Sixty years ago, the Boy Scout with an interest in radio could get everything he needed to get started from the BSA National Supply Division at his local official BSA dealer, as shown here in the January 1961 issue of Boys’ Life.

He would very likely be the first on his block to own a transistor radio by putting together one of three kits. The simplest one, which probably required an outdoor antenna, was a fixed diode plus one transistor, which would set him back $4.50. The two transistor model would pull in more stations for $8.95. And everyone would be impressed if he put together the $14.95 three-transistor set, which would give loudspeaker volume.

The beginner could put together the crystal set for only $2.96, complete with cardboard base. And to pull in the shortwaves, the tube set for $15.95 wouild get both broadcast and shortwave.

For code practice, there was a signal set for $1.95 each or $3.95 for two. If the Scout was good at math, he would realize he was paying a nickel more if he bought two, but that’s explained by the fact that it came with 30 feet of wire. And to get started, a code record could be had for $2.95.