By William Flood While collectors can enjoy most anything, some items offer more than just looking nice on the shelf. It’s nice when a collectible actually does something! Antique and vintage shortwave radios are like that. Rather than just collect dust, they let you listen to news and entertainment from across the world. Shortwave listening is a great way to learn about geography and culture. Imagine listening to an English broadcast from China one day and classical music from Germany the next. For even more adventure, there’s the excitement of chasing down marine and aircraft communication, amateur radio operators, and even military signals. Shortwave radio is radio transmission using shortwave radio frequencies. Radio waves in the shortwave band can be reflected or refracted from a layer of electrically charged atoms in the atmosphere called the ionosphere. Therefore, short waves directed at an angle into the sky can be reflected back to Earth at great distances, beyond the horizon. Thus shortwave radio can be used for very long distance communication. Shortwave radio is used for broadcasting of voice and music to shortwave listeners over very large areas; sometimes entire continents or beyond. It is also used for military over-the-horizon radar, diplomatic communication, and two-way international communication by amateur radio enthusiasts for hobby, educational and emergency purposes, as well as for long distance aviation and marine communications. Vintage shortwave radios also provide a glimpse into the history of technology and consumer electronics. From the outset of radio broadcasting in the 1920s shortwave listening has always played a part. In those early years, the first radios were sold to the general public – more impressively, those who couldn’t afford one learned how to build their own. Radio’s “golden age” spanned the 1930s through the 1950s and it became more commonplace for people to listen to the broadcasts from around the globe. Design played an increasing role as radios became home decor items. Many early radios reflected the influence of Art Deco design and are beautiful pieces. The same can be said for many post-war models that incorporated jet-age and atomic-age lines popular in mid-century. Communication technology developed during World War II showed up in rigs built in the 40s and 50s. Often referred to as “boat anchors” due to their size and heft, these vacuum tube receivers were masterpieces of workmanship and engineering. Things got smaller once we made it to the moon and learned how to miniaturize electronics using transistors and integrated circuits. World band radios also got more capable and began sporting digital displays and direct keyboard-entry of frequencies. Plenty of old shortwave sets can be found in the usual places. There are also local radio collector clubs and specialized events called “hamfests” that cater to radio communication enthusiasts which can be additional treasure-troves for vintage shortwave gear. Keep in mind, since these radios date back decades, what you purchase may require refurbishment. That’s particularly true of old tube-type radios. Old tubes, capacitors, and power transformers can all go bad and need replacing. While solid-state sets from the 1970s may be less prone to needing repair, they are not immune from needing some tinkering. As you search, you’ll uncover choices ranging from inexpensive portable receivers costing as little as $30 to top-tier communication equipment originally costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Overall, vintage shortwave receivers from pre-1985, in good working condition will run between $100 and $200 with fixer-uppers typically $50-$75. While you are on the hunt, it’s worth keeping an eye out for certain brands and models. The following will provide a good overview of what to look for. Hallicrafters Perhaps no other line of vintage shortwave receiver is more coveted than those made by Hallicrafters starting in the 1930s. Hallicrafters went on to manufacture nearly two-dozen popular models before ceasing production in the 1960s. Plenty of kids during that era got their start in shortwave listening by saving allowance money for a six-tube S-38, originally priced at about $40. An S-38 will still command $40 today. A Hallicrafters SX-110 even appeared in a 1966 episode of the Andy Griffith show that featured a traveling band of gypsies who tricked Mayberryans into believing they could predict the future. It was actually the shortwave radio where they gathered the inside information for their “predictions.” Hammarlund Formed in 1910, the Hammarlund Manufacturing Company was one of the nation’s earliest producers of radio equipment. They introduced their first shortwave sets in the early 1930s. Popular models from the post-war years include the Super Pro and HQ Series which can still command up to $200 if in good shape. Unfortunately, Hammarlund did not make a successful transition into the solid-state market and ceased operation in the 1960s. Zenith The Zenith Transoceanic series was among the most popular shortwave radio lines ever built. Nearly a million units were sold between 1942 and 1979. One was even featured in an episode of Father Knows Best entitled “Shortwave” in which the family hears a cabin cruiser in distress on Bud’s Transoceanic and jumps to their aid. Chicago-based Zenith had been making radios, including those with shortwave coverage since 1924. But, its founder, E. F. McDonald, a charismatic former Naval Lieutenant-Commander wanted a portable radio suitable for boaters. The first model, the Transocean Clipper, looking like a leather suitcase, was introduced in 1942. It was followed by a succession of improved leather-clad tube-based radios released throughout the 1940s and 50s. The brilliantly-styled line was so popular that it spurred competing “suitcase” style shortwave sets including RCA’s popular Stratoworld radio. In 1957, the first of several transistor-based Transoceanics was introduced. Although Zenith continued making solid-state models until the end of the 1970s, they effectively lost the competitive battle to Sony, Panasonic, and others which had introduced digital tuning. Transoceanics, of all types, are a favorite of collectors and restorers, but particularly so for the tube radios. Project radios can be had for as little as $10 while restored units can run over $100. Heathkit Michigan’s Heath Company started as a manufacturer of aircraft electronics. In 1947 they began introducing electronic items in kit form, naming the product line Heathkit. Their first shortwave kit came out in the 1950s. Following Heathkit’s success, other companies began selling kit-built communication gear, including Knight (the popular Star Roamer radio) and Lafayette which was once the competitor to Tandy/Radio Shack. Grundig Grundig started in post-war Germany in 1945, quickly earning worldwide acclaim for its consumer electronics. By the 1950s, they were the largest radio manufacturer in Europe. Grundig radios of that era are truly remarkable pieces, technologically advanced, exuding mid-century style, and often sporting exotics woods like European walnut or teak. From the 1970s to 1980s, Grundig introduced successions of the Satellit models, prized by enthusiasts because of their advanced circuitry and early adoption of digital tuning. |