1958 Hoffman CP706 Trans-Solar playing in the sunshine
 

I noticed the sun was shining here today in Michigan (a rarity this time of the year), so I stepped outside to make this quick video of my Hoffman CP706 playing in the sun on my front porch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL5Me...e_gdata_player

My porch faces the south, but the sun is pretty low this time of the year, so it has to pass through lots of tree branches before striking the porch area. Still, the little radio performed pretty well.

Note: The squealing heard in the audio is due to interference from the iPad that I used to shoot the video.

Well, THAT'S just nothin' but COOL !

Y'know, even being a hobbyist regarding stereo and high fidelity sound, I actually miss everyone having transistor radios that look and sound like that. At one time, everyone had one. Now, no one does.

When transistor radios became cheap and ubiquitous and pocket sized, all kids had one and would walk around with them clamped to their ear, not using the single earphone that usually came with them.

I shot another video today of the Hoffman CP706 Trans-Solar radio to better demonstrate the output and quality of this little set's audio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhYoyxvusbo

Considering the era of the radio and it's extremely low power consumption, it sounds pretty darned good (and loud).

Solar.. the power!
 

:banana:

Sound's great!

I'll have to start on mine again soon.. It works.. but not much sensitivity or volume.

:music:Buzz:music:

I remember those when they first came out, and they were very impressive. Even more impressive is to see one playing 53 years later.