Category Archives: Radio history

1940 British Air Raid Shelter Radio

Eighty-five years ago, this British family was taking refuge in their air-raid shelter, and had the luxury of information and entertainment courtesy of their radio. The July 13, 1940, issue of of Practical Wireless gave some pointers on the best way to equip the shelter with radio. The magazine acknowledged that there was no single solution for every case, but the provided food for thought.

One option was to employ a remote speaker with the normal family radio. Somewhat counter-intuitively, it suggested that the best option might be to place the radio in the shelter, and put the speaker in the house. This was because they would have access to the radio while in the shelter, and could change stations if the need arises. And, of course, if the set was turned off, it could be turned on without delay getting to the shelter.

The magazine also discussed the possibility of a portable. Here, it cautioned that if the shelter had a damp environment, it might be best to store the set outside. Finally, it discussed the possibility of using a car radio, particularly if a battery were in place for lighting.



Radio to the Rescue, 1925

A hundred years ago, this young woman experienced a flat tire. But fortunately, she had brought a radio with her, so she was able to keep herself entertained until this gentleman arrived and fixed the tire for her.

The illustration appeared on the cover of Radio in the Home, July 1925, and the artist is Ralph Pallen Coleman.



Homemade QSL Cards, 1940

Eighty-five years ago, the July 1940 issue of Shortwave and Television showed this hint for making homemade QSL cards with a standard penny postcard. You simply cut a stencil with the design. To print one, you placed the stencil over a postcard and held them down with tacks. Then, you used an old toothbrush to apply the ink.



Bringing the Car Radio Inside in Britain, 1940

Eighty-five years ago, there were few private automobiles on British roads due to the war. But for those that were still in use, a restriction went into place on June 1, 1940. According to the July 1940 issue of Practical Wireless, as of that date, it was illegal to have any radio apparatus in a motor vehicle after that date. According to the magazine, the order applied to both built-in sets as well as portables. It also applied to the antenna, which had to be removed as well.

Since you had to take the radio inside anyway, the magazine showed this rather self-explanatory diagram of how to hook it up at home. It discussed options such as the best way to keep the battery charged.

As we previously reported, the ban was lifted in 1944, and the magazine showed how to re-install the radio.



1965 Home Radio Station

The young man shown here has been collecting Social Security for a few years now, but sixty years ago, he was operating his own broadcast station, as shown in the July 1965 issue of Electronics Illustrated.

The transmitter had inputs for microphone and turntable (or tape) and radiated through the house wiring.  (But the magazine noted that if that wasn’t working well, a 5-foot antenna could be substituted.)  The power level was within FCC requirements, but it radiated a good signal throughout a house, dorm, or camp.



1940 Radio Dealer

Eighty-five years ago, this is what a typical radio dealer’s shop might have looked like. This bustling scene was depicted on the cover of Radio Today, June 1940.



1925 British Portables

A hundred years ago this month, the British gentleman looks a bit perplexed as to what exactly he is supposed to do with his portable radio. And it looks like his driver is trying to avoid offering an opinion.

He should have read the article by one of the editors of Popular Wireless in the June 1925 issue. It noted that the first portable was probably the one brought by Marconi to England. But before buying or building a portable, one should take some time to consider carefully the needs and limitations. The picture appeared on the cover of the magazine.



1925 British Picnic Set

One hundred years ago, this young British woman is listening to a program on a portable radio especially designed for use on picnics, courtesy of plans in the June 1925 issue of Wireless Magazine.

The design criteria were that the set would be totally self-contained, of minimal weight and size, and ease of operation. Finally, the appearance had to be such that it could be taken into the most exquisitely furnished room without looking out of place.

For the last point, the case was made of 3/8 inch mahogany. That mahogany also concealed a frame aerial, and there was a compartment for stowing the headphones when not in use. The circuit itself used one tube.

The set was tested (and presumably the picture above is)  at the seaside town of Eastbourne. The signal from London, 65 miles away, was heard faintly, but Bournemouth, 120 miles away came in strongly. In the evening, the set pulled in Newcastle, 340 miles away. Even with two sets of headphones, every word from the announcer was audible.

From London, Paris could be pulled in distinctly, and Bournemouth could be heard every evening.

As a final test, the set was taken to the vault of a bank in Kensington, 40 feet underground and partly covered in steel. But the set was able to pull in 2LO strongly enough to operate three pairs of headphones.



1965 Sinclair Micro-6

Sixty years ago this month, the June 1965 issue of the British Radio Constructor magazine carried this ad for the Sinclair Micro 6 radio kit.

It was billed as the smallest and most private set available, but it would perform with fantastic efficiency in cars, buses, trains, or even steel framed buildings.  The crystal earphone ensured that it would interfere with nobody even in the most public places.

It was billed as a six-stage circuit, but used only three transistors.  They were reflexed to provide two stages of RF and three of AF, with two diodes serving as detector.  It covered the medium waves, and the ad assured that it would provide easy Luxemburg reception.

Building the set was said to be easy.