This young woman is listening to a broadcast program on a “handi-talkie” style radio from the October 1950 issue of Popular Mechanics. The set is a simple one-tube regenerative receiver, with a high-impedance headphone built right into the side of the set’s wooden case. A lead with an alligator clip is used to connected to an expedient antenna. In this case, she is pulling in a station by using the lamp’s metal case as an antenna. A telephone dial stop could also be used, or outdoors, a railing or gutter.

Power is supplied by a flashlight battery for the filament, and a 30 volt hearing aid battery for the B+.