While I was leafing through the National Company photo archives on loan from radio historian Alan Douglas, I ran across three photos of an interesting receiver--the middle-to-late 1930s Japanese R-140 M communications set. It is often said that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, and this receiver is a good example. Apparently the Japanese designers thought enough of the National-designed NPW three-section variable capacitor with its gear reduction unit and attached PW dial that they copied it almost exactly for use in this set, even to the National-style diamond-shaped dial index.

     Let me emphasize at the outset that I do not have this receiver, I have never seen it except in the photographs, and I do not have a manual or any other information. The following paragraphs are based wholly on a detailed study of the photos. However, if any of our readers happen to have additional information, I'm sure that the rest of us would appreciate receiving it via this column.

     The main label on the front panel tells us that this receiver covers a range of 1500 kc to 20,000 kc. The main PW tuning dial, with an effective bandspread of approximately twelve feet, is just to the right of the antenna and ground connections. Below the dial is the AVC switch and the 4-band bandswitch. At the upper right of the dial is what appears to be an antenna trimmer capacitor control.

     The first of the three in-line controls to the right of the PW dial appears to be a capacitor, and the other two are gain controls. The middle one is probably the RF gain, and the outer one the audio gain. The three telephone-type lever switches most likely perform some control functions, such as SEND-RECEIVE, SPEAKER-PHONES, BFO, etc. Finally, there are three single-action phone jacks, probably connected in parallel to allow for multiple listeners.

     Take a good look at the top view. The National-style capacitor unit appears to be identical to the parent, except for the top casting of the gearbox, which has the designation YEC instead of the usual NC. The photo shows that this is an eight-tube receiver, dependent on an external power unit. There is one RF and two IF stages. The final audio appears to be transformer coupled. Tubes are all the six-pin ST-12 outline types with grid caps.

     The below-the-chassis view shows a neat layout with all components readily accessible. Wiring, neatly done, appears to be buss with a liberal use of spaghetti insulation. All parts appear to be of high quality. The by-pass capacitors could well be mica, and it is very possible that this receiver, if unearthed today from some storage depot, would work immediately without servicing, and probably give a good account of itself by 1940s standards. The design is fundamental, without any expensive sheet-metal fabrication or surplus circuitry.

     This particular model appears to be in mint shape and was probably received at the National Company laboratories for evaluation either during the war or very shortly thereafter. The very professional photos are in with all the others done by Benj. Morse of Boston, and although these do not have his imprint on the back, they certainly appear to be his work. This is a most interesting receiver and, if it still exists, I envy the owner. Incidentally, if there is enough interest, I can probably get the Japanese characters translated from the original photos.