Transistor Radio Collections
Transistor Radio Collections
Table of Contents Links
COLLECTIONS
Page 1: The Beginning THE BEGINNING 1954-1958
Page 2: USA and Canada Brand Radios 1959-1960's USA AND CANADA 1959-1960
Page 3: Japanese Imports 1959-1960's JAPAN 1959-1960'S
Page 4: Transistor Radios 1970-on TRANSISTOR RADIOS 1970 -ON
Page 5: Novelty Transistor Radios SPECIAL PURPOSE SOLID STATE RADIOS
RESTORE IDEAS AND HISTORY
Links to Restoring Transistor Radios: RESTORING SYLVANIA TR
Links to Transistor Radio Videos on YOU TUBE: 1955 MAKING TR- THE REGENCY TR-1
Page 1
The Beginning 1955-1958 Made in the USA
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The Transistor was invented in 1948. In less than 20 years it made the vacuum tube a dead end technology. It paved the way to the integrated circuit and the micro chip found in computers, phones etc. Still from 1948 to the early 1970's transistors like tubes were discrete parts in electronics. Shown below are transistor radios that are part of electronics history.
To see the World's First Transistor Radio watch the video at this link PRODUCTION OF 1954 REGENCY TR-1
1954-1956
The First All Transistor Radios
A 7 Transistor Radio
RCA made their own transistors but used some TI transistors 234 and 235 the rest are RCA 2N109. Price in 1955 $75.
A 4 Transistor Radio
Used Sylvania transistors 2N35, 2N193, 2N194 and 2N216.
Raytheon T-2500- 1956 the Fourth and Last Transistor Radio by RaytheonA 7 Transistor Radio
Same basic circuit as the 8TP series, but has a pair of 4 inch speakers. Made for the beach or park.
Used TI type transistors using Emerson custom #s 815009 (2N145), 815010 (2N147), 815017 (2N172), 815018
A 6 Transistor Radio
A 5 Transistor Radio
GE made their own transistors using 2N44, 2N78, 2N135, 2N136 and 2N137. Prrice in 1955 $49.95
A 7 Transistor Radio.
Philco designed their own transistors 5021, 5028, 5114 and 5113
A 5 Transistor Radio
1955-1956 Hybrid Radios
Using tubes and transistors
Short Lived and Early Production Transistors were expensive. Some manufacturers put in a couple of transistors and the rest tubes to save money and market the radio as transistor. Tube technology made hand wiring easier
Emerson 838 (1955) Purse size and Enerson's first TR. Uses 2 custom made transistors (made by Texas Instruments) and 3 Subminiature Tubes (1V6, 1AH4 and 1JD4). The A battery is a 4 volt mercury battery and the B Battery is a miniature a 45 V type.
Emerson 843 (1956) Lunch Box Size Radio. AKA "Transistor lll" Below is an example of what a hybrid looks like in a tube type leather case. The Emerson 843. Uses 3 miniature tubes ( 1R5, 1U4 and 1U5) and 3 custom Emerson transistors (2N109)
Emerson Hybrid Sets
Emerson 838Access to alignment of stations requires removal of cover plate above B battery door.
Emerson 843: Three battery tubes on the lef2t and the three audio transistors on the lower right.
Emerson 843 IF Transformer Failures
Common in mid 1950 Radios
BELOW: Both IF transformers suffered from silver rot. Sample of capacitor silver rot.
1957-1958
All Transistor Radios
Westinghouse H-612P5 (1957)
A 5 Transistor Radio
Uses Texas Instruments transistors 2N252 RF/Conv, 2N253 and 2N254 IF, 2N238 Audio and 2N291 Audio Output.
Along with the model 610 (Sonora's first transistor radio) the Power Mite are the only two transistor radios marketed, as Sonora would shortly close its doors permanently. Sonora calls it a 6 transistor radio because the included the 1N295 limiter diode as the 6th transistor. Used GE transistors 2N107 (or SC-12, a Sonora part number), 2N292/448, 2N1086 and 2N1098/1145
A 5 Transistor Radio
A 6 Transistor Radio
Within a year Motorola makes major upgrades to the 56T1. It is now a 6 transistor radio with push-pull Class AB audio amplifier and a separate diode detector and avc limiter diode added. The double sided printed wired board remains.
6 Transistor Radios
Six Transistor Radio (See restoration section for details)
This model clearly describes that American buyers still like the much larger "lunch box" style radios. This was a throwback to vacuum tube portable sets. Manufacturers made transistor radios this size often tauted a bigger speaker which translate to greater volume.Sylvania made their own transistors, 2N194, 2N233A, 2N306
A 6 Transistor Radio
Price $46
A 4 Transistor Radio
Emerson Radio, New York, NY. 4 Transistor Reflex Radio. Looks like a throwback from their tube portables. Comes in many two tone colors and has a 4" speaker. Seems like it was marketed for the younger buyers, very simple design but looks like a big sound radio. The handle doubles as a rotating antenna. Uses Raytheon transistors branded with Emerson part numbers.
An 8 Transistor Radio
Used RCA 2N406, 2N410, 2N411 and 2N412 series transistors
A 5 Transistor Radio
Used RCA 2N406, 2N410 and 2N411 series transistors.
From Germany (formerly West Germany)
A 6 Transistor Radio
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