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In case the lengthy URL I gave in a prior post causes trouble, here is a 
shorter one that gets directly to the ad that shows the series of GE 
radios made by RCA in 1931.
http://www.myvintageads.com/ads/177/13538.jpg

As I had said even yesterday, this would be their version of the Radiola 
86, and it is a single-arm machine.  I have a Radiola 80 like is 
pictured in the lower right of this ad.  It is funny that GE advertises 
this series as being Full Range in tone, sensitivity, and selectivity.  
Assuming that there is no modification from the RCA, I've never liked 
the tone quality of this era of RCA.  I also have a Radiola 60 and both 
sound the same -- thin and reedy.  No bass or highs.  BUT, the 80 is 
GREAT on sensitivity and selectivity.  When I demonstrated it back in 
the 70s in the Chicago area where I got it, and later in Missouri and 
New Jersey, it could get a station on every frequency at night with no 
overlapping.  Of course that shows a limited bandwidth, so therefore no 
highs.  My personal favorite of radios of the early 30s in this price 
range is Atwater Kent.  The Atwater Kent 95 can sound almost FM in 
quality in the daytime near a quality station -- at least before the 
limitation of AM frequency response to 10K in the mid-1990s.  AM 
stations could go out to above 13 KHz in response before then. Scott 
radios could handle that by the late 30s.

Mike Biel  [log in to unmask]


Chris Hunter wrote:
> GE did start selling a Model H-71 radio/phonograph combination in
> December 1930.  Although GE sold it, it was manufactured by RCA.  As
> part of the anti-trust agreement, GE could not start manufacturing its
> own radios until 1935.  We have two H-71s in our collection.  The H-71
> allowed for radio recording, as well as home recording using a
> microphone. The model# information was placed on a somewhat flimsy piece
> of wood that went across the back of the radio about halfway up.  One of
> our radios has it, the other does not.  The top of the cabinet lifts up,
> revealing the phonograph.
>
> Would it be possible to get a picture of the radio/phonograph?  We have
> a lot of GE radio/phonograph service information and would probably be
> able to pinpoint the model number.
>
> Chris Hunter
> Director of Archives and Collections
> Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium
> Nott Terrace Heights
> Schenectady, NY 12308
> (518) 382-7890, ext. 241
> [log in to unmask]
> www.schenectadymuseum.org
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul Charosh
> Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 12:35 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [ARSCLIST] GE radio/phonograph/home recorder - early '30s
>
>  
> A friend has acquired a GE radio/phonograph, ca. 1931,  with two  arms:
> one 
> for playback, one apparently for home recording.  We  would like to
> learn 
> more about it.  
>  
> It needs much repair and we wonder whether anyone in the NYC/Long Island
>
> area would be interested in contacting the owner.
>  
> Paul Charosh
>
>
>