Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Early AM radio receivers were known for their inconsistent volume which was caused by the vagaries of signal propagation, but in 1925, Harold Alden Wheeler invented automatic volume control (AVC) and obtained a patent. By the early 1930s most new commercial broadcast receivers included automatic volume control.
During his education Wheeler worked part-time at the National Bureau of Standards' Radio Laboratory, then from 1922 onwards at Stevens Institute of Technology, with Prof. Louis Alan Hazeltine, after discovering that they had independently invented the Neutrodyne receiver.
In this AWA Shares presentation Mike Molnar examines Wheeler's AGC and AVC circuits which were among the 180 groundbreaking inventions for which he received patents.
AWA member Mike Molnar founded Diagnostic Services Inc. in 1983. His veterinary nuclear imaging systems are treating horses, cats, and dogs around the world. Mike has authored many articles for the AWA Review and has been a frequent presenter at the AWA Conference.
Help us preserve the history of electronic communications by becoming a member of the Antique Wireless Association at: antiquewireless.org/homepage/join-or-renew-membership
Subscribe to the Antique Wireless Museum channel and you'll receive news of our latest video uploads.
Early AM radio receivers were known for their inconsistent volume which was caused by the vagaries of signal propagation, but in 1925, Harold Alden Wheeler invented automatic volume control (AVC) and obtained a patent. By the early 1930s most new commercial broadcast receivers included automatic volume control.
During his education Wheeler worked part-time at the National Bureau of Standards' Radio Laboratory, then from 1922 onwards at Stevens Institute of Technology, with Prof. Louis Alan Hazeltine, after discovering that they had independently invented the Neutrodyne receiver.
In this AWA Shares presentation Mike Molnar examines Wheeler's AGC and AVC circuits which were among the 180 groundbreaking inventions for which he received patents.
AWA member Mike Molnar founded Diagnostic Services Inc. in 1983. His veterinary nuclear imaging systems are treating horses, cats, and dogs around the world. Mike has authored many articles for the AWA Review and has been a frequent presenter at the AWA Conference.
Help us preserve the history of electronic communications by becoming a member of the Antique Wireless Association at: antiquewireless.org/homepage/join-or-renew-membership
Subscribe to the Antique Wireless Museum channel and you'll receive news of our latest video uploads.
