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| "Twelve tube superheterodyne (16 tube functions) tunes American and Foreign broadcasts, police, airplane, amateur and ships. This receiver combines conventional tuning and Selectronne, a simple six push button electric tuning device for your six favorite American Broadcast stations. Twelve inch electro-dynamic speaker with acoustic baffle. Push-Pull triode output. Alto-basso tone control. Viso-glo tuning tube. Automatic vernier. Automatic volume control. Automatic frequency control. Centralized nerve system. Aerial band matching transformers. Separate coils for each band. Large walnut cabinet" |
The model 1268, introduced in the summer of 1937 priced at $179.75,
was one of twenty four models offered by Sparton for the 1938 sales
season. With twelve tubes, it's a high-performance full-featured set,
having a tuned RF amp, 2 IF stages, Automatic-Frequency-Control,
"Selectronne" Automatic Tuning and a Magic Eye "viso-glo" tuning ind-
cator. To top it all, it delivers excellent sound quality, achieved through
the use of a pair of sweet sounding type 45 triodes operated in push-
pull, driving a large 12" electro-dynamic loudspeaker.
Automatic tuning systems were all the rage for 1938, with numerous
manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon to offer models. Newspap-
ers were full of articles describing the merits of the various systems
available, adding impetus to the public's demand for the new technol-
ogy. Sparton's Selectronne was basically electrical, featuring six push-
buttons and automatic-frequency-control to ensure reliable lock on the
selected station. On the subject of the Selectronne, advertising pro-
claimed:-
was one of twenty four models offered by Sparton for the 1938 sales
season. With twelve tubes, it's a high-performance full-featured set,
having a tuned RF amp, 2 IF stages, Automatic-Frequency-Control,
"Selectronne" Automatic Tuning and a Magic Eye "viso-glo" tuning ind-
cator. To top it all, it delivers excellent sound quality, achieved through
the use of a pair of sweet sounding type 45 triodes operated in push-
pull, driving a large 12" electro-dynamic loudspeaker.
Automatic tuning systems were all the rage for 1938, with numerous
manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon to offer models. Newspap-
ers were full of articles describing the merits of the various systems
available, adding impetus to the public's demand for the new technol-
ogy. Sparton's Selectronne was basically electrical, featuring six push-
buttons and automatic-frequency-control to ensure reliable lock on the
selected station. On the subject of the Selectronne, advertising pro-
claimed:-
Sparton Model 1268 "Selectronne" Console Radio (1937/1938)
Quick as a snap of your finger, there's your station...
Automatically, instantly, perfectly!
| "The SELECTRONNE contains no moving parts but the button switches....no motors...no complicated mechanisms. It is instantaneous and simple in operation as a door bell" |
| "Sparton offers you choice of 24 quality models all featuring clean cut reception on a noiseless background with scores of last minute refinements. See and hear Sparton before you buy any radio set" "An AMAZING revolution in radio tuning! Quicker than a flash. Simple as a door bell" |
..newspapaer cuttings from the fall of 1937.
| Alternative Automatic Tuning Devices of the late 1930s Some manufacturers offered purely mechanical approaches to auto- matic tuning. A number of these were based on rotary dials, while oth- ers used mechanical push-button assemblies. Zenith, one of the ear- ly pioneers of push-button tuning back in the late twenties, mercifully skipped 1938 and introduced it in their 1939 line. Instead they went on in 1938 to produce some of today's most coveted models - their series with the much beloved tear-drop shaped escutcheons and big black robot dials, some with motorized tuning! A few of the automatic tuning systems available during the late '30s... Sparton Selectronne Tuning (electric, push-button).............................. Fada Flash-O-Matic (electrical, rotary control)...................................... Firestone Dial-a-matic tuning Silvertone Moto-matic tuning (push-button) Stewart Warner Magic Keyboard (push-button, mechanical).. RCA Electric Tuning (push-button, electric) Philco Cone-Centric Tuning (Rotary, mechanical).................................. Philco Automatic Tuning (Rotary, mechanical with AFC).................. General Electric Touch-Tuning (push-button, electric) Delco Delco-Matic finger-tip tuning (push-button, electric) Wells Gardner "Auto selection Dial" (rotary, mechanical) Crosley "Prestotune" (push-button) Westinghouse Multi-station tuner (rotary push-button, motor driven) Stromberg Carlson "flash tuning" (push-button, electric)...................... Zenith "Trans-continental Tip-Touch Tuning" (push-button, electric)................................................................... |
The Sparton 1268 is a twelve tube 3-band superheterodyne covering
standard broadcast and two shortwave bands (540-1750; 1750-6100;
5900- 18500kc). The tube line-up is: 6K7G (RF amp), 6A8G (mixer/
LO), 6J7G (AFC), 6K7G (1st IF), 6K7G (2nd IF), 6R7G (det/AVC/1st
AF), 6H6G (AFC discriminator), 6J5G (2nd AF), 45 * 2 (push-pull AF),
5Y3G (rectifier), 6E5 (viso-glo magic eye indicator). In common with
the better sets of the day, the 1268 provides separate coils for each
band in its front-end (referred to as the nerve center in Sparton's
advertising) and provides superb performance, with great sensitivity.
The schematic can be found here, courtesy of NostalgiaAir.
standard broadcast and two shortwave bands (540-1750; 1750-6100;
5900- 18500kc). The tube line-up is: 6K7G (RF amp), 6A8G (mixer/
LO), 6J7G (AFC), 6K7G (1st IF), 6K7G (2nd IF), 6R7G (det/AVC/1st
AF), 6H6G (AFC discriminator), 6J5G (2nd AF), 45 * 2 (push-pull AF),
5Y3G (rectifier), 6E5 (viso-glo magic eye indicator). In common with
the better sets of the day, the 1268 provides separate coils for each
band in its front-end (referred to as the nerve center in Sparton's
advertising) and provides superb performance, with great sensitivity.
The schematic can be found here, courtesy of NostalgiaAir.
| SPARTON features latest improvements for Radios Press one of six buttons below the call letters of a favorite station listed on the instrument panel of a Sparton Select- ronne equipped model... the desired station responds, imm- ediately. Press one after the other of the six buttons and thus quickly sample the programs of the moment, from all six...without even a glance at the dial. There are no motors, no moving parts but the switch buttons. The tuning is exper- tly accurate. The response is full-toned. A touch of the band selector switch...the receiver instantly changes to an efficient, ultra-modern all wave radio model of surprising performance, ready to tune American and for- eign broadcast and shortwave, Airplane, Police, Amateur and ship. Other Sparton features: All models are engineered to introduce into the aerial circuit a separate transformer to match the aerial to the band in use for maximum sensitivity and minimum interference, controlled by the band selector switch. All amplifier circuits of the respective receiver are used on each band providing full sensitivity on foreign and shortwave bands as well as the broadcast band. A full and separate set of coils for each band provide a further increase in sensitivity for all Sparton models and further remove background and interference noises from the reproduction. |
A highly efficient design concentrating the radio frequency coils in a central, shielded assembly for shortest leads and maximum amplification of the incoming signal without inter- ference. Protection against change in calibration of the receiver due to humidity or varying weather conditions. Eliminate interference from code stations. Efficient audio tube types for maximum amplification with faithful reproduction. For full toned response from the lowest to the highest volume desired. Maintains the output volume at the level selected by the volume control on all stations regardless of signal strength or proximity. Prev- ents blasting and offsets fading. A highly specialized method of permitting the user to select the most enjoyable tone shading of any program or trans- mission. High-Fidelity in the central position. Continuously variable preponderance of low, deep or high, brilliant tones as desired in the right and left positions. Makes available high volumes with full excellence of tonal response. Insures full depth of tone at low volume. Provides a volume reserve for impressive rendition of crescendo passages with Sym- phonic Tone Expansion expression. Circuits which automatic- ally restore that expression and feeling which marks the performance of masters and artists. The wide variation in emphasis as heard in the studio becomes leveled off in transmission and is restored in the receiver. |
...clipped from an October 1937 newspaper
| "At the measured speed of 186,000 miles per second...speed of an electric impulse...gives you six of your favorite chain or local stations at the ....flash...touch of a button. In a few fleeting seconds you can sample all six successively and keep on to enjoy the program you like best" |
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