• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

vintage portable radios

progger7

progger7

Active Member
remember when we used to bring portable radios with handles to the beach or listen in the backyard while doing projects? Well I'm looking for a top quality vintage model for just such purposes. Not a monster boombox but just a nice sized and truly portable radio.

What are the models to look for? Did Marantz ever made such models?
 
Register to hide this ad
These are all over the place, thrifts, flea markets, yard sales and other places. At the local thrift they range from $2 to 1bout $8 depending on if am only, am-fm or include sw. I picked up a fairly nice Candle a few years ago that uses c cells and contains an ac power supply but I need to get a line cord or change the socket to something I can get a current cord for. It is am-fm-sw and has a leather exterior with chrome metal trim with only the very slightest pitting. Fairly heavy. However, the fidelity is typical portable and easily bested by my Grundig S350DL, a new version of the same format. However, with its plastic case and dials, it does not feel it would take the abuse of the Candle and survive long so to solve that I bought 2.

For a real keeper, there is of course the Zenith Trans-Oceanic 1000, 3000 and 7000 series SS radio and possibly the best of the best of the format. Not exactly cheap in realy good condition, they are well worth the price if you want an excellent portable.
 
I have a vintage Panasonic my dad brought me back on his way home from Vietnam in 1969.

A little deoxit and it sprang back to life.

Ken
 
My father bought me a refurbished, leather-covered GE portable transistor radio in 1967.
It's still in use today, doing Laundry Room duty.


Steve
 
Brian said:
These are all over the place, thrifts, flea markets, yard sales and other places. At the local thrift they range from $2 to 1bout $8 depending on if am only, am-fm or include sw. I picked up a fairly nice Candle a few years ago that uses c cells and contains an ac power supply but I need to get a line cord or change the socket to something I can get a current cord for. It is am-fm-sw and has a leather exterior with chrome metal trim with only the very slightest pitting. Fairly heavy. However, the fidelity is typical portable and easily bested by my Grundig S350DL, a new version of the same format. However, with its plastic case and dials, it does not feel it would take the abuse of the Candle and survive long so to solve that I bought 2.

For a real keeper, there is of course the Zenith Trans-Oceanic 1000, 3000 and 7000 series SS radio and possibly the best of the best of the format. Not exactly cheap in realy good condition, they are well worth the price if you want an excellent portable.
Click to expand...

ah yes, those Zeniths were indeed special with short wave capability. Definateley wouldn't mind owning one. However, these are a bit too big and feature laden - overkill for camping trips and the beach. I'm just looking for a solid AM/FM performer w/ good build quality.
 
bo1201.jpg

1162.jpg

1161.jpg

1164.jpg

1163.jpg



A Bang and Olufsen Beolit 600
I know his might be a little old, but my father used to take one similar to this (except it was black, not green) to the beach back in the 60's and 70's. It sounded very good and had separate bass and treble contols.

beolit_607.jpg


Actually his was a little more like the 607.
 
Last edited:
I'd go the other way for the beach, something cheap that is very disposable. With salt air and sand my experience was that radios just were no up to the environment. A nice camping radio I'd also think about. Maybe one of the current crops of windup radios.
 
A friend of mine had a Panasonic that looked similar to that B&O. Very nice sounding radio. I'd keep an eye out for just about any older Zenith. The AM sections on these pull in just about anything. If going a little newer, you can't go wrong with a GE Superadio.
 
Yeah, if you are worrying about ruining something nice, go for the GE super radios. They are generally pretty cheap and sound a whole lot better than the wind up radios.

My grandmother used to take a Sharp multi-band from around 1967 very similar to the B&O out to the garden. Since they bought the radio new, they never thought of it as vintage, it was always just old. I'd never take it to the beach, it was too nice with the backlit dial (controlled by a button independent of the power to save batteries) and pretty good sound (it did not have separate bass and treble like the B&O, just a tone rocker marked voice and music, therefore not quite as good). When they moved into a retirement complex it ended up in the guest room so I usually used it.
 
I second Tago Mago on the GE Superradios. They run about $75 new...a decent used one can be picked up for a fraction of that. The original probably had the best AM section, some folks think the newer ones don't perform quite as well as the originals on AM. FM operation is quite satisfactory. My brother-in-law swear by his C.Crane radio...and I agree...it's a great performer. More $$$, tough.
 
i third the GE super radio. i have one and am very happy with it. excellent AM and FM tuner, good sound, two way speaker, runs for along time on D batts.
 
I've always liked the second generation the best as it has the early build quality, but with the tweeter. The later one did not look as durable. I had a GE radio back in the early 80's with TV sound that worked for years, but did not sound all that wonderful.
 
Another vote for the Superadio. If you MUST have a Trans/Oceanic, be advised that only the 3000 & 7000 series have FM on 'em. None of the tooob versions do. T/Os are decent performers, I think, but are really better left to the collectors. If you break a Superadio, it will be a shame, but not necessarily a "Jump-Off-A-Building" type disaster...(grin)
 
Agree with you there. I have a Radio Shack/Sangean DX-390 in my home office, I use daily. Had it hooked to my attic long wire antenna, when a big lightning strike took out the SW front end. RS fixed it under warranty, no problem. Leave the long wire unplugged when not messing with short wave after that. Nice radio.
 
Got a Panasonic RF-2200.
Bought it a few years back on a fleamarket for a real bargain price.
She's definetely a keeper :)
 
This old gal gets daily play here. It's a mid-sixties Sony TFM-1000 4 Band and offers excellent audio and reception.

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • Sony TFM-1000W.jpg
    Sony TFM-1000W.jpg
    101.1 KB · Views: 848
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom