New Horophone

Synchronome Co., Ltd.; London

Data
Forum
Pictures
Collections

  • Year
  • 1920 ?
  • Category
  • Detector-Radio (Crystal or diode, without tubes/transistors)
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 371688

 Technical Specifications

  • Main principle
  • Crystal or Solid State Detector
  • Wave bands
  • Short Wave (SW) and Long Wave (LW) only.
  • Power type and voltage
  • No Power needed
  • Loudspeaker
  • - For headphones or amp.
  • Material
  • Wooden case
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: New Horophone - Synchronome Co., Ltd.; London
  • Shape
  • Tablemodel, Box - most often with Lid (NOT slant panel).
  • Notes

  • Following World War I, Hope-Jones and The Synchronome Company, Ltd. completely redesigned their pre-war Horophone to incorporate wartime advances in radio-telegraphy. While the original pre-war model relied on tapped inductances with sliding contacts, the New Horophone introduced variometer tuning, eliminating slider controls and leaving a single primary tuning dial necessary to receive long-wave time signals.

    Frequency & Wavelength Coverage:

    • Primary Time-Signal Band (Long Wave / Low Frequency): The primary circuit was factory-calibrated for the Long Wave (LF) band at approximately 2,500 metres (120 kHz). This specific frequency allowed non-technical watchmakers and jewelers to easily receive the official twice-daily time-signal transmissions broadcast from the Eiffel Tower (FL) station in Paris on quite a modest outdoor aerial.
    • Auxiliary Shipping Band (Medium/Short Wave):To cater to enthusiasts interested in general radio monitoring, the receiver incorporated an optional short-wave switch. Engaging this switch altered the tuning network to cover higher frequency bands, allowing users to tune out the 120 kHz time signal and listen to coastal maritime shipping and regional telegraphy transmissions.

    Key Features & Cabinet Construction

    • Hardwood Carrying Case: Constructed as a self-contained portable unit inside a hinged hardwood box.
    • Headphone Compartment: Features a dedicated storage compartment on the left-hand side of the cabinet to store the double headgear telephones when not in use.
    • Automatic Lightning Protection: Equipped with an integrated safety switch on the underside of the lid that automatically connects the aerial directly to earth when the box is closed.
    • Instruction & Signal Charts: The underside of the open lid displays two spiral diagrams outlining the Paris time signal transmission times (10:00 AM, 10:49 AM, 11:30 PM, and 11:49 PM) and their decoding codes.
  • Mentioned in
  • -- Original prospect or advert (The Jewelers' Circular (Vol. LXXX, No. 3, February 18, 1920, p. 167)
  • Author
  • Model page created by Gary Cowans. See "Data change" for further contributors.

 Collections | Museums | Literature

 Forum