Reflecting on my array of hobbies and collections, I often wonder if I’ve amassed too much. Yet, one passion that has remained constant since my childhood is my love for radios. This fascination was sparked by my father’s vintage valve radio, which he ingeniously connected to a speaker within a large cabinet he crafted long before I was born. Each morning, he would tune in to catch the latest news and enjoy the voices of BBC legends like John Dunn and Terry Wogan, who seemed to dominate the breakfast airwaves for decades.
Eventually, I felt the urge to own a radio myself. My opportunity came at a jumble sale, where I stumbled upon a 1960s Japanese Mitsubishi pocket radio. Despite its corroded battery compartment, I managed to clean it up and replace the connector, using my dad’s soldering iron – borrowed without his knowledge. Having observed him solder components for his model train set, I was confident in my skills. To my delight, the radio sprang to life. Although it was an AM-only device, its sound quality was remarkable for its size. I experimented with various aerials and speakers, gaining valuable knowledge along the way. Eventually, I traded it with a friend, Oliver Mousely, for a camping stove. Oliver, if you’re reading this, I’d love to have it back!
My radio interest deepened with the discovery of shortwave. The magic of shortwave lies in its ability to bounce signals off the ionosphere, enabling them to travel vast distances. I noticed that signals were stronger at night, later understanding this was due to the sun’s influence on the ionosphere. Many evenings were spent tuning into distant stations, trying to pinpoint their origins. One unforgettable station was Radio Free Albania, which played English music and captured my youthful imagination.
As technology evolved, so did my enthusiasm, particularly with the advent of FM radios. Frequency modulation, or FM, offered superior sound quality and stereo broadcasts, which completely captivated me. Today, I enjoy collecting radios, especially pocket-sized models from the 1960s and novelty radios from various decades. I still own a few shortwave radios and occasionally retreat to my man cave to see what signals I can catch. While online prices have increased, affordable options from the 1950s and 60s are still available.
Over the years, almost anything imaginable has been transformed into a radio. I particularly enjoy collecting advertising-themed radios, such as Frosties cereal boxes, WD-40 tins, and Crown paint cans. These treasures are often found at car boot sales at reasonable prices. My wife recently discovered a unique pair of sunglasses with a built-in AM radio from around 1967. Although they currently don’t function, I plan to repair them, as I prefer my collection to be operational.
While I won’t delve into specifics about any particular radio, those seeking detailed information should explore dedicated radio enthusiast sites. I own a couple of rare models featured there. Choosing a favorite is difficult, but I have a special affection for a tiny Spanish valve set in my collection, which still performs beautifully.
