“DR. TITUS” MODELS

 

“D^R. TITUS” MODELS

Attempt to systemize and name the receivers produced by D^R. TITUS - PARIS

 

   The coherent information about the receivers Titus Konteschweller produced and sold is scarce. In order to systemize and correctly name his radio sets we definitely lack the original printed catalogue (so many times advertised in the papers):

If somebody has this catalogue or knows where it could be found, please give us notice!

   We had to gather information from the technical books printed in that period and from the publicity printed in the technical magazines.

   The advertisement documenting the existence of the first DR. TITUS model appeared in the January 1924 issue of the magazine “La Science et la Vie” (The Science and the Life):

   Here we are shown the picture/drawing of the first model, we find out it weights two kilograms, the physical dimensions: 20 X 17 X 17 cm, that it employs 2 valves, (one can see they are T.M.s), that on a 50 cm Loop–Antenna it can receive in loudspeaker all existent MW broadcasting and even LW broadcasting at great distance, but on harmonics.

   The set was exposed at “Concours Lepine” (Lepine Contest) and at the “Physics Exhibition” and costs – 500 francs.

   Let’s now compare this information with what we can find in the second piece of advertising printed also in “La Science et la Vie” but in the May 1924 issue:

Please click here

   I uploaded it with the first model because of the picture, but the text thoroughly analysed will give us information about the first and further 3 models:

   Although the picture shows TM valves, the text states:

(Suppression of accumulators through usage of low consumption valves.)

   That means, that before May 1924 the basic circuit diagram was adapted to low consumption valves.

   Further on:

   Here we find out that, “Concours Lepine” and “Physics Exhibition” (both mentioned in the first ad) took place in 1923.

   Now we can be absolutely sure that the first DR.TITUS model was manufactured starting 1923.

   Further on the page we find the first quotation:

(The “Modèle Universel” receiving from 180 to 3 000 m (on fundamental wave) costs “naked” 800 fr.)

   Then the second:

(The “Modèle Ordinaire” receiving amateurs [200 m] Broadcasting [MW] and LW on harmonics costs “naked” 550 fr.)

(Both “Universel” and “Ordinaire” have a mahogany case, hand polished, 23 X 13 X 15 cm)

   It is obvious that he performances quoted with the “Ordinaire” model, match the performances quoted with the first model: Having only one pair of MW coils (affixed in the lateral flaps) it can receive LW only on harmonics. This is why I suggest naming this model:

(Please click here)= Modèle Ordinaire

   The “Universel” must have interchangeable coils to be able to receive a fundamental wave up to 3 000 m. And this is why I suggest naming this model:

(Please click here)= Modèle Universel

     Looking at the picture you will notice that this model has two pairs of interchangeable and movable coils. Precisely, not only the tuning coils are interchangeable but also the quenching frequency ones. That makes this set more “universal” than any other model D^R. TITUS manufactured. Let me briefly explain:

  When receiving lower frequencies (LW) the performance of the super-regenerative detector diminishes. That can be compensated only by diminishing the quenching frequency and that is exactly what Titus Konteschweller did:

              Mr. Edwin Howard Armstrong in 1922 receiving broadcast band (MW) with a quenching frequency of 10 – 12 kHz wasn’t able to reach loudspeaker level without an AF amplifier as a third stage.

              Titus Konteschweller by daring to lower the quenching frequency to 8 kHz (and even slightly under) succeeded to obtain loudspeaker level with only two valves on MW and tolerable performance on LW. It is also true that the European valves of that period had slightly better performances than the American ones.

  Building the “Modèle Universel”, Titus Konteschweller enabled the user to lower even more (if he so chooses) the quenching frequency (by changing the respective coils), gaining performance in spite of increased distortion on the high frequency sounds. I take it that the limited frequency range of the loudspeakers of that period helped a lot this distortion, to pass unnoticed.

   The model with one flap and one pair of interchangeable coils is named “il apparechio normale” in an Italian paper scanned and uploaded by Sig. Orazio D’Amico:

(Please click here)

   I put some more light and contrast and I cropped the picture a bit in order to better illustrate the set:

   This should definitely explain why I suggest naming this model:

(Please click here)= Modèle Normale

 

   To be continued.

                   Best regards

                                  Pitagora Schorsch

 

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