classicwireless.co.uk/Murphy1936 Pg 1

Murphy Radio 1936

The new mains table model this year was the A30, an AC/DC model also being available. The cabinet is designed by R.D. Russell and is not dissimilar to earlier models, particularly the A4 from 1933. The sides of the cabinet were stained dark brown, the front of the cabinet being veneered in Walnut with a contrasting lower section of Zebrano veneer. The knobs on the set are of a new design, but retain the principle of a retaining nut used in previous years. To the dismay of dealers the set still did not feature a large tuning scale with stations marked on it, but instead continued with the small window and illuminated disc with only wavelengths marked. Like the A26, a booklet accompanied the receiver in which station wavelengths were marked (below mid right along with original instruction booklet). This was to be the last year that this method of tuning was to be seen. The set featured a valve line-up of AC/TP, AC/VP1, AC2/PENDD, UU3.

Also pictured (above far right) is an original enamel sign, with the Murphy byline “Making Wireless Simple” and featuring a picture of Frank Murphy with his pipe, an image that had by now become a well established trading symbol. However Frank Murphy resigned from Murphy Radio in January 1937, and 1936 was the last year that the “Making Wireless Simple” byline formed the backbone of the advertising for Murphy Radio. The B23 and B27 battery sets introduced in 1937 also marked a new departure for Murphy in that a different custom designed cabinet was designed for each set rather than utilising the same cabinet for battery and mains receivers. This allowed for more effective placement of batteries and accumulators.

Continue to see the console and radiogram versions of the A30