Thinking of getting a old tube radio...

[HeadphoneJack]

What model of the "Transoceanic" series would you recommend? I would like it to have the ability to receive AM, FM, and Shortwave frequencies. (What exactly does "Broadcast" and "Longwave" mean? Are there more than one Shortwave bands?) Also, I want to make sure it sounds good. Should I go for one with an electrostatic(?) speaker? Should I go for a tube or transistor Transoceanic? I've heard tube radios are more sensitive to frequencies. Also, are they portable? If so, what will I need to do to run them?

Thanks!

[sean]

If you are wanting the ability to receive FM, in a Transoceanic (TO) you will have to go with a transistor model. The 3000 was the first TO to have FM. The modern FM band (88-108Mc) was introduced after WWII so that limits the age of radio that you can get. You could get a radio that is earlier and also get one of the FM converters that were made by Pilot, Howard, or Meissner just to name a few. Longwave is the low frequency band below the AM broadcast band. There really isn't anything there anymore except some aircraft navigation non-directional beacons.