Philco Model 116 Baby Grand (116B) Shouldered Tombstone Radio (1936)
The 116B is a 5-band ac-powered super-heterodyne using 11 tubes, with RF stage, dual IF amplifiers and a 10W "super class A"
push-pull audio system based upon a pair of triode-connected type 42 tubes and a triode-connected type 42 driver. The tube line up
(code 121 chassis) is:- 78 (RF amp), 77 (mixer), 76 (LO), 78 (1st IF), 78 (2nd IF), 37 (2nd detector), 77 (1st af), 42 (driver), 2 off 42
(push-pull triode-connected af output) and 80 (rectifier). The schematic is available here, courtesy of nostalgiaAir.
In contrast, the 116X uses the code 122 chassis, having 6A3 output triodes in place of the type 42s and a 5Z3 rectifier in place of
the 80. Its audio output is 15W. Also of note is that the 116B uses a type H-13 10.5" loud speaker, which although of the same
diameter, is of a much lighter construction than the type U-9 speaker used in the 116X.
Band coverage is:-
push-pull audio system based upon a pair of triode-connected type 42 tubes and a triode-connected type 42 driver. The tube line up
(code 121 chassis) is:- 78 (RF amp), 77 (mixer), 76 (LO), 78 (1st IF), 78 (2nd IF), 37 (2nd detector), 77 (1st af), 42 (driver), 2 off 42
(push-pull triode-connected af output) and 80 (rectifier). The schematic is available here, courtesy of nostalgiaAir.
In contrast, the 116X uses the code 122 chassis, having 6A3 output triodes in place of the type 42s and a 5Z3 rectifier in place of
the 80. Its audio output is 15W. Also of note is that the 116B uses a type H-13 10.5" loud speaker, which although of the same
diameter, is of a much lighter construction than the type U-9 speaker used in the 116X.
Band coverage is:-
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..precision control over every broadcast on the air!
PHILCO MODEL 116 SERIES
The Philco 116 Baby Grand (116B) tombstone radio was introduced
in June of 1935 as one of the company's line-up of 43 models for
1936. It had an initial list price of $97.50 in Eastern and Central
regions of the USA and was Philco's top-of-the-line table set for 1936.
The 116B uses an 11-tube chassis, new for 1936, that was an
evolution of the one used for the previous year's model 16B. An
alternative version of this same chassis was also incorporated into
Philco's model 116X High-Fidelity console radio, introduced to the
marketplace along with the 116B. Unlike the floor model, the 116B
was not heavily promoted by Philco and as a result sold fewer units;
according to philcoradio.com 15,750 sets were built, about half the
number of the rather more expensive 116X.
At mid-season, in early 1936, the 116B received a new shoulder-
less cabinet containing a smaller (8") type K-17 loudspeaker in place
of the 10.5" type H-13 used previously (see philcoradio.com).
The 1936 season would be the last for Philco's 16/116 line, although
the models 37-670B (1937) and 38-670B (1938) ostensibly carried
the line forward for another two years, albeit with completely updated
electronics.
I came across this radio in an antiques store in Southern Maine. The
grille scrollwork was damaged, the lacquer finish all but gone and the
grille cloth was torn. I refinished the set in lacquer after repairing the
grille. A replacement cloth was obtained from grillecloth.com.
in June of 1935 as one of the company's line-up of 43 models for
1936. It had an initial list price of $97.50 in Eastern and Central
regions of the USA and was Philco's top-of-the-line table set for 1936.
The 116B uses an 11-tube chassis, new for 1936, that was an
evolution of the one used for the previous year's model 16B. An
alternative version of this same chassis was also incorporated into
Philco's model 116X High-Fidelity console radio, introduced to the
marketplace along with the 116B. Unlike the floor model, the 116B
was not heavily promoted by Philco and as a result sold fewer units;
according to philcoradio.com 15,750 sets were built, about half the
number of the rather more expensive 116X.
At mid-season, in early 1936, the 116B received a new shoulder-
less cabinet containing a smaller (8") type K-17 loudspeaker in place
of the 10.5" type H-13 used previously (see philcoradio.com).
The 1936 season would be the last for Philco's 16/116 line, although
the models 37-670B (1937) and 38-670B (1938) ostensibly carried
the line forward for another two years, albeit with completely updated
electronics.
I came across this radio in an antiques store in Southern Maine. The
grille scrollwork was damaged, the lacquer finish all but gone and the
grille cloth was torn. I refinished the set in lacquer after repairing the
grille. A replacement cloth was obtained from grillecloth.com.
Copyright www.TubeRadioLand.com
| Technical Details |
Band 1) 9.7 - 22.5mc (daytime shortwave)
2) 4.1 - 10mc (night time shortwave)
3) 1.5 - 4.1mc (1.5-1.6mc experimental Hi-Fi band, old police band & amateur)
4) 540 - 1500kc (standard broadcast)
5) 150 - 390kc (long wave)
2) 4.1 - 10mc (night time shortwave)
3) 1.5 - 4.1mc (1.5-1.6mc experimental Hi-Fi band, old police band & amateur)
4) 540 - 1500kc (standard broadcast)
5) 150 - 390kc (long wave)
For further details on the 116 radios, see my 116X page.