Lists, and Essential Service Data)

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