• Year
  • 1935/1936
  • Category
  • Broadcast Receiver - or past WW2 Tuner
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 160266
    • alternative name: Wholesale Radio

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

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Tubes
  • 4
  • Main principle
  • Superheterodyne (common); ZF/IF 175 kHz
  • Tuned circuits
  • 5 AM circuit(s)
  • Wave bands
  • Broadcast only (MW).
  • Power type and voltage
  • Dry Batteries / 45 & 45 & 4.5 & 2 Volt
  • Loudspeaker
  • Permanent Magnet Dynamic (PDyn) Loudspeaker (moving coil)
  • Material
  • Wooden case
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: A-31 - Lafayette Radio & TV Corp; New
  • Shape
  • Tablemodel, Tombstone = decorative upright, not cathedral but can have rounded edges.
  • Notes
  • The Lafayette catalog shows how all batteries fit inside the mantel cabinet. There is a 3-gang tuning condenser, 5 tuned circuits, and an airplane-reduction dial. The wave band extends from 175 to 550 meters (police calls incl.).

    The model Lafayette A-31 is listed at $31.50 with tubes but the Lafayette price is $15.75. For addl. $4.65 Lafayette offers the complete set of batteries consisting of 2 Burgess 45 V. B's. 1-4.5 V.C. and 1 Burgess A pack. See details for the models of this catalog or summaries.

    The Lafayette Radio catalog model A-31 was in reality made by Wilcox-Gay as OEM and is labeled inside as Model 3J4.  The schematic matches the Wilcox-Gay 3J4.  In restoring the chassis, it became apparent that an error likely occurred in the schematic that was perpetuated in the actual radio.  The schematic as drawn pulls the C battery with a constant 1000 ohms load.  I will upload a copy of the schematic with the probable error circled.  In cutting what was believed to be that erroneous connection, the radio sensitivity was increased, distortion was reduced and the "B" current was reduced.  In testing, the C battery voltage that produced the best results with the least distortion and reduced B current was -9 volts, consistent with the tube manual recommendations for the type 33 audio tube with a plate voltage of 90.

  • Price in first year of sale
  • 16.00 $
  • Literature/Schematics (2)
  • The Spectum Monitor, June 2022
  • Author
  • Model page created by Ernst Erb. See "Data change" for further contributors.

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The model A-31 is part of the collections of the following members.

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