L-20 Universal Auto Radio

• alternative name: Wholesale Radio

This new Lafayette UNIVERSAL Auto Radio, which obtains all necessary power from the car's storage battery, is one of the first auto sets to take full advantage of the entirely new and improved series of low drain automobile tubes. It is a masterpiece of compactness and efficiency, custom built throughout to the most rigid Lafayette specifications.

Six tuned circuits are used, with the tubes in the following arrangement:One type 77 advanced radio frequency pentode as both first detector (mixer) and oscillator. Two type 78 advanced vari-mu tubes in the radio frequency and intermediate frequency amplifier stages. One type 85 diode-triode as both second detector and first audio frequency amplifier. One type 41 advanced power pentode in the second audio stage. One type 6Z4 high vacuum rectifier in the power unit.

Sensitivity is rated at 1/2 microvolt per meter. Selectivity is carefully adjusted by proper choice of intermediate frequency to allow at least 20 kc. separation and still enable the set to be tuned easily. Wavelength range, 200-550 meters.

The combined unit arrangement, in which the chassis, power pack (B battery eliminator), dynamic speaker and controls are all housed in a single container of 12x5½x6¾ inch size, assures maximum adaptability to all makes of automobiles. The receiver is so arranged that it may be hung on brackets from the underside of the instrument board or placed on the floor-boards alongside of the driver's seat.

The control is very simple and includes a lighted fan dial and two knobs, one for tuning and the other for volume. The on-off switch is on the back of the volume control, with separate lock and key. A special remote control unit, which clamps to the steering column and permits the driver to tune the set, can be supplied at slight additional cost.

The five-inch dynamic speaker gives abundant volume with perfect clarity of tone, the output of the set being one watt. The diode type automatic volume control tends to equalize all signals to a point pre-determined by the setting of the manual volume control. This feature further eliminates the "blasting" effect when tuning from strong to weak stations and adds materially to the life of the output pentode by reducing the likelihood of audio overloading.

No batteries are required other than the regular six-volt storage battery in the car. All "B" and "C" batteries are eliminated by the use of a special vibrating type power unit which is an integral part of the receiver assembly. The total current drain on the battery is only 4.85 amperes.

Price listed with Tubes.

Not to be confused with the Lafayette L-20 Nomad 05A series.

Here you find 1796 models, 1654 with images and 425 with schematics for wireless sets etc. In French: TSF for Télégraphie sans fil.
All listed radios etc. from Lafayette Radio & TV Corp; New York (NY)