16B 16/16A-121 Version 1

Philco, Philadelphia Stg. Batt. Co.; USA

  • Year
  • 1933/1934
  • Category
  • Broadcast Receiver - or past WW2 Tuner
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 118866

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

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Tubes
  • 11
  • Main principle
  • Superheterodyne (common); ZF/IF 460 kHz
  • Wave bands
  • Broadcast plus more than 2 Short Wave bands.
  • Power type and voltage
  • Alternating Current supply (AC) / 115 Volt
  • Loudspeaker
  • Electro Magnetic Dynamic LS (moving-coil with field excitation coil) / Ø 10 inch = 25.4 cm
  • Power out
  • 10 W (unknown quality)
  • Material
  • Wooden case
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: 16B 16/16A-121 [Version 1] - Philco, Philadelphia Stg. Batt
  • Shape
  • Table-Cathedral-Type (upright, round top or gothic arch, not rounded edges only).
  • Dimensions (WHD)
  • 16.5 x 19.5 x 12.8 inch / 419 x 495 x 325 mm
  • Notes
  • The first Philco 16B was introduced in June, 1933 as a 1933-model-year radio.  It is an 11-tube, 5-band cathedral-style radio that used the early chassis 16-121 with an 80 rectifier tube.  It had dual-IF amps and a squelch circuit that could be disabled with a switch on the right rear of the cabinet.

     

    General Notes about the Philco Model 16 radios:

    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: 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.

    Stein "Cathedral & Tombstone Radios" lists only 2 bands.

  • Price in first year of sale
  • 75.00 $
  • Circuit diagram reference
  • Rider's Perpetual, Volume 4 = ca. 1934 and before
  • Literature/Schematics (1)
  • Machine Age to Jet Age II (Philco 1928-36 Wiring Diagrams, Parts Lists, and Essential Service Data)
  • Literature/Schematics (3)
  • Philco Folder for 1933/34.

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