On Feb 21, 11:21 pm, "tack" wrote:
A few days ago I picked up at an estate sale, for 3 dollars, a
National
Panasonic "World boy" custom model# RF-850HB ac/dc radio. AM/FM/SW.
12 transistor 8 diodes. Has anyone seen or heard one of these
radios?

Congratulations on a good deal!

Panasonic, Sony, Sanyo, Toshiba, Regency and lots of lesser known
brands made some really nice sounding transistorized portable radios
back then. One that I particularly enjoyed was an AM only GE model
with an integral leather case that used at least 3 D batteries. That
estate sale bargain had audio that was clear and mellow and could
easily fill a room. The large built-in ferrite antenna allowed a lot
of stations to be caught, but I used it mostly as a shop radio.



I am amazed, extremely amazed at the volume and sound quality
of this little portable. I can't believe that it sounds so well.
Volume is loud, too loud; speaker distorts finally at upper limits of
the volume control. But the sound is high-fidelity, crisp, clear,
clean. Lows below and the highs are crisp and clear. Unbelievable.
Made in Japan in 1968. Came with one of those period ersatz leather
cases.

I'm surprised because most of my transistor radios, even the cheapo
drugstore specials from that period came with real leather slip-off
cases.

On the case handle there is a small pouch containing the
earphone. Excellent condition. I'm telling you, Bose has nothing on
this radio. I opened it up to clean the band selector, and noticed
the transistors. a few of the familiar period cans, but several very
small white "pucks" looking much like SMD technology, with the three
leads coming out the sides. Marked with 459, 185, 183, etc. Two
transistors I couldn't see, but I believe the were mounted push-pull
for the audio final under and on the metal plate lining the underside
of the battery box. The Japanese did well back in th' day with this
one. Sensitive, too. Picks up as well as my Worldstar or Grundig.
It has a 7" ferrite rod inside and a small telescoping whip.