Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics.
See articles from Radio-Craft,
published 1929 - 1953. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.
Atwater-Kent Model 30 Radio (savacoolandsons.com)
Interestingly, a couple models of this
Atwater-Kent radio featured
an untuned front end at the antenna interface, possibly because the adjustment range of the provided
variable capacitor would not handle an extreme antenna impedance. With as basic as all the RF amplifier
stages are, it seems maybe adding a second adjustable capacitor in parallel to facilitate a wider adjustment
range would not have been too big of a cost burden compared to the advantage of tuning the input in
the presence of all the EMI spewing from crappy electromechanical equipment and minimally filtered
transmitters (it was the era of AM, after all). Note the unusual aspect ratio of
the case, being much longer than it is deep or high. There are many
YouTube
videos of people having restored various versions of the radio - models 30,
35, 40, and more.
Atwater Kent Models 30, 33, 35, 48 and 49
These receivers are six-tube sets of the single-dial, battery-operated type. They are often referred
to by their factory catalog numbers, to wit: Model 30, No. 8000; Model 35, No. 8100; Model 48, No. 9840;
Model 33, No. 8930, Model 49, No. 9860. The models 33 and 49 have a tuned input (four tuned circuits);
the models 30, 35 and 48 have an untuned input (three tuned circuits). Models 48 and Models 49 are code
numbers showing that a gold-finished panel is used. Models 33 and 49 are so wired that R5 limits the
current to V5 and V6 only while V4 is controlled by the additional variable resistor Rx. R in the first
stage of these two circuits has the same value as equivalent resistors R1 and R2. C is the regular tuning
condenser, in shunt to which is the circuit-balancing variable condenser Ca.
The purpose of the untuned antenna input of the 30, 35 and 48, shown in the larger diagram, is to
eliminate the detuning effects of aerials of different constants. If it becomes necessary to change
a variable-condenser bank, make certain that the pulleys turn easily on the shafts; if they do not because
of a damaged condenser shaft, replace the entire condenser group.
Each belt must be arranged with the eyelets, which clamp the two ends together, at the bottom of
the belt loop. Each belt has two small holes; one to fit over a pin on the dial-condenser pulley and
the other to fit over the pin on the pulley which is controlled by that belt.
Atwater Kent was an American inventor, entrepreneur and manufacturer of radio
equipment. He was born on December 12, 1873, in Cassopolis, Michigan and died on
August 30, 1949, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a pioneer in the
development of radio technology and his impact on the industry is still felt
today.
Kent began his career as an electrical engineer, working for various
companies before starting his own business in 1918. He founded the Atwater Kent
Manufacturing Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the goal of producing
high-quality radio sets for the public. The company quickly became one of the
largest radio manufacturers in the United States, producing over one million
radio sets between the 1920s and 1930s.
One of Kent's innovations was the development of the "breadboard" radio set,
which was easy to assemble and repair. He also made use of more efficient
components, such as high-voltage power supplies, which allowed his radio sets to
produce better sound quality. His radios were also known for their beautiful
wooden cabinets, which were handcrafted and came in a variety of styles and
finishes to suit any decor.
Atwater Kent was a visionary who understood the potential of radio as a means
of communication and entertainment. He was an advocate for the development of
commercial radio broadcasting and he supported the establishment of the National
Broadcasting Company (NBC) in 1926. This network helped to bring radio to a
wider audience and it was a major factor in the growth of the radio industry.
In addition to his contributions to the radio industry, Kent was also a
philanthropist. He supported a number of educational and scientific
organizations, including the Franklin Institute, and he established the Atwater
Kent Foundation, which provided grants for scientific research.
Posted November 1, 2023 (updated from original post on 9/21/2016)
Radio Service Data Sheets
These schematics, tuning instructions, and other data are reproduced from my
collection of vintage radio and electronics magazines. As back in the era, similar
schematic and service info was available for purchase from sources such as
SAMS Photofacts, but these printings
were a no-cost bonus for readers. There are 227 Radio Service Data Sheets as of
December 28, 2020.
RF Cafe began life in 1996 as "RF Tools" in an AOL screen name web space totaling
2 MB. Its primary purpose was to provide me with ready access to commonly needed
formulas and reference material while performing my work as an RF system and circuit
design engineer. The World Wide Web (Internet) was largely an unknown entity at
the time and bandwidth was a scarce commodity. Dial-up modems blazed along at 14.4 kbps
while tying up your telephone line, and a nice lady's voice announced "You've Got
Mail" when a new message arrived...
Copyright 1996 - 2026
All trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other rights of ownership to images
and text used on the RF Cafe website are hereby acknowledged.
All trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other rights of ownership to images
and text used on the RF Cafe website are hereby acknowledged.
Arthur Atwater Kent
