1934 RCA Victor Model 120



This is 1934 RCA Victor Model 120 Superheterodyne Cathedral Radio. It is both Standard Broadcast (540 kc to 1500 kc) and shortwave (1400 kc to 2800 kc).The receiver has 6 tubes and has features such as a dynamic loudspeaker, automatic volume control, single heater type pentode output tube, continuously variable tone control and the inherent sensitivity, selectivity, and tone quality of the superheterodyne.

Tube Compliment
Ballast
Rectifier
RF
Osc
Osc/Mix
IF
Det/AVC
1st Audio
Audio Output
Tuning Eye
Rider's Manual Page #
N/A
80
58
N/A
2A7
58
2B7
N/A
2A5
N/A
4-63 to 4-65


When received, the radio did play but it had some popping sounds and the volume was not steady. However, there was no hum so the filter capacitors were good, and upon inspection, they had been replaced sometime in the past. I replaced all of the original wax paper capacitors and removed a shorting wire in the cathode circuit of the audio output that someone had placed there.

The radio played OK then, but the popping sound upon power up was still there and there was a buzz in the audio. I replaced the 2A5 audio output tube and the popping and buzz are gone. After alignment, the radio still did not play correctly - there was distortion in the audio and the sensitivity was not good and the sensitivity seemed to change from bad to good over time.

I measured all of the resistors and found that the three 60k ohm resistors measured to be 82k ohms - significantly out of tolerance. Also one 50k ohm resistor measured 68k. In addition, two 10k ohm resistors measured quite low - 4k and 3 k ohms. Other resistors measured within tolerance. I replaced all of the defective resistors and the radio plays well with good sensitivity and no distortion.

Below is a picture of the underside of the chassis after I replaced the old wax paper capacitors. Next to it is a pciture of the chassis top side.



Below is a picture of the back of the radio.




I think the radio did not have the original knobs when I received it. Below is a picture of the radio with the knobs that came with the radio. Note that those knobs do not match - one is different.



I replaced the bakelite knobs with replicated walnut knobs; knobs that were typical of the 1930's era. The picture at the beginning of this page is the radio with the new knobs.