• Year
  • 1917
  • Category
  • Audio Amplifier or -mixer
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 285406

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Tubes
  • 3
  • Power type and voltage
  • Storage and/or dry batteries / 30; 350 Volt
  • Material
  • Wooden case
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: amplificateur CW 926 A - Western Electric Company Inc.;
  • Dimensions (WHD)
  • 510 x 290 x 200 mm / 20.1 x 11.4 x 7.9 inch
  • Notes
  • Amplificateur de signal BF.

    Part of the Sub-Chaser Radiotelephone Set CW-936

    The Western Electric CW-936 Radiotelephone set was developed by Western Electric for the Department of the Navy during WWI for use primarily on sub chaser (U-Boat) ships.  The complete CW-936 Radiotelephone set consisted of the following major components: The WE CW-928 power switch board, two CW-927 dynamotors, the CW-938 transmitter-receiver, the CW-926A audio amplifier, the CW-969 antenna switch, the CW-930 microphone, the CW-834 headset and the CW-929 Horn Speaker.  The transmitter and the audio amplifier operated directly off the 350 volt outputs of the CW-927 dynamotors.  The entire system operated from the ship's 30 volt storage batteries. 

    The US Navy recognized the need for submarine chasers prior to our entry into WWI. Consequently, they released production of this fleet in early 1917. The ships were sleek, fast and had minimal crew so ancillary equipment had to be as automated as possible. They contracted with Western Electric to provide a new style of voice modulated transceivers for this fleet. The system of equipment was given the Naval designation of CW-936. This first completely successful and reliable voice modulated equipment could be automatically shifted to any one of five frequencies by simply throwing a switch! The CW-936 system quickly became the mainstay in the US and Royal Navies. More importantly, it was THE predecessor of the modern vacuum tube transmitter. According to many, the CW-936 was “the herald of broadcasting, television, and reliable and economical long and short distance radiotelephony.” 

  • Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg)
  • 11.5 kg / 25 lb 5.3 oz (25.33 lb)

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