Available on Amazon.
Thats pretty cool but if I would never pay $33 for it.
I dont understand your leather reference?
Heathkit are back. Not with much but they have the TRF radio like in the 1930s in a replica
https://shop.heathkit.com/collections/products
Heathkit are back. Not with much but they have the TRF radio like in the 1930s in a replica
I remember reading an article about that AM Radio kit when it came out which had stuck in my mind.. but now cant find it, but nstead did find this in-depth review at the Swling blog of the same kit except it was their previous non-solder version; (Now they call it the "Jr" for the same price $149) here's a couple excerpted quotes:
James reviews the Heathkit Explorer Jr. GR-150 TRF AM radio receiver kit
...My biggest criticism so far is the fact that this kit is “solder-less.” All components are attached to the PCB with screws, lock washers and a nut. You insert the leads for each component through the over-size pass-through holes on the PCB... ..On the upside, the fact I didn’t need to work with a hot solder iron meant I felt comfortable building the kit at the kitchen table...
...the instructions call for the kit builder to ‘bend the excess leads back and forth’ until they snap off, rather than instructing the kit builder to snip off the excess leads with nippers. That seemed really strange to me..."
Getting back to your love of leather and radios.. I only see two being made today, Both by Eton, Executive and Mini, on Amazon and the reviews are good and plenty...
Eton Elite Executive AM/FM/Aircraft Band/SSB/Shortwave Radio - $68
And its little brother..
Eton - Elite Mini Compact AM/FM/Shortwave Radio - $38
Yet, as I just noticed, unlike in days of yore, you dont have access to the controls (other than on/off) when the leather case is on the radio!
I think that kind of sucks a little.
Oh!.. It even covers the display! What were they thinking?
@richpowers There's a solder version also. I guess they figured to make a solderless one for those that can't solder. It also needs a powered speaker or amp as it is a tuner only and the tuning dial has no frequency markings.
As for the others yeah what good is the case covering everything.
@richpowers There's a solder version also. I guess they figured to make a solderless one for those that can't solder. It ...
Right, I saw that from your link, but when they originally came out with them it was only the solderless version. They came out with the solder version of the same radio kit a years or two later (for the same $149 price) after so many people complained about the kit . - that's why I was trying to find that original article after its initial release.. it wasn't a very good review, kind of like this Heathkit was an impostor of its former self. But it was an interesting write-up.
Concerning the Tescun 2P3 kit that started this thread.. I was wondering if it was a reproduction because it looked very reminiscent of a 1960-70s style radio to me.. but I didnt find any old radios that looked exactly like it.
But there are a lot of reviews and discussions about the Tescun kit to be found - mostly all good, and that got me to wondering how many people have actually built them?
I see only one seller for them on Amazon and it appears he's sold about 250 of them. They are also on Temu and Ali Express, as well as on Ebay - all for about the same $34 price tag.
Interestingly, I also see a knock-off version at Walmart and Ali Express for about $22 that they call the "2p3 Kit School Radio DIY".
It's interesting to see an rather new AM radio kit still being built today evidently. And Mark is right, a nice leather sleeve would be a real nice touch.
It appears they originate from Hong Kong
@richpowers It's a replica of a similar kit made in the 60s from the manual introduction. Supposed to be a good performer as per some youtube videos.
I've been thinking of building that little Tecsun 2P3 for a while now. It's a neat little radio. I like the fact that it's AM only.
@rugster So has the kit arrived yet?
I've been thinking about buying it for a few years, but other projects keep taking priority @RichPowers!
Yet, as I just noticed, unlike in days of yore, you dont have access to the controls (other than on/off) when the leather case is on the radio!
I think that kind of sucks a little.
Oh!.. It even covers the display! What were they thinking?
Exactly what is the point of covering the display? The leather cover is just a purse in this example. The old "transistor radio", as I recall family calling them, was molded to the product with display clearly visible. I had been given an old Realistic brand one that ran on a 9v battery about 1972. Even had holes punched through for the speaker. I reckon they expect you to pull it out to listen to it?
So are the new transistor radios in your specimen worth the purchase? I have a solar crank type I keep in the station studio that's analog I use to see if I'm properly on the air.