Philco 16X Version 3

Dominion Radio & Electrical Corp. Ltd (Dreco), Philco; Auckland

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  • Year
  • 1934
  • Category
  • Broadcast Receiver - or past WW2 Tuner
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 350366

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

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Tubes
  • 11
  • Main principle
  • Superhet with RF-stage; ZF/IF 460 kHz
  • Wave bands
  • Broadcast plus more than 2 Short Wave bands.
  • Power type and voltage
  • Alternating Current supply (AC) / 50Hz, 230 Volt
  • Loudspeaker
  • Electro Magnetic Dynamic LS (moving-coil with field excitation coil)
  • Power out
  • 10 W (unknown quality)
  • Material
  • Wooden case
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: Philco 16X [Version 3] - Dominion Radio & Electrical
  • Shape
  • Console with any shape - in general
  • Notes

  • The model 16 series were high-end multiband radios. The early chassis used in 1933-34 had five bands covering 520 kHz to 23 MHz, and also included a QAVC ("quiet automatic volume control") squelch circuit to silence noise between stations (with a switch on the side and a control on the back to adjust the QAVC). The late version (1934-35) of the chassis covered a similar tuning range, but with only four bands, and eliminated the QAVC feature. Both the early and late chassis used a type 80 rectifier tube for the more compact 16B models, and a type 5Z3 for larger models. Both chassis included a shadow meter (tuning aid). Both chassis also 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 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: late chassis with 5Z3 (difference between 126 and 127 unknown)

    There were fifteen versions of model 16 in different cabinet styles over a three year span: four versions of the 16B cathedral/tombstone, three versions of the 16L lowboy, four versions of the 16X floor-type console, three versions of the 16RX chairside, and a special 16CPX chairside.

    Version 1 (1933-34) of model 16B was a cathedral (early chassis); version 2 (1934) was a gently peaked tombstone (early chassis); version 3 (1934) was a slightly updated tombstone with a somewhat more steeply peaked top (late chassis); version 4 (1935) is a flat-topped shouldered tombstone (late chassis).

    The early version (1933-34) of the 16L lowboy has four vertical bars through the speaker opening and an arched control panel (early chassis). The middle version (1934) has V-shaped bars in the speaker opening and hexagonal knobs (early chassis). The late version (1934-35) had the same cabinet as the middle, but with the late chassis.

    Version 1 (1933) of the 16X console had a large open speaker grill on an inclined sounding board (early chassis). Version 2 (1934) had three round vertical bars in front of the speaker opening and patterned moulding around the top of the cabinet (early chassis). Version 3 (1934) had a more "modern" style with three square vertical bars in front of the speaker and no moulding around the top (early chassis). Version 4 (1934-35) kept the same cabinet, but used the late chassis.

    The early version (1933-34) of the 16RX chairside had a control unit on legs with a top that swiveled to reveal the controls and a large separate speaker cabinet (early chassis). Version 2 (1934) had a more modern design, the control unit having no legs (or very short) and the speaker cabinet having a lightning bolt pattern on the speaker grill (early chassis). Version 3 (1934-35) kept the same cabinet, but used the late chassis.

    The 16CPX was a special chairside model commemorating the "Century of Progress" and is rare or nonexistant today. The modern-style cabinets had veneers of Madagascar ebony and myrtle burl, with catalin and stainless steel trim. Only 750 units were manufactured. The 16CPX has the early chassis.

    Made in the USA

    See also US Model 16X (16, 16A) Version 3

  • Mentioned in
  • -- Original prospect or advert (Press 9 June 1934 Page 19)
  • Author
  • Model page created by Brian Stevens. See "Data change" for further contributors.

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