1928 Atwater Kent Model 42 & Model E Speaker




This is a 1928 ac-powered set made by Atwater Kent Radio of Philadelphia, PA. The radio is housed in a steel metal box and the radio is heavy. The radio is a Tuned Radio Frequency (TRF) radio using a grid lead detector. Tuning of the 3 RF stages is acomplished using one large knob on the front. A brass band (belt) links all 3 tuning capacitors of the 3 RF stages for simultaneous tuning. The knob's dial is calibrated from 0 to 100. Volume is accomplished with the knob on the right and it is a rheostat coupling the antenna to the front end of the radio. A typical failure of this radio is the power supply pack located in the rear of the radio. However, in this example, the only problem I found with the power pack was that someone had added two resistors to the power supply. I determined one resistor was not required and the other was the incorrect value to correct an open resistor in the power supply. I corrected the problems and the power supply works correctly now. The speaker shown in the picture is an Atwater Kent Model E.

Tube Compliment

Ballast
Rectifier
RF
Osc
Osc/Mix
IF
Det/AVC
1st Audio
Audio Output
Tuning Eye
Rider's Manual Page #
N/A
80
3 x 26
N/A
N/A
N/A
27
26
71A
N/A
1-9


Below is a picture of the internal of the radio. The radio is clean inside with no rust. All I did was clean and polish the inside.




All the tubes that came with the radio were good. The most significant problem was the second audio transformer; the transformer had one open winding. I removed the transformer, placed it in a pie pan on the stove and melted out the tar and removed the defective transformer. I purchased a replacement transformer, placed it in the the original can, and installed it in the radio. I also replaced the grid leak resistor; however, I left the original resistor in place to preserve the original appearance. The volume control is a little scratchy but is not bad.


Below is a picture of the audio transformer I removed.




The Model E speaker shown below did not come with radio. I purchased it separately. It arrived in working condition with the original wires and pins on the wire ends but the fabric on the rear of the speaker is torn. The speaker "cone" is actually a thick paperboard with a wood grain finish. It attaches to the driver in the center and "floats" inside the speaker enclosure. The speaker does not require a field current and works well with the radio.




The metal lid of the radio is shown below. It has a ding on the middle of the left side and the gold finish of the center portion is faded. However, the Atwater Kent brass emblem is in good shape.






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