I noticed this famous little transmitter of the 1960s on eBay, it was probably the most popular one of the era, complete, apparently unused and with an outrageous asking price, (myself, I wouldn't want it even if it were $30) but it's interesting for the pictures, but what caught my attention was something said in the description..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/326783957179
Complete In Box 1962 Remco Caravelle Radio Style #120 Transmitter Receiver Radio
$189.95 or Best Offer
Released in 1962, the toy radio is easy to assemble and includes a microphone and a Morse code oscillator key that both plug into the base unit. A single 9-volt battery powers the toy, giving it a “without wires” capability that Remco often highlighted in its advertising.When powered on, the Caravelle’s integrated 3.5-foot antenna receives local AM radio broadcasts and can transmit on AM frequencies in a 500-foot radius. While this distance wasn’t enough to enable kids to launch a full-blown pirate radio station, it was most certainly enough to dazzle one’s family with one’s DJ skills and gift for the gab.
And fear not, the Caravelle was designed (at the time) to Federal Communications Commission requirements, meaning that it could be operated without a license!
No, what I'm pointing out isn't really a big deal, but it struck me that he referred to it being capable of a 500ft radius. It had only been 5 years before that the FCC had created the alternate rule (15.219) which had unintentionally resulted in providing a greater capability than part 15 AM had ever had before (which had prior to then was commonly quoted as anywhere from 75 to 150 foot range), So it's entirely reasonable to assume the Caravel probably did provided at least a 500 foot range (500ft radius = 250ft). But what I was curious about is did the seller obtain that information from the manual?
I zoomed in on what few pages it actually showed in the auction, I see on the front page it says " transmit your voice any distance in your own home to your own home radio.", but nothing specifically about 500ft, but maybe it said it on one of the other pages. So I went to try and find a pdf copy of the manual on the net but couldn't find one anywhere - which is surprising because the manuals are often included whenever I see one of these come up for sale, which is often.
The reason I'm even interested is because ever since the 1956 rule change the FCC, when they do state range, it has always varied on their estimations.. For example in the early 1970s on through the 1980s the FCC usually expressed the signal had to stay within 300 to 500ft , and then as the 1990s they lowered that estimation to approximately 200ft as permissible. Now since the mid 2000s they openly express that there is no range limit to 15.219 because too many variables are involved so now they never state range but simply resort back to compliance by the actual original 100mw input and 10ft antenna limitation as the governing factor.
So that's why I was curious if the certified Remco manual had actually stated a 500ft radius. Not that it matters, just wanted to know.. I haven't found out, but while looking I came across an interesting tidbit about the Remco company..
Canada’s first science fiction television series, Space Command
https://ingeniumcanada.org/channel/articles/challenging-the-stars-themselves-an-infinitesimal-look-at-what-could-well-be
"... As far as yours truly can tell, the presence of Space Command on the air and the presence in Montréal newspapers, in 1953, of advertisements for the ‘Space Commander’ Vibro-Matic walkie talkies made in the United States by a, at the time, relatively little known toy maker, Remco Industries Incorporated, was a simple coincidence. Incidentally, I rather like the descriptor used in some French language advertisements to describe these walkie talkies, namely parleurs ambulants, in English ambulatory / strolling speakers. ..."
Also, just for the sake of mention, also found this Central Illinois Radio Club August 2010 Newsletter that said the Caravelle allowed for a 300mw signal!.. I'm guessing he probably meant 300ft, but it does bring the fact to mind that the original 15.219 rule did propose a 200mw input and that rule would have come to pass and carried over to the present day, had not that rule change coincided with another part 15AM transmitter being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission at the time which directly resulted in the 200mw being reduced to 100mw input
https://device.report/m/f8f04c186409504d047a82387ee6b2cc4d17f62b23369b342f45ba4492e526e6.pdf
An earlier Christmas present had brought a Remco Caravelle AM Broadcast Band Transmitter /Receiver that allowed a 300millwatt signal on the unused
portion of the AM Broadcast band. It had a microphone and a real Morse Code Key. I spent hours talking to my families stand up push button Zenith AM radio in the living room
This topic was modified 9 months ago by RichPowers
500ft radius not bad for a "toy"