1920'S Superheterodyne

Today I am going to begin rebuilding this page in an attempt to help with the identification of 1920's supers. I do not want to recreate the excellent work done by others on this topic. Links to those discussions are included below and I strongly encourage readers to visit those pages.

One of the persons contributing to this effort is Richard Ammon who created this page: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223071118/http://superhets.info/page5.html
(The link is to an archive while Rick works to restore the original page.)

I spoke to Rick at length the other day discussing the viability of this effort. Rick said that many years ago he had set out to assemble a similar list. He had envisioned several pages of battery-powered supers in alphabetical order. Now he has enough material to fill 3 volumes. Rick says that he will continue the effort to publish as soon as a few other issues are resolved.

I am very sympathetic to his point. that there is far more variation by brand and builder than a "few pages" can cover. Take for example the sets sold using parts by Remler. Some are unmistakable such as the Infradyne pictured in the header. Others, not so much. Taking for instance the 8 tube radio I found a few years ago. It used Remler parts including Remler IFs. It looked a lot like the Scott 8-tube super, but it is a design by a fellow named Best. What makes this even more complicated is the fact that almost all of these radios were marketed as kits to try to avoid legal complications with the superheterodyne patent holder, RCA. Some industrious kit-builders went into business and attached their names to the product.

At least to begin, I am going to include radios based first on the manufacture of the assembled radio or kit, followed by the manufacture of the IF components , since their intermediate-frequency transformers are not found in the myriad of TRF sets that were being built at the time. Secondly, but still in alphabetical order, are the sets manufactured by larger companies with other manufacture's parts. Eventually some of the larger kit-builders may be included, but it should be pointed out that kit-builders may be responsible for the assembly of even the most common manufacture's sets. Rick has said that this 3rd tier of super-builders is the group that radically expands the variability of any publication trying to list ALL 20's supers. One other aspect of the variability in 20s supers were the design changes that were often both attempts at improvement AND to change the radio enough that it might be considered outside of the RCA patent. Some ads even misspell superheterodyne. It is unknown if this was a typo or a poorly vailed attempt to avoid conflict with RCA. Other builders created their own name for very similar radios.

I am going to begin with two views of each radio, typically an interior shot showing the IFs and a shot of the front panel which might include the cabinet. (cabinets and front panels were often custom so showing them all would be difficult). If there is a schematic available, it will be included. Links to the contributors page where more detailed pictures and descriptions can be found will be included for each radio if available.

If you have a radio that should be included here please contact us. If you have questions, send them as well. If I don't know the answer, one of the contributors might. Contact form at the bottom of the page.

Entries are in alphabetical order with priority given:
1. Commercial builder/designer of complete radios or kits      Example: Remler
    a. Model/Date
2. Commercial builder/designer using other manufacture's I.f. Transformers     Example: Best
     a. Model/Date
3. Commercial builder using other designer and other manufacture parts/I.F.s      Example: Long Model S-8
     a. Model/Date
4. Independent small builder - These will have to wait for Richard Ammon's upcoming book.

When an entry says "See", such as Sangamo See: Pressley, it does not necessarily mean that all Sangamo Supers are ALL Pressley designs, it simply means that the example(s), so far, are under Pressley. Other radios using the Sangamo parts may be posted eventually. This might change as information is gathered and is one of the reasons that I compiled the radios on this page.

Under Construction 12/11/2018

American Radio/Standard Wave King

IF transformers from around 1926
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/american_radio_standard_wave_k.html
Contributors: Richard Ammon and Duane Bylund

Apex 7-tube Microdyne from around 1925

For more see: https://www.russoldradios.com/blog/apex-microdyne-super

Baldwin Pacific “Ranger”

If Transformers from around 1924
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/baldwin_if_transformers.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

BEST/Remler Super
See Also: Halowat, Long, LaVoy, Remler

It uses a lot of Remler parts including the IF transformers. It IS NOT the best 8 tube super, but, it was designed by a fellow named BEST. It could use at least 1 more filament control if it was to be "best". It seems to be similar to the Scott 8-tube super.

More: https://www.russoldradios.com/blog/best-remler-super-8
https://web.archive.org/web/20101223071521/http://superhets.info/page6.html

Boone Super
See: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/boone_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Boulder Radio Inline 8
See: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/boulderadio_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Chas A. Branston, Inc Model Branston R-199 7-Tube Kit from 1924
Buffalo, N. Y.

This set was found in Australia.
More: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223072718/http://superhets.info/page8.html
Contributor : Richard Ammon

Brush / Het-Duo-Gen from 1924

Very different design in this super.
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/het-duo-gen_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

From the December 27, 1924, Radio Digest magazine

Buckwalter Supertone from 1925/1926

Note the use of flat copper buss. (below)
See: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/supertone_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Probably the most remarkable thing about this radio is that it is a forbearer of printed circuit board tech.

Camfield See: Rusco Sales Co.

Cockaday/Haynes-Griffin 8-Tube Super from 1925.

More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/cockaday_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Columbia / Ultradyne L-1
See also Lacult and Phenix

Columbia model L1
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/columbia_ultradyne_l-1_superhe.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Como/General Radio

More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/como_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

The Como Super uses General Radio type 271 IF transformers.

Cotton - See: Samson

E.I.S. (Experimenter's Information Service, Inc) - See: Leutz
476 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y.

More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/leutz_navy_model_c10_superhete.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Everlast / Famous Frank from 1924

This Super is an 8-tube Everlast kit built by Frank.
More: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223071118/http://superhets.info/page5.html
Contributor: Rick Ammon

Famous Frank - See: Everlast

General Instrument Corp.

This radio uses IF transformers marked General Instrument Corporation.
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/general_instrument_corp_superh.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Giblin - Remler

Unknown builder
See also: Remler
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/giblin-remler_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Halldorson See: Thompson

Halowat Porta-Pac 8 from 1924
See also: Remler

Many of these were sold as "kits" in an attempt to avoid legal conflict with the owners of the superheterodyne patents. To illustrate this, the story of the Halowat super (just below) says that the Portland OR. company managed to manufacture about 100 of 2 models before RCA showed up and threatened legal action - which brought an end to those models. These radio were not sold as kits.

This is the only surviving example of this model that I know of. There was another version (model?) that was not built into a portable case. There are at least a couple of these left of which I have seen one.

More: https://www.russoldradios.com/blog/january-19th-2016

The Halowat super uses UV199 tubes and performs very well. The IF transformers were manufactured by Remler.

Hanscom radio Devices Hanscom Super Set 6-tube Kit from 1926
Woonsocket, R. I.

6 Tube Kit found in Australia!
More: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223072718/http://superhets.info/page8.html
Contributor: Richard Ammon

Haynes - Griffen
See also: Cockaday
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/haynes-griffin_square_if_trans.html

Haynes-Griffin Simplified, 7-tube Super Kit from 1924
Haynes "Cone" IFs / Haynes - Silver Circuit

More: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223071118/http://superhets.info/page5.html
Contributor: Richard Ammon

Het-Duo-Gen See: Brush

High Frequency Laboratories / Chicago
Model N27 / March 1927 / 9 Tube Kit

Circuit was developed by Ernst Tyrman
More: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223072208/http://superhets.info/page7.html
Contributor Richard Ammon

Infradyne See: Remler

Invincible See: Oakland Automotive

Jefferson

Jefferson No. 150 IF Transformer from around 1925
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/jefferson_if_transformer.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Kipp, H.M. Company / Mercury 10-Tube Super from 1928

More: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223071521/http://superhets.info/page6.html
Contributor: Richard Ammon

Lacult / Phenix Ultradyne L-2 from 1924 / 8 Tube Kit
See also: Columbia Ultradyne L-1 and L-2

More: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223071521/http://superhets.info/page6.html
Contributor: Richard Ammon

Langhorn from 1926
Portland OR.

More:https://web.archive.org/web/20101223071118/http://superhets.info/page5.html
http://www.duanesradios.info/html/langhorne_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Richard Ammon and Duane Bylund
I have a complete set of Langhorn I.F.s and filters for this set, hoping that one day I might be able to construct one of these.

LaVoy Novodyne 8-Tube Super
See also: Remler, Best, Halowat, Long

Contributor: John Hutchins

". I have seen very little on the LaVoy name searching online. Some indications that the origin is California, perhaps Oakland area. My LaVoy came from a collector in the Sacramento area in 1986. "

John would like to hear from other owners of LaVoy/Novodyne sets:
kjhh41@hotmail.com

5-99 tubes and 3-01A's
Front panel is 32x8
case is 34x12x10 deep solid walnut
Assembled unit is 37 lbs.
2 Remler butterfly variables w/ 2 Remler dials that accommodate paper dial scales
Osc coupling coil is Remler 620
Jewel meter 1-5 volt w/ do not exceed 3 volt max. warning line
Pig tail harness wired direct
1- Thordarson audio coupling xfmer
2-Thordarson push-pull input xfmers w/center tap choke output to speaker terminals
3- 600 Remler IF's and 1-610 coupling

This radio appears to be another version using the Remler IFs (kit?)
There are at least 2 of these in existence.

Leutz Model C from 1923
See also: E.I.S., RCA, ACME, General Radio

The Leutz used I.F. transformers made by the following manufactures: E.I.S., RCA (UV-1716), ACME, General Radio

The Leutz Model C with Model K Antenna Adaptor from 1924 was a kit. It had the wrong value caps on the IF filter transformer (as found), so it probably did not work very well. It was built by a local radio amateur who was involved with the first local broadcast station - KMED. This is a valuable radio and I would say that the long-wire antenna adaptor is very rare.

More: https://www.russoldradios.com/blog/leutz-model-c-with-model-k-antenna-adaptor-a-super-superheterodyne

For a good read on the radio history of Southern OR see: https://web.archive.org/web/20150404142651/http://www.wsmb.org/Page.asp?NavID=19

Leutz Model C-7 from 1924
See also: E.I.S.

The model C-7 used only E.I.S. intermediate frequency transformers. E.I.S. is Experimenters Information Service.
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/leutz_model_c-7_superheterodyn.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Schematic diagram of the Leutz Model C-7 courtesy Richard Ammon.

Leutz / E.I.S. Navy Model C-10 from 1924 - 1926

This is a 10-tube super with the I.F.s probably made by E.I.S.
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/leutz_navy_model_c10_superhete.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund (Nice job on the restoration)

Navy Model C-10 from Modern Radio Reception

Long model S-8 from 1925
Independently manufactured by the Long Radio Works of Cornelius, Oregon.
See also: Best and Remler

This super uses Remler I.F.s in a circuit design by Best.
More: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223071118/http://superhets.info/page5.html
Contributor: Richard Ammon

Madison-Moore
See also: Oakland Automotive Specialty Co.

December, 1926, Citizens Radio Call Book.
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/madison_moore_one_spot_if_tran.html

Madison-Moore “One-Spot” Super from 1926
See also: Madison-Moore and Oakland Automotive Specialty Co.

More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/madison_moore_one_spot_if_tran.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

December, 1926, Citizen’s Radio Call Book

Magnaformer / Radiart, Model 9-8 from around 1927

This super uses Radiart Laboratories R. F. 61 IF transformers.
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/magnaformer_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

October, 1927, Popular Radio magazine

Master, 8-tube Super from 1925

All of the I.F. transformers are in a single housing (below center).
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/master_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

McLaughlin See: Precise

Melo - Heald See: Robertson - Davis Co.

Novodyne See: LaVoy

OAKLAND AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALTY CO. / INVINCIBLE
See also: Madison-Moore

It is likely that this kit was professionally assembled. Though it was not tested until a few caps were replaced, I believe that it would have worked as-found.
This is the only example of this model/manufacture that I am aware of. It works well and has lots of audio because of its push-pull UX 171 output tubes.

The "Invincible" uses IF transformers manufactured by Madison Moore.

More: https://www.russoldradios.com/blog/3-feet-of-superhet

Phenix / Ultradyne L-2
See also: Columbia

More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/phenix_ultradyne_l-2_superhete.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Phenix Ultradyne Model L-2, Spring, 1925, Citizens Radio Call Book

Precise - McLoughlin from 1925

This was one of the first single-dial supers. It was designed by Mr. James Leo McLaughlin.
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/mclaughlin_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund
The I.F. transformers were housed in a single assembly. I have one of these but a winding is open. I have yet to attempt opening the assembly for repair.

October, 1925, Popular Radio magazine

Pressley / Sangamo from 1924
The 8-tube design was by Pressley and the components including the IF transformers were made by Sangamo.

More: https://www.russoldradios.com/blog/another-new-super
and http://www.duanesradios.info/html/pressley_superheterodyne.html

This set looks simple compared to the others but it works very well and is easy to tune. I don't know the total construction cost(s) of any of these radios but I'll bet this one was one of the cheapest and for that reason it was a wise(er) investment. Those gear-reduction tuning knobs are cool too. This radio looks just like the pictures taken of Pressley and his super. There are probably a good number of these still around.

October, 1925, Popular Radio magazine

Radiart Laboratories See: Magnaformer

Radiola - See: The Radio Corporation - RCA

The Radio Corporation - RCA - Model Radiola 25

The Radiola Supers were probably the only superheterodyne models that were not a patent violation since RCA partners owned the patent. Licensing other manufactures began about the same time that AC (plug-in power) models began to appear. Those models are not covered here.

Below is a Radiola 25 catacomb. (less wax)

More: https://www.russoldradios.com/blog/radiola-25

The Radio Corporation - RCA - Model Radiola AR-812 from 1926

The AR-812 was a "portable" 6-tube (UV-199) reflex, superheterodyne.

As with the Radiola 25, the components - less tubes, were "potted" in wax making repair very difficult. There were lead rivets holding the lid on, that had been punched with "RCA" . Removing the rivets would indicate that the radio had been tampered with, though I am not sure why anyone would have wanted to mess with the potted components in the 1920s.

Radio Receptor Co. / Receptrad Model B 8-Tube Kit from 1924
59 Bank St. N.Y., N.Y.

Radio uses Receptrad I.F. transformers.
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/receptrad_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Type SH8-1 wiring diagram (possible differences in models) from Victor Greiff’s Super-Heterodyne Manual

Radio Service Labs See: Wilson

Rauland Manufacturing Co Model All American Music Room Super from 1925
Chicago

More: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223071521/http://superhets.info/page6.html
Contributor: Richard Ammon

Raven Radio Inc. 7-Tube Ultradyne Super from 1924
Albany N.Y.

The I.F. transformers are branded Raven.
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/raven_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Schematic by Duane Bylund

Receptrad See: Radio Receptor Co.

Remler / Infradyne
See Also: Best, Halowat, LaVoy, Long

I could go on and on about this radio, but, for that, click on the link below. I think that this is one of the best supers made in the 20's It is not very common and good examples bring high prices. Some people call it a bread-board, not something I do, but it is built on a board. I have the top cover for it, but putting it on takes a cool-looking radio down to metal-box ugly - that thing is stashed around here somewhere.

More: https://www.russoldradios.com/blog/archives/12-2017

Robertson-Davis / Melo-Heald Model Hot Spot 11 from 1927

More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/melo-heald_superheterodyne.html
Contributor Duane Bylund

Schematic from factory brochure

Robertson-Davis / Melo-Heald Model Hot Spot 14 from 1927

September, 1927, Citizens Radio Call Book
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/melo-heald_superheterodyne.html

Rusco Sales Co./Camfield Model Super-9 from around 1927
359 E. Ohio St., Chicago Il.

Radio uses Rusco brand I.F. transformers
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/rusco_if_transformers.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Samson / Cotton Built Kit from 1924

This radio was built by Richard Cotton from a kit sold by Samson. It uses Samson branded IF transformers.
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/cotton_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Schematic diagram of the Cotton superheterodyne, as copied from an old copy of the 1926 Radio News Superheterodyne Book.

Sangamo See: Pressley

Scott Transformer Co. Model World's Record Super 8 from 1926
9 S. Clinton St., Chicago IL.

In the December 1926 issue of Citizen's Radio Call Book Magazine, plans were shown for an 8 tube Scott Super using 01A's and a 12 output. This set performs extremely well, and was about as inexpensive as you could get at the time.

- Kent King E. H. Scott Collector & Historian Radnor, OH : Contributor

December 1926 issue of Citizen's Radio Call Book Magazine

See also: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/scott_superheterodyne.html

Scott Transformer Co. Model World's Record Super 9 Portable Version 1925
9 S. Clinton St., Chicago IL.

This is the first Scott set, a World's Record Super 9. There is no known schematic, but I included one that was published later, showing two 01As instead of the UX-120s for outputs. My set is very close to Scott's original plans, the builder did add an on-off switch in the upper right corner. The engraved panel alone cost $5.

The first Scott super is the one in the portable case, circa Summer 1925. Scott took one in a similar case to New Zealand in March of 1925. He offered plans when he returned to Chicago.

- Kent King E. H. Scott Collector & Historian Radnor, OH : Contributor

Pictured from the back showing the portable cabinet.

Later schematic showing 201A output tubes rather than UX-120s. Chicago Evening Post Radio Magazine, for Thursday, October 14, 1926

See also: Duane Bylund's restored table-top version of the WRS9 http://www.duanesradios.info/html/scott_worlds_record_super_9.html

Scott Transformer Co. Model World's Record Super 10 Early Version
9 S. Clinton St., Chicago IL.

The first 9 tube set was offered as a kit in 1925. In the fall (Oct) of 1926, a ten tube version of Scott's original set appeared in the Chicago Evening Post Radio Magazine. The ten tube set also used two separate panel meters instead of the switched meter found in the original WRS-9. This is the only example of this set I know of.

- Kent King E. H. Scott Collector & Historian Radnor, OH : Contributor

Scott Transformer Co. Model World's Record Super 10 Late Version
9 S. Clinton St., Chicago IL.

This is the Super 10 most commonly seen...
Scott sold this model for over a year, the market being his Selectone transformers (which this set uses in abundance!). There are slight variations of this set, and one article even shows how to use it with the type 401 tubes. The set can use a 210 output tube as well.

- Kent King E. H. Scott Collector & Historian Radnor, OH : Contributor

Silver-Marshall Inc. "Silver" Early 1925 with Aluminum I.F. Cans
110 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago IL.

More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/silver_superheterodyne.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

Silver-Marshall Kit/Bakelite case IFs From late 1925 - on
110C S. Wabash Ave. Chicago IL.

More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/silver_superheterodyne_kit.html
Contributor Duane Bylund

St. James Laboratories from 1925 - 1927
845 Washington Blvd. C, Chicago IL.

Glass encapsulated St. James transformer kit.
More: http://www.duanesradios.info/html/st__james_if_transformers.html
Contributor: Duane Bylund

September. 1926, Citizen’s Radio Call Book

Standard Radio Company Model Wave King 8 from 1926
Kansas City

More: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223071521/http://superhets.info/page6.html
Contributor: Richard Ammon

Supertone See: Buckwalter

Thompson Model Super Seven, 7-tube Super from 1927

This super uses Halldorson I.F. transformers
More: https://web.archive.org/web/20101223071118/http://superhets.info/page5.html
Contributor: Richard Ammon

Trans-O-Dyne / Victoreen
See Also: Victory Products

This is a rare find. Little is known about this brand except that it appears to use a Victoreen I.F. transformer set. I have found pictures and references to two other units on-line, so there are at least three of them in existence. Though the construction/assembly looks amateur the pictures of the surviving sets are very similar and seem to incorporate the same parts. This would lead me to believe that these were a complete kit or that they were constructed by the same person, company or both.

Contributor: John Hutchins