Emerson Model 415 Bakelite Table Radio (1933/1934)
The Emerson 415 is a very ornate
standard-broadcast receiver featuring
a 4-tube Tuned-Radio-Frequency
(TRF) chassis. The tube line-up is
6D6 (RF amp), 6C6 (2nd detector), 38
(audio amp) and 1-V (rectifier). Early
production used the alternate tube
complement:- 78 (RF amp), 77 (2nd
detector), 38 (af amp), 1-V (rectifier).
A special high-impedance permanent
magnet moving armature type loud-
speaker was used. The radio could
originally be purchased for around
$17.95.
This was one of several models to use
this cabinet style in the 1933 and
1934 seasons. The first was model
20A (1933), which used Emerson's
4-tube G-4 TRF chassis (also used on
the model 25A). The following season
saw the introduction of models 415
(as here) and 420. Some of the 20A
and 25A production and all the 420
models featured a 7-pin receptacle at
the rear for connection to one of two
optional Emerson accessories,
intended to allow the set to be used in
automobiles, motorboats and in
homes/farms not wired for electricity.
The first accessory was referred to as
their 6V Type-B eliminator, which
connected the set to a 6V storage
battery. The second was the 32V
Type-B eliminator for connection to a
32V DC farm supply. In either case,
when the radio was so configured
Emerson recommended that the 117V
line cord and plug be removed
(presumably by a service technician,
rather than it being cut off by the
owner!). When no adaptor plug was
inserted the set would operate from
the 117V AC/DC line (assuming the
line cord was still present!). Model 415
had no accessory socket and
operated just from the 117V ac/dc
line. The circular outline at the
center-right of the moulded rear panel
in the photo below shows where the
adaptor socket is located on the other
models.
standard-broadcast receiver featuring
a 4-tube Tuned-Radio-Frequency
(TRF) chassis. The tube line-up is
6D6 (RF amp), 6C6 (2nd detector), 38
(audio amp) and 1-V (rectifier). Early
production used the alternate tube
complement:- 78 (RF amp), 77 (2nd
detector), 38 (af amp), 1-V (rectifier).
A special high-impedance permanent
magnet moving armature type loud-
speaker was used. The radio could
originally be purchased for around
$17.95.
This was one of several models to use
this cabinet style in the 1933 and
1934 seasons. The first was model
20A (1933), which used Emerson's
4-tube G-4 TRF chassis (also used on
the model 25A). The following season
saw the introduction of models 415
(as here) and 420. Some of the 20A
and 25A production and all the 420
models featured a 7-pin receptacle at
the rear for connection to one of two
optional Emerson accessories,
intended to allow the set to be used in
automobiles, motorboats and in
homes/farms not wired for electricity.
The first accessory was referred to as
their 6V Type-B eliminator, which
connected the set to a 6V storage
battery. The second was the 32V
Type-B eliminator for connection to a
32V DC farm supply. In either case,
when the radio was so configured
Emerson recommended that the 117V
line cord and plug be removed
(presumably by a service technician,
rather than it being cut off by the
owner!). When no adaptor plug was
inserted the set would operate from
the 117V AC/DC line (assuming the
line cord was still present!). Model 415
had no accessory socket and
operated just from the 117V ac/dc
line. The circular outline at the
center-right of the moulded rear panel
in the photo below shows where the
adaptor socket is located on the other
models.
...a handful of radio that works anywhere.
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Models 415 and 420 (when operated from 117V) used a resistance line cord in the filament circuit. This was a change from the earlier
20A/25A, which employed a chassis mounted resistor (see model 25A page). Emerson had acknowledged heat build-up problems with the
earlier arrangement and thus introduced the line cord as a means of removing the heat source from within the very compact cabinet.
The schematic can be found on-line at NostalgiaAir.
20A/25A, which employed a chassis mounted resistor (see model 25A page). Emerson had acknowledged heat build-up problems with the
earlier arrangement and thus introduced the line cord as a means of removing the heat source from within the very compact cabinet.
The schematic can be found on-line at NostalgiaAir.