Seventy years ago, this young woman was the proud owner of a bicycle radio. As she rode, she could listen to music, or perhaps a ball game.

The receiver was constructed according to plans in the very first issue of Popular Electronics, October 1954, and was a four-tube superheterodyne design. The project was somewhat involved, but the magazine promised that it was simple. Alignment was required, but according to the magazine, if you couldn’t locate a signal generator, a local radio technician or friendly radio amateur could do the job for you.

Of course, the magazine reminded that bike safety was important, and it cautioned readers not to get so engrossed in a radio program that they failed to watch traffic. The cabinet could be painted to match the bike, or personalized with some snappy decals.

Since the set was so easy to build, clubs could make them in an assembly line fashion so that members would have matching portables during jaunts together. In fact, once this girl started the fad, the magazine was willing to bet that other groups would be following in short order.

Eighty-five years ago this month, the October 1939 issue of Radio Craft featured the Motorola Model 41-S “Sporter,” weighing in at only 6-1/2 pounds. The antenna was an integral part of the shoulder strap, and the four-tube set was much to be desired. Publisher Hugo Gernsback had recently predicted that “when we go down to about 5 or 6 lbs.–a not impossible figure–we will have a receiver of much greater popularity,” and that time had come.

The article concluded with the further prediction: “Radio-Craft predicts that, now that radio sets are within sight of being really PORTABLE–so that milady can carry them a block without gasping for breath–the battery portable is destined to “go places” not
only in design, but also commercially!”

Eighty-five years ago today, the October 15, 1939, issue of Broadcasting magazine carried this ad for the Green Hornet. The radio program had originated three years earlier on Detroit station WXYZ, and was carried on various networks over the years. This ad indicates that it was in syndication in 1939, with its roots still in Detroit. The ad promised a movie to be released soon, and it was indeed serialized in the 1940s.

The Green Hornet was actually the great nephew of the Lone Ranger, who also got his start on WXYZ.

Shown here from 75 years ago is the Heathkit All-Wave Radio. While the ad does not specify the model number, it is the Model K-2, which had recently replaced the similar K-1 which came out the previous year. The set runs on AC power, using one 1626 triode as the rectifier, and a second 1626 as regenerative detector. The 12A6 amplifies the audio to power either headphones or speaker (the only components you need to buy separately, as everything else is included).

There’s a very informative article at the Orange County Amateur Radio Club website by AF6C. At that site, you can find a schematic and more information. The ad shown here is from Heath’s October 1949 flyer.  The ad notes that the set can be built by either adults or boys–it apparently didn’t occur to them that a girl might want to build one. It had been successfully constructed by 10 year old boys and was billed as a great start in radio. Boys would enjoy it for years, and it had the added benefit of keeping the family radio for adult programs, while Junior listened to what he wanted.

It covered 550 kHz to 6 MHz, apparently with a single plug-in coil.  It sold for $8.75 plus shipping, which works out to $115.73 in 2024 dollars.  But chances are, Mom and Dad would be willing to cash in a war bond if it meant freeing up the family radio.