State of the Radio Collection 2015: "I've Got What I Want"

When I got bit by the radio bug in 2004 and bought every Grundig, Eton, Kaito, and Tecsun being released, I started my radio education. At the time, I also bought some vintage Panasonic, Sony, and Telefunken radios. 

Has my passion died? Not really. Here's the thing. I've got what I want. And I know my limitations regarding my tech skills, so I only use my mint Panasonic RF-888 shown below when I want a taste of vintage glory. My beloved Panasonic RF-877 "GI-Joe Radio" (top of the post) shown has amazing FM/AM reception but its sound is intermittent due to oxidization inside the pot. I may have to hire someone to clean it out. 

I'm resigned to the fact that while I have the best modern radios for suiting my listening needs, none of them have the majesty of a Panasonic RF-2200 or a lesser priced GE Super Radio II. 

In any event, here's my current collection:

The C.Crane SW Radio plays in my workout den/office. I wanted it in my bedroom but its FM antenna too easily hooked on my elbow when I was getting up in the dark, so back in the den it went. Strengths: FM and loud sound. Weaknesses: None. 

C.Crane 2E plays in the kitchen. I bought this a year ago evidencing that I'll still buy a new radio if I am confident that it is an upgrade to what I already own. The 2E proves to be better than its previous incarnation in terms of sound and FM reception but only by a hair. Weakness: Like all my radios, 640 AM is too strong in Torrance and gets overload in the sound of squawking goose. I gave up on 640 and now listen to Leo Laporte podcasts.

 

C. Crane Plus in the girls' bathroom. Nearly as good as the 2E. Ed bought this for me for 7 dollars at Fryes. My greatest radio deal ever.

 

Tivoli Songbook in the master bathroom. It's small so it fits on the tiny bathroom table. FM is fine. AM is subject to interference.

 

Sangean WR-2 plays in the master bedroom. I love that its earbud jack is in the front. FM is great. AM is above average. Problems: The on-off button sometimes needs to be pressed 3-5 times to operate, a condition that can be improved with a Q-Tip dab of Deoxit.

So there you have it. I still love my radios. I don't buy them much anymore, not because I've lost my passion but because I've got what I want.  

 

 

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Comments

[Gary]

If only you could get to the "I've got what I want" state with your watch collection.

[herculodge]

Gary, the plan is to go on watch hiatus after acquiring the Promaster Sky in silver titanium. "I've got what I want."

[Brandon]

I've also pretty much got what I want for radios. I only own 3 which see much use - a Grundig Satellit 2400, Panasonic RF-1188, and Panasonic RF-940. The remainder of my collection is in a closet; once in a while I pull one out of storage to play with. About the only other radio I'd like to add to my collection some day is a nice tube radio from the late 1950s or early 1960s.

Also, is it just me, or are vintage radio selling much cheaper on ebay these days than they used to 5 years ago? It seems like many of the classics are going for 20 to 30 percent less than what I remember. That doesn't exactly instill confidence in me holding on to my entire collection.

[Keith Beesley]

Nice collection, Jeff, looks like you've got the best of "vintage" and new. I wish I could be content with "only" 7 or 8 :-).

[Gary]

Jeff,

If you're already on a radio buying hiatus and you'll be going on a watch buying hiatus, what will there be to talk about on Herculodge?

[Randy in Cleveland]

Nice collection, I have the CCrane SW and 2E like you as well as a dozen other various current models and makes, but my obsession continues. I just pulled the trigger on the CCrane Skywave, will get it tomorrow, and the Tecsun 880 is in my crosshairs soon. Then I'm shifting gears to the icons of yesteryear, GE P780, Super Radio, Panny's, Zenith Transoceanics, etc. If what Brandon says is true then that bodes well for my addiction, it's a sickness I know but I can't help it.

[herculodge]

Gary, to stop being addicted and to stop buying consumer products to review for a blog is a sort of death. I'd like to keep Herculodge going if I can but I imagine the posts won't be as frequent. Just as I found satisfaction with my radio collection (but would buy upgrades when I see fit), I'd like to reach that state with my watches.

[herculodge]

Brandon, after 2009 vintage radios went down in price. It's related to economy in general. I like your vintage radio collection. I've written them down and will put them on my wish list.

[Drive-In-Freak]

So.....you're cured?

[Angelo]

I miss that yellow Telefunken that you used to show with lemons in the photo.

[herculodge]

Drive-In,

Cured is a relative term. If a new CCrane SW were to come out based on the vaporware Redsun 3100 with real press-button preset tuning, I'd get it.

[Drive-In-Freak]

LMAO...Old habits die hard, don't they?
I'm still looking for that one new rig that'll get it just right..no tuning muting, so soft mute, no overload/saturation with strong local signals, sensitive and selective, and good sound. If they could get it right years ago there's no reason why they can't now. Other than that I think I'm done with the new stuff........yea, right.
Well,a man can dream anyway, right?

[Drive-In-Freak]

Oh..and...nice stash. I can see how you'd be satisfied with what you have.

[herculodge]

Yeah, my only temptation would be a mint RF-2200.

[herculodge]

I forgot to mention I use Angelo's Panasonic RF-900 (gift to me) for 710AM by my desk and my Tivoli PAL for 570 by my desk when I'm too lazy to walk across my office and turn on my Panasonic RF-888.

I also have a dozen other radios in the garage. So I'm packed.