Sixty years ago this month, the July 1963 issue of the British publication Radio Constructor carried this ad for the Sinclair “Slimline” micro-radio receiver kit. It was reportedly “acclaimed as the most amazing receiver ever,” and the set, measuring 2-3/4 x 1-5/8x 5/8 inches, would pull in both British and European stations with staggeringly good quality.

The parts were sold by Sinclair Radionics Ltd. of Cambridge. If the name, and the general style of the advertisement, look familiar, it’s because the proprietor was the same Sir Clive Sinclair who went on to market the Sinclair ZX80 computer, a version of which was sold on this side of the Atlantic as the Timex Sinclair.

This young man, Joseph Guy, from somewhere in the midwestern United States, has been collecting Social Security for a few years now, but sixty years ago, his mother gave him this CB handheld radio to stay in touch on his way to school.

This photo was taken on a 22-below-zero day, and immediately after the picture was taken, young Joey was camouflaged with a heavy scarf, hat, and mittens. While his mom stayed at the 5-watt base station at home, he walked to school, and mom reminded him to look both ways before crossing busy intersections. When he reached school, he called to report his safe arrival.

The only downside was his occasionally failing to turn it off when he reached school. But rechargeable batteries partially solved that problem. Other mothers, whose children were following him, would often call to see if their children reached school safely.

The photo and story appeared in the July 1963 issue of Popular Electronics.

Shown here, on the cover of Radio News for July 1938, is Annette King, a radio personality with NBC Chicago. She appeared on programs including Club Matinee.

Of note here, she is speaking into the network’s “Beer Mug,” a portable transmitter designed for use in remotes. The crystal controlled transmitter operated on 30-41 MHz, and its 200 mW output was said to have a range of up to a mile. Batteries would last for up to ten hours, and the transmitter met all of the strict FCC requirements.

It contained an automatic modulation control which was frequently referred to as a “built-in studio engineer.” The original version weighed 13 pounds, but the one shown here was only 7 pounds. It was standard equipment at all NBC offices.

This young man is about 90 years old today, but in the July 1938 issue of Popular Mechanics, he was demonstrating how to get good radio reception aboard your boat. The antenna was, of course, important. But putting a copper sheet below the water line ensured an excellent ground connection.

A hundred years ago, the radio was becoming a reality on the farm, as shown by this article appearing in the July 18, 1923, issue of the Cody, WY, Northern Wyoming Herald.  The article appears to be a press release taken directly from GE, extolling the virtues of the Radiola II receiver.  At a mere 18 pounds, the battery set could pull in stations as well as larger sets.

Getting QSL cards in the mail has traditionally been an exciting part of Amateur Radio, as immortalized here on the cover of QST 100 years ago this month, July 1923.

The artist is Clyde Darr, 8ZZ, who provided at least 69 such illustrations for the magazine prior to his death in 1929 at the age of 50.

Eighty-five years ago, the July 1938 issue of Popular Science showed how to make this handsome radio to proudly put in the middle of your dining room table. The five-tube (really four tubes plus a ballast) TRF was said to be a good performer. The sides were decorated with mirrors, and it also had two flower holders. They were made of plywood, with a cut down tobacco tin inside to allow you to water the flowers.

Apparently, combination radio-flower pots are no longer a thing. The one at the left certainly looks pleasing, but it’s not really a radio. Apparently, the closest you can get today is the combination flower pot-bluetooth speaker shown below. In addition to using it as a normal bluetooth speaker, you can set it to make piano sounds whenever you touch the flower.

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