US Gloritone Model 99A Cathedral Radio (1931)
The Gloritone 99A was manufactured by the United States
Radio and Television Corporation of Marion, Indiana. It was
introduced in the second half of 1931 as one of the company's
line of new superheterodynes for the 1932 model year.
Continuing their series of entry level compacts, it was priced
very competitively at $39.95 including tubes.
The 99 is an ac-powered set that covers the standard
broadcast band and uses 5 tubes: 224 (mixer/LO), 235 (IF),
224 (2nd detector), 247 (AF pentode) and 280 (rectifier). The
mixer/LO uses a self-oscillating "autodyne" circuit. This was
done to combine the operations of mixer and oscillator into a
single tube, thereby minimizing tube count and keeping
production costs down. This was a fairly common practice in
economy sets of the era. The radio has no Automatic-Volume-
Control (AVC) and has its manual volume control placed within
the antenna circuit. This same chassis was used for both the
99A table model and the 99B floor model radios. Schematic.
What follows was extracted from 1931 newspaper advertising.
Radio and Television Corporation of Marion, Indiana. It was
introduced in the second half of 1931 as one of the company's
line of new superheterodynes for the 1932 model year.
Continuing their series of entry level compacts, it was priced
very competitively at $39.95 including tubes.
The 99 is an ac-powered set that covers the standard
broadcast band and uses 5 tubes: 224 (mixer/LO), 235 (IF),
224 (2nd detector), 247 (AF pentode) and 280 (rectifier). The
mixer/LO uses a self-oscillating "autodyne" circuit. This was
done to combine the operations of mixer and oscillator into a
single tube, thereby minimizing tube count and keeping
production costs down. This was a fairly common practice in
economy sets of the era. The radio has no Automatic-Volume-
Control (AVC) and has its manual volume control placed within
the antenna circuit. This same chassis was used for both the
99A table model and the 99B floor model radios. Schematic.
What follows was extracted from 1931 newspaper advertising.
"US Gloritone model 99A, table style, has front of beautiful burl matched walnut. Speaker openings of artistic design,
scrolls and escutcheon balance in appearance. Chassis with new full range Mu and pentode tubes is balanced by latest
improved full-range electro-dynamic speaker - these produce reception barely equalled. Tube equipment consists of 1 No.
280, 1 No. 247, 1 No. 235, 2 No. 224. Same chassis used in both models. Model 99A is table style."
scrolls and escutcheon balance in appearance. Chassis with new full range Mu and pentode tubes is balanced by latest
improved full-range electro-dynamic speaker - these produce reception barely equalled. Tube equipment consists of 1 No.
280, 1 No. 247, 1 No. 235, 2 No. 224. Same chassis used in both models. Model 99A is table style."
"The new Gloritone Apex model 99-A now greater than
ever with superheterodyne at its best. Tone!! Just as
real as the original broadcast. Triple screen-grid with
Pentode tube for greater amplification without
distortion. Three tuned stages. Illuminated dial. And
using the new full-range Mu and Pentode tubes balanced
by the latest improved electro-dynamic speaker.
Cabinet front made of splendidly matched burl walnut of
natural design. Side panel decorations add a classic
touch to appearance."
ever with superheterodyne at its best. Tone!! Just as
real as the original broadcast. Triple screen-grid with
Pentode tube for greater amplification without
distortion. Three tuned stages. Illuminated dial. And
using the new full-range Mu and Pentode tubes balanced
by the latest improved electro-dynamic speaker.
Cabinet front made of splendidly matched burl walnut of
natural design. Side panel decorations add a classic
touch to appearance."
US Gloritone 99A ..superheterodyne at its best.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Copyright TubeRadioLand.com