RCA Radiola 18

This 7-tube set , c. 1927, is an early AC-powered set. It is similar to the Radiola Model 17. 

The cabinet is solid mahogany. This particular set has a label indicating that the cabinet was built by Jamestown Mantel Company, Jamestown, N.Y. (It was common for radio manufacturers to farm-out their cabinet fabrication.) Jamestown, N.Y., was once a prominent center of furniture manufacture. Jamestown Mantel Company was perhaps better known for the manufacture of wooden propellers for airplanes than for radio cabinets. 

Above the tuning dial is a small shade for the dial lamp. The lampshade attaches to the dial escutcheon with a pair of clips that come loose easily; the original shade is often missing from these sets. The lampshade on this particular radio is a reproduction. Otherwise, this set is essentially all original, including the power supply and filter caps. It operates very well with no hum.

Almost all TRF sets of this vintage have a grid-leak detector. The original grid-leak resistors have almost always drifted up in value. I usually replace it with a 2-megohm resistor concealed under the original grid-leak that I electrically disconnect. The wattage of the replacement resistor is not significant since there is essentially no current through the grid-leak.

© 2005 Doug Criner