On 07/04/2011 07:39 AM, Gisle Vanem wrote:
Please folks, tell us about what radio got you into DX-ing. I.e.
which radio was the first "fix". The one that made you pursue DX-ing?

Here is a picture of my first, named "Radionette Combi Star":
http://www.nnrm.net/Teknisk%20info/R...0CombiStar.htm

Some technical data (translated from the above):

Year of build: 1960 (by Radionette A/S, Oslo, Norway)
Transistors: 2x OC71, 2x OC604 (germanium with long legs).
Frequency bands: LW, MW, 1.6 - 3.3 MHz ("fishery-band" on our lingo since
fishermen used it to "phone" home) and SW 49m - 19m bands (continuously).
Price in 1960: NOK 590,- (approx. 90 US$ then).
Power alternatives: 110V, 130V, 150V, 210V, 230V or 7.5V battery pack.
# produced: unknown.

Variants in the750001-751600 series had Garrard record-player. While the
755001 had a
Star record-player (45 RPM). The first model which came in 1958 had a
mix of germanium transistors and tubes.

I remember it had an internal loop antenna hidden around the inside rim
of the wooden chassis. So the MW reception and null-effect (figure-of-8)
was
rather good. It had exactly the same colour as in the picture above (but
available
several others). It was sturdy built and had a good speaker. Since it
also had a battery
pack, I could even take it to the beach and play my 45 RPM records.

I remember my first good DX on this radio; Radio Australia (ABC) on the
25m band. As a 12 year old, I couldn't really believe my ears. Got it
from my step-mother after she got tired
of it. And since FM was long common then (1970), she had no use for it.
So, that was some
tales of my first radio-love.

--gv

I had a newer version of this:

http://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=139963

Mom refinished it and dad flipped out. I got the radio.