With all this talk about the Sony ICF-F10 I thought it was about time I shared this radio with the blog. I picked it up a GE 7-2940 eBay for about $35 in new condition. Such a deal!
While trolling eBay it's not too uncommon to see a radio like this come up for a reasonable price, and anybody who is dissatisfied with modern offerings should take a look and see what is available.
Beyond to the heft and sturdier feel, the biggest difference with the GE 7-2940 compared to new radios is the Tone knob. I can think of so many portable radios that would benefit from a little tone control.
Thanks!
Nathan
Thanks, Nathan! GE made excellent portable radios from the late '50s right up until they sold their consumer products division to Thomson Electronics in '88 or so (in contrast to their plug-in, tabletop models, which are generally not as good, IMO). You really can't go wrong with any GE portable made during that era. Some of the 50s-early 60s ones take non-standard battery sizes that are hard to find now, so always check and make sure the one you're interested in takes standard AA, C, D, etc. Of course a lot of the ones from pre-1970 are AM-only; FM didn't really catch on in the US until the 1970s.
Posted by: Keith Beesley | March 22, 2013 at 12:38 PM
The GE 7-2850 Super Star is another of their fine, good-sounding smaller radios that were made in Hong Kong. There is one for sale on eBay currently.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-GE-7-2850A-AM-FM-Portable-Radio-Receiver-Hong-Kong-SERVICED-NICE-PERFORMANCE-/300879278263?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460dcd70b7
Posted by: Gary | March 22, 2013 at 05:16 PM