1922 Westinghouse RCA RC (RA & DA) 3-Tube Regenerative Receiver - Working

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1922 Westinghouse RCA RC (RA & DA) 3-Tube Regenerative Receiver - Working:
$425.00

This is a working RC three-tube regenerative radio receiver made by Westinghouse/RCA in 1922. It consists of a model RA tuner and a model DA detector/audio amplifier combined into a single wooden cabinet. The RA tuner bears a S/N of 71209 and a manufacturing date of December 14, 1921. The DA detector/amplifier bears a S/N of 87623 and a manufacturing date of May 29, 1922 which was the last production run for the RC, a few months after its introduction. Since the manufacturing dates are several months apart, it is questionable that the RA and DA are originally together.Unlike many other tuners of the same era which use either a variable capacitor or a variometer (variable inductor) for tuning, the RA uses a variable capacitor coupled to a variometer for tuning. This allows the RA to cover the AM broadcast band from 700 to 180 meters (428 kHz to 1.67 MHz) without range switching. A multi-tap coil coupled to the antenna tuning coil and connected to the plate of the detector tube provides positive response for regeneration. A small vernier capacitor is used for fine tuning. The RA is in very good condition with all correct components and nothing missing.The DA has a grid-leak type detector and a 2-stage audio amplifier. It uses 01A type tubes which are included. The grid leak and coupling capacitor (cartridge with brass end caps) is original and tested good. The bypass capacitor for the detector tube plate is also original and tested good. When this unit was acquired several years ago, it had an incorrect interstage transformer between the first and second audio stages. It has been replaced with a correct and good transformer. The interstage transformer between the detector and first audio stage is original and has an open secondary winding. A 1 Mohm resistor is hidden inside the transformer to provide a return path for the first audio grid. A yellow 33 nF capacitor is temporarily added to bridge the detector to the first audio. If desired, this capacitor can be easily removed without desoldering. Like many other units, the rubber tube socket supports are either missing or hardened and broken. They have been replaced with vulcanized rubber cut out from an old radio panel.Except for two missing rubber feet, the wooden cabinet is in good shape. It might have been partially revarnished.As noted above, the unit works very well. A good set of three 01A tubes are included. You need a 5V supply for the filaments, 18V to 22.5V supply for the detector and 90 V supply for the amplifier. One such battery eliminator is the ARBE-III. You also need a high impedance headphone or loudspeaker and a long-wire antenna. This unit has been tested with a aluminum patio door frame as antenna. It is sensitive enough to drive a loudspeaker with plenty of volume during daytime broadcast. With a headphone, just the detector is adequate and the amplifier is not necessary.