RCA Nomenclature

[Chill315 at aol.com]

To pick up on the two previous emails.
 
I just realized that the model numbers of RCA mics started with the  
numbers, like in 77DX and 44BX while cameras started with the letters like  TK-41.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Best,
Park
 
Park,
I think the distinction with RCA model numbers  is older gear vs newer -- 
Pre mid 1950s vs post mid 1950s.  Earlier gear such as the iconic 76 
consolette, or the 50D or 5D transmitters,  the 86 limiter, had numbers with 
postscript letters. For example my RCA  consolette is a 76B5. So most of the famous 
RCA microphones fall into this  group, the 44A, B, BX, the 77A, B, C, D, 
DX, the 72 series,  etc. after the mid fifties, they went to a system with 
letters followed by a number, BC for consoles, BTA  for AM transmitters, BTF 
for FM transmitters, TT for TV  transmitters, SK for microphones, BA for 
broadcast audio devices  such as limiters, monitor amps, etc. It's confusing 
because they didn't  change the model number on existing products, but continued 
to list them with  their original numbers side by side with the new lines 
using the new number  scheme.
Bob Bruner
WTTW retired 


It has always been a bit of a mystery to me how RCA decided on the model  
numbers.  
 
T probably stood for Television.  K for Camera.  Possibly the  German 
version of the word?  R for Recorder.  S for switchers. G for  generators.  M for 
monitors.  P for projectors and film items.  
 
So why some other names.  WP for power?  W something for other  items.  TO 
for some scopes and WR for others.  
 
Many items just had an MI number which was the master index  number.  
 
So any help from a former RCA person that can explain the  nomenclature?
 
Chris Hill
WA8IGN









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