Review of the Ross AM/FM/SW Portable Radio

(Re-post)

Moved by nostalgia, Angelo bought a childhood radio and now he has provided us with a review of the Ross AM/FM/SW Portable vintage radio:

This is a 1960's era "Ross" AM-FM-SW portable radio.  This was aquired on E-Bay and it's a duplicate of the first shortwave radio I ever had.  

Back in the early 1970's, my Aunt and Uncle gave me a General Electric AM pocket radio to keep up with baseball scores and the latest music---and my love for radio was born.  That radio lasted a few years---and when it finally conked out, my Dad gave me his Ross portable radio.  I'm sure he bought it in the 1960's, probably for the shortwave band, as so many people wanted shortwave access back then.  He didn't use the radio much, and it passed to me.  Of course, I overused it---roughed it up---and a few years later, it was history.  

I came across the same exact model on E-Bay and picked it up for the sake of posterity as much as any other reason.  I will say, Ross made some attractive radios in their day and this one is no exception.  The stitched black vinyl is a great faux leather and after 40 plus years, still looks new.  The chrome and brightwork have held up too.  Even both antennas are intact.  I should say that this particular radio was apparently well used, so the fact that a quick clean-up has it looking this good is testament to the fact that it was not made of cheap materials.  

It's performance?  I grade it a "C" for reception and sound quality.  Sony or Panasonic it ain't, though it was made in Japan.  It's perfectly suited for catching a baseball game or news while working on home projects---and it certainly can pull in shortwave broadcasts as well, though I have other, more capable radios to turn to for that.  Still, I can't overlook the sentimental value of having the Ross to use once in a while---it transports me back to 1977! 

Speaking of Ross, I'll close by saying they were one of those off brands (similar to Lloyds) who tried to mimmick the more expensive, better known radios but at a lower price.  For this reason, I think people lump them in with Soundesign, Yorx, GPX and other K-Mart style radios from the 60's, 70's and later.  But I do think it's an unfair comparison.  Ross, Lloyd's, Columbia Masterwork, Channel Master and a batch of others did make bona fide, decent radios, many of which were sold in electronics stores or department stores, not mass discounters and chain drug stores.  These companies made some decent radios---often with unusual styles and a lot of features.  They're certainly worth a look on E-Bay or at Goodwill shops, estate sales, etc.  They're typically inexpensive and fun to play with---in some cases, nice additions to a radio collection too.  

Comments

[Jessica]

I have a Ross FM/Am portable radio, in its original box, with a receipt from 1969. It still works too.
Do you have any idea if there is a market for this and if so, what it might be worth today?