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General Electric (GE) Model K-64 Cathedral Radio (1933)
The General Electric (GE) model K-64 (K64) is a
two band 6-tube cathedral radio covering standard
broadcast from 540-1500kc and shortwave from
5.4-15.35mc. It has similar styling and uses the
same chassis as the RCA model 121, which GE
manufactured for RCA. It was introduced in late-
1933 at a list price of $54.50.
In many ways this radio was ahead of its time in
that it was one of the first to use a round "airplane"
dial rather than the more traditional "window-dial",
such as seen on the GE model K-52 of the same
year.
The controls are (left to right):- tone/on/off, volume,
tuning (coarse and fine) and band-select. Note that
the tone control features a potentiometer and not a
multi-point switch such as used by many of the
other manufacturers of the day. This again would
become more or less standard in a few years. The
tuning control consists of two stacked knobs, one
used for fine and the other for coarse adjustment.
This is especially helpful for navigating the crowded
shortwave band. The volume control matches the
dual tuning knobs in appearance but operates as a
single unit. The tube line-up is 58 (RF amp), 2A7
(LO/mixer), 58 (IF amp), 2B7 (2nd det/AVC/1st AF),
2A5 (AF power pentode) and 80 (rectifier). The
schematic is in Riders under RCA model 121.
two band 6-tube cathedral radio covering standard
broadcast from 540-1500kc and shortwave from
5.4-15.35mc. It has similar styling and uses the
same chassis as the RCA model 121, which GE
manufactured for RCA. It was introduced in late-
1933 at a list price of $54.50.
In many ways this radio was ahead of its time in
that it was one of the first to use a round "airplane"
dial rather than the more traditional "window-dial",
such as seen on the GE model K-52 of the same
year.
The controls are (left to right):- tone/on/off, volume,
tuning (coarse and fine) and band-select. Note that
the tone control features a potentiometer and not a
multi-point switch such as used by many of the
other manufacturers of the day. This again would
become more or less standard in a few years. The
tuning control consists of two stacked knobs, one
used for fine and the other for coarse adjustment.
This is especially helpful for navigating the crowded
shortwave band. The volume control matches the
dual tuning knobs in appearance but operates as a
single unit. The tube line-up is 58 (RF amp), 2A7
(LO/mixer), 58 (IF amp), 2B7 (2nd det/AVC/1st AF),
2A5 (AF power pentode) and 80 (rectifier). The
schematic is in Riders under RCA model 121.
General Electric's new Mantel Clock Cabinet Model K64.
| "a brand new portable selective all-wave set by General Electric at a price that can't be touched by modern radio value. It receives standard radio programs with amazing fidelity. It tunes in selected major foreign stations clearer and better, with less interference and noise. It also gets police calls, aircraft transmissions and amateur phone. A special feature is a new type tuning dial which simplifies tuning in all programs, either domestic or foreign" |
Copyright TubeRadioLand.com
Nov 16th 1933, Ohio
Jan 19th 1934, Ohio
| "FOR THE FIRST TIME, entertaining reception of domestic and foreign shortwave programs" |
Dec 20th 1933, Ohio