Old TFK radio model code

ID: 165751
Old TFK radio model code 
10.Jun.08 11:13
0

Ake Nyholm (FIN)
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Ake Nyholm

Old Telefunken radio radio model codes (1930-40)

Obviously this subject has already been discussed earlier but it should be interesting to hear comment from experts. One radio collector friend of mine made a proposal , which looks simple and interesting. For example TFK model  054 GWK.   0= last number of manufacturing year (1940), 5= number of tuned circuit, 4= number of tubes. The end of code indicates useable operating voltages, DC and AC in this case.

I’ll look forward for comments.

Best regards

Ake

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 2
Only a very short time 
18.Jun.08 12:03

Ernst Erb (CH)
Officer
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Ernst Erb

Dear Ake

As you see on our model list, there was not a general system in naming. Example 1927 Arcolette  3W with 4 tubes 9 or T9 with 5 tubes etc. There are a few models indicating tube number of tubes around 1930 like 55B (Siemens Rfe 24) or 33GL (G for "Gleichstrom" = DC, L = Loudspeaker incorporated) and in Germany most models had the current given at the end. That was common. The first digit did not indicate the year.

For some models in 1931 tube number seems to be OK and is on DC models, but not on AC/DC or AC models like 121W (W for "Wechselstrom" = AC) - one might think - just to be disprooved with the 340WL with 5 tubes - because the rectifier is not counted for! As you see in 1932 for 650WK the year was not counted for. You can't even say the tuned circuits - but it was sometimes related.

Mid 30ies 642GLK with 5 tubes ... 1936: The 612W could be interpreted as year, circuits, tubes without rectifier ... But see the Super 686WK with 9 tuned circuits and 8 tubes. What do you do with the 337W or 337WP in 1937 with 5 tubes and 6 circuits? Also 1938 the year was on 3rd position - but only on some - see 8001WK.

In 1939 you can have Markstein 439U or Condor 965GWK etc. In 1941/42 you can have 542BK and say: 5 tuned circuits, 4 tubes, second year is 1942.

In other words:
Since this is in an official thread I have to write that we should refrain of publishing a "system" which brings more confusion than clarity. There were a few systems but so short lived and with that many exceptions that it does not help publishing them.

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