RCA Victor Portable Table Phonograph Electrola Model R-95
Radio Service Data Sheet
July 1936 Radio-Craft

July 1936 Radio-Craft

[Table of Contents]

Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Radio-Craft, published 1929 - 1953. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.

Victor Electrola Portable Phonograph - RF Cafe

Victor Electrola portable phonograph - probably not the R-95

The RCA Victor Portable Table Electrola Model R-95 is a record player / turntable / phonograph (choose your terminology) with a built-in audio amplifier and voice coil speakers speakers. Many portables of the day were all mechanical with hand cranks for power and one of the big horn sound amplifiers like on the Victrolas (note the R-95 is called an "Electrola"). Little information is available for it on the Web, and I could not find any photos. "Portable" back in 1936, when this schematic and datasheet appeared in Radio-Craft magazine, meant it might be possible for a person of moderate strength to lug it around and set it up on a table. An accompanying hernia was often involved. There are still many people who restore and service vintage radios and phonographs, so I post these when run across. A growing list of all data sheets can be found at the bottom of the page.

RCA Victor Portable Table Electrola Model R-95

(Synchronous motor; takes records up to 12 ins.; pickup and tone arm in 1 unit; 8 in. dynamic speaker.)

The voltages on the illustration at the left are measured from the tube socket terminal to the negative side of the electrolytic condensers. Voltages should be within ± 2.0%, as measured on a 1,000 ohm-per-volt meter. Values over 50 V. should be read On the 250 V. scale, while those under are taken from the 50 V. scale. Since a voltage-doubling circuit is employed in this instrument, it cannot be used on D.C. The power consumption is 75 W. total and the power output is 2 W. Turntable speed is standard 78 r.p.m. The motor is started by giving it a clockwise spin with the hand. Difficult starting may be cured in many cases by applying a small amount of oil to the bearing surfaces of the motor. A small amount of hum when the motor is starting, decreasing to a negligible amount when running is entirely normal. If there is excessive vibration either when starting or running, the motor supports should be examined and the position of the leather washer on the center bearing should be checked. It should be under the steel washer. After a long period of operation, the spacer cushions of the pickup may become hard and should be replaced. The viscoloid block which is attached to the front end of the armature shank serves as a mechanical filter to eliminate undesirable resonance and to cause a uniform frequency response. If the block is replaced it will be necessary to heat the shaft slightly to hold it firmly to the viscoloid block.

Posted October 8, 2023
(updated from original post on 8/27/2015)

Radio Service Data Sheets

These schematics, tuning instructions, and other data are reproduced from my collection of vintage radio and electronics magazines. As back in the era, similar schematic and service info was available for purchase from sources such as SAMS Photofacts, but these printings were a no-cost bonus for readers. There are 227 Radio Service Data Sheets as of December 28, 2020.

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RCA Victor Portable Table Phonograph Electrola Model R-95Radio Service Data Sheet July 1936 Radio-Craft

RCA Victor Portable Table Phonograph Electrola Model R-95
Radio Service Data Sheet
July 1936 Radio-Craft