Echophone Model S4 Cathedral Radio "The Bantam" (1930)
The Echophone model S4 is a 6-tube ac-powered TRF receiver that
tunes the standard broadcast band. It continued the company's
pioneering line of compact "Bantam" sets that debuted a year or so
earlier. They were amongst the very first such sets offered to the public,
appearing in the marketplace some while before even the ubiquitous
Philco 20, one of the most famous of all such radios. Compacts were so
named because they combined loudspeaker and electronics into one
table-top cabinet that was considerably smaller than the normal sets of
the day. The S4 was priced at $59.50 complete with tubes.
The 1930/31 Echophone Bantams were smaller, lighter and less
expensive than the Philco model 20, and although they were
prominently advertised and appeared to have sold quite well, they
never achieved the sales success of the model 20. In fact, by 1934
Echophone was out of business and its assets were acquired by
Hallicrafters. This seems to be an all-too-often told story - that of a
group of innovators who conceive of a revolutionary new product, only
to watch their idea turn into a runaway commercial success in the hands
of others.
Echophone promoted the Bantam by describing it as "the new idea in
radio". Here's a selection of extracts from 1930 newspaper advertising:
tunes the standard broadcast band. It continued the company's
pioneering line of compact "Bantam" sets that debuted a year or so
earlier. They were amongst the very first such sets offered to the public,
appearing in the marketplace some while before even the ubiquitous
Philco 20, one of the most famous of all such radios. Compacts were so
named because they combined loudspeaker and electronics into one
table-top cabinet that was considerably smaller than the normal sets of
the day. The S4 was priced at $59.50 complete with tubes.
The 1930/31 Echophone Bantams were smaller, lighter and less
expensive than the Philco model 20, and although they were
prominently advertised and appeared to have sold quite well, they
never achieved the sales success of the model 20. In fact, by 1934
Echophone was out of business and its assets were acquired by
Hallicrafters. This seems to be an all-too-often told story - that of a
group of innovators who conceive of a revolutionary new product, only
to watch their idea turn into a runaway commercial success in the hands
of others.
Echophone promoted the Bantam by describing it as "the new idea in
radio". Here's a selection of extracts from 1930 newspaper advertising:
...built for the limited quarters and thrifty budgets of the modern home.
..the NEW idea in radio. Small as a clock, compact as a watch, portable as a lamp.
"It had to come.... NOW it is here... this amazing new radio...the Bantam
Echophone....built for the limited quarters and thrifty budgets of the
modern home... small as a mantel clock...portable as a reading lamp...a
miniature in every essential - and yet a radio built so fine that it brings
in distance with the glorious tone you would hear from a front row seat."
"You can move it with one hand wherever you go - and just plug it into any
light socket wherever you are. Take it from sunroom to bedroom or
bath... take it to the office or hospital room...take it travelling with you.."
"Full Screen-Grid circuit .. All Electric .. Rich Burled Walnut Cabinet"
Echophone....built for the limited quarters and thrifty budgets of the
modern home... small as a mantel clock...portable as a reading lamp...a
miniature in every essential - and yet a radio built so fine that it brings
in distance with the glorious tone you would hear from a front row seat."
"You can move it with one hand wherever you go - and just plug it into any
light socket wherever you are. Take it from sunroom to bedroom or
bath... take it to the office or hospital room...take it travelling with you.."
"Full Screen-Grid circuit .. All Electric .. Rich Burled Walnut Cabinet"
Echophone was based in Chicago and in 1934 the Corporation was
purchased by Bill Halligan, who used the assets to found the
Hallicrafters Company. Hallicrafters went on to produce affordable
home and HAM equipment right through to the late 50's, practically
the end of the tube radio era.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
The S4's chassis used the latest screen grid tubes, the line-up
being 24+24 (2 stages of RF amplification), 24 (2nd detector), 27
(1st af amp), 45 (2nd af triode amp) and 80 (rectifier). The
schematic is available here, courtesy of NostalgiaAir.
Tuning is by means of a thumbwheel, with the dial scale graduated
from 0 to 100. The lower knob on the front panel controls the
volume, using a potentiometer located in the antenna circuit (there
is no AVC). The on/off switch is at the rear of the chassis and as
was the case with most early sets it is by itself; it would be a year or
two before this function would be almost universally combined with
either the volume or tone control. The set uses an electro-dynamic
loudspeaker that was manufactured by Jensen.
There are three connectors at the rear of the chassis, one for
ground, one for a "short antenna" and the third for a "long
antenna". Curiously, the only difference between the two antenna
inputs is that the "long" one inserts a 0.0001uF series capacitor.
The idea behind this "short" and "long" differentiation is unclear.
purchased by Bill Halligan, who used the assets to found the
Hallicrafters Company. Hallicrafters went on to produce affordable
home and HAM equipment right through to the late 50's, practically
the end of the tube radio era.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
The S4's chassis used the latest screen grid tubes, the line-up
being 24+24 (2 stages of RF amplification), 24 (2nd detector), 27
(1st af amp), 45 (2nd af triode amp) and 80 (rectifier). The
schematic is available here, courtesy of NostalgiaAir.
Tuning is by means of a thumbwheel, with the dial scale graduated
from 0 to 100. The lower knob on the front panel controls the
volume, using a potentiometer located in the antenna circuit (there
is no AVC). The on/off switch is at the rear of the chassis and as
was the case with most early sets it is by itself; it would be a year or
two before this function would be almost universally combined with
either the volume or tone control. The set uses an electro-dynamic
loudspeaker that was manufactured by Jensen.
There are three connectors at the rear of the chassis, one for
ground, one for a "short antenna" and the third for a "long
antenna". Curiously, the only difference between the two antenna
inputs is that the "long" one inserts a 0.0001uF series capacitor.
The idea behind this "short" and "long" differentiation is unclear.
"...the new radio that...
Is small... as a mantel clock, compact as a watch..yet a
truly fine radio
Is portable... so you can carry it from room to room,
plug it in anywhere you are
This is the NEW idea in radio."
Is small... as a mantel clock, compact as a watch..yet a
truly fine radio
Is portable... so you can carry it from room to room,
plug it in anywhere you are
This is the NEW idea in radio."
"It is ALL-IN-ONE - No larger than a loud speaker - No heavier than a
suitcase. Best of all, it is not an ORPHAN - it is the creation of one of
the finest radio factories in America. New and reliable in every detail"
suitcase. Best of all, it is not an ORPHAN - it is the creation of one of
the finest radio factories in America. New and reliable in every detail"
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extracted from an ad dated Nov 1930
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