Harrods Kit radio

Harrods Kit radio

 This little two transistor and one germanium diode medium waveband radio dates from 1957/8. It was given to me by Ian Wilson in 2017. As can be seen from the picture above it was in a sorry state when I received it. I reattached a couple of the transistor leads made a new contact bracket for the negative end of the 1.5 volt cell and painted over the rust stain on the backing paper. When connected to a long outside aerial and a good earth connection I was able to tune in two local medium wave stations. The tuned circuit coil is wound around the periphery of the board on which the components are attached with brass wood screws. The coil of wire in the box was presumably intended as an aerial and the aluminium peg on which it is wound as an earth connection. The radio has long been parted from its other half (perhaps a food or sandwich container).

The headphones are government surplus low resistance type CLR and the transistors are reject items probably made by Newmarket. In the late 1950's Laskys of Tottenham Court Road in London were advertising these as "Transistors at a reasonable price"  and were described as PNP junction type suitable for high gain and low frequency amplifiers. The price ten shillings post free. The headphone were available from other government surplus traders at seven shillings and sixpence.

now working with new battery contact brackets