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 det-
ector), 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 man-
ual 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.
Below are two clips from 1931 Gloritone newspaper advertising.
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 det-
ector), 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 man-
ual 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.
Below are two clips from 1931 Gloritone 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." |
| "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." |
US Gloritone 99A ..superheterodyne at its best.
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